What is the best way to breed for high oxygen efficiency in ARK: Survival Evolved?

Breeding for high oxygen efficiency in ARK: Survival Evolved involves a combination of understanding the game's breeding mechanics, careful planning, and patience. Oxygen is a stat that determines how long a creature can stay underwater before needing to surface for air. While this stat is particularly useful for aquatic creatures like the Ichthyosaurus, Basilosaurus, or Megalodon, it can also be beneficial for land creatures that may need to traverse water or participate in underwater activities. Below is a detailed guide on how to breed for high oxygen efficiency.

To begin, you need to understand the mechanics of stat inheritance and mutations. When two creatures breed, the offspring has a 70% chance to inherit the higher stat from either parent. This means if one parent has a high oxygen stat and the other has a low one, the baby has a good chance of inheriting the higher stat. Mutations, on the other hand, are rare and can randomly increase a stat by 2 points or change the creature's color. Mutations can stack, but there is a limit of 20 mutations per stat per lineage. This means you can potentially increase the oxygen stat significantly over multiple generations.

The first step is to gather a pair of creatures with high oxygen stats. You can either tame wild creatures with naturally high oxygen stats or breed existing creatures to combine their stats. Once you have a pair, place them in a safe, enclosed area where they can breed without interference. Ensure they are well-fed and have the necessary resources nearby, such as food and a preserving bin for fertilized eggs if needed. Breeding can be initiated by setting the creatures to "Enable Mating" and ensuring they are close to each other.

After the breeding process begins, you will either get an egg or a live baby, depending on the species. If it's an egg, you need to incubate it at the correct temperature. Use air conditioners, standing torches, or other temperature-regulating items to maintain the required environment. Once the egg hatches, or if the baby is born live, you must immediately start caring for it. Babies require constant feeding and attention until they reach the juvenile stage. During this time, you can also imprint on the baby by interacting with it when it requests care. Imprinting increases the creature's stats and loyalty, making it more effective in the long run.

To maximize oxygen efficiency, focus on breeding creatures with the highest oxygen stats. Over multiple generations, you can combine the best stats from different parents to create a lineage with exceptionally high oxygen. If you are lucky, you may also get mutations that further increase the oxygen stat. Keep track of your breeding lines by naming the creatures or using a spreadsheet to monitor their stats and mutations. This will help you avoid inbreeding and ensure you are making progress toward your goal.

Resource management is crucial during the breeding process. You will need a steady supply of food, such as meat or berries, depending on the species. For aquatic creatures, you may also need fish meat or prime fish meat. Ensure you have enough preserving bins or refrigerators to store the food and keep it fresh. Additionally, having a dedicated breeding area with air conditioners, feeding troughs, and a safe environment will make the process smoother.

Common mistakes to avoid include neglecting the baby's needs, failing to imprint, and not tracking mutations and stat inheritance. Babies can die quickly if not fed regularly, so always have a surplus of food on hand. Imprinting is essential for maximizing the creature's potential, so do not skip this step. Finally, failing to track your breeding lines can lead to inbreeding, which reduces the chances of getting desirable stats and mutations.

Advanced techniques include using multiple breeding pairs to increase the chances of mutations and combining stats from different lineages. You can also use cryopods to store and transport creatures, making it easier to manage large breeding operations. If you are part of a tribe, coordinate with other members to share resources and responsibilities. Solo players should focus on smaller, more manageable breeding projects to avoid being overwhelmed.

In conclusion, breeding for high oxygen efficiency in ARK: Survival Evolved requires a deep understanding of the game's mechanics, careful planning, and patience. By following the steps outlined above, you can create a lineage of creatures with exceptional oxygen stats, making them highly effective for underwater activities. Remember to manage your resources, avoid common mistakes, and use advanced techniques to optimize your breeding process. With dedication and effort, you can achieve your goal and create powerful, specialized creatures for your adventures in ARK.