What are the best creatures to breed for resource transportation in ARK: Survival Evolved?

Breeding creatures for resource transportation in ARK: Survival Evolved is a highly effective strategy to optimize your resource gathering and movement across the map. The process involves selecting the right creatures, understanding breeding mechanics, and ensuring the offspring are well-cared for to maximize their potential. Below is a detailed guide on how to achieve this, covering mechanics, strategies, tips, and more.

First, letÔÇÖs discuss the mechanics of breeding. Breeding in ARK involves pairing two creatures of the same species. For most creatures, this results in an egg that must be incubated, while mammals give birth to live babies. To initiate breeding, you need to set the creatures to "Enable Wandering" or use a mating pen to keep them close. Once breeding starts, a progress bar will appear, and after completion, an egg or baby will be produced. The baby will require constant care, including feeding and protection, until it reaches adulthood. Imprinting is a critical part of this process, as it increases the creatureÔÇÖs stats and loyalty when you interact with it during its growth stages.

For resource transportation, the best creatures to breed are those with high weight capacity and mobility. Some of the top choices include the Argentavis, Quetzal, and Mammoth. The Argentavis is excellent for mid-game transportation due to its ability to carry heavy loads and its stamina efficiency. The Quetzal is the ultimate flying transport creature, capable of carrying massive amounts of resources and even other creatures. The Mammoth is a ground-based option, ideal for gathering and transporting wood and thatch in large quantities.

To start breeding, youÔÇÖll need a suitable base setup. Build a secure area with enough space for the creatures to move around. Include feeding troughs to keep the parents and babies fed, and ensure you have a steady supply of food, such as meat for carnivores or berries for herbivores. For egg-laying creatures, youÔÇÖll need air conditioners or campfires to maintain the correct temperature for incubation. For mammals, ensure you have plenty of food ready for the baby as soon as itÔÇÖs born.

Once the baby is born or hatched, it will require constant attention. Babies have a high food consumption rate, so keep their inventory stocked with food. Use a feeding trough to automate this process as they grow. Imprinting is crucial for maximizing the creatureÔÇÖs stats. When the baby requests care, such as a walk or specific food, provide it promptly to increase the imprint percentage. A fully imprinted creature will have significantly better stats and loyalty.

Common mistakes to avoid include neglecting the babyÔÇÖs food supply, which can lead to starvation, and failing to imprint, which reduces the creatureÔÇÖs potential. Another mistake is breeding creatures with poor stats, as this will result in weaker offspring. Always select parents with high stats in weight and stamina for transportation purposes.

Advanced techniques involve selective breeding to combine the best stats from multiple generations. Track the stats of each parent and offspring to ensure youÔÇÖre making progress. Mutations can also be introduced to further enhance stats or add unique colors. However, mutations are rare, so this process requires patience and careful planning.

Resource requirements for breeding include a steady supply of food, materials for building a secure breeding area, and resources for maintaining the correct temperature for eggs. Preparation is key, so stockpile these resources before starting the breeding process.

For tribes, breeding can be a collaborative effort, with members sharing responsibilities such as feeding, imprinting, and protecting the babies. Solo players will need to manage all aspects themselves, so efficient time management is crucial.

In specific scenarios, breeding a high-weight Argentavis can significantly improve your ability to transport metal from mountains to your base. A Quetzal with a platform saddle can be used to carry an Ankylosaurus for efficient metal gathering. A Mammoth can be bred for high weight and melee damage to maximize wood and thatch collection.

In conclusion, breeding creatures for resource transportation in ARK: Survival Evolved involves careful planning, resource management, and attention to detail. By selecting the right creatures, understanding breeding mechanics, and avoiding common mistakes, you can create powerful and efficient transport creatures to enhance your gameplay. Whether playing solo or in a tribe, this process offers significant advantages in resource gathering and movement across the map.