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

Breeding for creatures with high fortitude in ARK: Survival Evolved involves a combination of careful planning, resource management, and understanding the game's breeding mechanics. Fortitude is a stat that increases a creature's resistance to environmental effects like extreme temperatures, torpor, and other status ailments. While fortitude is more commonly associated with player stats, it can also be bred into creatures, though it is not a primary focus for most breeding projects. However, if you are aiming to create creatures with high fortitude, here is a detailed guide to help you achieve this.

First, you need to understand the mechanics of breeding and stat inheritance. When two creatures breed, the offspring has a 70% chance to inherit the higher stat from either parent. This means that if one parent has a high fortitude stat and the other has a low one, there is a good chance the baby will inherit the higher stat. To maximize this, you should start by taming or breeding creatures with naturally high fortitude stats. This can be done by taming high-level creatures and checking their stats after taming. Use a tool like the ARK Smart Breeding app to track and compare stats, making it easier to identify the best candidates for breeding.

Once you have identified creatures with high fortitude, you need to set up a breeding area. This area should be secure, with walls and turrets to protect your creatures from wild predators or enemy players in PvP. You will also need a steady supply of food for the parents and the baby. For carnivores, this means a lot of raw meat or prime meat, and for herbivores, berries or crops. Make sure you have preserving bins or refrigerators to store the food, as well as troughs to feed the baby once it hatches or is born.

To start the breeding process, place the two selected creatures close together and enable mating. Keep an eye on their food levels, as breeding consumes a lot of stamina and food. Once the mating process is complete, you will either get an egg or a live baby, depending on the species. If it is an egg, you will need to incubate it. This can be done using air conditioners, dimetrodons, or other temperature-regulating methods. For live births, you will need to be ready to care for the baby immediately.

After the baby is born or hatched, it will require constant care. This includes feeding it regularly and ensuring it is safe from predators. During this time, you can also work on imprinting. Imprinting involves interacting with the baby at specific intervals to increase its stats and loyalty. While imprinting does not directly affect fortitude, it can make the creature more effective overall. To imprint, you will need to provide the baby with the requested item or action, such as cuddling, walking, or feeding it a specific type of food.

One common mistake to avoid is neglecting the baby's food supply. Babies consume food at a rapid rate, and if they run out, they will starve and die. Make sure you have plenty of food on hand and use feeding troughs to automate the process. Another mistake is not protecting the breeding area. Even in PvE, wild creatures can pose a threat to your babies, so always ensure the area is secure.

Advanced techniques for breeding high fortitude creatures include using mutations. Mutations can randomly increase a creature's stats, including fortitude, though this is rare. To maximize the chances of getting a mutation, you should breed multiple generations of creatures and keep track of their stats. Mutations are more likely to occur when breeding creatures that have not yet reached the mutation cap, which is 20 mutations per stat. However, mutations are random, so this process can take a lot of time and resources.

Resource requirements for breeding include a steady supply of food, materials for building the breeding area, and items for imprinting. You will also need a lot of time, as breeding and raising creatures can take several hours or even days, depending on the species. In a tribe, you can divide the workload, with different members responsible for gathering resources, caring for the babies, and protecting the base. Solo players will need to manage all of these tasks themselves, so it is important to plan ahead and be prepared.

In conclusion, breeding for high fortitude creatures in ARK: Survival Evolved requires a combination of careful planning, resource management, and understanding the game's breeding mechanics. By selecting the right creatures, setting up a secure breeding area, and providing proper care for the babies, you can create powerful creatures with high fortitude. While this process can be time-consuming and resource-intensive, the results can be well worth the effort, especially in challenging environments or PvP scenarios.