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 to optimize 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.

To begin, you need to identify the best creatures for resource transportation. Some of the top choices include the Argentavis, Ankylosaurus, and Brontosaurus. The Argentavis is excellent for air transportation due to its high weight capacity and ability to carry smaller creatures. The Ankylosaurus is ideal for gathering metal and other heavy resources, while the Brontosaurus is unmatched for its massive weight capacity and ability to transport large quantities of resources over land.

The breeding process starts with selecting two high-level creatures of the same species. Higher-level creatures generally have better base stats, which can be inherited by their offspring. Place the two creatures close to each other and enable the "Enable Wandering" option. This will initiate the breeding process, and if successful, the female will either lay an egg or, in the case of mammals, become pregnant. For egg-laying creatures, you will need to incubate the egg at the correct temperature, which can be achieved using air conditioners, standing torches, or other temperature-regulating items.

Once the egg hatches or the baby is born, you must immediately begin caring for it. Baby creatures require constant feeding and attention. They have a food stat that depletes rapidly, so you need to ensure they have a steady supply of food. For carnivores, this means raw meat, and for herbivores, berries or crops. Use a feeding trough to automate this process, but be prepared to manually feed the baby during its early stages.

Imprinting is a crucial part of the breeding process. By interacting with the baby during its growth stages, you can increase its stats and loyalty. Imprinting involves performing specific tasks, such as cuddling, walking, or feeding the baby its preferred food. Each successful imprint increases the creature's stats and the imprint bonus, which can significantly enhance its effectiveness in resource transportation.

Stat inheritance is another important aspect of breeding. Each stat has a chance to be inherited from either parent, so it is essential to breed creatures with high stats in the areas you want to improve. For resource transportation, focus on weight and stamina. By selectively breeding creatures with high weight and stamina stats, you can create offspring that are better suited for carrying heavy loads over long distances.

Mutations can introduce genetic variations that further enhance your creatures. Mutations can affect stats, colors, or both, and while they are rare, they can provide significant advantages. To maximize the chances of mutations, breed multiple generations and keep track of your breeding lines. This will help you identify and propagate beneficial mutations.

Resource requirements for breeding include a steady supply of food, a safe and controlled environment, and the necessary items for temperature regulation. Prepare by stockpiling food and building a secure breeding area with walls and turrets to protect your creatures from predators and other players.

For tribes, breeding can be a collaborative effort. Assign roles to tribe members, such as one person responsible for feeding and another for imprinting. This can streamline the process and ensure that all aspects of breeding are covered. Solo players will need to manage all aspects themselves, so time management and preparation are key.

Common mistakes to avoid include neglecting the baby's food needs, failing to imprint, and not selecting the right creatures for breeding. Always monitor the baby's food stat and ensure it has enough food to survive. Imprinting is essential for maximizing stats, so do not skip this step. Choose creatures with high base stats and focus on the stats that matter most for resource transportation.

Advanced techniques include stacking mutations and combining the best stats from multiple generations. By carefully tracking your breeding lines and selectively breeding creatures with desirable mutations, you can create highly specialized creatures for resource transportation. Additionally, using cryopods can help manage and transport your creatures more efficiently.

In summary, breeding creatures for resource transportation in ARK: Survival Evolved involves selecting the right creatures, understanding breeding mechanics, and ensuring proper care and imprinting. By focusing on weight and stamina stats, utilizing mutations, and preparing adequately, you can create powerful creatures that excel in resource transportation. Whether playing solo or in a tribe, careful planning and execution will yield the best results.