How do I breed for creatures with high weight capacity in ARK: Survival Evolved?

Breeding for creatures with high weight capacity in ARK: Survival Evolved involves a combination of selective breeding, stat inheritance, and careful management of mutations. Weight capacity is one of the key stats for creatures used in resource gathering and transportation, making it a highly desirable trait for many players. HereÔÇÖs a detailed guide on how to achieve this.

First, you need to understand the mechanics of stat inheritance. 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 weight stat and the other has a low one, thereÔÇÖs a good chance the baby will inherit the higher weight stat. To maximize this, you should start by taming multiple creatures of the same species and checking their stats. Look for individuals with naturally high weight stats, as these will form the foundation of your breeding line.

Once you have identified creatures with high weight stats, you can begin the breeding process. Place the two selected creatures close to each other and enable mating. Make sure they are well-fed and in a safe environment. After mating, the female will either lay an egg or become pregnant, depending on the species. For egg-laying creatures, youÔÇÖll need to incubate the egg at the correct temperature, which can be achieved using air conditioners, standing torches, or other temperature control methods. For live-bearing creatures, youÔÇÖll need to wait for the gestation period to complete.

When the baby is born or hatched, it will require constant care. This includes feeding it the appropriate food, which varies by species. For example, carnivores need meat, while herbivores need berries or crops. Babies have a high food consumption rate, so make sure you have plenty of food on hand. As the baby grows, youÔÇÖll need to interact with it periodically to imprint on it. Imprinting increases the creatureÔÇÖs stats and loyalty, making it more effective in combat and other tasks. To imprint, simply follow the on-screen prompts, which may include feeding the baby, taking it for a walk, or cuddling it.

To further enhance the weight capacity of your creatures, you can introduce mutations into your breeding line. Mutations are rare and random, but they can provide significant stat boosts. Each mutation increases a stat by two levels and can also change the creatureÔÇÖs color. However, mutations are limited to 20 per stat, so itÔÇÖs important to plan your breeding carefully. To maximize the chances of getting a mutation, breed creatures that have already inherited high weight stats. This increases the likelihood that the mutation will affect the weight stat.

One common mistake to avoid is inbreeding. Inbreeding can lead to negative mutations, which reduce stats or cause other undesirable effects. To prevent this, always keep track of your breeding lines and avoid breeding closely related creatures. Use a spreadsheet or other tracking method to record the stats and lineage of each creature in your breeding program.

Advanced techniques include stacking mutations and combining stats from multiple breeding lines. Stacking mutations involves breeding a mutated creature with a non-mutated one to pass on the mutation while keeping the mutation counter low. This allows you to accumulate multiple mutations over time. Combining stats from multiple breeding lines involves breeding creatures with high stats in different areas, such as health and weight, to create a well-rounded offspring.

Resource requirements for breeding include a steady supply of food, a safe and controlled environment, and the necessary equipment for incubation and imprinting. For tribes, coordinating breeding efforts can be more efficient, as multiple players can share the workload of feeding and imprinting. Solo players will need to manage their time carefully to ensure they can meet the demands of baby care.

Specific examples include breeding Argentavis for high weight capacity, as they are commonly used for transporting resources. Start by taming multiple Argentavis and checking their weight stats. Breed the ones with the highest weight stats, and continue the process over multiple generations. Introduce mutations to further boost the weight stat, and use imprinting to maximize the creatureÔÇÖs effectiveness.

In conclusion, breeding for high weight capacity in ARK: Survival Evolved requires careful planning, resource management, and attention to detail. By understanding the mechanics of stat inheritance, avoiding common mistakes, and using advanced techniques, you can create powerful creatures that excel in resource gathering and transportation. Whether youÔÇÖre playing solo or as part of a tribe, the rewards of a well-bred creature are well worth the effort.