What is the best way to breed for creatures with high speed in ARK: Survival Evolved?

Breeding for creatures with high speed in ARK: Survival Evolved involves a combination of careful planning, understanding the game's breeding mechanics, and patience. Speed is a crucial stat for many creatures, especially those used for travel, scouting, or escaping dangerous situations. HereÔÇÖs a detailed guide on how to achieve this.

First, you need to understand the mechanics of stat inheritance and mutations. When two creatures breed, the offspring has a 55% chance to inherit the higher stat from either parent. This means if one parent has a high speed stat and the other has a low one, thereÔÇÖs a good chance the baby will inherit the higher speed. Mutations can also play a role, as they can randomly increase a stat by 2 points and sometimes change the creatureÔÇÖs color. However, mutations are rare, with only a 7.31% chance per stat per baby.

To start breeding for high speed, you need to find creatures with naturally high speed stats. This involves taming multiple creatures of the same species and checking their stats after taming. Use a tool like the ARK Smart Breeding app or manually record the stats to identify the best candidates. Once you have a male and female with high speed stats, place them close together in a secure breeding area. Enable wandering or use the mating option to initiate breeding. Make sure they are well-fed and have enough space.

After the breeding process starts, the female will lay an egg (for egg-laying species) or become pregnant (for mammals). For egg-laying creatures, youÔÇÖll need to incubate the egg by maintaining the correct temperature. This can be done using air conditioners, standing torches, or other temperature-regulating items. For mammals, simply wait for the gestation period to complete. Once the baby is born or hatched, it will require constant care. YouÔÇÖll need to feed it regularly and protect it from predators.

Imprinting is a crucial part of the breeding process. By interacting with the baby during its growth stages, you can increase its stats and loyalty. Imprinting bonuses can significantly enhance the creatureÔÇÖs speed, so make sure to complete all imprinting tasks. These tasks vary but often include cuddling, walking, or feeding specific items. Imprinting also increases the creatureÔÇÖs damage and resistance when ridden by the player who imprinted it.

One common mistake is neglecting to track the lineage of your breeding creatures. Without proper tracking, you might end up breeding creatures with undesirable stats or wasting time on inefficient breeding lines. Use spreadsheets or breeding apps to keep track of each creatureÔÇÖs stats and mutations. Another mistake is not preparing enough resources for baby care. Babies consume a lot of food, especially during the early stages, so stockpile plenty of food in advance.

Advanced techniques involve stacking mutations to further increase the speed stat. Each mutation adds 2 points to a stat, but thereÔÇÖs a limit of 20 mutations per stat. To stack mutations, you need to breed a mutated creature with a non-mutated one, ensuring the mutation counter doesnÔÇÖt exceed the limit. This requires careful planning and a lot of time, as mutations are random and rare.

Resource requirements for breeding include a secure base with enough space for breeding pens, incubators, and food storage. YouÔÇÖll also need a steady supply of food for both the parents and the babies. Kibble is the best food for taming and breeding, but meat and berries can also work. For imprinting, you might need specific items like rare flowers, cooked lamb chops, or other resources depending on the creature.

Tribe considerations are important, as breeding can be resource-intensive and time-consuming. In a tribe, multiple players can share the workload, making it easier to manage breeding lines and care for babies. Solo players will need to be more efficient with their time and resources, focusing on a few key creatures rather than trying to breed multiple species at once.

A specific example would be breeding a high-speed Raptor. Start by taming multiple Raptors and identifying the ones with the highest speed stats. Breed these Raptors, ensuring you track their stats and mutations. Once you have a baby with a high speed stat, focus on imprinting to maximize its potential. Over several generations, you can stack mutations to create a Raptor with unparalleled speed, making it an excellent scout or travel companion.

In conclusion, breeding for high-speed creatures in ARK: Survival Evolved requires a deep understanding of the gameÔÇÖs mechanics, careful planning, and patience. By following these steps and avoiding common mistakes, you can create powerful, fast creatures that give you a significant advantage in the game.