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 for optimizing 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, Ankylosaurus, and Brontosaurus. The Argentavis is excellent for air transport 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 its massive weight capacity and ability to carry large quantities of resources over land.

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 raw meat or berries, to keep the parents and baby fed. For egg-laying creatures, youÔÇÖll need air conditioners or campfires to maintain the correct temperature for incubation. For mammals, ensure you have a steady supply of food for the baby, as it will consume a lot during its growth stages.

Once the baby is born or hatched, you must care for it diligently. Babies require constant feeding, and their food consumption is high. Use a feeding trough to make this process easier, especially if youÔÇÖre breeding multiple creatures. Imprinting is crucial, as it boosts the creatureÔÇÖs stats and makes it more effective in transportation tasks. To imprint, interact with the baby when it requests care, such as walking, cuddling, or feeding. Each imprint increases the creatureÔÇÖs stats and loyalty, so prioritize this step.

Common mistakes to avoid include neglecting the babyÔÇÖs food supply, which can lead to starvation, and failing to imprint, which results in a weaker creature. Another mistake is breeding creatures with low base stats, as this will produce offspring with inferior stats. Always start with high-level creatures to ensure the best possible offspring.

Advanced techniques involve selective breeding to combine the best stats from multiple generations. Track the stats of your creatures and breed those with the highest weight and stamina to create a superior transportation line. Mutations can also enhance your creatures, but they are rare and random. Focus on stacking mutations in weight and stamina to further optimize your transportation creatures.

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

For tribes, breeding can be a collaborative effort, with members sharing responsibilities for feeding and imprinting. Solo players should focus on breeding one or two creatures at a time to manage the workload effectively.

In specific scenarios, such as transporting metal from a mountain, an Argentavis with high weight and stamina is ideal. For moving large quantities of wood or thatch, a Brontosaurus with a platform saddle can carry massive amounts. Tailor your breeding choices to the resources you need to transport and the terrain youÔÇÖll be navigating.

In conclusion, breeding creatures for resource transportation in ARK: Survival Evolved requires careful planning, preparation, and execution. By selecting the right creatures, understanding breeding mechanics, and avoiding common mistakes, you can create a powerful transportation line that significantly enhances your resource gathering and movement capabilities. Whether playing solo or in a tribe, this strategy is a game-changer for efficient resource management.