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

Breeding for higher movement speed in ARK: Survival Evolved involves a combination of 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 70% chance to inherit the higher stat from either parent. This means 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 disabled in many creatures, meaning it cannot be increased through leveling or breeding. For example, most flying creatures like Argentavis or Quetzal have their movement speed locked, so breeding for higher speed in these creatures is not possible. However, for creatures where movement speed is not capped, such as land-based dinosaurs like the Raptor or Carnotaurus, you can breed for higher speed.

To start, you need a pair of creatures with high movement speed stats. If you donÔÇÖt already have creatures with high movement speed, youÔÇÖll need to tame wild ones and hope for good stat rolls. Once you have a male and female with desirable movement speed stats, place them close together in a secure breeding area. Enable wandering or use the mating option to initiate breeding. After mating, the female will either lay an egg or become pregnant, depending on the species. Ensure the egg is incubated at the correct temperature or the pregnant creature is well-fed until the baby is born.

Once the baby is born or hatched, check its stats. If it inherits the higher movement speed stat, youÔÇÖre on the right track. If not, you may need to breed the parents again or find new parents with better stats. This process can take several attempts, so patience is key. To increase your chances of success, you can use mutations. Mutations are random and can affect either stats or colors. A mutation in movement speed can give you a significant boost, but mutations are rare, with only a 2.5% chance per stat per baby.

To maximize your chances of getting a mutation, you can use a technique called "stacking mutations." This involves breeding a line of creatures with the desired stat and then introducing mutations over multiple generations. For example, if you have a male with a high movement speed stat, you can breed it with multiple females to produce several offspring. If one of these offspring gets a mutation in movement speed, you can then breed that mutated offspring with the original male to continue the line. This process can be repeated over many generations to stack multiple mutations in movement speed.

Resource management is crucial during breeding. YouÔÇÖll need a steady supply of food for both the parents and the babies. Meat for carnivores and berries or crops for herbivores should be stockpiled in advance. Additionally, youÔÇÖll need a safe and controlled environment for breeding. This means building a secure base with walls, gates, and possibly turrets to protect your breeding creatures from wild predators or enemy players in PvP. Temperature control is also important, especially for egg incubation. Use air conditioners, campfires, or torches to maintain the correct temperature for eggs.

For tribes, breeding can be a collaborative effort. Tribe members can help gather resources, monitor babies, and imprint on them to increase their stats and loyalty. Imprinting is a crucial part of breeding, as it can significantly boost the babyÔÇÖs stats, including movement speed. To imprint, you must interact with the baby during its growth stages by feeding it specific foods or performing actions like cuddling or walking. Each imprint increases the babyÔÇÖs stats and makes it more effective in combat or other tasks.

Common mistakes to avoid include neglecting to check the babyÔÇÖs stats immediately after birth, as this can lead to wasted time and resources if the baby doesnÔÇÖt inherit the desired stat. Another mistake is not having enough food or resources prepared, which can result in the baby starving or the parents becoming unable to breed. Additionally, failing to protect your breeding area can lead to losing your creatures to predators or enemy players.

Advanced techniques include using external tools or mods to track breeding lines and stat inheritance. Some players use spreadsheets or breeding calculators to keep track of their creaturesÔÇÖ stats and mutations. This can help you plan your breeding strategy more effectively and avoid inbreeding, which can reduce the chances of getting mutations.

In summary, breeding for higher movement speed in ARK: Survival Evolved requires a deep understanding of stat inheritance, mutations, and resource management. By carefully selecting parents, managing resources, and using advanced techniques like stacking mutations, you can create creatures with significantly higher movement speed. Whether youÔÇÖre playing solo or in a tribe, patience and preparation are key to success in breeding.