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

Breeding for high oxygen in creatures like the Basilisk in ARK: Survival Evolved involves a combination of understanding the breeding mechanics, careful planning, and patience. The Basilisk is a unique creature that requires specific conditions for breeding, and oxygen is one of the stats that can be selectively bred for, especially if you plan to use the Basilisk for underwater exploration or combat. HereÔÇÖs a detailed guide on how to achieve this.

First, you need to understand the mechanics of breeding and stat inheritance. When two creatures breed, the offspring has a 55% chance to inherit the higher stat from either parent. This means that if one parent has a high oxygen stat and the other has a low one, thereÔÇÖs a good chance the baby will inherit the higher stat. However, mutations can also play a role. Mutations can randomly increase a stat by 2 points and change the creatureÔÇÖs color. Each mutation adds to a mutation counter, and once a creature has 20 mutations on either the maternal or paternal side, further mutations become much less likely.

To start breeding for high oxygen, you need a pair of Basilisks with decent oxygen stats. If you donÔÇÖt already have Basilisks with high oxygen, youÔÇÖll need to tame or breed some until you get a pair with the desired stats. Once you have your breeding pair, place them in a suitable breeding area. Basilisks require a specific environment to breed, so make sure you have a large, flat area with enough space for them to move around. YouÔÇÖll also need to ensure they are well-fed and have the appropriate mating conditions enabled.

When the Basilisks are ready to breed, they will produce an egg. The egg will need to be incubated at the correct temperature. Basilisks require a very specific temperature range for their eggs to hatch, so you may need to use air conditioners or other temperature control methods to maintain the right environment. Once the egg hatches, youÔÇÖll have a baby Basilisk that will need constant care. This includes feeding it the appropriate food, keeping it warm, and protecting it from predators.

As the baby grows, youÔÇÖll want to focus on imprinting. Imprinting is a process where you interact with the baby at specific intervals to increase its stats and loyalty. Imprinting can significantly boost the creatureÔÇÖs effectiveness, so itÔÇÖs important to stay on top of this. Each imprinting session will give you a choice of actions to perform, such as feeding the baby or taking it for a walk. Completing these actions will increase the imprinting percentage, which in turn boosts the creatureÔÇÖs stats.

To maximize the oxygen stat, youÔÇÖll need to breed multiple generations of Basilisks. Each generation should be bred from the parents with the highest oxygen stats. Over time, youÔÇÖll be able to combine the best stats from each generation into a single creature. This process can take a lot of time and resources, so itÔÇÖs important to be patient and persistent.

One common mistake to avoid is neglecting the other stats. While youÔÇÖre focusing on oxygen, itÔÇÖs easy to overlook other important stats like health, stamina, and melee damage. Make sure youÔÇÖre also paying attention to these stats, as they are crucial for the BasiliskÔÇÖs overall effectiveness. Another mistake is not keeping track of your breeding lines. ItÔÇÖs important to keep detailed records of each generationÔÇÖs stats and mutations so you can make informed decisions about which creatures to breed next.

Advanced techniques include using mutation stacking to further increase the oxygen stat. This involves breeding creatures with mutations to create offspring with even higher stats. However, this can be a complex and time-consuming process, so itÔÇÖs best to have a clear plan and plenty of resources before attempting it. YouÔÇÖll also need to manage your mutation counters carefully to avoid hitting the 20-mutation limit on either side.

Resource requirements for breeding Basilisks include a steady supply of food, such as meat or fish, as well as the materials needed to build and maintain your breeding area. YouÔÇÖll also need a good supply of resources for temperature control, such as air conditioners or campfires. If youÔÇÖre playing in a tribe, you can divide the workload among members to make the process more efficient. Solo players will need to be extra diligent about managing their time and resources.

In conclusion, breeding for high oxygen in Basilisks requires a deep understanding of the breeding mechanics, careful planning, and a lot of patience. By following the steps outlined above, you can create a powerful Basilisk with a high oxygen stat that is well-suited for underwater exploration and combat. Remember to pay attention to all stats, keep detailed records, and manage your resources carefully to achieve the best results.