What is the best way to breed for stamina in Argentavis in ARK: Survival Evolved?

Breeding for stamina in Argentavis in ARK: Survival Evolved involves a combination of understanding the game's breeding mechanics, careful planning, and patience. Argentavis is a versatile flying mount, and having high stamina is crucial for long-distance travel and combat efficiency. Below is a detailed guide on how to breed for stamina in Argentavis, covering mechanics, strategies, tips, and more.

First, it's important to understand how stat inheritance works in ARK. When two creatures breed, the baby has a 70% chance to inherit the higher stat from either parent for each stat category, including stamina. This means if one parent has 500 stamina and the other has 400, the baby has a 70% chance to inherit the 500 stamina. The remaining 30% chance is for the lower stat. To maximize stamina, you need to start with parents that have high stamina stats. This often involves taming multiple Argentavis and selecting the ones with the best stamina to breed.

To begin, tame several high-level Argentavis. Higher-level creatures have better base stats, so focus on taming level 130 or higher if possible. Use kibble or raw prime meat to maximize taming effectiveness, as this will give you the best chance of high stats post-tame. Once tamed, check their stamina stats. Keep the ones with the highest stamina and discard or use the others for other purposes. This initial selection is critical because it sets the foundation for your breeding line.

Next, pair the Argentavis with the highest stamina stats. Place them close together in a secure breeding area, such as a fenced-off pen or a dedicated breeding room in your base. Enable wandering or use the mating option to initiate breeding. Once the female lays a fertilized egg, incubate it. Argentavis eggs require a warm environment to hatch, so use air conditioners, standing torches, or campfires to maintain the correct temperature. The egg will hatch into a baby Argentavis, which you must immediately care for.

Baby care involves feeding the baby until it reaches the juvenile stage. Argentavis babies eat raw meat, so stockpile a large amount before hatching. Use feeding troughs to automate the feeding process once the baby reaches the juvenile stage. During this time, you can also imprint on the baby by interacting with it when it requests care. Imprinting increases the baby's stats and makes it more loyal to you. For stamina breeding, imprinting is less critical than stat inheritance, but it still provides a small boost.

After the baby grows into an adult, check its stamina stat. If it has inherited the higher stamina from its parents, you can use it as a breeder for the next generation. Repeat the process, pairing the new high-stamina Argentavis with others to further increase the stamina stat. Over several generations, you can create an Argentavis with exceptionally high stamina.

One common mistake is neglecting other stats while focusing solely on stamina. While stamina is important, you should also consider health, weight, and melee damage, as these stats are crucial for the Argentavis's overall effectiveness. Balancing these stats ensures your Argentavis remains versatile and useful in various situations.

Advanced techniques involve using mutations to further enhance stamina. Mutations can increase a stat by two points and change the creature's color. However, mutations are rare and random, so it may take many breeding attempts to get a stamina mutation. Keep track of your breeding lines to avoid exceeding the mutation limit, which is 20 mutations per stat. Once a stat has 20 mutations, it can no longer receive further mutations.

Resource requirements for breeding include a steady supply of raw meat, a secure breeding area, and temperature control for egg incubation. If you're playing solo, this can be time-consuming, so consider automating tasks like meat gathering using tamed carnivores. In a tribe, you can divide responsibilities, with some members focusing on breeding while others gather resources.

In summary, breeding for stamina in Argentavis involves selecting high-stamina parents, carefully managing the breeding process, and repeating the cycle over multiple generations. Pay attention to other stats, avoid common mistakes, and consider advanced techniques like mutations to optimize your breeding line. With patience and planning, you can create an Argentavis with exceptional stamina, making it a powerful asset in ARK: Survival Evolved.