What is the best way to breed for higher stamina in creatures in ARK: Survival Evolved?

Breeding for higher stamina in creatures in ARK: Survival Evolved involves a combination of understanding the game's breeding mechanics, careful planning, and patience. Stamina is one of the key stats for many creatures, especially those used for travel or combat, as it determines how long they can sprint, fly, or fight before needing to rest. To breed for higher stamina, you need to focus on stat inheritance, mutations, and imprinting.

First, let's break down the mechanics. When two creatures breed, the offspring inherits stats from both parents. Each stat, including stamina, has a 55% chance to be inherited from either parent. This means you need to start with parents that have high stamina stats. If both parents have high stamina, the chances of the offspring inheriting a high stamina stat increase. However, the game also introduces mutations, which can randomly increase a stat by 2 points and sometimes change the creature's color. Mutations are rare, with a 7.31% chance per stat per baby, so breeding for mutations requires time and effort.

To begin, you need to tame or breed creatures with high stamina stats. For example, if you are breeding Argentavis, you would want to tame multiple Argentavis and check their stamina stats. Keep the ones with the highest stamina and use them as your breeding pair. Once you have a pair, place them in a secure breeding area, such as a fenced-off pen or a base with enough space. Make sure they are set to wander or enable mating in their behavior settings. You will also need to ensure they are well-fed, as breeding consumes a lot of food.

After the breeding process starts, the female will lay an egg (for egg-laying creatures) or become pregnant (for mammals). For egg-laying creatures, you need to incubate the egg by placing it in a suitable environment. Argentavis eggs, for example, require a temperature range of 12 to 13.5 degrees Celsius. You can use air conditioners, standing torches, or campfires to regulate the temperature. Once the egg hatches, you will have a baby creature that needs constant care. For mammals, the baby will be born directly and will also require immediate attention.

The baby creature will need to be fed regularly until it reaches the juvenile stage. During this time, you can imprint on the baby by interacting with it when it requests care. Imprinting increases the creature's stats, including stamina, and improves its loyalty to you. To maximize stamina, focus on imprinting as much as possible. Each imprint increases the creature's stats by a percentage, so the more you imprint, the stronger the creature will be.

One common mistake is not keeping track of the parents' stats. It's essential to know which parent has the higher stamina stat to ensure the offspring has the best chance of inheriting it. Another mistake is neglecting the baby's needs during the early stages. If the baby runs out of food, it will die, so always have a steady supply of food ready. For carnivores, this means having a lot of raw meat or cooked meat, and for herbivores, you need berries or crops.

Advanced techniques involve creating a breeding line with multiple generations. For example, if you have two Argentavis with high stamina, breed them to produce offspring. Then, breed the offspring with the highest stamina back to one of the parents or another high-stamina Argentavis. This process, known as line breeding, helps consolidate the best stats into a single creature. Over time, you can introduce mutations to further increase stamina. However, be cautious, as mutations are random and can affect any stat, not just stamina.

Resource requirements for breeding include a steady supply of food, materials for building a secure breeding area, and resources for temperature control if you are breeding egg-laying creatures. For tribes, breeding can be a collaborative effort, with different members focusing on taming, resource gathering, and baby care. Solo players will need to manage all aspects themselves, so it's important to plan ahead and ensure you have enough resources before starting the breeding process.

In summary, breeding for higher stamina in ARK: Survival Evolved involves selecting parents with high stamina stats, carefully managing the breeding process, and focusing on imprinting to maximize the offspring's potential. By understanding the mechanics, avoiding common mistakes, and using advanced techniques like line breeding and mutations, you can create creatures with exceptional stamina that are well-suited for travel, combat, and other tasks.