How do I breed for high oxygen efficiency in ARK: Survival Evolved?

Breeding for high oxygen efficiency in ARK: Survival Evolved involves a combination of selective breeding, stat inheritance, and mutation management. Oxygen efficiency is particularly useful for aquatic creatures or creatures used for underwater exploration, as it allows them to stay submerged longer and move faster in water. HereÔÇÖs a detailed guide on how to achieve this.

First, you need to understand the mechanics of breeding and stat inheritance. When two creatures breed, the offspring inherits stats from either parent. Each stat, including oxygen, has a 55% chance to be inherited from one parent and a 45% chance from the other. This means you need to start with parents that have high oxygen stats. To do this, tame multiple creatures of the same species and check their stats. Keep the ones with the highest oxygen levels and use them as your breeding stock.

Next, you need to initiate 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. Once mating begins, youÔÇÖll need to wait for the gestation period (for live-bearing creatures) or the incubation period (for egg-laying creatures). During this time, make sure the area is secure to prevent interruptions from predators or other players.

After the baby is born or hatched, it will require constant care. This includes feeding it the appropriate food and ensuring it stays warm or cool, depending on the species. Imprinting is also crucial. Imprinting involves interacting with the baby at specific intervals to increase its stats and loyalty. Proper imprinting can significantly boost the creatureÔÇÖs oxygen efficiency and overall performance.

To increase the chances of getting high oxygen stats, you can introduce mutations. Mutations are rare and random, but they can provide significant boosts to stats or unique color patterns. Each mutation increases a stat by two levels and can stack up to 20 times per stat. However, the total number of mutations per creature is capped at 20 for stats and 20 for colors. To maximize oxygen efficiency, focus on breeding creatures that have already received oxygen mutations.

Resource management is key to successful breeding. YouÔÇÖll need a steady supply of food, such as meat or berries, depending on the species. For aquatic creatures, you may also need a large body of water or a dedicated breeding pool. Ensure you have enough resources to sustain the baby through its growth stages, as it will consume a lot of food.

Common mistakes to avoid include neglecting imprinting, not securing the breeding area, and failing to track stat inheritance. Imprinting is essential for maximizing stats, so make sure to interact with the baby regularly. Securing the breeding area prevents interruptions from predators or hostile players. Tracking stat inheritance helps you understand which creatures to breed next to achieve your desired stats.

Advanced techniques include using breeding calculators and spreadsheets to track stat inheritance and mutations. These tools help you plan your breeding lines and ensure youÔÇÖre making progress toward your goals. Additionally, consider using cryopods to store and transport your breeding stock, as this can save time and resources.

Tribe considerations are important if youÔÇÖre playing with others. Coordinate with your tribe to share resources and responsibilities. For example, one player can focus on gathering food while another handles imprinting. Solo players will need to manage all aspects of breeding themselves, so efficient resource management and time allocation are crucial.

Specific examples include breeding a high-oxygen Basilosaurus for underwater exploration or a high-oxygen Ichthyosaurus for quick travel across water bodies. These creatures benefit greatly from increased oxygen efficiency, allowing them to stay submerged longer and move faster.

In conclusion, breeding for high oxygen efficiency in ARK: Survival Evolved requires careful planning, resource management, and attention to detail. By understanding the mechanics of breeding, utilizing mutations, and avoiding common mistakes, you can create powerful and efficient creatures tailored to your needs. Whether youÔÇÖre playing solo or with a tribe, the rewards of successful breeding are well worth the effort.