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 70% chance to inherit the higher stat from either parent. This means that if one parent has a higher movement speed stat, thereÔÇÖs a good chance the baby will inherit it. However, movement speed is a bit unique because it doesnÔÇÖt naturally increase through leveling up in most creatures. This means youÔÇÖll need to rely on mutations to boost this stat beyond its base value.

To start, youÔÇÖll need a pair of creatures with high base movement speed stats. These can be found in the wild or bred from previous generations. Once you have your breeding pair, place them in a secure area, such as a breeding pen, and enable mating. Make sure they are well-fed and have enough food to sustain the breeding process. After mating, the female will either lay an egg (for egg-laying species) or become pregnant (for mammals). The egg or baby will inherit stats from both parents, so itÔÇÖs crucial to track which parent has the higher movement speed.

Once the baby is born or hatched, youÔÇÖll need to care for it until it reaches adulthood. This involves feeding it the appropriate food and ensuring it stays safe from predators. During this time, you can also imprint on the baby by interacting with it at regular intervals. Imprinting increases the babyÔÇÖs stats and loyalty, making it more effective in combat or other tasks. While imprinting doesnÔÇÖt directly affect movement speed, itÔÇÖs still an important part of the breeding process.

Mutations are the key to increasing movement speed beyond the base stat. Mutations occur randomly and can affect either a stat or the creatureÔÇÖs color. Each mutation adds 2 levels to a stat, which can be movement speed if youÔÇÖre lucky. However, mutations are rare, with only a 2.5% chance per breeding event. To maximize your chances, youÔÇÖll need to breed multiple generations and keep track of which creatures have mutations. ItÔÇÖs also important to note that each creature can only have 20 mutations on the maternal and paternal sides combined. Once this limit is reached, further mutations are no longer possible.

One common mistake is breeding creatures with too many mutations too quickly. This can lead to hitting the mutation cap before achieving the desired movement speed. To avoid this, focus on breeding creatures with fewer mutations and only introduce new mutations when necessary. Another mistake is not keeping detailed records of your breeding lines. ItÔÇÖs essential to track which creatures have which stats and mutations to ensure youÔÇÖre making progress toward your goal.

Advanced techniques involve stacking mutations to achieve higher movement speed. This requires creating separate breeding lines for each stat and then combining them later. For example, you could have one line focused on movement speed and another on health. Once both lines have the desired stats, you can breed them together to create a creature with both high movement speed and health. This process can be time-consuming but is highly effective for creating powerful creatures.

Resource requirements for breeding include a steady supply of food, such as meat or berries, depending on the species. YouÔÇÖll also need a secure base with enough space for breeding pens and growing babies. If youÔÇÖre playing solo, this can be challenging, as youÔÇÖll need to manage all aspects of breeding and baby care on your own. In a tribe, responsibilities can be divided, making the process more manageable.

In conclusion, breeding for high movement speed in ARK: Survival Evolved requires a deep understanding of the gameÔÇÖs mechanics, careful planning, and patience. By focusing on stat inheritance, mutations, and advanced breeding techniques, you can create creatures with exceptional movement speed. Avoid common mistakes like over-mutating and poor record-keeping, and ensure you have the necessary resources and preparation. Whether playing solo or in a tribe, the process is challenging but ultimately rewarding, resulting in powerful creatures that can dominate the ARK.