What is the best way to breed for high health in creatures like the Carbonemys in ARK: Survival Evolved?

Breeding for high health in creatures like the Carbonemys in ARK: Survival Evolved involves a combination of understanding the game's breeding mechanics, careful planning, and patience. The Carbonemys, a large turtle-like creature, is known for its high health pool, making it a popular choice for tanking damage in both PvE and PvP scenarios. To breed for high health, you need to focus on stat inheritance, mutations, and proper care during the breeding process.

First, let's break down the mechanics involved. When two creatures breed, the offspring inherits stats from both parents. Each stat, including health, has a 55% chance to be inherited from either parent. This means that if one parent has significantly higher health than the other, there's a good chance the baby will inherit that higher health stat. However, because the inheritance is random, you may need to breed multiple generations to achieve the desired result. Mutations can also play a role in increasing stats. Mutations have a 2.5% chance to occur and can increase a stat by 2 points while also potentially changing the creature's color. However, mutations are rare, and you can only have 20 mutations per stat, so it's important to track them carefully.

To start breeding for high health, you need to find two Carbonemys with high health stats. Tame multiple Carbonemys and check their stats after taming. Look for ones with naturally high health, as this will give you a better starting point. Once you have a male and female with high health, place them close together in a secure breeding area. Enable mating by setting them to "Enable Wandering" or using a mating pen. Make sure they are well-fed and have enough food to sustain the breeding process. Once they mate, the female will lay an egg, which you need to incubate. Carbonemys eggs require a specific temperature range to hatch, so you may need air conditioners or campfires to maintain the correct temperature.

After the egg hatches, the baby Carbonemys will require constant care. It will need to be fed regularly, and you should imprint on it by interacting with it during its growth stages. Imprinting increases the creature's stats and loyalty, making it more effective in combat. To maximize health, focus on imprinting actions that boost health, such as feeding it specific foods or taking it on walks. Keep in mind that imprinting is time-sensitive, so you need to be available to care for the baby during its growth period.

One common mistake is not tracking the stats of the parents and offspring. Without proper tracking, it can be difficult to determine which creatures have the highest health stats and which ones to breed next. Use a spreadsheet or in-game notes to keep track of each creature's stats and lineage. This will help you identify the best candidates for future breeding. Another mistake is rushing the process. Breeding for high stats takes time, and trying to speed it up by skipping steps or not caring for the babies properly can result in weaker creatures.

Advanced techniques involve stacking mutations. To do this, you need to breed a mutated creature with a non-mutated one to keep the mutation counter low. This allows you to continue adding mutations without hitting the 20-mutation limit too quickly. For example, if you have a Carbonemys with a health mutation, breed it with a Carbonemys that has no mutations. This increases the chances of getting another mutation in the next generation. Over time, you can stack multiple health mutations to create a Carbonemys with extremely high health.

Resource requirements for breeding include a steady supply of food, such as berries or meat, depending on the creature's diet. You also need a secure breeding area with enough space for the creatures to move around. Air conditioners or other temperature control devices are essential for incubating eggs, especially in extreme climates. If you're playing solo, managing all these resources can be challenging, so it's important to plan ahead and stockpile food and materials. In a tribe, you can divide responsibilities, with some members focusing on gathering resources while others handle the breeding process.

In summary, breeding for high health in Carbonemys involves selecting parents with high health stats, carefully managing the breeding process, and tracking mutations and stat inheritance. Proper care during the baby's growth stages, including imprinting, is crucial for maximizing health. Avoid common mistakes like not tracking stats or rushing the process, and consider advanced techniques like mutation stacking for even better results. With patience and careful planning, you can create a Carbonemys with an exceptionally high health pool, making it a formidable tank in ARK: Survival Evolved.