What is the best way to breed for land-based creatures in ARK: Survival Evolved?
Breeding land-based creatures in ARK: Survival Evolved is a complex but rewarding process that allows players to create stronger, more specialized dinosaurs. The mechanics involve pairing two creatures of the same species, caring for the offspring, and managing mutations and stat inheritance. HereÔÇÖs a detailed guide to help you master this system.
To start breeding, you need two creatures of the same species, one male and one female. Place them close to each other and enable the "Enable Wandering" option. This will initiate the mating process. During mating, the female will display a heart icon, and a progress bar will show how long until the egg is laid or the baby is born. For egg-laying creatures, youÔÇÖll need to collect the egg and incubate it. For live-bearing creatures, the baby will be born directly.
Once the egg is laid, you must incubate it. Different eggs require different temperatures. Use air conditioners, standing torches, or campfires to maintain the correct temperature. For live births, ensure the area is safe and free from predators. After hatching or birth, the baby will require constant care. It needs to be fed regularly, and its food inventory must be stocked with the appropriate food type, such as meat for carnivores or berries for herbivores.
Imprinting is a crucial part of raising a baby. Imprinting involves interacting with the baby during its growth stages. When the baby requests care, such as a walk or a specific food item, fulfilling these requests will increase its imprint percentage. Higher imprint percentages boost the creatureÔÇÖs stats and make it more loyal to the player who imprinted it. Imprinting can significantly enhance the creatureÔÇÖs effectiveness in combat or other tasks.
Stat inheritance is another important aspect of breeding. Each stat of the offspring has a chance to be inherited from either parent. Players often breed multiple generations to combine the best stats into a single creature. For example, if one parent has high health and the other has high melee damage, you can breed them to create an offspring with both high health and high melee damage.
Mutations introduce genetic variations into your breeding lines. Mutations can affect a creatureÔÇÖs stats, colors, or both. However, mutations are rare and random. To maximize their benefits, you need to carefully plan your breeding lines. Keep track of mutations and ensure they are passed down to future generations. Mutations can stack, allowing you to create creatures with significantly enhanced stats.
Resource requirements for breeding are substantial. You need a steady supply of food for both the parents and the offspring. For carnivores, this means a lot of meat, and for herbivores, a lot of berries or crops. You also need a safe and controlled environment for breeding and raising the babies. This often involves building a dedicated breeding area with adequate temperature control and protection from predators.
Common mistakes to avoid include neglecting the babyÔÇÖs food needs, failing to maintain the correct temperature for eggs, and not imprinting the baby properly. Another mistake is not keeping track of stat inheritance and mutations, which can lead to weaker offspring. Always monitor the babyÔÇÖs growth and ensure it has enough food and care.
Advanced techniques include using multiple females with one male to increase the chances of getting the desired stats and mutations. You can also use cryopods to store and transport creatures, making it easier to manage large breeding operations. Additionally, using a breeding calculator can help you plan and track your breeding lines more effectively.
Tribe and solo considerations differ slightly. In a tribe, multiple players can share the workload of breeding and raising creatures. This can make the process more manageable, especially for large-scale breeding operations. Solo players need to be more organized and efficient, as they must handle all aspects of breeding alone.
Specific examples include breeding Rexes for boss fights. Rexes are popular for their high health and melee damage. By selectively breeding Rexes with high stats and stacking mutations, you can create a powerful army for taking on bosses. Another example is breeding Argentavis for transportation and resource gathering. Argentavis with high weight and stamina stats can carry more resources and travel longer distances.
In conclusion, breeding land-based creatures in ARK: Survival Evolved involves careful planning, resource management, and attention to detail. By understanding the mechanics, avoiding common mistakes, and using advanced techniques, you can create powerful and specialized creatures to enhance your gameplay experience.
To start breeding, you need two creatures of the same species, one male and one female. Place them close to each other and enable the "Enable Wandering" option. This will initiate the mating process. During mating, the female will display a heart icon, and a progress bar will show how long until the egg is laid or the baby is born. For egg-laying creatures, youÔÇÖll need to collect the egg and incubate it. For live-bearing creatures, the baby will be born directly.
Once the egg is laid, you must incubate it. Different eggs require different temperatures. Use air conditioners, standing torches, or campfires to maintain the correct temperature. For live births, ensure the area is safe and free from predators. After hatching or birth, the baby will require constant care. It needs to be fed regularly, and its food inventory must be stocked with the appropriate food type, such as meat for carnivores or berries for herbivores.
Imprinting is a crucial part of raising a baby. Imprinting involves interacting with the baby during its growth stages. When the baby requests care, such as a walk or a specific food item, fulfilling these requests will increase its imprint percentage. Higher imprint percentages boost the creatureÔÇÖs stats and make it more loyal to the player who imprinted it. Imprinting can significantly enhance the creatureÔÇÖs effectiveness in combat or other tasks.
Stat inheritance is another important aspect of breeding. Each stat of the offspring has a chance to be inherited from either parent. Players often breed multiple generations to combine the best stats into a single creature. For example, if one parent has high health and the other has high melee damage, you can breed them to create an offspring with both high health and high melee damage.
Mutations introduce genetic variations into your breeding lines. Mutations can affect a creatureÔÇÖs stats, colors, or both. However, mutations are rare and random. To maximize their benefits, you need to carefully plan your breeding lines. Keep track of mutations and ensure they are passed down to future generations. Mutations can stack, allowing you to create creatures with significantly enhanced stats.
Resource requirements for breeding are substantial. You need a steady supply of food for both the parents and the offspring. For carnivores, this means a lot of meat, and for herbivores, a lot of berries or crops. You also need a safe and controlled environment for breeding and raising the babies. This often involves building a dedicated breeding area with adequate temperature control and protection from predators.
Common mistakes to avoid include neglecting the babyÔÇÖs food needs, failing to maintain the correct temperature for eggs, and not imprinting the baby properly. Another mistake is not keeping track of stat inheritance and mutations, which can lead to weaker offspring. Always monitor the babyÔÇÖs growth and ensure it has enough food and care.
Advanced techniques include using multiple females with one male to increase the chances of getting the desired stats and mutations. You can also use cryopods to store and transport creatures, making it easier to manage large breeding operations. Additionally, using a breeding calculator can help you plan and track your breeding lines more effectively.
Tribe and solo considerations differ slightly. In a tribe, multiple players can share the workload of breeding and raising creatures. This can make the process more manageable, especially for large-scale breeding operations. Solo players need to be more organized and efficient, as they must handle all aspects of breeding alone.
Specific examples include breeding Rexes for boss fights. Rexes are popular for their high health and melee damage. By selectively breeding Rexes with high stats and stacking mutations, you can create a powerful army for taking on bosses. Another example is breeding Argentavis for transportation and resource gathering. Argentavis with high weight and stamina stats can carry more resources and travel longer distances.
In conclusion, breeding land-based creatures in ARK: Survival Evolved involves careful planning, resource management, and attention to detail. By understanding the mechanics, avoiding common mistakes, and using advanced techniques, you can create powerful and specialized creatures to enhance your gameplay experience.