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. Below is a detailed guide on how to breed for high movement speed, covering mechanics, strategies, tips, and considerations.

To begin, you need to understand how stat inheritance works. When two creatures breed, the offspring has a 55% chance to inherit the higher stat from either parent. This means that if one parent has a higher movement speed stat, there is a good chance the baby will inherit it. However, movement speed is a unique stat because it does not naturally increase when a creature levels up. This means that the only way to improve movement speed is through breeding and mutations.

The first step is to find two creatures with high movement speed stats. This can be challenging because movement speed is not a commonly prioritized stat in wild creatures. You may need to tame multiple creatures of the same species and check their stats using a tool like the Spyglass or by looking at their stat points after taming. Once you have identified two creatures with high movement speed, you can begin the breeding process.

Place the two creatures close to each other and enable mating. Make sure they are well-fed and in a safe environment. Once the mating process begins, the female will lay an egg (for egg-laying species) or become pregnant (for mammals). After the egg is laid or the baby is born, you will need to care for it until it reaches adulthood. This involves feeding it the appropriate food and ensuring it is protected from predators.

During the baby's growth stages, you have the opportunity to imprint on it. Imprinting increases the baby's stats and loyalty, but it does not directly affect movement speed. However, imprinting is still important because it makes the creature more effective overall. To imprint, interact with the baby when it requests care, such as walking, cuddling, or feeding. Each successful imprint increases the imprint percentage, which boosts the creature's stats.

Mutations are a key part of breeding for high movement speed. Mutations can randomly occur during breeding and can affect either a stat or the creature's color. Each mutation increases a stat by two points and can stack up to 20 times per stat. However, the chance of a mutation is low, so you may need to breed many generations to achieve the desired result. To maximize your chances, focus on breeding creatures with high movement speed and keep track of their lineage to avoid inbreeding, which can reduce the chance of mutations.

One common mistake is neglecting other stats while focusing on movement speed. While movement speed is important, it is also crucial to maintain high levels in other stats like health, stamina, and melee damage. A creature with high movement speed but low health or stamina will not be effective in combat or exploration. Balance your breeding efforts to create a well-rounded creature.

Advanced techniques involve using multiple breeding pairs to increase the chances of mutations. For example, you can have one pair focused on movement speed and another pair focused on health or stamina. Once you have achieved high stats in both pairs, you can breed them together to combine the best stats into a single creature. This requires careful tracking of stat points and lineage to avoid diluting the desired stats.

Resource requirements for breeding include food, shelter, and time. You will need a steady supply of food for both the parents and the babies. For carnivores, this means a lot of meat, and for herbivores, it means berries or crops. You will also need a secure base to protect the breeding pairs and babies from predators or hostile players. Time is another critical resource, as breeding and raising creatures can take several hours or even days, depending on the species.

Tribe and solo considerations are important. In a tribe, multiple players can share the workload of breeding, feeding, and imprinting. This makes the process faster and more efficient. Solo players will need to manage everything themselves, which can be time-consuming but is still achievable with proper planning.

Specific examples include breeding a high-speed Raptor for quick scouting or a high-speed Argentavis for fast travel. Each species has its own strengths and weaknesses, so choose the one that best fits your needs. For example, Raptors are fast and agile but have lower health, while Argentavis are slower but can carry more weight and have higher health.

In conclusion, breeding for high movement speed in ARK: Survival Evolved requires a deep understanding of the game's mechanics, careful planning, and patience. By focusing on stat inheritance, mutations, and proper care, you can create a creature with exceptional movement speed. Remember to balance your efforts with other stats and prepare for the resource and time requirements. With dedication and strategy, you can achieve your breeding goals and create powerful, high-speed creatures for your adventures.