How do I breed for high oxygen efficiency in ARK: Survival Evolved?

Breeding for high oxygen efficiency in ARK: Survival Evolved involves a combination of selective breeding, stat inheritance, and mutation management. Oxygen is a stat that determines how long a creature can stay underwater before needing to surface for air. While this stat is particularly useful for aquatic creatures like the Ichthyosaurus, Basilosaurus, or Megalodon, it can also be beneficial for land creatures that may need to traverse water or participate in underwater activities. HereÔÇÖs a detailed guide on how to breed for high oxygen efficiency.

To begin, you need to understand the mechanics of stat inheritance. When two creatures breed, the offspring has a 70% chance to inherit the higher stat from either parent. This means 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 stats, as these will serve as the foundation for your breeding program.

Once you have identified creatures with high oxygen stats, you can begin the breeding process. Place the two selected creatures close to each other and enable mating. Ensure they are well-fed and in a safe environment to avoid interruptions. After mating, the female will either lay an egg or, in the case of live-bearing species, become pregnant. For egg-laying species, you will need to incubate the egg at the correct temperature, which can be achieved using air conditioners, standing torches, or other temperature-regulating items.

After the egg hatches or the baby is born, you will need to care for it. Babies require constant feeding and attention until they reach the juvenile stage. During this time, you can imprint on the baby by interacting with it when it requests care. Imprinting increases the creatureÔÇÖs stats and loyalty, making it more effective in the long run. For oxygen efficiency, imprinting can provide a small but significant boost to the stat.

To further enhance oxygen efficiency, you can introduce mutations into your breeding line. Mutations are random and can affect either stats or colors. Each mutation adds two levels to a stat, which can be a significant boost if applied to oxygen. However, mutations are rare, and you may need to breed many generations to achieve the desired result. Keep track of your breeding lines to ensure you are making progress and not accidentally breeding out the high oxygen stat.

Resource management is crucial for successful breeding. You will need a steady supply of food, such as meat or berries, to keep your creatures fed. Additionally, you will need materials for building a secure breeding area, such as walls, gates, and feeding troughs. If you are breeding aquatic creatures, consider building a water pen or using a platform saddle to create a mobile breeding area.

For solo players, breeding can be time-consuming, but it is manageable with proper planning. Set up a base near a reliable source of food and water, and ensure you have enough storage for supplies. For tribes, breeding can be a collaborative effort, with different members taking on roles such as gathering resources, caring for babies, or managing the breeding lines.

Common mistakes to avoid include neglecting to check the stats of the parents before breeding, which can result in offspring with lower oxygen stats. Additionally, failing to properly care for the baby can lead to its death, wasting all your effort. Always have a plan for feeding and protecting the baby, and consider using feeding troughs to automate the feeding process.

Advanced techniques include stacking mutations and combining high stats from multiple creatures. To stack mutations, you need to breed a mutated creature with a non-mutated one, ensuring the mutation is passed down while keeping the mutation counter low. This allows you to continue adding mutations without hitting the cap. Combining high stats involves breeding creatures with different high stats to create an offspring with multiple desirable traits.

In summary, breeding for high oxygen efficiency in ARK: Survival Evolved requires careful planning, resource management, and patience. By selecting creatures with high oxygen stats, managing mutations, and properly caring for the offspring, you can create powerful creatures that excel in aquatic environments. Whether you are playing solo or as part of a tribe, following these strategies will help you achieve your breeding goals.