What are the best creatures to breed for resource gathering in ARK: Survival Evolved?
Breeding creatures for resource gathering in ARK: Survival Evolved is a highly effective way to optimize your efficiency in collecting materials like wood, stone, metal, berries, and more. To achieve this, you need to understand the mechanics of breeding, stat inheritance, and imprinting, as well as how to select the best creatures for specific tasks. Below is a detailed guide to help you breed and raise resource-gathering creatures effectively.
First, you need to identify the best creatures for resource gathering. Some of the top choices include the Ankylosaurus for metal and flint, the Doedicurus for stone, the Castoroides for wood, the Therizinosaurus for versatile gathering (fiber, wood, thatch, berries), and the Mammoth for wood. Each of these creatures has unique abilities that make them ideal for specific resources. For example, the Ankylosaurus has a high damage multiplier for metal nodes, while the Doedicurus can gather large amounts of stone quickly.
To start breeding, you need a male and female of the same species. Place them close to each other and enable the "Enable Wandering" option in their behavior settings. This will initiate the mating process. Keep in mind that breeding requires a suitable environment, so ensure the area is safe from predators and has enough space. Once mating begins, a progress bar will appear, and after completion, the female will either lay an egg or give birth to a baby, depending on the species.
For egg-laying creatures, you need to incubate the egg. This involves maintaining the correct temperature, which can be achieved using air conditioners, standing torches, or campfires. Once the egg hatches, you will have a baby creature that requires constant care. For live-birth creatures, the baby will appear immediately and also need care. Babies must be fed regularly, and their food consumption is high, so prepare a large supply of the appropriate food, such as berries for herbivores or raw meat for carnivores.
Imprinting is a critical part of breeding. During the baby's growth stages, you will receive prompts to interact with it, such as cuddling, walking, or feeding specific items. Completing these interactions increases the imprinting percentage, which boosts the creature's stats and loyalty. A fully imprinted creature will have better health, damage, and resistance, making it more effective for resource gathering.
Stat inheritance is another important factor. When breeding, the offspring has a chance to inherit the higher stat from either parent. For example, if the mother has high melee damage and the father has high health, the baby could inherit either stat. To optimize your breeding line, track the stats of your creatures and selectively breed those with the best stats for resource gathering. Over multiple generations, you can create creatures with exceptional gathering abilities.
Resource requirements for breeding include food, shelter, and time. You need a secure base with enough space for your breeding pairs and babies. Feeding troughs can help automate the feeding process, but you must ensure they are stocked with the appropriate food. Breeding and raising creatures can take a significant amount of time, especially for larger species, so patience is essential.
Common mistakes to avoid include neglecting imprinting, not preparing enough food, and failing to protect the babies from predators. Imprinting significantly enhances the creature's stats, so missing these interactions can result in a weaker creature. Running out of food can lead to the baby starving, so always have a surplus. Additionally, babies are vulnerable to attacks, so keep them in a safe, enclosed area.
Advanced techniques include using mutations to further enhance your creatures. Mutations can increase stats or change colors, but they are rare and random. To maximize mutations, breed creatures with high stats and track their lineage carefully. Another optimization is to use cryopods to store and transport your creatures, making it easier to manage large breeding operations.
For tribes, breeding can be a collaborative effort. Assign roles to tribe members, such as gathering food, monitoring babies, or managing the breeding pairs. This division of labor can make the process more efficient. Solo players will need to manage all aspects themselves, so planning and preparation are even more critical.
In summary, breeding creatures for resource gathering in ARK: Survival Evolved involves selecting the right species, understanding breeding mechanics, and optimizing stat inheritance and imprinting. With careful planning and execution, you can create powerful creatures that significantly enhance your resource-gathering efficiency.
First, you need to identify the best creatures for resource gathering. Some of the top choices include the Ankylosaurus for metal and flint, the Doedicurus for stone, the Castoroides for wood, the Therizinosaurus for versatile gathering (fiber, wood, thatch, berries), and the Mammoth for wood. Each of these creatures has unique abilities that make them ideal for specific resources. For example, the Ankylosaurus has a high damage multiplier for metal nodes, while the Doedicurus can gather large amounts of stone quickly.
To start breeding, you need a male and female of the same species. Place them close to each other and enable the "Enable Wandering" option in their behavior settings. This will initiate the mating process. Keep in mind that breeding requires a suitable environment, so ensure the area is safe from predators and has enough space. Once mating begins, a progress bar will appear, and after completion, the female will either lay an egg or give birth to a baby, depending on the species.
For egg-laying creatures, you need to incubate the egg. This involves maintaining the correct temperature, which can be achieved using air conditioners, standing torches, or campfires. Once the egg hatches, you will have a baby creature that requires constant care. For live-birth creatures, the baby will appear immediately and also need care. Babies must be fed regularly, and their food consumption is high, so prepare a large supply of the appropriate food, such as berries for herbivores or raw meat for carnivores.
Imprinting is a critical part of breeding. During the baby's growth stages, you will receive prompts to interact with it, such as cuddling, walking, or feeding specific items. Completing these interactions increases the imprinting percentage, which boosts the creature's stats and loyalty. A fully imprinted creature will have better health, damage, and resistance, making it more effective for resource gathering.
Stat inheritance is another important factor. When breeding, the offspring has a chance to inherit the higher stat from either parent. For example, if the mother has high melee damage and the father has high health, the baby could inherit either stat. To optimize your breeding line, track the stats of your creatures and selectively breed those with the best stats for resource gathering. Over multiple generations, you can create creatures with exceptional gathering abilities.
Resource requirements for breeding include food, shelter, and time. You need a secure base with enough space for your breeding pairs and babies. Feeding troughs can help automate the feeding process, but you must ensure they are stocked with the appropriate food. Breeding and raising creatures can take a significant amount of time, especially for larger species, so patience is essential.
Common mistakes to avoid include neglecting imprinting, not preparing enough food, and failing to protect the babies from predators. Imprinting significantly enhances the creature's stats, so missing these interactions can result in a weaker creature. Running out of food can lead to the baby starving, so always have a surplus. Additionally, babies are vulnerable to attacks, so keep them in a safe, enclosed area.
Advanced techniques include using mutations to further enhance your creatures. Mutations can increase stats or change colors, but they are rare and random. To maximize mutations, breed creatures with high stats and track their lineage carefully. Another optimization is to use cryopods to store and transport your creatures, making it easier to manage large breeding operations.
For tribes, breeding can be a collaborative effort. Assign roles to tribe members, such as gathering food, monitoring babies, or managing the breeding pairs. This division of labor can make the process more efficient. Solo players will need to manage all aspects themselves, so planning and preparation are even more critical.
In summary, breeding creatures for resource gathering in ARK: Survival Evolved involves selecting the right species, understanding breeding mechanics, and optimizing stat inheritance and imprinting. With careful planning and execution, you can create powerful creatures that significantly enhance your resource-gathering efficiency.