What is the best way to breed for higher oxygen in creatures in ARK: Survival Evolved?

Breeding for higher oxygen in creatures in ARK: Survival Evolved involves a combination of understanding the game's breeding mechanics, careful planning, and patience. Oxygen is a stat that determines how long a creature can stay underwater before needing to surface for air. While it is not a commonly prioritized stat for most creatures, it can be useful for aquatic or semi-aquatic creatures like the Ichthyosaurus, Megalodon, or Basilosaurus. HereÔÇÖs a detailed guide on how to breed for higher oxygen effectively.

First, you need to understand the mechanics of stat inheritance and mutations. When two creatures breed, the offspring has a 55% 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. Mutations, on the other hand, are random and can increase a stat by 2 points or change the creature's color. Mutations are rare, with only a 2.5% chance per stat per baby, so breeding for mutations requires time and effort.

To start breeding for higher oxygen, you need a pair of creatures with decent oxygen stats. If you donÔÇÖt already have creatures with high oxygen, you can tame wild ones and check their stats before taming. Once you have a pair, place them in a safe, enclosed area where they can breed without interference. Make sure they are set to wander or enable mating in their behavior settings. Keep them well-fed with the appropriate food to ensure they stay healthy during the breeding process.

After mating, the female will either lay an egg or become pregnant, depending on the species. For egg-laying creatures, youÔÇÖll need to incubate the egg at the correct temperature. Use air conditioners, standing torches, or campfires to maintain the temperature. For live-bearing creatures, the female will give birth after a gestation period. Once the baby is born or hatched, youÔÇÖll need to care for it by feeding it the appropriate food until it reaches the juvenile stage. During this time, you can imprint on the baby by interacting with it when it requests care. Imprinting increases the babyÔÇÖs stats and makes it more loyal to you.

To increase the oxygen stat over generations, youÔÇÖll need to selectively breed the creatures with the highest oxygen stats. Keep track of the stats of each offspring and only breed the ones with the highest oxygen. This process can take many generations, so patience is key. If youÔÇÖre lucky, you might get a mutation that increases the oxygen stat. Mutations can stack, so over time, you can create a creature with significantly higher oxygen than its wild counterparts.

There are some important tips and considerations to keep in mind. First, always keep your breeding pairs in a safe, enclosed area to prevent them from wandering off or being attacked. Second, make sure you have enough resources to care for the babies, as they require constant feeding and attention. Third, consider using a breeding calculator or spreadsheet to track the stats of your creatures and plan your breeding lines. This can help you avoid inbreeding and ensure youÔÇÖre making progress toward your goal.

Common mistakes to avoid include not checking the stats of wild creatures before taming, not keeping track of your breeding lines, and not having enough resources to care for the babies. ItÔÇÖs also important to avoid over-mutating, as each creature can only have 20 mutations total (10 from each parent). Once a creature reaches this limit, it can no longer pass on mutations, even if it has room for more.

Advanced techniques include using multiple breeding pairs to increase your chances of getting mutations and combining stats from different creatures. For example, you could breed a creature with high oxygen with one that has high health or stamina to create a well-rounded offspring. You can also use cryopods to store and transport your creatures, making it easier to manage large breeding operations.

Resource requirements for breeding include food for the parents and babies, materials for incubating eggs, and space for your breeding area. YouÔÇÖll also need a steady supply of resources for imprinting, such as berries, meat, or other items depending on the creature. If youÔÇÖre playing solo, breeding can be more challenging due to the time and resource requirements. However, in a tribe, you can divide the workload and make the process more efficient.

In conclusion, breeding for higher oxygen in ARK: Survival Evolved is a long-term project that requires careful planning, patience, and resource management. By understanding the mechanics of stat inheritance and mutations, selectively breeding the best creatures, and avoiding common mistakes, you can create powerful aquatic creatures with impressive oxygen stats. Whether youÔÇÖre playing solo or in a tribe, the key to success is staying organized and committed to your breeding goals.