What are the best creatures to breed for taming other creatures in ARK: Survival Evolved?

Breeding creatures in ARK: Survival Evolved is a complex but rewarding process that allows players to create stronger, more specialized dinosaurs for various tasks, including taming other creatures. To achieve this, you need to understand the mechanics of breeding, stat inheritance, mutations, and imprinting. HereÔÇÖs a detailed guide on how to breed the best creatures for taming other creatures in ARK.

First, letÔÇÖs discuss the mechanics. Breeding involves pairing two creatures of the same species. For most creatures, this results in an egg that needs to be incubated, while mammals give birth to live babies. To start breeding, you need a male and female of the same species, and they must be set to "Enable Wandering" or "Enable Mating" in their behavior settings. Once they mate, the female will either lay an egg or give birth to a baby. The baby will require constant care, including feeding and protection, until it reaches adulthood.

Stat inheritance is a key aspect of breeding. Each stat of the offspring has a 55% chance to be inherited from either parent. This means you can selectively breed creatures to combine the best stats from both parents. For example, if one parent has high health and the other has high melee damage, you can breed them to create an offspring with both high health and high melee damage. This process often requires multiple generations of breeding to achieve the desired results.

Mutations add another layer of complexity. Mutations can affect a creatureÔÇÖs stats, colors, or both. They are rare and random, but they can provide significant advantages. Each mutation increases a stat by 2 points and can also change the creatureÔÇÖs color. However, there is a limit of 20 mutations per stat, so careful planning is needed to maximize their benefits. To increase the chances of mutations, you can breed creatures with high mutation counters, but this requires a deep understanding of the breeding mechanics.

Imprinting is another crucial aspect of breeding. Imprinting involves interacting with the baby creature during its growth stages to increase its stats and loyalty. Proper imprinting can significantly enhance the creatureÔÇÖs effectiveness in combat or other tasks. To imprint, you need to care for the baby by feeding it, keeping it warm, and providing it with the required items or actions when prompted. Each successful imprint increases the creatureÔÇÖs stats and the imprint bonus, which can be up to 30%.

Now, letÔÇÖs talk about the best creatures to breed for taming other creatures. Some of the most effective creatures for this purpose include the Argentavis, the Quetzal, and the Yutyrannus. The Argentavis is excellent for transporting resources and other creatures, making it a valuable asset for taming expeditions. The Quetzal is a flying platform that can carry large creatures and structures, making it ideal for setting up mobile taming traps. The Yutyrannus provides a fear roar that can scare away hostile creatures, making it easier to tame others in dangerous areas.

To start breeding, you need to prepare a suitable environment. This includes a secure base with enough space for the creatures to move around, as well as feeding troughs to keep them fed. You also need a steady supply of food, such as meat for carnivores and berries for herbivores. For egg incubation, you may need air conditioners or other temperature control methods, depending on the species.

Resource management is crucial for successful breeding. You need to gather large amounts of food, especially for carnivores, as babies consume a lot of food during their growth stages. You also need to have a steady supply of resources for crafting items required for imprinting, such as kibble or other specific items.

For tribes, breeding can be a collaborative effort. Tribe members can share the responsibilities of feeding, imprinting, and protecting the babies. This can make the process more efficient and less time-consuming. For solo players, breeding can be more challenging, but it is still achievable with proper planning and resource management.

Common mistakes to avoid include not having enough food for the babies, not preparing a secure environment, and not understanding the stat inheritance and mutation mechanics. ItÔÇÖs also important to avoid over-mutating, as this can lead to diminishing returns and wasted effort.

Advanced techniques include using breeding calculators to track stat inheritance and mutation counters, as well as creating breeding lines to achieve specific goals. For example, you can create a line of creatures with high health and melee damage for combat, or a line with high weight and stamina for resource gathering and transportation.

In conclusion, breeding the best creatures for taming other creatures in ARK: Survival Evolved requires a deep understanding of the breeding mechanics, careful planning, and efficient resource management. By focusing on stat inheritance, mutations, and imprinting, you can create powerful and specialized creatures that will greatly enhance your taming efforts. Whether you are playing solo or in a tribe, breeding is a rewarding process that can significantly improve your gameplay experience.