What is the best way to breed for higher oxygen in creatures in ARK: Survival Evolved?
Breeding for higher oxygen in creatures in ARK: Survival Evolved involves understanding the game's breeding mechanics, stat inheritance, and mutation systems. Oxygen is a stat that determines how long a creature can stay underwater before needing to surface for air. While oxygen is not a priority for all creatures, it is essential for aquatic or semi-aquatic species like the Ichthyosaurus, Megalodon, or Basilosaurus. Breeding for higher oxygen can improve their underwater efficiency, making them better for exploration, resource gathering, or combat in aquatic environments.
To begin, you need two creatures of the same species with desirable stats. The first step is to tame or acquire creatures with high oxygen stats. If you don't already have such creatures, you may need to tame multiple individuals and check their stats after taming. Once you have a male and female with high oxygen, place them close together in a secure area, such as a breeding pen. Enable wandering or use the "Enable Mating" option in their radial menu. Ensure they are well-fed and have enough food to sustain the breeding process. Breeding can take time, so patience is key.
After mating, the female will either lay an egg or, in the case of live-bearing species, become pregnant. Eggs need to be incubated at the correct temperature, which varies by species. Use air conditioners, standing torches, or other temperature-regulating items to maintain the required conditions. For live-bearing creatures, ensure the mother is safe and well-fed during pregnancy. Once the baby is born or hatched, it will require constant care. Babies need to be fed manually until they reach the juvenile stage, so stockpile plenty of food, such as meat or berries, depending on the species.
Stat inheritance is a critical aspect of breeding. Each stat, including oxygen, has a 55% chance to be inherited from either parent. This means you can selectively breed creatures to pass down the higher oxygen stat to their offspring. To maximize efficiency, track the stats of your breeding pairs and their offspring. Use a spreadsheet or notes to keep track of which creatures have the highest oxygen stats. Over multiple generations, you can combine the best stats into a single creature.
Mutations can also play a role in increasing oxygen. Mutations are rare, random events that can increase a stat by two levels or change the creature's color. Each mutation adds to the creature's mutation counter, and there is a limit to how many mutations a creature can have. To increase the chances of a mutation, breed as many creatures as possible. However, mutations are random, so it may take many attempts to get one that affects oxygen. When a mutation occurs, check if it improves the oxygen stat. If it does, incorporate that creature into your breeding line.
Imprinting is another important factor. Imprinting involves interacting with the baby during its growth stages by feeding it, cuddling it, or taking it on walks. Imprinting increases the creature's stats and loyalty, making it more effective in combat or other tasks. While imprinting does not directly increase oxygen, it enhances the creature's overall performance, which can be beneficial for aquatic creatures.
Resource management is crucial for successful breeding. You will need a steady supply of food, such as meat or berries, to feed both the parents and the babies. For egg-laying species, you may also need resources to maintain the correct incubation temperature. Additionally, breeding requires a secure base or breeding pen to protect the creatures from predators or hostile players in PvP servers. Consider building a dedicated breeding area with walls, gates, and turrets for protection.
Common mistakes to avoid include neglecting to track stats, failing to prepare enough food, or not protecting the breeding area. Breeding can be time-consuming, so plan accordingly. Avoid overloading your mutation counter by breeding too many generations without a clear goal. Advanced techniques include stacking mutations by breeding mutated females with non-mutated males to bypass the mutation counter limit. This allows you to continue adding mutations to your breeding line.
For tribes, breeding can be a collaborative effort. Assign roles to tribe members, such as gathering food, monitoring incubation, or imprinting babies. Solo players will need to manage all aspects of breeding themselves, so efficient time management is essential. Use timers or alarms to remind yourself when to check on the creatures.
In summary, breeding for higher oxygen in ARK: Survival Evolved involves selecting creatures with high oxygen stats, understanding stat inheritance, and utilizing mutations and imprinting. Prepare a secure breeding area, stockpile resources, and track your progress over multiple generations. With patience and careful planning, you can create powerful aquatic creatures with exceptional oxygen stats.
To begin, you need two creatures of the same species with desirable stats. The first step is to tame or acquire creatures with high oxygen stats. If you don't already have such creatures, you may need to tame multiple individuals and check their stats after taming. Once you have a male and female with high oxygen, place them close together in a secure area, such as a breeding pen. Enable wandering or use the "Enable Mating" option in their radial menu. Ensure they are well-fed and have enough food to sustain the breeding process. Breeding can take time, so patience is key.
After mating, the female will either lay an egg or, in the case of live-bearing species, become pregnant. Eggs need to be incubated at the correct temperature, which varies by species. Use air conditioners, standing torches, or other temperature-regulating items to maintain the required conditions. For live-bearing creatures, ensure the mother is safe and well-fed during pregnancy. Once the baby is born or hatched, it will require constant care. Babies need to be fed manually until they reach the juvenile stage, so stockpile plenty of food, such as meat or berries, depending on the species.
Stat inheritance is a critical aspect of breeding. Each stat, including oxygen, has a 55% chance to be inherited from either parent. This means you can selectively breed creatures to pass down the higher oxygen stat to their offspring. To maximize efficiency, track the stats of your breeding pairs and their offspring. Use a spreadsheet or notes to keep track of which creatures have the highest oxygen stats. Over multiple generations, you can combine the best stats into a single creature.
Mutations can also play a role in increasing oxygen. Mutations are rare, random events that can increase a stat by two levels or change the creature's color. Each mutation adds to the creature's mutation counter, and there is a limit to how many mutations a creature can have. To increase the chances of a mutation, breed as many creatures as possible. However, mutations are random, so it may take many attempts to get one that affects oxygen. When a mutation occurs, check if it improves the oxygen stat. If it does, incorporate that creature into your breeding line.
Imprinting is another important factor. Imprinting involves interacting with the baby during its growth stages by feeding it, cuddling it, or taking it on walks. Imprinting increases the creature's stats and loyalty, making it more effective in combat or other tasks. While imprinting does not directly increase oxygen, it enhances the creature's overall performance, which can be beneficial for aquatic creatures.
Resource management is crucial for successful breeding. You will need a steady supply of food, such as meat or berries, to feed both the parents and the babies. For egg-laying species, you may also need resources to maintain the correct incubation temperature. Additionally, breeding requires a secure base or breeding pen to protect the creatures from predators or hostile players in PvP servers. Consider building a dedicated breeding area with walls, gates, and turrets for protection.
Common mistakes to avoid include neglecting to track stats, failing to prepare enough food, or not protecting the breeding area. Breeding can be time-consuming, so plan accordingly. Avoid overloading your mutation counter by breeding too many generations without a clear goal. Advanced techniques include stacking mutations by breeding mutated females with non-mutated males to bypass the mutation counter limit. This allows you to continue adding mutations to your breeding line.
For tribes, breeding can be a collaborative effort. Assign roles to tribe members, such as gathering food, monitoring incubation, or imprinting babies. Solo players will need to manage all aspects of breeding themselves, so efficient time management is essential. Use timers or alarms to remind yourself when to check on the creatures.
In summary, breeding for higher oxygen in ARK: Survival Evolved involves selecting creatures with high oxygen stats, understanding stat inheritance, and utilizing mutations and imprinting. Prepare a secure breeding area, stockpile resources, and track your progress over multiple generations. With patience and careful planning, you can create powerful aquatic creatures with exceptional oxygen stats.