How do I breed for high movement speed in ARK: Survival Evolved?

Breeding for high movement speed in ARK: Survival Evolved is a complex but rewarding process that involves understanding the game's breeding mechanics, stat inheritance, and mutation systems. Movement speed is a stat that can be inherited or mutated, but it requires careful planning and patience to achieve the desired results. HereÔÇÖs a detailed guide on how to breed for high movement speed, covering all the necessary steps, tips, and considerations.

First, itÔÇÖs important to understand how stat inheritance works in ARK. When two creatures breed, the offspring has a 55% chance to inherit the higher stat from either parent for each individual stat, including movement speed. This means that if one parent has a higher movement speed stat than the other, thereÔÇÖs a good chance the baby will inherit that higher stat. However, movement speed is a bit unique because wild creatures do not have levels allocated to movement speed. Instead, movement speed is determined by the creatureÔÇÖs base speed and any levels you manually allocate after taming. This means that breeding for movement speed requires focusing on mutations rather than stat inheritance from wild tames.

To start breeding for high movement speed, youÔÇÖll need a pair of creatures with good base stats. Since movement speed isnÔÇÖt a stat that can be inherited from wild tames, youÔÇÖll need to focus on other stats initially, such as health, stamina, or melee damage, to create a strong foundation. Once you have a pair of creatures with desirable stats, you can begin the breeding process. The goal is to introduce mutations that increase movement speed. Mutations occur randomly and can affect either a stat or the creatureÔÇÖs color. Each mutation increases a stat by two levels and adds a color mutation, but thereÔÇÖs a limit of 20 mutations per stat.

To maximize your chances of getting a movement speed mutation, youÔÇÖll need to breed multiple generations. Start by breeding your initial pair and checking the offspring for mutations. If a mutation occurs, check whether it affects movement speed. If it does, keep that creature and use it for further breeding. If not, you can either discard the offspring or use it for other purposes. ItÔÇÖs important to keep track of your breeding lines to avoid inbreeding, which can lead to unwanted stat combinations or wasted mutations.

One advanced technique is to use a ÔÇ£cleanÔÇØ breeding pair, which means both parents have no mutations. This allows you to track mutations more easily and ensures that any new mutations are fresh and not inherited from previous generations. Once you have a creature with a movement speed mutation, you can breed it with your clean pair to introduce the mutation into your breeding line. Over time, you can stack multiple movement speed mutations by breeding mutated creatures with clean ones, but be careful not to exceed the 20-mutation limit per stat.

Resource management is crucial when breeding for high movement speed. YouÔÇÖll need a steady supply of food, such as meat or berries, to keep your breeding pair and offspring fed. Additionally, youÔÇÖll need a safe and controlled environment for breeding, such as a secure base with air conditioning or incubators to regulate egg temperature. If youÔÇÖre breeding creatures that lay eggs, youÔÇÖll also need to collect and incubate the eggs properly. For live births, youÔÇÖll need to ensure the baby is fed and cared for until it reaches adulthood.

Tribe and solo considerations also play a role in breeding for high movement speed. In a tribe, you can divide the workload, with some members focusing on gathering resources while others handle breeding and mutation tracking. Solo players will need to manage all aspects of breeding on their own, which can be time-consuming but is still achievable with proper planning. Regardless of your playstyle, communication and organization are key to successful breeding.

Common mistakes to avoid include over-mutating a single stat, which can lead to wasted mutations and inefficient breeding lines. ItÔÇÖs also important to avoid inbreeding, as this can result in offspring with undesirable stat combinations. Additionally, failing to properly care for baby creatures can lead to their death, wasting valuable time and resources. Always ensure that your breeding area is secure and that you have enough food and supplies to sustain your breeding efforts.

In conclusion, breeding for high movement speed in ARK: Survival Evolved requires a deep understanding of the gameÔÇÖs breeding mechanics, careful planning, and patience. By focusing on mutations, managing resources, and avoiding common mistakes, you can create creatures with exceptional movement speed that will give you a significant advantage in the game. Whether youÔÇÖre playing solo or as part of a tribe, the key to success is organization, persistence, and a willingness to experiment with different breeding strategies.