What is the best way to breed for high oxygen efficiency in ARK: Survival Evolved?

Breeding for high oxygen efficiency in ARK: Survival Evolved involves a combination of understanding the game's breeding mechanics, careful planning, and patience. Oxygen is a stat that determines how long a creature can stay underwater before needing to surface for air. While this stat is particularly useful for aquatic creatures like the Ichthyosaurus, Basilosaurus, or Megalodon, it can also be beneficial for land creatures that may need to traverse water frequently. HereÔÇÖs a detailed guide on how to breed for high oxygen efficiency.

First, you need to understand the mechanics of stat inheritance. When two creatures breed, the offspring has a 55% chance to inherit the higher stat from either parent. This means if one parent has a high oxygen stat and the other has a low one, thereÔÇÖs a good chance the baby will inherit the higher stat. To maximize this, you should start by taming multiple creatures of the same species and checking their stats. Look for individuals with naturally high oxygen stats, as these will serve as the foundation for your breeding line.

Once you have identified creatures with high oxygen stats, you can begin the breeding process. Place the two selected creatures close to each other and enable mating. Ensure they are well-fed and in a safe environment to avoid interruptions. After mating, the female will either lay an egg or become pregnant, depending on the species. For egg-laying creatures, youÔÇÖll need to incubate the egg at the correct temperature, which can be achieved using air conditioners, standing torches, or other temperature-regulating items.

After the egg hatches or the baby is born, youÔÇÖll need to care for it. Babies require constant feeding and attention until they reach the juvenile stage. During this time, you can imprint on the baby by interacting with it when it requests care. Imprinting increases the creatureÔÇÖs stats and loyalty, making it more effective in the long run. For oxygen efficiency, imprinting can provide a significant boost, so itÔÇÖs important not to miss any imprinting opportunities.

As you continue breeding, you may encounter mutations. Mutations can affect a creatureÔÇÖs stats or colors, and while they are rare, they can provide significant advantages. If a mutation occurs in the oxygen stat, it can further enhance the creatureÔÇÖs underwater capabilities. However, mutations are random, so it may take many breeding attempts to achieve the desired result. Keep track of your breeding lines to ensure you are making progress toward your goal.

Resource management is crucial during the breeding process. 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 materials for building incubators, air conditioners, and other necessary structures. If youÔÇÖre playing solo, this can be time-consuming, so plan accordingly. In a tribe, responsibilities can be divided, making the process more manageable.

Common mistakes to avoid include neglecting to check the stats of the parents before breeding, missing imprinting opportunities, and not providing a safe environment for the babies. Babies are vulnerable to attacks from wild creatures, so itÔÇÖs essential to keep them in a secure area. Additionally, failing to maintain a consistent temperature for eggs can result in them not hatching, so always monitor the environment.

Advanced techniques involve stacking mutations. By carefully managing your breeding lines, you can introduce multiple mutations into a single creature, further enhancing its oxygen stat. This requires meticulous record-keeping and patience, as it can take many generations to achieve. Additionally, using cryopods can help manage space and reduce the risk of losing creatures to accidents or attacks.

In terms of tribe versus solo considerations, breeding is generally easier in a tribe due to the ability to share responsibilities. However, solo players can still achieve high oxygen efficiency by carefully planning and managing their time. Using taming pens, automated feeding systems, and cryopods can help streamline the process.

Specific examples include breeding a high-oxygen Megalodon for underwater exploration or a high-oxygen Argentavis for traversing large bodies of water. In both cases, the process involves selecting parents with high oxygen stats, breeding them, and caring for the offspring until they reach adulthood. Over time, you can refine your breeding line to produce creatures with exceptional oxygen efficiency, making them invaluable for specific tasks in ARK: Survival Evolved.