How do I breed for high damage output in ARK: Survival Evolved?
Breeding for high damage output in ARK: Survival Evolved is a complex but rewarding process that involves understanding the game's breeding mechanics, stat inheritance, and mutation systems. To achieve this, you need to focus on selectively breeding creatures with high melee damage stats, introducing mutations to further enhance those stats, and carefully managing your breeding lines over multiple generations. HereÔÇÖs a detailed guide to help you achieve this goal.
First, you need to understand the basics of breeding. Breeding involves pairing two creatures of the same species to produce an offspring. The offspring inherits 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 melee damage stat, thereÔÇÖs a good chance the baby will inherit that stat. To start, youÔÇÖll need to tame or find creatures with high melee damage stats. This can be done by knocking out wild creatures and checking their stats before taming. Once you have a few creatures with high melee damage, you can begin the breeding process.
The first step is to create a breeding pair. Choose two creatures with the highest melee damage stats you have. Place them close together in a secure area, such as a fenced-off pen or a dedicated breeding room in your base. Enable mating by setting both creatures to "Enable Mating" in their behavior settings. Once mating begins, youÔÇÖll need to wait for the female to produce an egg (for egg-laying species) or give birth (for mammals). During this time, ensure both creatures are well-fed and safe from predators.
Once the egg is laid or the baby is born, youÔÇÖll need to care for it. For eggs, youÔÇÖll need to incubate them at the correct temperature, which can be achieved using air conditioners, standing torches, or other temperature-regulating items. For live births, the baby will need to be fed immediately. Babies require constant attention and feeding until they reach the juvenile stage, so make sure you have plenty of food on hand. Kibble is the best food for most creatures, but some species have specific dietary requirements.
As the baby grows, youÔÇÖll have the opportunity to imprint on it. Imprinting involves interacting with the baby at specific intervals, such as feeding it or taking it for a walk. Successful imprinting increases the babyÔÇÖs stats and loyalty, making it more effective in combat. Aim for 100% imprinting to maximize the creatureÔÇÖs potential.
Now, letÔÇÖs talk about mutations. Mutations are random genetic variations that can occur during breeding. Each mutation can increase a stat by 2 levels and may also change the creatureÔÇÖs color. Mutations are rare, with only a 2.5% chance per stat per baby. To maximize your chances of getting a mutation in the melee damage stat, youÔÇÖll need to breed many generations of creatures. Keep track of your breeding lines and note any mutations that occur. If a mutation increases the melee damage stat, use that creature in future breeding pairs to pass on the mutation.
One important consideration is the mutation cap. Each creature can have a maximum of 20 mutations on the maternal side and 20 on the paternal side. Once a creature reaches this cap, it can no longer produce new mutations. To avoid hitting the cap too quickly, focus on breeding creatures with fewer mutations and only introduce new mutations when they significantly improve the melee damage stat.
Resource management is crucial for successful breeding. YouÔÇÖll need a steady supply of food, such as kibble or raw meat, to keep your breeding pairs and babies fed. Additionally, youÔÇÖll need materials for building a secure breeding area, such as walls, gates, and temperature-regulating items. If youÔÇÖre playing solo, this can be a significant time investment, so plan accordingly. In a tribe, you can divide responsibilities among members to make the process more efficient.
Common mistakes to avoid include not checking the stats of wild creatures before taming, which can result in wasted time and resources. Another mistake is not keeping track of your breeding lines, which can lead to confusion and missed opportunities for mutations. Additionally, failing to properly care for babies can result in their death, wasting all your effort.
Advanced techniques include using a breeding calculator to predict stat inheritance and mutation outcomes. This can help you plan your breeding lines more effectively. Another technique is to use cryopods to store and transport creatures, making it easier to manage large breeding operations. Cryopods also allow you to pause the growth of babies, giving you more time to care for them.
In conclusion, breeding for high damage output in ARK: Survival Evolved requires careful planning, resource management, and a deep understanding of the gameÔÇÖs breeding mechanics. By selectively breeding creatures with high melee damage stats, introducing beneficial mutations, and properly caring for your babies, you can create powerful creatures capable of dealing massive damage in combat. Whether youÔÇÖre playing solo or in a tribe, the key to success is patience and persistence. With time and effort, you can build a formidable army of high-damage creatures to dominate the world of ARK.
First, you need to understand the basics of breeding. Breeding involves pairing two creatures of the same species to produce an offspring. The offspring inherits 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 melee damage stat, thereÔÇÖs a good chance the baby will inherit that stat. To start, youÔÇÖll need to tame or find creatures with high melee damage stats. This can be done by knocking out wild creatures and checking their stats before taming. Once you have a few creatures with high melee damage, you can begin the breeding process.
The first step is to create a breeding pair. Choose two creatures with the highest melee damage stats you have. Place them close together in a secure area, such as a fenced-off pen or a dedicated breeding room in your base. Enable mating by setting both creatures to "Enable Mating" in their behavior settings. Once mating begins, youÔÇÖll need to wait for the female to produce an egg (for egg-laying species) or give birth (for mammals). During this time, ensure both creatures are well-fed and safe from predators.
Once the egg is laid or the baby is born, youÔÇÖll need to care for it. For eggs, youÔÇÖll need to incubate them at the correct temperature, which can be achieved using air conditioners, standing torches, or other temperature-regulating items. For live births, the baby will need to be fed immediately. Babies require constant attention and feeding until they reach the juvenile stage, so make sure you have plenty of food on hand. Kibble is the best food for most creatures, but some species have specific dietary requirements.
As the baby grows, youÔÇÖll have the opportunity to imprint on it. Imprinting involves interacting with the baby at specific intervals, such as feeding it or taking it for a walk. Successful imprinting increases the babyÔÇÖs stats and loyalty, making it more effective in combat. Aim for 100% imprinting to maximize the creatureÔÇÖs potential.
Now, letÔÇÖs talk about mutations. Mutations are random genetic variations that can occur during breeding. Each mutation can increase a stat by 2 levels and may also change the creatureÔÇÖs color. Mutations are rare, with only a 2.5% chance per stat per baby. To maximize your chances of getting a mutation in the melee damage stat, youÔÇÖll need to breed many generations of creatures. Keep track of your breeding lines and note any mutations that occur. If a mutation increases the melee damage stat, use that creature in future breeding pairs to pass on the mutation.
One important consideration is the mutation cap. Each creature can have a maximum of 20 mutations on the maternal side and 20 on the paternal side. Once a creature reaches this cap, it can no longer produce new mutations. To avoid hitting the cap too quickly, focus on breeding creatures with fewer mutations and only introduce new mutations when they significantly improve the melee damage stat.
Resource management is crucial for successful breeding. YouÔÇÖll need a steady supply of food, such as kibble or raw meat, to keep your breeding pairs and babies fed. Additionally, youÔÇÖll need materials for building a secure breeding area, such as walls, gates, and temperature-regulating items. If youÔÇÖre playing solo, this can be a significant time investment, so plan accordingly. In a tribe, you can divide responsibilities among members to make the process more efficient.
Common mistakes to avoid include not checking the stats of wild creatures before taming, which can result in wasted time and resources. Another mistake is not keeping track of your breeding lines, which can lead to confusion and missed opportunities for mutations. Additionally, failing to properly care for babies can result in their death, wasting all your effort.
Advanced techniques include using a breeding calculator to predict stat inheritance and mutation outcomes. This can help you plan your breeding lines more effectively. Another technique is to use cryopods to store and transport creatures, making it easier to manage large breeding operations. Cryopods also allow you to pause the growth of babies, giving you more time to care for them.
In conclusion, breeding for high damage output in ARK: Survival Evolved requires careful planning, resource management, and a deep understanding of the gameÔÇÖs breeding mechanics. By selectively breeding creatures with high melee damage stats, introducing beneficial mutations, and properly caring for your babies, you can create powerful creatures capable of dealing massive damage in combat. Whether youÔÇÖre playing solo or in a tribe, the key to success is patience and persistence. With time and effort, you can build a formidable army of high-damage creatures to dominate the world of ARK.