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. HereÔÇÖs a detailed guide on how to breed for high movement speed, covering all the necessary steps, tips, and considerations.

First, itÔÇÖs important to understand how stat inheritance works in ARK. When two creatures breed, the offspring has a 55% chance to inherit the higher stat from either parent for each individual stat, including movement speed. This means that if one parent has a higher movement speed stat, thereÔÇÖs a good chance the baby will inherit it. However, movement speed is a unique stat because it doesnÔÇÖt naturally increase when a creature levels up. This makes breeding the primary way to improve it.

To start, youÔÇÖll need a pair of creatures with high movement speed stats. If you donÔÇÖt already have creatures with high movement speed, youÔÇÖll need to tame multiple creatures of the same species and check their stats after taming. Look for creatures with naturally high movement speed stats, as these will serve as the foundation for your breeding line. Once you have a pair with desirable stats, place them in a secure breeding area, such as a fenced-off pen or a dedicated breeding room in your base.

Next, initiate the breeding process by enabling mating on both creatures. Make sure they are well-fed and in a safe environment. After mating, the female will either lay an egg (for egg-laying species) or become pregnant (for mammals). For egg-laying species, youÔÇÖll need to incubate the egg at the correct temperature, which can be achieved using air conditioners, standing torches, or other temperature-regulating structures. For mammals, youÔÇÖll need to wait for the gestation period to complete.

Once the baby is born or hatched, it will require constant care. Babies need to be fed regularly, and youÔÇÖll need to ensure they have enough food in their inventory to avoid starvation. During this time, you can also begin the imprinting process. Imprinting involves interacting with the baby at specific intervals, such as feeding it its preferred food or taking it for a walk. Successful imprinting increases the babyÔÇÖs stats and loyalty, making it more effective in combat or other tasks.

As the baby grows, youÔÇÖll want to check its stats to see if it inherited the high movement speed from its parents. If it did, you can use this creature as part of your breeding line to continue improving the stat. If not, you may need to breed the parents again or introduce new creatures with higher movement speed stats into your breeding line.

Mutations can also play a key role in achieving high movement speed. Mutations are random and can affect a creatureÔÇÖs stats or colors. Each mutation increases a stat by two levels and can stack over multiple generations. However, mutations are rare, so youÔÇÖll need to breed many creatures to increase your chances of getting a mutation in the movement speed stat. Keep in mind that each creature can only have 20 mutations total, so itÔÇÖs important to track your breeding lines carefully to avoid hitting the mutation cap.

One common mistake to avoid is neglecting the other stats of your creatures. While focusing on movement speed, itÔÇÖs easy to overlook health, stamina, or damage stats, which are also important for the creatureÔÇÖs overall effectiveness. Make sure to balance your breeding efforts to create a well-rounded creature. Additionally, avoid inbreeding, as it can lead to weaker offspring and reduce the effectiveness of your breeding line.

Advanced techniques for optimizing your breeding process include using external tools or spreadsheets to track stat inheritance and mutations. This can help you plan your breeding lines more effectively and avoid wasting time on creatures that donÔÇÖt meet your goals. You can also use cryopods to store and manage your breeding creatures, making it easier to organize your breeding program.

Resource requirements for breeding can be significant, especially if youÔÇÖre breeding large creatures or multiple species at once. YouÔÇÖll need a steady supply of food, such as meat or berries, to keep your creatures fed during the breeding and baby-raising process. YouÔÇÖll also need materials for building a secure breeding area and incubating eggs, such as stone, wood, and metal. If youÔÇÖre playing solo, this can be particularly challenging, so consider teaming up with a tribe to share the workload.

In a tribe setting, breeding for high movement speed can be a collaborative effort. Tribe members can help tame creatures, gather resources, and care for babies, making the process more efficient. However, itÔÇÖs important to communicate and coordinate with your tribe to ensure everyone is on the same page and working toward the same goals.

Specific examples of creatures that benefit from high movement speed include the Raptor, Sabertooth, and Direwolf. These creatures are often used for scouting, hunting, or traveling across the map, so increasing their movement speed can make them even more effective. For example, a Raptor with high movement speed can quickly traverse the map, making it an excellent choice for gathering resources or escaping danger.

In conclusion, breeding for high movement speed in ARK: Survival Evolved requires a deep understanding of the gameÔÇÖs breeding mechanics, careful planning, and patience. By selecting creatures with high movement speed stats, managing mutations, and balancing other important stats, you can create powerful and specialized creatures that excel in their roles. Whether youÔÇÖre playing solo or as part of a tribe, the breeding process can be a rewarding way to enhance your gameplay experience.