What is the best way to breed for high melee damage in creatures like the Voidwyrm in ARK: Survival Evolved?

Breeding for high melee damage in creatures like the Voidwyrm in ARK: Survival Evolved involves a combination of careful planning, resource management, and understanding the game's breeding mechanics. The Voidwyrm, a powerful flying creature introduced in the Genesis Part 2 expansion, is highly sought after for its combat capabilities, especially its melee damage. To breed a Voidwyrm with high melee damage, you need to focus on stat inheritance, mutations, and imprinting. HereÔÇÖs a detailed guide to help you achieve this.

First, you need to understand the basics of breeding mechanics. When two creatures breed, the offspring inherits stats from either parent. Each stat, including melee damage, has a 55% chance to be inherited from the higher-stat parent and a 45% chance from the lower-stat parent. This means you should start by taming or finding Voidwyrms with high melee damage stats. The higher the base melee damage of the parents, the better the chances of producing offspring with even higher melee damage.

To begin, tame multiple Voidwyrms and check their stats. Focus on those with high melee damage. Once you have a pair with desirable stats, place them in a breeding area. Ensure they are set to wander or enable mating in their behavior settings. Keep them well-fed with the appropriate food, such as Raw Meat or Prime Meat, to maintain their health and stamina during the breeding process. Once they mate, the female will lay an egg, which you need to incubate. Voidwyrm eggs require a very hot environment to hatch, so use air conditioners, standing torches, or other heat sources to maintain the correct temperature.

After the egg hatches, the baby Voidwyrm will need constant care. It will require food, such as Raw Meat, and you must imprint on it to increase its stats and loyalty. Imprinting involves interacting with the baby at specific intervals, such as feeding it, walking it, or cuddling it. Each successful imprint increases the creatureÔÇÖs stats, including melee damage, and improves its bond with you. Proper imprinting can significantly enhance the VoidwyrmÔÇÖs effectiveness in combat.

Mutations are another critical aspect of breeding for high melee damage. Mutations can randomly increase a stat, such as melee damage, or change the creatureÔÇÖs color. However, mutations are rare, with only a 2.5% chance per breeding. To maximize the chances of mutations, breed multiple generations of Voidwyrms. Keep track of their stats and mutations using a spreadsheet or notes. When a mutation occurs, check if it affects melee damage. If it does, use that Voidwyrm in future breeding to pass on the mutation.

One common mistake is breeding too many mutations into a single line, which can lead to a mutation cap. Each creature can have up to 20 mutations per stat, and exceeding this limit prevents further mutations. To avoid this, maintain separate breeding lines for different stats and only combine them once you have achieved the desired mutations. Another mistake is neglecting imprinting, which can result in a weaker creature. Always prioritize imprinting to maximize the VoidwyrmÔÇÖs potential.

Advanced techniques include using a breeding calculator to predict stat inheritance and mutations. These tools can help you plan your breeding lines more efficiently. Additionally, consider using a Maewing to help with baby care. Maewings can automatically feed baby creatures, reducing the time and effort required for imprinting.

Resource requirements for breeding Voidwyrms include a steady supply of Raw Meat or Prime Meat, a secure breeding area, and heat sources for egg incubation. If you are playing solo, managing these resources can be challenging, so plan ahead and stockpile food and materials. In a tribe, coordinate with other members to share the workload and resources.

In summary, breeding for high melee damage in Voidwyrms involves selecting parents with high melee stats, carefully managing mutations, and ensuring proper imprinting. Avoid common mistakes like exceeding the mutation cap or neglecting imprinting. Use advanced techniques like breeding calculators and Maewings to optimize the process. With patience and careful planning, you can create a powerful Voidwyrm with exceptional melee damage, ready to dominate in ARK: Survival Evolved.