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 from parents, and with careful planning, you can breed creatures with significantly higher movement speed than their wild counterparts. HereÔÇÖs a detailed guide on how to achieve this.

First, you need to understand the basics of breeding. To breed creatures, you need a male and female of the same species. Place them close together and enable the "Enable Wandering" option, which will allow them to mate. Once they mate, the female will either lay an egg or give birth to a live baby, depending on the species. For egg-laying creatures, youÔÇÖll need to incubate the egg at the right temperature, which can be achieved using air conditioners, standing torches, or other temperature control methods. For live births, youÔÇÖll need to be ready to care for the baby immediately.

Stat inheritance is a key aspect of breeding. When a baby is born or hatched, it inherits stats from its parents. Each stat, including movement speed, has a chance to be inherited from either the mother or the father. This means that if you have a parent with high movement speed, thereÔÇÖs a chance the baby will inherit that stat. To maximize the chances of getting high movement speed, you should start by taming multiple creatures of the same species and checking their stats. Look for individuals with high movement speed and use them as your breeding stock.

Mutations can also play a role in increasing movement speed. Mutations are random and can affect either a creatureÔÇÖs stats or its colors. When a mutation occurs, it can increase a stat by two levels, which can be applied to movement speed. However, mutations are rare, so youÔÇÖll need to breed many generations to get the desired mutation. Each creature can have up to 20 mutations on the maternal and paternal sides combined, so itÔÇÖs important to keep track of your breeding lines to avoid hitting the mutation cap.

To start breeding for high movement speed, youÔÇÖll need a breeding pair with high movement speed stats. If you donÔÇÖt have any creatures with high movement speed, youÔÇÖll need to tame more until you find one. Once you have a breeding pair, place them in a secure area and enable wandering to start the breeding process. After the baby is born or hatched, check its stats to see if it inherited the high movement speed. If it did, you can use it as part of your breeding stock for the next generation. If not, youÔÇÖll need to try again.

One important tip is to keep detailed records of your breeding lines. This will help you track which creatures have the highest movement speed and which have mutations. You can use spreadsheets or pen and paper to keep track of each creatureÔÇÖs stats, mutations, and lineage. This will help you avoid inbreeding and ensure that youÔÇÖre making progress toward your goal.

Another consideration is imprinting. Imprinting is a process where you interact with the baby creature during its growth stages to increase its stats and loyalty. Imprinting can significantly boost a creatureÔÇÖs movement speed, so itÔÇÖs important to imprint your babies whenever possible. To imprint, youÔÇÖll need to care for the baby by feeding it, taking it on walks, and giving it cuddles. Each imprinting action will increase the imprint percentage, which will boost the creatureÔÇÖs stats.

Resource management is also crucial when breeding for high movement speed. Breeding requires a lot of food, especially for raising babies. YouÔÇÖll need to stockpile meat, berries, or other food items depending on the species youÔÇÖre breeding. YouÔÇÖll also need a secure base with plenty of space for your breeding pairs and babies. Make sure your base is well-defended to protect your valuable breeding stock from predators or other players in PvP.

In terms of tribe vs. solo considerations, breeding can be more manageable in a tribe because you can share the workload. Tribe members can help with taming, gathering resources, and caring for babies. However, if youÔÇÖre playing solo, youÔÇÖll need to be extra organized and efficient with your time. Make sure you have a steady supply of food and resources before starting a breeding project.

A common mistake to avoid is over-mutating. While mutations can be beneficial, having too many can lead to diminishing returns. Once a creature has 20 mutations on both the maternal and paternal sides, it can no longer receive new mutations. To avoid this, you should focus on breeding creatures with the desired mutations and avoid unnecessary breeding that could lead to mutation cap issues.

Advanced techniques include using stat calculators to predict the outcome of breeding pairs. These tools can help you determine the likelihood of inheriting specific stats, including movement speed. You can also use cryopods to store and transport your breeding stock, making it easier to manage large numbers of creatures.

In summary, breeding for high movement speed in ARK: Survival Evolved requires careful planning, resource management, and attention to detail. Start by taming creatures with high movement speed, use them as your breeding stock, and track your breeding lines to ensure progress. Utilize mutations and imprinting to boost stats, and avoid common mistakes like over-mutating. With patience and persistence, you can create creatures with exceptional movement speed that will give you an edge in the game.