How do I breed for high elemental disintegration in ARK: Survival Evolved?

Breeding for high elemental disintegration in ARK: Survival Evolved involves creating creatures with mutations that enhance their stats, particularly those that contribute to their effectiveness in combat or specific tasks. Elemental disintegration refers to the ability of certain creatures, like the Rock Drake or Reaper King, to deal damage that bypasses traditional armor or has unique effects. To achieve this, you need to focus on breeding for high damage output, health, and stamina, as these stats directly impact a creature's ability to survive and deal damage in combat.

The first step in breeding for high elemental disintegration is to understand the mechanics of breeding and mutations. When two creatures of the same species breed, the offspring inherits stats from both parents. Each stat has a 55% chance to be inherited from either parent, and there is a small chance for a mutation to occur. Mutations can increase a stat by 2 points and may also change the creature's color. However, mutations are rare, and each creature has a mutation counter that limits the number of mutations it can pass on. To maximize the chances of getting beneficial mutations, you need to breed multiple generations of creatures and carefully track their stats.

To start, you need a pair of high-level creatures with good base stats. These creatures should have high health, stamina, and melee damage, as these are the most important stats for combat effectiveness. Once you have a pair, place them in a secure breeding area with plenty of food and set them to wander or enable mating. After mating, the female will lay an egg or give birth to a live baby, depending on the species. The baby will need to be cared for until it reaches adulthood, which involves feeding it and protecting it from predators.

During the growth stages, you should focus on imprinting the baby. Imprinting involves interacting with the baby at specific intervals to increase its stats and loyalty. Proper imprinting can significantly enhance the creature's effectiveness in combat, so it is important to stay on top of this process. Once the baby reaches adulthood, you can check its stats and compare them to its parents. If the offspring has better stats, you can use it as a new breeding pair to continue the process.

One important tip is to keep track of your breeding lines. This involves recording the stats of each generation and noting any mutations that occur. By doing this, you can ensure that you are making progress toward your goal of high elemental disintegration. It is also important to avoid inbreeding, as this can lead to negative mutations and reduce the overall quality of your breeding line.

Common mistakes to avoid include not having enough food for the baby, not imprinting properly, and not tracking mutations. These mistakes can slow down your progress and make it harder to achieve your goals. To avoid these issues, make sure you have a steady supply of food, set timers for imprinting, and keep detailed records of your breeding lines.

Advanced techniques include using multiple breeding pairs to increase the chances of getting mutations and using cryopods to store and transport creatures. Cryopods can be especially useful for managing large breeding operations, as they allow you to store creatures without taking up space in your base. Additionally, you can use mods or server settings to increase the chances of mutations or speed up the breeding process, but this is only recommended for experienced players who understand the risks involved.

Resource requirements for breeding include a steady supply of food, such as meat or berries, and a secure breeding area. You will also need to have a good supply of narcotics or other sedatives to keep the baby unconscious if it is a carnivore. For herbivores, you will need a steady supply of vegetables or crops. It is also important to have a good supply of resources for building and maintaining your base, as breeding can be a time-consuming process that requires a lot of attention.

Tribe considerations include coordinating with other players to manage the breeding process and share resources. In a tribe, you can divide tasks such as gathering food, imprinting babies, and tracking mutations. This can make the process more efficient and allow you to achieve your goals faster. Solo players will need to manage all aspects of the breeding process on their own, which can be more challenging but is still achievable with careful planning and resource management.

Specific examples of breeding for high elemental disintegration include breeding Rock Drakes for high health and melee damage, or Reaper Kings for high stamina and damage output. In both cases, the goal is to create creatures that can survive and deal damage in combat, making them more effective in PvP or boss fights. By following the steps outlined above and avoiding common mistakes, you can create powerful creatures with high elemental disintegration that will give you an edge in ARK: Survival Evolved.