What is the maximum number of mutations a creature can have in ARK: Survival Evolved?
In ARK: Survival Evolved, the maximum number of mutations a creature can have is 20 on each side of its ancestry, meaning 20 maternal mutations and 20 paternal mutations, totaling 40 mutations. However, the game only displays up to 20 mutations in the creature's stats, even if it has more. This limit is designed to prevent players from creating overpowered creatures through excessive mutations. Understanding how to achieve and manage mutations effectively is crucial for breeding strong creatures.
To begin, mutations occur randomly when breeding creatures. Each time a baby is born, there is a small chance (approximately 7.31%) that it will receive a mutation. Mutations can affect either a stat or the creature's color, or both. When a mutation occurs, the creature gains two additional levels, one for the mutated stat and one for the mutation counter. The mutation counter tracks how many mutations the creature has inherited from its parents and any new mutations it has acquired.
To maximize mutations, you need to carefully manage your breeding lines. Start by selecting two high-level creatures with the best stats you want to pass on. These will be your base breeding pair. Breed them repeatedly to create multiple offspring with identical stats. This ensures that any mutations you introduce will be easier to track and manage. Once you have a stable base line, you can begin introducing mutations.
When a mutation occurs, check the baby's stats to see which stat was affected. If the mutation is beneficial, such as an increase in health or melee damage, you can incorporate that creature into your breeding line. Replace one of the base creatures with the mutated offspring and continue breeding. This process allows you to stack mutations over multiple generations.
One important consideration is the mutation counter. Each creature has a mutation counter that tracks the total number of mutations in its ancestry. If a creature's mutation counter exceeds 20 on either the maternal or paternal side, it can no longer receive new mutations from that side. To avoid this, you can use a "clean" creature (one with no mutations) to breed with a mutated creature. This ensures that the mutation counter on one side remains low, allowing you to continue receiving new mutations.
Resource management is critical for successful breeding. You will need a steady supply of food, such as meat or berries, to keep your creatures fed during the breeding process. Additionally, you will need a safe and controlled environment, such as a breeding pen, to protect your creatures and their offspring. Temperature control is also important, especially for egg-laying creatures, as eggs require specific conditions to hatch.
Common mistakes to avoid include breeding creatures with high mutation counters, which can limit your ability to introduce new mutations. Another mistake is neglecting to track the stats and mutations of your creatures, which can lead to confusion and wasted effort. Always keep detailed records of your breeding lines to ensure you are making progress toward your goals.
Advanced techniques include using multiple breeding lines to target specific stats. For example, you could have one line focused on health mutations and another on melee damage mutations. Once you have achieved the desired mutations in each line, you can combine them to create a creature with multiple beneficial mutations. Another advanced technique is using cryopods to store and manage your breeding creatures, making it easier to organize and track your breeding lines.
Tribe considerations are also important. In a tribe, multiple players can work together to manage breeding lines, share resources, and protect the breeding area. This can significantly speed up the breeding process and increase your chances of success. However, clear communication and coordination are essential to avoid confusion and ensure everyone is working toward the same goals.
In summary, achieving the maximum number of mutations in ARK: Survival Evolved requires careful planning, resource management, and attention to detail. By understanding the mechanics of mutations, managing your breeding lines, and avoiding common mistakes, you can create powerful and unique creatures that give you an edge in the game. Whether you are playing solo or as part of a tribe, the breeding and genetics system offers a deep and rewarding experience for those willing to invest the time and effort.
To begin, mutations occur randomly when breeding creatures. Each time a baby is born, there is a small chance (approximately 7.31%) that it will receive a mutation. Mutations can affect either a stat or the creature's color, or both. When a mutation occurs, the creature gains two additional levels, one for the mutated stat and one for the mutation counter. The mutation counter tracks how many mutations the creature has inherited from its parents and any new mutations it has acquired.
To maximize mutations, you need to carefully manage your breeding lines. Start by selecting two high-level creatures with the best stats you want to pass on. These will be your base breeding pair. Breed them repeatedly to create multiple offspring with identical stats. This ensures that any mutations you introduce will be easier to track and manage. Once you have a stable base line, you can begin introducing mutations.
When a mutation occurs, check the baby's stats to see which stat was affected. If the mutation is beneficial, such as an increase in health or melee damage, you can incorporate that creature into your breeding line. Replace one of the base creatures with the mutated offspring and continue breeding. This process allows you to stack mutations over multiple generations.
One important consideration is the mutation counter. Each creature has a mutation counter that tracks the total number of mutations in its ancestry. If a creature's mutation counter exceeds 20 on either the maternal or paternal side, it can no longer receive new mutations from that side. To avoid this, you can use a "clean" creature (one with no mutations) to breed with a mutated creature. This ensures that the mutation counter on one side remains low, allowing you to continue receiving new mutations.
Resource management is critical for successful breeding. You will need a steady supply of food, such as meat or berries, to keep your creatures fed during the breeding process. Additionally, you will need a safe and controlled environment, such as a breeding pen, to protect your creatures and their offspring. Temperature control is also important, especially for egg-laying creatures, as eggs require specific conditions to hatch.
Common mistakes to avoid include breeding creatures with high mutation counters, which can limit your ability to introduce new mutations. Another mistake is neglecting to track the stats and mutations of your creatures, which can lead to confusion and wasted effort. Always keep detailed records of your breeding lines to ensure you are making progress toward your goals.
Advanced techniques include using multiple breeding lines to target specific stats. For example, you could have one line focused on health mutations and another on melee damage mutations. Once you have achieved the desired mutations in each line, you can combine them to create a creature with multiple beneficial mutations. Another advanced technique is using cryopods to store and manage your breeding creatures, making it easier to organize and track your breeding lines.
Tribe considerations are also important. In a tribe, multiple players can work together to manage breeding lines, share resources, and protect the breeding area. This can significantly speed up the breeding process and increase your chances of success. However, clear communication and coordination are essential to avoid confusion and ensure everyone is working toward the same goals.
In summary, achieving the maximum number of mutations in ARK: Survival Evolved requires careful planning, resource management, and attention to detail. By understanding the mechanics of mutations, managing your breeding lines, and avoiding common mistakes, you can create powerful and unique creatures that give you an edge in the game. Whether you are playing solo or as part of a tribe, the breeding and genetics system offers a deep and rewarding experience for those willing to invest the time and effort.