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 understanding the game's breeding mechanics, stat inheritance, and mutation systems. Oxygen is a stat that determines how long a creature can stay underwater before needing to surface for air. While oxygen is not a priority for most land-based creatures, it is crucial for aquatic or semi-aquatic creatures like the Ichthyosaurus, Megalodon, or Basilosaurus. Breeding for higher oxygen can make these creatures more efficient for underwater exploration, resource gathering, or combat.
To begin, you need two creatures of the same species with decent oxygen stats. The first step is to tame or acquire these creatures. Look for wild creatures with naturally high oxygen stats, as this will give you a better starting point. Once you have your breeding pair, place them in a secure and controlled environment, such as a breeding pen. Ensure they are close enough to each other and set them to "Enable Wandering" or use a mating boost item like the Oviraptor to speed up the process. When they mate, the female will either lay an egg or, in the case of live-bearing creatures, become pregnant.
After the egg is laid or the baby is born, you must incubate the egg or care for the baby. For eggs, this means maintaining the correct temperature, which can be achieved using air conditioners, standing torches, or other temperature-regulating structures. For live births, ensure the baby has access to food immediately after birth. Babies require constant feeding, so stockpile the appropriate food type, such as meat for carnivores or berries for herbivores.
Once the baby hatches or is born, it will have a combination of stats inherited from its parents. Each stat, including oxygen, has a 55% chance to be inherited from the higher-stat parent. This means that if one parent has a higher oxygen stat, there is a better chance the baby will inherit that stat. However, stat inheritance is random, so you may need to breed multiple generations to achieve the desired oxygen level.
Mutations can also play a role in increasing oxygen stats. Mutations are rare and random, but they can provide a +2 boost to a stat and sometimes a unique color. To maximize the chance of mutations, breed creatures that have not reached the mutation cap. Each creature can have up to 20 mutations on the maternal and paternal sides, totaling 40 mutations. However, once a creature has 20 mutations on one side, it can no longer produce new mutations on that side. To avoid hitting the cap, keep track of your breeding lines and use clean, unmutated creatures as breeders when possible.
One common mistake is neglecting to track stat inheritance and mutations. Without proper tracking, it can be difficult to determine which creatures have the best stats or which mutations have been applied. Use external tools or in-game notes to keep track of your breeding progress. Another mistake is rushing the process. Breeding for specific stats takes time and patience, so avoid the temptation to skip steps or breed without a clear plan.
Advanced techniques include stacking mutations and using multiple breeding pairs. Stacking mutations involves breeding creatures with mutations to create offspring with even higher stats. For example, if you have a creature with a +2 oxygen mutation, breed it with another creature that also has a +2 oxygen mutation to potentially create an offspring with +4 oxygen. Using multiple breeding pairs can also increase your chances of getting the desired stats and mutations. By having several pairs breeding simultaneously, you can produce more offspring and increase the likelihood of finding one with the perfect stats.
Resource requirements for breeding include food, shelter, and time. Stockpile large amounts of food, especially for carnivores, as babies consume food rapidly. Build a secure breeding pen to protect your creatures from predators or other players in PvP settings. Time is also a significant factor, as breeding and raising creatures can take hours or even days, depending on the species.
For tribes, breeding can be a collaborative effort. Assign roles to tribe members, such as one person managing food supplies, another handling incubation, and another tracking stats and mutations. This division of labor can make the process more efficient. For solo players, focus on smaller breeding projects and prioritize creatures that offer the most utility for your playstyle.
In specific scenarios, breeding for higher oxygen can be highly beneficial. For example, if you are exploring underwater caves or gathering resources like oil and pearls, a high-oxygen Megalodon or Basilosaurus can make these tasks much easier. Similarly, if you are engaging in underwater combat, a creature with high oxygen will have an advantage in prolonged battles.
In conclusion, breeding for higher oxygen in ARK: Survival Evolved requires a combination of careful planning, patience, and resource management. By understanding the mechanics of stat inheritance and mutations, tracking your breeding lines, and avoiding common mistakes, you can create creatures with exceptional oxygen stats. Whether you are playing solo or as part of a tribe, breeding for higher oxygen can significantly enhance your underwater capabilities and overall gameplay experience.
To begin, you need two creatures of the same species with decent oxygen stats. The first step is to tame or acquire these creatures. Look for wild creatures with naturally high oxygen stats, as this will give you a better starting point. Once you have your breeding pair, place them in a secure and controlled environment, such as a breeding pen. Ensure they are close enough to each other and set them to "Enable Wandering" or use a mating boost item like the Oviraptor to speed up the process. When they mate, the female will either lay an egg or, in the case of live-bearing creatures, become pregnant.
After the egg is laid or the baby is born, you must incubate the egg or care for the baby. For eggs, this means maintaining the correct temperature, which can be achieved using air conditioners, standing torches, or other temperature-regulating structures. For live births, ensure the baby has access to food immediately after birth. Babies require constant feeding, so stockpile the appropriate food type, such as meat for carnivores or berries for herbivores.
Once the baby hatches or is born, it will have a combination of stats inherited from its parents. Each stat, including oxygen, has a 55% chance to be inherited from the higher-stat parent. This means that if one parent has a higher oxygen stat, there is a better chance the baby will inherit that stat. However, stat inheritance is random, so you may need to breed multiple generations to achieve the desired oxygen level.
Mutations can also play a role in increasing oxygen stats. Mutations are rare and random, but they can provide a +2 boost to a stat and sometimes a unique color. To maximize the chance of mutations, breed creatures that have not reached the mutation cap. Each creature can have up to 20 mutations on the maternal and paternal sides, totaling 40 mutations. However, once a creature has 20 mutations on one side, it can no longer produce new mutations on that side. To avoid hitting the cap, keep track of your breeding lines and use clean, unmutated creatures as breeders when possible.
One common mistake is neglecting to track stat inheritance and mutations. Without proper tracking, it can be difficult to determine which creatures have the best stats or which mutations have been applied. Use external tools or in-game notes to keep track of your breeding progress. Another mistake is rushing the process. Breeding for specific stats takes time and patience, so avoid the temptation to skip steps or breed without a clear plan.
Advanced techniques include stacking mutations and using multiple breeding pairs. Stacking mutations involves breeding creatures with mutations to create offspring with even higher stats. For example, if you have a creature with a +2 oxygen mutation, breed it with another creature that also has a +2 oxygen mutation to potentially create an offspring with +4 oxygen. Using multiple breeding pairs can also increase your chances of getting the desired stats and mutations. By having several pairs breeding simultaneously, you can produce more offspring and increase the likelihood of finding one with the perfect stats.
Resource requirements for breeding include food, shelter, and time. Stockpile large amounts of food, especially for carnivores, as babies consume food rapidly. Build a secure breeding pen to protect your creatures from predators or other players in PvP settings. Time is also a significant factor, as breeding and raising creatures can take hours or even days, depending on the species.
For tribes, breeding can be a collaborative effort. Assign roles to tribe members, such as one person managing food supplies, another handling incubation, and another tracking stats and mutations. This division of labor can make the process more efficient. For solo players, focus on smaller breeding projects and prioritize creatures that offer the most utility for your playstyle.
In specific scenarios, breeding for higher oxygen can be highly beneficial. For example, if you are exploring underwater caves or gathering resources like oil and pearls, a high-oxygen Megalodon or Basilosaurus can make these tasks much easier. Similarly, if you are engaging in underwater combat, a creature with high oxygen will have an advantage in prolonged battles.
In conclusion, breeding for higher oxygen in ARK: Survival Evolved requires a combination of careful planning, patience, and resource management. By understanding the mechanics of stat inheritance and mutations, tracking your breeding lines, and avoiding common mistakes, you can create creatures with exceptional oxygen stats. Whether you are playing solo or as part of a tribe, breeding for higher oxygen can significantly enhance your underwater capabilities and overall gameplay experience.