What is the best food to use for imprinting baby creatures in ARK: Survival Evolved?

Imprinting baby creatures in ARK: Survival Evolved is a crucial process that enhances the stats and loyalty of your tamed creatures. When a baby creature is born or hatched, it enters a growth phase where it requires constant care, including feeding and imprinting. Imprinting involves interacting with the baby at specific intervals to fulfill its requests, which can include feeding it a preferred food, taking it for a walk, or cuddling it. Each successful imprint increases the creature's imprinting percentage, which boosts its stats and makes it more effective in combat or other tasks.

The best food to use for imprinting depends on the type of creature you are raising. For most carnivorous creatures, the preferred food for imprinting is Kibble. Kibble is a high-quality food made from specific eggs, crops, and other ingredients. Each type of Kibble corresponds to a specific creature, so you will need to prepare the appropriate Kibble for the baby you are raising. For example, Rex Kibble is ideal for imprinting a baby Tyrannosaurus Rex, while Carno Kibble is suitable for a Carnotaurus. Herbivorous creatures, on the other hand, prefer vegetables or berries for imprinting. Advanced Crops like Rockarrot, Longrass, Savoroot, and Citronal are often the best choices for herbivores. Some creatures may also request cooked meat or raw meat, but Kibble and Advanced Crops generally provide the best results.

To begin the imprinting process, you first need to ensure that the baby creature is well-fed and healthy. Place the preferred food in its inventory so it can eat when hungry. When the baby requests imprinting, interact with it and provide the requested item or action. The imprinting request will appear as a message above the baby's head, indicating what it needs. If the request is for food, simply place the required item in its inventory and wait for it to consume it. If the request is for a walk, you will need to ride the baby and move it around for a short distance. For cuddling, simply interact with the baby to complete the request.

Timing is critical in the imprinting process. Imprinting requests occur at regular intervals, and missing a request can reduce the overall imprinting percentage. To maximize imprinting, you should stay close to the baby and monitor its needs constantly. Using a feeding trough can help keep the baby fed, but you will still need to be present for imprinting requests. If you are playing solo, this can be challenging, as you may need to balance imprinting with other tasks like resource gathering or base maintenance. In a tribe, you can assign different members to take shifts watching the baby, ensuring that no imprinting requests are missed.

One common mistake to avoid is neglecting the baby's food supply. If the baby runs out of food, it will start to lose health and may die. Always keep a sufficient amount of food in its inventory or nearby feeding troughs. Another mistake is failing to prepare the correct imprinting items in advance. Some imprinting requests require specific items that may not be readily available, so it is important to stock up on these items before starting the breeding process. Additionally, avoid leaving the baby unattended for long periods, as it may become vulnerable to predators or environmental hazards.

Advanced techniques for optimizing imprinting include using a Maewing, a creature that can nurse babies and provide them with food automatically. This can reduce the need for constant monitoring and make the imprinting process more manageable. Another technique is to adjust the game settings to increase the imprinting interval or the amount of imprinting gained per request. This can be done in single-player or private server settings, allowing you to customize the breeding experience to your preferences.

Resource requirements for imprinting include a steady supply of food, such as Kibble, Advanced Crops, or raw meat, depending on the creature. You will also need a secure and temperature-controlled environment to raise the baby, as extreme temperatures can harm it. Building a nursery with air conditioners or campfires can help regulate the temperature and keep the baby safe. Additionally, having a nearby source of water and a feeding trough can simplify the feeding process.

In conclusion, imprinting baby creatures in ARK: Survival Evolved is a rewarding but demanding process that requires careful planning and attention to detail. By using the best food for imprinting, staying vigilant for imprinting requests, and avoiding common mistakes, you can raise powerful and loyal creatures that will greatly enhance your gameplay experience. Whether you are playing solo or as part of a tribe, proper preparation and resource management are key to successful imprinting. With the right strategies and techniques, you can create a formidable army of imprinted creatures ready to take on the challenges of the ARK.