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

Breeding for creatures with high fortitude in ARK: Survival Evolved involves a combination of selective breeding, stat inheritance, and careful management of mutations. Fortitude is a stat that increases a creature's resistance to environmental effects like extreme temperatures, torpor, and other status ailments. While fortitude is not a stat that directly affects combat performance, it can be crucial for survival in harsh environments or during specific encounters. HereÔÇÖs a detailed guide on how to breed for high fortitude.

First, you need to understand the mechanics of stat inheritance. When two creatures breed, the offspring has a 70% chance to inherit the higher stat from either parent. This means if one parent has a high fortitude stat and the other has a low one, thereÔÇÖs 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. For example, creatures like the Yutyrannus or the Megatherium often have higher base fortitude stats compared to others. Once you have a pair with high fortitude, you can begin the breeding process.

To start breeding, you need a suitable environment. This includes a secure base with enough space for the creatures to move around, as well as a safe area for the baby to grow. YouÔÇÖll also need a steady supply of food, as both the parents and the baby will require constant feeding. For carnivores, this means a lot of meat, and for herbivores, a lot of berries or crops. Make sure you have preserving bins or refrigerators to store the food, as spoilage can be a problem.

Once you have your breeding pair, place them close together and enable mating. This will start the breeding process, and after a certain amount of time, the female will either lay an egg or give birth to a live baby, depending on the species. If itÔÇÖs an egg, youÔÇÖll need to incubate it by maintaining the correct temperature. This can be done using air conditioners, standing torches, or even by placing the egg in a specific biome. For live births, youÔÇÖll need to be ready to feed the baby immediately.

After the baby is born or hatched, it will require constant care. This includes feeding it regularly and ensuring itÔÇÖs 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. Each imprinting action gives a small boost to the creatureÔÇÖs stats, including fortitude. To maximize this, you should aim for 100% imprinting, which requires careful timing and attention.

Mutations can also play a role in increasing fortitude. Mutations are random and can affect either the creatureÔÇÖs stats or its colors. While mutations are rare, they can provide significant boosts to stats if managed correctly. To increase the chances of mutations, you can breed multiple generations of creatures, keeping track of their stats and mutations. However, be aware that mutations are capped at 20 per stat, so youÔÇÖll need to plan your breeding lines carefully to avoid hitting this limit.

One common mistake is neglecting the importance of stat tracking. ItÔÇÖs crucial to keep detailed records of each creatureÔÇÖs stats, including fortitude, to ensure youÔÇÖre making progress. This can be done using spreadsheets or in-game notes. Another mistake is not preparing enough resources. Breeding and raising creatures require a lot of food and time, so make sure you have a steady supply before starting.

Advanced techniques include using multiple breeding pairs to increase the chances of getting the desired stats. For example, you can have one pair focused on high fortitude and another on other desirable stats like health or melee damage. By combining these lines, you can create a creature with multiple high stats. Additionally, using cryopods can help manage space and reduce the risk of losing creatures to predators or environmental hazards.

Resource requirements for breeding include a lot of food, preserving bins or refrigerators, and materials for building a secure base. YouÔÇÖll also need resources for incubating eggs, such as air conditioners or torches. For tribes, coordinating breeding efforts can be beneficial, as multiple players can share the workload of feeding and imprinting. For solo players, itÔÇÖs important to plan ahead and ensure you have enough time to dedicate to the breeding process.

In summary, breeding for high fortitude in ARK: Survival Evolved involves careful selection of breeding pairs, managing stat inheritance, and maximizing imprinting and mutations. By following these steps and avoiding common mistakes, you can create creatures with high fortitude that are well-suited for survival in the gameÔÇÖs most challenging environments.