How do I breed for high weight capacity in ARK: Survival Evolved?
Breeding for high weight capacity in ARK: Survival Evolved involves a combination of selective breeding, stat inheritance, and careful management of mutations. Weight capacity is one of the key stats for creatures, especially for those used in resource gathering or transportation, such as the Argentavis, Ankylosaurus, or Brontosaurus. To achieve a high weight capacity, you need to understand the mechanics of breeding, stat inheritance, and mutations, as well as how to optimize your breeding lines over multiple generations.
The first step in breeding for high weight capacity is to find two creatures of the same species with high base weight stats. Base stats are the stats a creature has when it is first tamed or spawned, before any level-ups are applied. You can check these stats by looking at the creature's inventory screen. The higher the base weight stat, the better the starting point for your breeding program. Once you have two creatures with high weight stats, you can begin the breeding process.
Breeding involves placing the two creatures close to each other and enabling the "Enable Wandering" option. This will cause them to mate, producing an egg (for egg-laying species) or a live baby (for mammals). The baby will inherit stats from both parents, with each stat having a 55% chance to be inherited from either parent. This means that if one parent has a higher weight stat, there is a 55% chance the baby will inherit that higher stat. Over time, you can selectively breed creatures to combine the best stats from both parents into a single offspring.
Mutations are another important factor in breeding for high weight capacity. Mutations can randomly occur during breeding and can affect either the creature's stats or its colors. A mutation that increases the weight stat is particularly valuable. However, mutations are rare, with only a 2.5% chance per stat per baby. To maximize your chances of getting a mutation, you should breed as many creatures as possible. This requires a large breeding operation with multiple pairs of creatures.
Once you have a baby with a high weight stat, you need to care for it until it reaches adulthood. This involves feeding it the appropriate food, keeping it warm or cool depending on the species, and protecting it from predators. Imprinting is also crucial during this stage. Imprinting involves interacting with the baby at regular intervals to increase its stats and loyalty. A fully imprinted creature will have better stats and will be more effective in combat or other tasks.
Resource management is a key consideration when breeding for high weight capacity. Breeding requires a significant amount of food, especially for larger creatures. You will need to stockpile large quantities of meat, berries, or other food items to keep your breeding pairs and babies fed. Additionally, you will need a secure base with plenty of space for your breeding operation. This includes areas for mating, hatching eggs, and raising babies. You may also need to build incubators or air conditioners to maintain the correct temperature for eggs.
One common mistake to avoid is breeding creatures with low base stats. Even if you get a mutation that increases the weight stat, it will not be as effective if the base stat is low. Always start with the highest base stats possible. Another mistake is neglecting imprinting. A fully imprinted creature will have significantly better stats than one that is not imprinted, so make sure to interact with your babies regularly.
Advanced techniques for breeding include using a breeding calculator to track stat inheritance and mutations. These tools can help you plan your breeding lines and predict the outcomes of each generation. You can also use cryopods to store and transport your creatures, making it easier to manage a large breeding operation. Cryopods allow you to freeze creatures in stasis, freeing up space in your base and making it easier to organize your breeding pairs.
Tribe considerations are also important. If you are part of a tribe, you can divide the workload of breeding and raising creatures among multiple players. This can make the process more efficient and allow you to breed more creatures at once. However, if you are playing solo, you will need to manage everything yourself, so it is important to plan carefully and prioritize your tasks.
In conclusion, breeding for high weight capacity in ARK: Survival Evolved requires a combination of selective breeding, stat inheritance, and careful management of mutations. By starting with high base stats, selectively breeding for the best stats, and using advanced techniques like breeding calculators and cryopods, you can create creatures with extremely high weight capacity. Proper resource management, base building, and imprinting are also crucial to the success of your breeding program. With patience and careful planning, you can create powerful creatures that are ideal for resource gathering and transportation.
The first step in breeding for high weight capacity is to find two creatures of the same species with high base weight stats. Base stats are the stats a creature has when it is first tamed or spawned, before any level-ups are applied. You can check these stats by looking at the creature's inventory screen. The higher the base weight stat, the better the starting point for your breeding program. Once you have two creatures with high weight stats, you can begin the breeding process.
Breeding involves placing the two creatures close to each other and enabling the "Enable Wandering" option. This will cause them to mate, producing an egg (for egg-laying species) or a live baby (for mammals). The baby will inherit stats from both parents, with each stat having a 55% chance to be inherited from either parent. This means that if one parent has a higher weight stat, there is a 55% chance the baby will inherit that higher stat. Over time, you can selectively breed creatures to combine the best stats from both parents into a single offspring.
Mutations are another important factor in breeding for high weight capacity. Mutations can randomly occur during breeding and can affect either the creature's stats or its colors. A mutation that increases the weight stat is particularly valuable. However, mutations are rare, with only a 2.5% chance per stat per baby. To maximize your chances of getting a mutation, you should breed as many creatures as possible. This requires a large breeding operation with multiple pairs of creatures.
Once you have a baby with a high weight stat, you need to care for it until it reaches adulthood. This involves feeding it the appropriate food, keeping it warm or cool depending on the species, and protecting it from predators. Imprinting is also crucial during this stage. Imprinting involves interacting with the baby at regular intervals to increase its stats and loyalty. A fully imprinted creature will have better stats and will be more effective in combat or other tasks.
Resource management is a key consideration when breeding for high weight capacity. Breeding requires a significant amount of food, especially for larger creatures. You will need to stockpile large quantities of meat, berries, or other food items to keep your breeding pairs and babies fed. Additionally, you will need a secure base with plenty of space for your breeding operation. This includes areas for mating, hatching eggs, and raising babies. You may also need to build incubators or air conditioners to maintain the correct temperature for eggs.
One common mistake to avoid is breeding creatures with low base stats. Even if you get a mutation that increases the weight stat, it will not be as effective if the base stat is low. Always start with the highest base stats possible. Another mistake is neglecting imprinting. A fully imprinted creature will have significantly better stats than one that is not imprinted, so make sure to interact with your babies regularly.
Advanced techniques for breeding include using a breeding calculator to track stat inheritance and mutations. These tools can help you plan your breeding lines and predict the outcomes of each generation. You can also use cryopods to store and transport your creatures, making it easier to manage a large breeding operation. Cryopods allow you to freeze creatures in stasis, freeing up space in your base and making it easier to organize your breeding pairs.
Tribe considerations are also important. If you are part of a tribe, you can divide the workload of breeding and raising creatures among multiple players. This can make the process more efficient and allow you to breed more creatures at once. However, if you are playing solo, you will need to manage everything yourself, so it is important to plan carefully and prioritize your tasks.
In conclusion, breeding for high weight capacity in ARK: Survival Evolved requires a combination of selective breeding, stat inheritance, and careful management of mutations. By starting with high base stats, selectively breeding for the best stats, and using advanced techniques like breeding calculators and cryopods, you can create creatures with extremely high weight capacity. Proper resource management, base building, and imprinting are also crucial to the success of your breeding program. With patience and careful planning, you can create powerful creatures that are ideal for resource gathering and transportation.