What is the best way to start a breeding line for Rexes in ARK: Survival Evolved?

Starting a breeding line for Rexes in ARK: Survival Evolved is a long-term project that requires careful planning, resource management, and patience. Rexes are one of the most powerful creatures in the game, making them ideal for boss fights and high-level PvP. To begin, you need to understand the core mechanics of breeding, stat inheritance, mutations, and imprinting. HereÔÇÖs a detailed guide to help you get started.

First, you need to tame high-level Rexes. Look for wild Rexes with levels above 130, as they have better base stats. Focus on taming Rexes with high health, melee damage, and stamina, as these are the most important stats for boss fights. Use Kibble or Prime Meat for taming to maximize their effectiveness. Once you have at least one male and one female Rex, you can start breeding.

Breeding begins by placing the male and female Rexes close to each other and enabling the "Enable Mating" option. Make sure they are well-fed and in a safe, enclosed area. Breeding will produce an egg, which you must incubate. Rex eggs require a hot environment to hatch, so use air conditioners, standing torches, or campfires to maintain the temperature. Once the egg hatches, youÔÇÖll have a baby Rex that requires constant care.

Baby Rexes need to be fed regularly, and their food stat depletes quickly. Prepare a large amount of raw meat or cooked meat in advance. Use a feeding trough to make this process easier, as it allows you to store food for multiple babies at once. As the baby grows, youÔÇÖll need to interact with it to imprint. Imprinting increases the babyÔÇÖs stats and loyalty, making it more effective in combat. To imprint, follow the on-screen prompts, which may include cuddling, walking, or feeding the baby specific items.

Stat inheritance is a key aspect of breeding. Each stat from the parents has a 55% chance to be inherited by the offspring. This means you can selectively breed Rexes to combine the best stats from both parents. For example, if one Rex has high health and the other has high melee damage, you can breed them to create an offspring with both high health and melee damage. Keep track of the stats of each Rex in your breeding line to ensure youÔÇÖre making progress.

Mutations are rare but powerful. They can increase a stat by two levels or change the creatureÔÇÖs color. Mutations are random, so youÔÇÖll need to breed many Rexes to get the desired mutations. Each parent can contribute up to 20 mutations, so itÔÇÖs important to keep track of the mutation count to avoid hitting the cap. Mutations are most effective when combined with high base stats, so focus on improving your breeding lineÔÇÖs stats before pursuing mutations.

Resource management is crucial for breeding. YouÔÇÖll need a steady supply of meat, berries, and other resources to feed and care for your Rexes. Build a large, secure base with plenty of storage and feeding troughs. Consider using a greenhouse to grow crops for kibble, which can speed up the taming process for future Rexes. If youÔÇÖre playing solo, breeding can be time-consuming, so plan your schedule accordingly. In a tribe, divide responsibilities among members to make the process more efficient.

Common mistakes to avoid include neglecting imprinting, overbreeding without a clear goal, and failing to track stats and mutations. Imprinting is essential for maximizing your RexÔÇÖs potential, so donÔÇÖt skip it. Overbreeding without a plan can lead to a cluttered base and wasted resources. Always track the stats and mutations of each Rex to ensure youÔÇÖre making progress toward your goals.

Advanced techniques include stacking mutations and using cryopods. Stacking mutations involves breeding mutated Rexes with non-mutated ones to keep the mutation count low while still benefiting from the stat increases. Cryopods allow you to store and transport Rexes easily, making it easier to manage your breeding line. Use cryopods to store Rexes with desirable stats or mutations until youÔÇÖre ready to breed them.

In summary, starting a breeding line for Rexes in ARK: Survival Evolved requires careful planning, resource management, and patience. Focus on taming high-level Rexes with good stats, breed them to combine the best stats, and use mutations to further enhance your line. Keep track of stats and mutations, and donÔÇÖt neglect imprinting. With time and effort, you can create a powerful line of Rexes capable of taking on the toughest challenges in the game.