How do I breed for higher movement speed in creatures in ARK: Survival Evolved?

Breeding for higher movement speed in ARK: Survival Evolved is a complex but rewarding process that involves understanding the game's breeding mechanics, stat inheritance, and mutation systems. Movement speed is a stat that can be inherited or mutated, but it requires careful planning and patience to achieve the desired results. HereÔÇÖs a detailed guide on how to breed for higher movement speed in creatures.

First, itÔÇÖs important to understand how stat inheritance works. When two creatures breed, the offspring has a 70% chance to inherit the higher stat from either parent. This means that if one parent has a higher movement speed stat, thereÔÇÖs a good chance the baby will inherit it. However, movement speed is a unique stat because it is often capped or locked in wild creatures, meaning it cannot be increased through leveling. This makes breeding the primary method to improve it.

To start, you need a pair of creatures with the highest possible movement speed stats. These can be found by taming high-level creatures and checking their stats after taming. Once you have a male and female with desirable movement speed stats, place them in a secure breeding area. Ensure they are set to wander or enable mating in their behavior settings. Keep them well-fed with the appropriate food to maintain their health and stamina during the breeding process.

After mating, the female will either lay an egg (for egg-laying species) or become pregnant (for mammals). Eggs need to be incubated at the correct temperature, which can be achieved using air conditioners, standing torches, or other temperature-regulating structures. Pregnant creatures require a safe environment and regular feeding until the baby is born.

Once the baby hatches or is born, it will require constant care. This includes feeding it the appropriate food, such as berries for herbivores or meat for carnivores. Babies have a high food consumption rate, so itÔÇÖs essential to have a steady supply of food ready. During this stage, you can also begin the imprinting process. Imprinting involves interacting with the baby by feeding it, cuddling it, or taking it on walks. Successful imprinting increases the babyÔÇÖs stats, including movement speed, and improves its loyalty to you.

Mutations are another key factor in breeding for higher movement speed. Mutations can randomly occur during breeding and can affect either stats or colors. Each mutation increases a stat by two levels and can stack over multiple generations. However, mutations are rare, with only a 2.5% chance per breeding event. To maximize your chances, breed as many creatures as possible and keep track of their stats and mutations.

One common mistake is neglecting to track stat inheritance and mutations. ItÔÇÖs crucial to keep detailed records of each creatureÔÇÖs stats and lineage to ensure youÔÇÖre making progress. Another mistake is over-mutating, which can lead to diminishing returns or unwanted stat increases. Focus on movement speed mutations while keeping other stats balanced.

Advanced techniques include using multiple breeding pairs to increase the chances of mutations and combining the best stats from different lineages. For example, if you have one pair with high movement speed and another with high health, you can breed their offspring to create a creature with both desirable stats. This requires a lot of time and resources but can result in highly optimized creatures.

Resource requirements for breeding include a steady supply of food, materials for building a secure breeding area, and temperature-regulating items for egg incubation. If youÔÇÖre playing solo, this can be challenging, but tribes can distribute the workload among members. Tribes can also share resources and breeding pairs to speed up the process.

In summary, breeding for higher movement speed in ARK: Survival Evolved involves selecting creatures with high movement speed stats, carefully managing stat inheritance and mutations, and providing proper care for babies. By following these steps and avoiding common mistakes, you can create creatures with exceptional movement speed, giving you a significant advantage in the game.