What is the best way to start a breeding line for Rexes in ARK: Survival Evolved?

Starting a breeding line for Rexes in ARK: Survival Evolved is a long-term project that requires careful planning, resource management, and patience. Rexes are one of the most powerful creatures in the game, making them highly sought after for boss fights and PvP. To create a strong breeding line, you need to focus on stat inheritance, mutations, and imprinting. HereÔÇÖs a detailed guide to help you get started.

First, you need to tame multiple high-level Rexes. The higher the level, the better the base stats, which will give you a strong foundation for your breeding line. Look for Rexes with high health, melee damage, and stamina, as these are the most important stats for combat. Once you have a few Rexes, place them in a secure breeding area. This area should be enclosed to protect the Rexes and their offspring from predators. YouÔÇÖll also need a large space to accommodate the Rexes and their eggs.

To start breeding, you need to enable mating on both the male and female Rexes. Place them close to each other, and they will eventually mate. After mating, the female will lay a fertilized egg. Rex eggs require a high temperature to incubate, so youÔÇÖll need to use air conditioners, standing torches, or campfires to maintain the correct temperature. Once the egg hatches, youÔÇÖll have a baby Rex that needs constant care.

Baby Rexes require a lot of food, so make sure you have plenty of raw meat or cooked meat on hand. YouÔÇÖll need to feed the baby manually until it reaches the juvenile stage, at which point it can eat from a feeding trough. During this time, you should also focus on imprinting. Imprinting involves interacting with the baby Rex by cuddling, walking, or feeding it specific items. Each imprint increases the RexÔÇÖs stats and loyalty, making it more effective in combat. Aim for 100% imprinting for the best results.

As your Rexes grow, youÔÇÖll want to track their stats to identify the best candidates for further breeding. Keep detailed records of each RexÔÇÖs stats, including health, stamina, weight, melee damage, and any mutations. This will help you make informed decisions about which Rexes to pair together. When breeding, the offspring has a chance to inherit the higher stat from either parent. By selectively breeding Rexes with the best stats, you can create a line of increasingly powerful creatures.

Mutations are a key part of advanced breeding. Mutations can increase a stat by two points and may also change the RexÔÇÖs color. However, mutations are rare and random, so youÔÇÖll need to breed many Rexes to get the desired mutations. Each Rex can have up to 20 mutations on the maternal and paternal sides combined. Once a Rex reaches this limit, it can no longer produce new mutations. To maximize your chances, focus on breeding Rexes with no mutations first, then introduce mutations later.

Resource management is crucial for breeding Rexes. YouÔÇÖll need a steady supply of meat, berries, and other resources to feed and care for your Rexes. Consider setting up a farm to grow crops and tame herbivores like Parasaurs or Brontos to help gather berries. YouÔÇÖll also need a lot of space for your breeding area, so plan your base accordingly. If youÔÇÖre playing solo, this can be challenging, but itÔÇÖs manageable with careful planning. In a tribe, you can divide the workload among members to make the process more efficient.

Common mistakes to avoid include neglecting imprinting, not tracking stats, and over-mutating. Imprinting is essential for maximizing your RexÔÇÖs potential, so donÔÇÖt skip it. Tracking stats is important for making informed breeding decisions, so keep detailed records. Over-mutating can lead to a dead end in your breeding line, so be strategic about when and how you introduce mutations.

Advanced techniques include stacking mutations and using cryopods. Stacking mutations involves breeding Rexes with multiple mutations to create a super Rex with extremely high stats. Cryopods can be used to store and transport Rexes, making it easier to manage your breeding line. You can also use cryopods to pause the growth of baby Rexes if you need more time to gather resources.

In summary, starting a breeding line for Rexes in ARK: Survival Evolved requires careful planning, resource management, and patience. Focus on taming high-level Rexes, selectively breeding for the best stats, and maximizing imprinting. Track your RexesÔÇÖ stats and mutations, and avoid common mistakes like neglecting imprinting or over-mutating. With time and effort, you can create a powerful line of Rexes capable of taking on the toughest challenges in the game.