What is the best way to breed for higher weight in a Basilosaurus in ARK: Survival Evolved?

Breeding for higher weight in a Basilosaurus in ARK: Survival Evolved involves a combination of understanding breeding mechanics, stat inheritance, and careful planning. The Basilosaurus is a unique aquatic creature known for its high health and weight stats, making it an excellent choice for underwater resource gathering and transportation. To breed for higher weight, you need to focus on selecting parents with high weight stats, managing mutations, and ensuring proper care for the offspring.

First, you need to understand the mechanics of stat inheritance. When two Basilosaurus breed, the baby has a 70% chance to inherit the higher stat from either parent for each stat category, including weight. This means if one parent has a weight stat of 40 and the other has 45, the baby has a 70% chance to inherit the 45 weight stat. To maximize the weight stat, you should start by taming multiple Basilosaurus and checking their stats after taming. Look for individuals with naturally high weight stats, as these will serve as the foundation for your breeding line.

Once you have identified Basilosaurus with high weight stats, you can begin the breeding process. Place the selected pair in a safe, enclosed area, such as a water pen or a tamed underwater base. Ensure they are set to wander or enable mating in their behavior settings. Keep them well-fed with their preferred food, such as raw meat or fish, to maintain their health during the breeding process. Once mating begins, you will need to wait for the gestation period to complete, as Basilosaurus give birth to live babies rather than laying eggs.

After the baby Basilosaurus is born, it will require immediate care. Baby creatures in ARK have a period of vulnerability where they need constant feeding and protection. For Basilosaurus, this means keeping them in a safe area and providing a steady supply of food. You can use a feeding trough to automate this process, but you will still need to monitor the baby's food levels closely. As the baby grows, you will have opportunities to imprint on it by interacting with it during specific intervals. Imprinting increases the baby's stats and loyalty, making it more effective in the long run.

To achieve higher weight through mutations, you need to understand how mutations work. Mutations are random and can affect either a stat or the creature's color. Each mutation adds 2 levels to a stat, which can be beneficial if it occurs in the weight stat. However, mutations are rare, with only a 2.5% chance per breeding event. To increase your chances, you can breed multiple generations of Basilosaurus, focusing on those with the highest weight stats. Keep track of each generation's stats and mutations to ensure you are making progress toward your goal.

One common mistake to avoid is over-mutating. Each creature has a mutation counter, and once it reaches 20 mutations on either the maternal or paternal side, further mutations become much less likely. To avoid this, you can use a "clean" Basilosaurus with no mutations as one parent while breeding with a mutated one. This allows you to continue introducing new mutations without hitting the mutation cap too quickly.

Advanced techniques include using external tools or spreadsheets to track your breeding lines and mutations. This helps you visualize which Basilosaurus have the best stats and which ones to pair for future breeding. Additionally, you can use cryopods to store and transport your Basilosaurus, making it easier to manage large breeding operations. Cryopods also allow you to pause the growth of a baby Basilosaurus if you need to focus on other tasks.

Resource requirements for breeding Basilosaurus include a steady supply of food, such as raw meat or fish, and a safe environment for raising the babies. You may also need materials to build feeding troughs, water pens, and other structures to support your breeding operation. If you are playing in a tribe, coordinate with your tribe members to share the workload, as breeding can be time-consuming. Solo players should plan their breeding schedule carefully to ensure they can manage the demands of baby care.

In specific scenarios, you might encounter challenges such as predators attacking your Basilosaurus or running out of food. To mitigate these risks, build your breeding area in a secure location, such as a tamed underwater cave or a well-defended water pen. Use tamed creatures like Megalodons or Tusoteuthis to guard the area and deter predators. Additionally, stockpile food in advance to ensure you have enough to sustain your Basilosaurus during the breeding and raising process.

By following these strategies and considerations, you can successfully breed Basilosaurus with higher weight stats in ARK: Survival Evolved. This process requires patience, careful planning, and attention to detail, but the result is a powerful and efficient creature that excels in underwater resource gathering and transportation.