What is the best way to breed for oxygen in ARK: Survival Evolved?
Breeding for oxygen in ARK: Survival Evolved involves a combination of selective breeding, stat inheritance, and mutation management. Oxygen is a stat that primarily benefits aquatic creatures, such as the Basilosaurus, Ichthyosaurus, or Megalodon, as it increases their swim speed and underwater stamina. However, it can also be useful for land creatures that need to traverse water frequently. Below is a detailed guide on how to breed for oxygen effectively.
To begin, 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 that if one parent has a high oxygen stat and the other has a low one, the baby has a good chance of inheriting the higher 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 oxygen levels, as these will serve as the foundation for your breeding line.
Once you have identified creatures with high oxygen stats, place them in a breeding pen. Ensure the area is safe and free from predators, as breeding requires both creatures to be in close proximity and undisturbed. Enable mating by setting them to "Enable Wandering" or using the "Enable Mating" option in their radial menu. Keep in mind that breeding has a cooldown period, so you may need to wait before attempting again.
After the breeding process begins, the female will either lay an egg (for egg-laying species) or become pregnant (for live-bearing species). Eggs need to be incubated at the correct temperature, which can be achieved using air conditioners, standing torches, or other temperature-regulating structures. For live-bearing creatures, ensure the mother is well-fed and protected during pregnancy.
Once the baby is born or hatched, it will require constant care. Babies need to be fed regularly, and their food consumption is high during the early stages. Prepare a large supply of the appropriate food, such as meat for carnivores or berries for herbivores. Use feeding troughs to automate the feeding process, especially if you are breeding multiple creatures at once.
Imprinting is another critical aspect of breeding. Imprinting involves interacting with the baby during its growth stages to increase its stats and loyalty. Each imprinting session requires specific actions, such as cuddling, walking, or feeding a particular item. Successful imprinting boosts the creature's stats, including oxygen, and improves its overall effectiveness. Aim for 100% imprinting to maximize the benefits.
Mutations can also play a role in breeding for oxygen. Mutations are random and can affect a creature's stats or colors. While mutations are rare, they can provide significant boosts to oxygen levels if they occur in the right stat. To increase your chances of getting a mutation, breed as many creatures as possible. Keep track of mutations by labeling or color-coding your creatures, and focus on breeding those with beneficial mutations into your main line.
Resource management is crucial for successful breeding. Breeding requires a steady supply of food, resources for temperature regulation, and time. Prepare by stockpiling meat, berries, and other necessary items. If you are playing solo, consider setting up multiple feeding troughs and using preserving bins or refrigerators to store food. In a tribe, coordinate with other members to share responsibilities, such as gathering resources or caring for babies.
Common mistakes to avoid include neglecting imprinting, failing to prepare enough food, and not protecting the breeding area. Imprinting is time-sensitive, so missing sessions can result in lower stat bonuses. Running out of food can lead to the baby starving, which wastes all your effort. Additionally, predators or hostile players can disrupt the breeding process, so always secure your base.
Advanced techniques involve stacking mutations and optimizing stat inheritance. To stack mutations, breed creatures with existing mutations to increase the chances of passing them on. However, be aware that there is a limit to the number of mutations a creature can have. Optimizing stat inheritance involves selectively breeding creatures with the highest oxygen stats over multiple generations. This process can take time but will result in a highly specialized creature.
In summary, breeding for oxygen in ARK: Survival Evolved requires careful planning, resource management, and attention to detail. Start by taming creatures with high oxygen stats, set up a secure breeding area, and focus on imprinting and mutations. Avoid common mistakes, and use advanced techniques to optimize your breeding line. Whether playing solo or in a tribe, patience and persistence will yield powerful aquatic creatures with exceptional oxygen levels.
To begin, 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 that if one parent has a high oxygen stat and the other has a low one, the baby has a good chance of inheriting the higher 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 oxygen levels, as these will serve as the foundation for your breeding line.
Once you have identified creatures with high oxygen stats, place them in a breeding pen. Ensure the area is safe and free from predators, as breeding requires both creatures to be in close proximity and undisturbed. Enable mating by setting them to "Enable Wandering" or using the "Enable Mating" option in their radial menu. Keep in mind that breeding has a cooldown period, so you may need to wait before attempting again.
After the breeding process begins, the female will either lay an egg (for egg-laying species) or become pregnant (for live-bearing species). Eggs need to be incubated at the correct temperature, which can be achieved using air conditioners, standing torches, or other temperature-regulating structures. For live-bearing creatures, ensure the mother is well-fed and protected during pregnancy.
Once the baby is born or hatched, it will require constant care. Babies need to be fed regularly, and their food consumption is high during the early stages. Prepare a large supply of the appropriate food, such as meat for carnivores or berries for herbivores. Use feeding troughs to automate the feeding process, especially if you are breeding multiple creatures at once.
Imprinting is another critical aspect of breeding. Imprinting involves interacting with the baby during its growth stages to increase its stats and loyalty. Each imprinting session requires specific actions, such as cuddling, walking, or feeding a particular item. Successful imprinting boosts the creature's stats, including oxygen, and improves its overall effectiveness. Aim for 100% imprinting to maximize the benefits.
Mutations can also play a role in breeding for oxygen. Mutations are random and can affect a creature's stats or colors. While mutations are rare, they can provide significant boosts to oxygen levels if they occur in the right stat. To increase your chances of getting a mutation, breed as many creatures as possible. Keep track of mutations by labeling or color-coding your creatures, and focus on breeding those with beneficial mutations into your main line.
Resource management is crucial for successful breeding. Breeding requires a steady supply of food, resources for temperature regulation, and time. Prepare by stockpiling meat, berries, and other necessary items. If you are playing solo, consider setting up multiple feeding troughs and using preserving bins or refrigerators to store food. In a tribe, coordinate with other members to share responsibilities, such as gathering resources or caring for babies.
Common mistakes to avoid include neglecting imprinting, failing to prepare enough food, and not protecting the breeding area. Imprinting is time-sensitive, so missing sessions can result in lower stat bonuses. Running out of food can lead to the baby starving, which wastes all your effort. Additionally, predators or hostile players can disrupt the breeding process, so always secure your base.
Advanced techniques involve stacking mutations and optimizing stat inheritance. To stack mutations, breed creatures with existing mutations to increase the chances of passing them on. However, be aware that there is a limit to the number of mutations a creature can have. Optimizing stat inheritance involves selectively breeding creatures with the highest oxygen stats over multiple generations. This process can take time but will result in a highly specialized creature.
In summary, breeding for oxygen in ARK: Survival Evolved requires careful planning, resource management, and attention to detail. Start by taming creatures with high oxygen stats, set up a secure breeding area, and focus on imprinting and mutations. Avoid common mistakes, and use advanced techniques to optimize your breeding line. Whether playing solo or in a tribe, patience and persistence will yield powerful aquatic creatures with exceptional oxygen levels.