How do I breed for higher movement speed in creatures in ARK: Survival Evolved?

Breeding for higher movement speed in ARK: Survival Evolved is a complex but rewarding process that involves understanding the game's breeding mechanics, stat inheritance, and mutation systems. Movement speed is a stat that can be inherited or mutated, but it requires careful planning and patience to achieve the desired results. HereÔÇÖs a detailed guide on how to breed for higher movement speed in creatures.

First, itÔÇÖs important to understand how stat inheritance works. When two creatures breed, the offspring has a 55% chance to inherit the higher stat from either parent for each stat category, including movement speed. This means that if one parent has a higher movement speed stat, thereÔÇÖs a good chance the baby will inherit it. However, movement speed is a unique stat because it is often capped or locked in many creatures, meaning it cannot be increased through leveling. This makes breeding the primary way to improve it.

To start, youÔÇÖll need a pair of creatures with high movement speed stats. If you donÔÇÖt already have such creatures, youÔÇÖll need to tame or find wild ones with naturally high movement speed. Once you have your breeding pair, place them in a secure area, such as a fenced-off pen or a dedicated breeding room in your base. Make sure they are set to wander or enable mating in their behavior settings. Keep them well-fed with the appropriate food, as breeding consumes a lot of stamina and food.

After mating, the female will either lay an egg (for egg-laying species) or become pregnant (for mammals). For egg-laying creatures, youÔÇÖll need to incubate the egg by maintaining the correct temperature. This can be done using air conditioners, standing torches, or other temperature-regulating structures. For mammals, youÔÇÖll need to wait for the gestation period to complete. Once the baby is born or hatched, it will require constant care, including feeding and protection from predators.

Imprinting is a crucial part of the breeding process. By interacting with the baby during its growth stages, you can increase its stats and loyalty. Imprinting bonuses can significantly enhance the creatureÔÇÖs movement speed, so make sure to complete the imprinting process fully. This involves feeding the baby its preferred food, taking it on walks, or cuddling it, depending on the species.

Mutations are another way to increase movement speed. Mutations are rare and random, but they can provide significant stat boosts or color changes. Each mutation adds two levels to a stat, which can include movement speed. However, mutations are limited to 20 per stat, so itÔÇÖs important to track your breeding lines carefully to avoid wasting mutations. Keep detailed records of each generationÔÇÖs stats and mutations to ensure youÔÇÖre making progress toward your goal.

One common mistake is neglecting to track mutations and stat inheritance. Without proper tracking, you may end up with unwanted mutations or fail to combine the best stats from both parents. Use spreadsheets or in-game notes to keep track of each creatureÔÇÖs stats and mutations. Another mistake is rushing the process. Breeding for higher movement speed takes time, and trying to speed it up by skipping steps or neglecting baby care can result in weaker offspring.

Advanced techniques include stacking mutations and using clean breeding lines. Stacking mutations involves breeding mutated creatures with non-mutated ones to keep the mutation counter low while still benefiting from the stat boosts. Clean breeding lines involve breeding creatures with no mutations to create a base population with high stats, which can then be used to introduce mutations more effectively.

Resource requirements for breeding include a steady supply of food, such as meat, berries, or kibble, depending on the species. YouÔÇÖll also need structures like air conditioners, feeding troughs, and secure enclosures. For tribes, coordinating breeding efforts can be more efficient, as multiple players can share the workload of feeding and imprinting. Solo players will need to manage their time carefully to ensure they can meet the demands of breeding and baby care.

In conclusion, breeding for higher movement speed in ARK: Survival Evolved requires a deep understanding of the gameÔÇÖs breeding mechanics, careful planning, and patience. By following the steps outlined above, tracking your progress, and avoiding common mistakes, you can create creatures with exceptional movement speed that will give you a significant advantage in the game. Whether youÔÇÖre playing solo or as part of a tribe, the effort you put into breeding will pay off in the form of powerful and unique creatures.