What is the best way to breed for high oxygen efficiency in ARK: Survival Evolved?

Breeding for high oxygen efficiency in ARK: Survival Evolved involves a combination of understanding the game's breeding mechanics, careful planning, and patience. Oxygen is a stat that determines how long a creature can stay underwater before needing to surface for air. While this stat is particularly useful for aquatic creatures like the Ichthyosaurus, Basilosaurus, or Megalodon, it can also be beneficial for land creatures that may need to traverse water or engage in underwater activities. HereÔÇÖs a detailed guide on how to breed for high oxygen efficiency.

First, you need to understand the mechanics of stat inheritance and mutations. When two creatures breed, the offspring has a 70% chance to inherit the higher stat from either parent. This means if one parent has a high oxygen stat and the other has a low one, the baby has a good chance of inheriting the higher stat. Mutations, which are rare, can further increase a stat by 2 points and may also change the creature's color. Mutations can stack, but there is a limit of 20 mutations per stat per side (maternal and paternal), totaling 40 possible mutations.

To start breeding for high oxygen, you need a pair of creatures with high oxygen stats. If you donÔÇÖt already have such creatures, youÔÇÖll need to tame or find wild ones with high oxygen levels. Use a spyglass to check their stats before taming. Once you have a pair, place them close together in a secure area, enable wandering, and ensure they are well-fed. Breeding can be initiated by setting them to mate, which will produce an egg or live baby depending on the species.

After the baby is born or hatched, youÔÇÖll need to care for it. This includes feeding it the appropriate food and ensuring it stays safe. During the baby stage, you can imprint on the creature by interacting with it when it requests care. Imprinting increases the creatureÔÇÖs stats and loyalty, making it more effective. For oxygen efficiency, imprinting can provide a significant boost.

To maximize oxygen efficiency, youÔÇÖll want to breed multiple generations. Start by breeding your initial pair and selecting the offspring with the highest oxygen stat. Then, breed that offspring with another high-oxygen creature, either from the same line or a new one. Repeat this process over several generations, always selecting the offspring with the highest oxygen stat to continue the breeding line. This is known as selective breeding.

Mutations can further enhance your breeding efforts. While mutations are random, you can increase your chances by breeding a large number of creatures. Keep track of mutations by noting which stat was affected and whether it was a maternal or paternal mutation. Once you have a mutation that increases oxygen, breed that creature with others in your line to pass on the mutation. Over time, you can stack multiple oxygen mutations to create a creature with exceptionally high oxygen efficiency.

Resource management is crucial for successful breeding. YouÔÇÖll need a steady supply of food for both the parents and the babies. For carnivores, this means a lot of meat, and for herbivores, berries or crops. YouÔÇÖll also need a safe and secure breeding area, preferably indoors or enclosed, to protect the creatures from predators and environmental hazards. Consider building a dedicated breeding pen with feeding troughs and air conditioners to regulate temperature for eggs.

Common mistakes to avoid include neglecting baby care, which can lead to the babyÔÇÖs death, and not keeping track of mutations, which can result in lost progress. Another mistake is breeding too many creatures at once, which can overwhelm your resources and make it difficult to manage. Focus on one or two breeding lines at a time to ensure you can provide adequate care and attention.

Advanced techniques include using a breeding calculator or spreadsheet to track stats and mutations. This can help you plan your breeding lines more effectively and ensure youÔÇÖre making progress toward your goal. Additionally, consider using a cryopod to store and transport creatures, which can save space and make breeding more efficient.

Tribe considerations are important if youÔÇÖre playing with others. Coordinate with your tribe to share resources and responsibilities. For example, one player can focus on gathering food while another handles breeding and imprinting. Solo players will need to manage all aspects of breeding themselves, so itÔÇÖs important to plan ahead and ensure you have enough resources.

In summary, breeding for high oxygen efficiency in ARK: Survival Evolved involves understanding stat inheritance and mutations, selective breeding, careful resource management, and avoiding common mistakes. By following these steps and using advanced techniques, you can create creatures with exceptional oxygen efficiency, whether for underwater exploration or other purposes. Patience and planning are key, as breeding can take time, but the results are well worth the effort.