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 begins, a progress bar will appear, and after completion, an egg or baby will be produced. The baby requires 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, Ankylosaurus, and Brontosaurus. The Argentavis is excellent for air transportation due to its high weight capacity and ability to carry smaller creatures. The Ankylosaurus is ideal for gathering and transporting metal and other heavy resources, while the Brontosaurus is unmatched for moving large quantities of resources over land due to its massive weight capacity.

To start breeding, you need to prepare a suitable environment. Build a secure breeding area with enough space for the creatures to move around. Ensure you have plenty of food, such as meat for carnivores or berries for herbivores, to keep the parents and baby fed. YouÔÇÖll also need preserving bins or refrigerators to store the food, as babies consume large amounts of it during their growth stages. For egg incubation, you may need air conditioners or campfires, depending on the species.

Once the baby is born or hatched, it will require constant attention. Babies have a high food consumption rate, so you need to monitor their inventory and ensure they are always fed. Imprinting is crucial during this stage. When the baby requests care, such as cuddling or specific food, fulfill its needs promptly to increase its imprint percentage. Higher imprinting boosts the creatureÔÇÖs stats, making it more effective for transportation.

A common mistake to avoid is neglecting the babyÔÇÖs food supply. Starvation can lead to the babyÔÇÖs death, wasting all your effort. Another mistake is not securing the breeding area, which can result in predators attacking the baby or parents. Always build walls and gates to protect your breeding operation.

Advanced techniques include stacking mutations to create creatures with exceptional stats. Mutations are rare and random, but they can significantly enhance a creatureÔÇÖs weight capacity or speed. To stack mutations, breed creatures with desirable stats and mutations, then continue breeding their offspring to combine the best traits. This process requires patience and careful tracking of lineage to avoid inbreeding, which can reduce stat quality.

Resource requirements for breeding include a steady supply of food, materials for building the breeding area, and tools for incubation and imprinting. If youÔÇÖre playing solo, consider automating some tasks, such as using feeding troughs to reduce the need for constant feeding. In a tribe, coordinate with members to share responsibilities, such as gathering food or monitoring the babyÔÇÖs growth.

Specific examples of breeding for transportation include creating a fleet of Argentavis for air transport or breeding a line of Ankylosaurus for metal gathering. For example, if youÔÇÖre based in a mountainous area with abundant metal nodes, breeding Ankylosaurus with high weight and melee stats will allow you to gather and transport metal more efficiently. Similarly, breeding Argentavis with high stamina and weight capacity will enable you to move resources across long distances quickly.

In conclusion, breeding creatures for resource transportation in ARK: Survival Evolved is a rewarding but complex process. By selecting the right creatures, preparing a secure breeding environment, and carefully managing the babyÔÇÖs growth and imprinting, you can create powerful and efficient transporters. Avoid common mistakes, utilize advanced techniques, and coordinate with your tribe to maximize your success. With proper planning and execution, your bred creatures will become invaluable assets for resource management and transportation in the game.