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 this stat is more relevant for aquatic creatures like the Ichthyosaurus or Mosasaurus, it can also be useful for land creatures that may need to traverse water or for players who want to optimize their creatures for specific tasks. HereÔÇÖs a detailed guide on how to breed for higher oxygen.

First, you need to understand how stat inheritance works. When two creatures breed, the offspring has a 70% 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. To maximize this, you should start by taming multiple creatures of the same species and checking their stats. Look for individuals with naturally high oxygen stats, as these will serve as the foundation for your breeding line.

Once you have identified creatures with high oxygen stats, you can begin the breeding process. Place the two selected creatures close to each other and enable mating. Make sure they are well-fed and in a safe environment. After mating, the female will either lay an egg or become pregnant, depending on the species. For egg-laying creatures, you will need to incubate the egg at the correct temperature, which can be achieved using air conditioners, standing torches, or other temperature-regulating items. For live-bearing creatures, you simply need to wait for the gestation period to complete.

When the baby is born or hatched, it will have a combination of its parents' stats. Check the babyÔÇÖs oxygen stat to see if it has inherited the higher value. If it has, you can use this baby as part of your breeding line to further increase the oxygen stat in future generations. If not, you may need to try again with the same parents or introduce new individuals with higher stats.

Mutations can also play a role in increasing oxygen stats. Mutations are random and can affect either a stat or the creatureÔÇÖs color. Each mutation increases a stat by two levels and can stack over multiple generations. However, mutations are rare, with only a 2.5% chance per stat per baby. To maximize your chances of getting a mutation in the oxygen stat, you should breed as many creatures as possible. Keep in mind that each creature can only have 20 mutations on the maternal and paternal sides combined, so itÔÇÖs important to track your breeding lines carefully.

One advanced technique is to use a breeding pair with identical stats, known as a "perfect pair." This ensures that any stat increase in the offspring is due to a mutation rather than random inheritance. Once you have a perfect pair, you can breed them repeatedly to increase your chances of getting a mutation in the oxygen stat. This method requires a lot of time and resources but can be very effective.

Resource management is crucial when breeding for higher oxygen. You will need a steady supply of food to keep your breeding creatures and their offspring healthy. Kibble is the most efficient food for taming and breeding, but it requires a variety of resources to produce. You will also need a secure base with plenty of space for your breeding operations. Consider building a dedicated breeding area with air conditioners, feeding troughs, and storage for eggs and baby food.

For tribes, breeding for higher oxygen can be a collaborative effort. Tribe members can help with taming, resource gathering, and baby care. Imprinting is especially important in a tribe setting, as it increases the babyÔÇÖs stats and loyalty. Each tribe member can take turns imprinting on the baby to maximize its potential. For solo players, the process is more time-consuming but still achievable with careful planning and resource management.

Common mistakes to avoid include neglecting to check the babyÔÇÖs stats immediately after birth, failing to maintain a steady food supply, and not tracking mutations properly. ItÔÇÖs also important to avoid inbreeding, as this can lead to weaker offspring. Always introduce new individuals with high stats into your breeding line to maintain genetic diversity.

In summary, breeding for higher oxygen in ARK: Survival Evolved involves selecting creatures with high oxygen stats, understanding stat inheritance and mutations, and carefully managing your breeding lines. With patience and careful planning, you can create creatures with exceptionally high oxygen stats, making them more effective in aquatic environments or other specific tasks.