What is the best way to raise a baby Shadowmane in ARK: Survival Evolved?
Raising a baby Shadowmane in ARK: Survival Evolved is a rewarding but challenging process that requires careful planning, resource management, and attention to detail. Shadowmanes are unique creatures that combine stealth, agility, and powerful abilities, making them highly sought after for both PvE and PvP scenarios. Below is a detailed guide on how to successfully raise a baby Shadowmane, covering mechanics, strategies, tips, and more.
To begin, you need to breed two adult Shadowmanes. Shadowmanes are live-birth creatures, meaning they do not lay eggs. To initiate breeding, place two Shadowmanes (one male and one female) close to each other and enable the mating option. Ensure they are well-fed and in a safe environment. Once breeding starts, a gestation period begins, which lasts approximately 4 hours and 30 minutes in real-time. During this time, the female Shadowmane will display a gestation timer, and you must ensure she has enough food to avoid starvation.
Once the gestation period ends, the baby Shadowmane will be born. At this stage, it is extremely vulnerable and requires constant care. The baby will have a low food stat and will need to be fed frequently. Shadowmanes are carnivores, so you will need a steady supply of raw meat, cooked meat, or prime meat. Keep a feeding trough nearby stocked with meat to make the process easier. Alternatively, you can hand-feed the baby, but this is more time-consuming.
The baby Shadowmane will go through three growth stages: baby, juvenile, and adolescent. Each stage has different food consumption rates and care requirements. During the baby stage, the Shadowmane will need to be fed every few minutes. As it grows into the juvenile and adolescent stages, the feeding intervals will become longer, but the total amount of food required will increase. Plan to have at least a few hundred units of meat ready before starting the process.
Imprinting is a critical aspect of raising a Shadowmane. Imprinting increases the creature's stats and loyalty to you. To imprint, interact with the baby Shadowmane when it requests care. This could involve cuddling, walking, or feeding it a specific type of food. Each successful imprint increases the imprint percentage, which boosts the creature's damage, resistance, and other stats. Aim for 100% imprinting for the best results. Imprinting requests occur at regular intervals, so stay nearby to avoid missing them.
One common mistake is underestimating the resource requirements. Raising a Shadowmane consumes a significant amount of meat and time. Prepare by farming large quantities of meat in advance. Use a high-level carnivore like a Rex or Giga to hunt efficiently. Another mistake is neglecting the baby's safety. Shadowmanes are vulnerable during their early stages, so keep them in a secure, enclosed area to protect them from predators or hostile players.
Advanced techniques include using a Maewing to assist with feeding. Maewings have a nursing ability that automatically feeds nearby babies, reducing the need for constant manual feeding. Additionally, consider using a Cryopod to store the baby Shadowmane temporarily if you need to step away. This pauses its growth and food consumption, allowing you to manage your time more effectively.
Resource preparation is key. You will need a steady supply of meat, a secure base with feeding troughs, and possibly a Maewing or Cryopod. If you are in a tribe, coordinate with your members to share the workload. Solo players should plan their schedule carefully, as raising a Shadowmane requires frequent attention.
In summary, raising a baby Shadowmane involves breeding two adults, managing the gestation period, feeding the baby frequently, and ensuring proper imprinting. Prepare ample resources, protect the baby from threats, and use advanced tools like Maewings and Cryopods to optimize the process. With careful planning and dedication, you can raise a powerful and loyal Shadowmane to aid you in your ARK adventures.
To begin, you need to breed two adult Shadowmanes. Shadowmanes are live-birth creatures, meaning they do not lay eggs. To initiate breeding, place two Shadowmanes (one male and one female) close to each other and enable the mating option. Ensure they are well-fed and in a safe environment. Once breeding starts, a gestation period begins, which lasts approximately 4 hours and 30 minutes in real-time. During this time, the female Shadowmane will display a gestation timer, and you must ensure she has enough food to avoid starvation.
Once the gestation period ends, the baby Shadowmane will be born. At this stage, it is extremely vulnerable and requires constant care. The baby will have a low food stat and will need to be fed frequently. Shadowmanes are carnivores, so you will need a steady supply of raw meat, cooked meat, or prime meat. Keep a feeding trough nearby stocked with meat to make the process easier. Alternatively, you can hand-feed the baby, but this is more time-consuming.
The baby Shadowmane will go through three growth stages: baby, juvenile, and adolescent. Each stage has different food consumption rates and care requirements. During the baby stage, the Shadowmane will need to be fed every few minutes. As it grows into the juvenile and adolescent stages, the feeding intervals will become longer, but the total amount of food required will increase. Plan to have at least a few hundred units of meat ready before starting the process.
Imprinting is a critical aspect of raising a Shadowmane. Imprinting increases the creature's stats and loyalty to you. To imprint, interact with the baby Shadowmane when it requests care. This could involve cuddling, walking, or feeding it a specific type of food. Each successful imprint increases the imprint percentage, which boosts the creature's damage, resistance, and other stats. Aim for 100% imprinting for the best results. Imprinting requests occur at regular intervals, so stay nearby to avoid missing them.
One common mistake is underestimating the resource requirements. Raising a Shadowmane consumes a significant amount of meat and time. Prepare by farming large quantities of meat in advance. Use a high-level carnivore like a Rex or Giga to hunt efficiently. Another mistake is neglecting the baby's safety. Shadowmanes are vulnerable during their early stages, so keep them in a secure, enclosed area to protect them from predators or hostile players.
Advanced techniques include using a Maewing to assist with feeding. Maewings have a nursing ability that automatically feeds nearby babies, reducing the need for constant manual feeding. Additionally, consider using a Cryopod to store the baby Shadowmane temporarily if you need to step away. This pauses its growth and food consumption, allowing you to manage your time more effectively.
Resource preparation is key. You will need a steady supply of meat, a secure base with feeding troughs, and possibly a Maewing or Cryopod. If you are in a tribe, coordinate with your members to share the workload. Solo players should plan their schedule carefully, as raising a Shadowmane requires frequent attention.
In summary, raising a baby Shadowmane involves breeding two adults, managing the gestation period, feeding the baby frequently, and ensuring proper imprinting. Prepare ample resources, protect the baby from threats, and use advanced tools like Maewings and Cryopods to optimize the process. With careful planning and dedication, you can raise a powerful and loyal Shadowmane to aid you in your ARK adventures.