What is the best way to breed for speed in Raptors in ARK: Survival Evolved?

Breeding for speed in Raptors in ARK: Survival Evolved involves a combination of selective breeding, stat inheritance, and mutation management. Raptors are fast and agile creatures by default, but with careful breeding, you can create offspring with even higher movement speed, making them exceptional for scouting, hunting, or escaping danger. Below is a detailed guide on how to achieve this.

First, you need to understand the mechanics of breeding. When two Raptors mate, the baby inherits stats from both parents. Each stat, including movement speed, has a 55% chance to be inherited from either parent. This means you need to start with Raptors that already have high movement speed. Tame multiple Raptors and check their stats using the creature inventory screen. Look for Raptors with naturally high movement speed, as this will be the foundation of your breeding line.

Once you have identified Raptors with high movement speed, place them in a secure breeding area. This area should be enclosed to prevent wild creatures from interfering and should have enough space for the Raptors to move around. Set the Raptors to wander mode or use a mating cooldown timer to initiate breeding. When the female Raptor lays an egg, pick it up and place it in an incubator or near air conditioners to maintain the correct temperature for hatching. Raptor eggs require a warm environment, so ensure you have the necessary equipment to regulate the temperature.

After the egg hatches, the baby Raptor will need constant care. It will require food, such as raw meat, and you must keep its inventory stocked to prevent starvation. During the baby stage, you can imprint on the Raptor by interacting with it when it requests care. Imprinting increases the Raptor's stats and loyalty, making it more effective in combat and other tasks. Imprinting is especially important for movement speed, as it can provide a significant boost to the stat.

As the Raptor grows, you will need to monitor its stats. If the movement speed is higher than the parents, you can use this Raptor in future breeding pairs to continue improving the stat. Repeat the breeding process over multiple generations, selecting Raptors with the highest movement speed each time. This is known as selective breeding and is the key to creating a line of Raptors with exceptional speed.

Mutations can also play a role in increasing movement speed. Mutations are random and rare, but they can provide a significant boost to stats or introduce unique colors. When a mutation occurs, it will affect one of the Raptor's stats, including movement speed. If you are lucky enough to get a mutation that increases movement speed, use that Raptor in your breeding line to pass the mutation to future generations. Keep in mind that each creature can have up to 20 mutations on the maternal and paternal sides, so plan your breeding carefully to maximize the benefits.

Resource management is crucial for successful breeding. You will need a steady supply of food, such as raw meat, to feed the baby Raptors. Additionally, you will need materials to build and maintain the breeding area, such as walls, gates, and air conditioners. If you are playing solo, this can be time-consuming, so consider automating some tasks, such as using feeding troughs to store food for the babies. In a tribe, you can divide responsibilities among members to make the process more efficient.

Common mistakes to avoid include neglecting imprinting, failing to monitor stat inheritance, and not maintaining a secure breeding area. Imprinting is essential for maximizing the Raptor's potential, so make sure to interact with the baby regularly. Stat inheritance is random, so you may need to breed multiple generations to achieve the desired results. A secure breeding area is necessary to protect the Raptors from wild creatures and other players in PvP servers.

Advanced techniques include using external tools or spreadsheets to track stat inheritance and mutations. This can help you plan your breeding lines more effectively and ensure you are making progress toward your goal. Additionally, you can use cryopods to store and transport Raptors, making it easier to manage your breeding program. Cryopods also allow you to pause the growth of baby Raptors, giving you more time to care for them.

In conclusion, breeding for speed in Raptors requires patience, planning, and attention to detail. Start with Raptors that have high movement speed, use selective breeding to improve the stat over generations, and take advantage of mutations when they occur. Manage your resources carefully, avoid common mistakes, and consider advanced techniques to optimize your breeding program. With time and effort, you can create a line of Raptors that are faster and more agile than any wild Raptor on the island.