What is the best way to breed for stamina in creatures like the Thylacoleo in ARK: Survival Evolved?

Breeding for stamina in creatures like the Thylacoleo in ARK: Survival Evolved involves a combination of careful planning, understanding the game's breeding mechanics, and patience. The Thylacoleo is a versatile and powerful creature, making it a popular choice for players looking to enhance its stamina for extended travel or combat. HereÔÇÖs a detailed guide on how to achieve this.

First, you need to understand the basics of breeding mechanics. Breeding involves pairing two Thylacoleos of opposite genders. When they are set to wander or enabled for breeding, they will produce an egg after a cooldown period. The egg must be incubated at the correct temperature, which for Thylacoleos is slightly colder than room temperature. Use air conditioners, standing torches, or dimetrodons to maintain the right temperature. Once the egg hatches, you will have a baby Thylacoleo that requires constant care until it matures.

To breed for stamina, you need to focus on stat inheritance and mutations. Each Thylacoleo has base stats that are randomly generated when it is tamed or born. When breeding, the offspring has a 70% chance to inherit the higher stat from either parent. This means if one parent has high stamina and the other has low stamina, thereÔÇÖs a good chance the baby will inherit the higher stamina stat. Over multiple generations, you can selectively breed Thylacoleos with higher stamina to create a lineage with exceptional stamina.

Mutations are another key factor. Mutations can randomly increase a stat by two levels and change the creatureÔÇÖs color. However, mutations are rare, with only a 2.5% chance per stat per baby. To maximize your chances, breed as many Thylacoleos as possible. Keep track of which creatures have mutations and focus on those with stamina mutations. Be aware that each creature can have up to 20 mutations on the maternal and paternal sides combined. Beyond this limit, further mutations become nearly impossible.

HereÔÇÖs a step-by-step strategy. Start by taming multiple Thylacoleos with high stamina stats. Use a taming calculator to identify the best candidates. Once you have a breeding pair, place them in a secure, enclosed area to prevent wandering. Enable mating and wait for the egg. Incubate the egg and hatch the baby. Check the babyÔÇÖs stats immediately. If it has higher stamina, keep it for future breeding. If not, you can either raise it for other purposes or discard it. Repeat this process over multiple generations, always selecting the offspring with the highest stamina to breed next.

Important tips include keeping detailed records of each ThylacoleoÔÇÖs stats and lineage. Use spreadsheets or in-game notes to track which creatures have the best stats and mutations. This helps you avoid inbreeding and ensures you are making progress. Also, ensure you have enough resources to raise the babies. Thylacoleo babies require a lot of meat, so stockpile raw meat or use a feeding trough to automate feeding.

Common mistakes to avoid include neglecting imprinting. Imprinting increases the babyÔÇÖs stats and makes it more loyal. Always imprint your Thylacoleos by interacting with them during their growth stages. Another mistake is not having enough space or resources. Breeding requires a lot of time and resources, so plan accordingly. Avoid over-mutating, as too many mutations can make further breeding difficult.

Advanced techniques involve using a breeding calculator to predict stat outcomes and optimize your breeding pairs. You can also use cryopods to store and manage your breeding stock, making it easier to organize and rotate your Thylacoleos. Additionally, consider using a dedicated breeding base with air conditioners, feeding troughs, and plenty of space to streamline the process.

Resource requirements include a steady supply of meat, preserving bins or refrigerators to store meat, and materials for building a breeding enclosure. You will also need air conditioners or other temperature control methods for egg incubation. If you are in a tribe, coordinate with your members to share the workload. Solo players should focus on efficiency and resource management to handle the demands of breeding.

In specific scenarios, imagine you have two Thylacoleos, one with 30 levels in stamina and another with 25. Breed them and hatch a baby with 30 stamina. Keep this baby and breed it with another high-stamina Thylacoleo. Over time, you will create a lineage with increasingly higher stamina. If a mutation occurs that increases stamina, prioritize that Thylacoleo for future breeding.

In conclusion, breeding for stamina in Thylacoleos requires understanding stat inheritance, leveraging mutations, and maintaining detailed records. With patience and careful planning, you can create a Thylacoleo with exceptional stamina, making it a formidable companion in ARK: Survival Evolved.