How do I breed for higher weight capacity in creatures in ARK: Survival Evolved?

Breeding for higher weight capacity in creatures in ARK: Survival Evolved involves a combination of selective breeding, stat inheritance, and careful management of mutations. Weight capacity is one of the key stats that players often focus on, especially for creatures used in resource gathering or transportation. To achieve this, you need to understand the mechanics of breeding, stat inheritance, and mutations, as well as the steps required to optimize your breeding lines.

First, let's discuss the mechanics involved. When two creatures breed, the offspring inherits stats from both parents. Each stat, including weight, has a 55% chance to be inherited from either parent. This means that if one parent has a higher weight stat, there is a slightly better chance the offspring will inherit that higher stat. However, this is not guaranteed, so breeding multiple generations is often necessary to combine the best stats into a single creature. Mutations can also play a role in increasing stats. Mutations are random and can increase a stat by 2 points while also potentially changing the creature's color. However, mutations are rare, and each creature has a limit of 20 mutations on the maternal and paternal sides combined.

To start breeding for higher weight capacity, you first need to identify creatures with high weight stats. This can be done by taming multiple creatures of the same species and checking their stats after taming. Once you have identified the creatures with the highest weight stats, you can begin the breeding process. Place the two selected creatures close to each other and enable mating. Make sure they are well-fed and in a safe environment. After mating, the female will either lay an egg or become pregnant, depending on the species. For egg-laying creatures, you will need to incubate the egg at the correct temperature until it hatches. For live-bearing creatures, you will need to wait for the gestation period to complete.

Once the baby is born or hatched, it will require constant care. This includes feeding it the appropriate food and ensuring it is safe from predators. During the baby stage, you can also imprint on the creature by interacting with it when it requests care. Imprinting increases the creature's stats and loyalty, making it more effective in combat or other tasks. Imprinting is particularly important for creatures used for transportation, as it can significantly boost their weight capacity.

To optimize your breeding lines, you should keep track of the stats of each generation. This can be done by using spreadsheets or other tracking methods. By selectively breeding creatures with the highest weight stats, you can gradually increase the weight capacity of your breeding line. It is also important to manage mutations carefully. While mutations can increase stats, they are random and can sometimes result in undesirable changes. To maximize the benefits of mutations, you should focus on breeding creatures that have already inherited the desired high weight stat.

Resource requirements for breeding include a steady supply of food for both the parents and the offspring. This can be challenging, especially for larger creatures that require a lot of food. You will also need a safe and secure breeding area, as well as the necessary resources to incubate eggs or care for pregnant creatures. For solo players, this can be particularly demanding, as you will need to manage all aspects of breeding and care on your own. For tribes, the workload can be shared, making the process more manageable.

Common mistakes to avoid include not keeping track of stats, which can lead to breeding creatures with lower stats than desired. Another mistake is not managing mutations properly, which can result in wasted effort and resources. It is also important to avoid breeding creatures that are too closely related, as this can lead to inbreeding and reduced genetic diversity.

Advanced techniques include using cryopods to store and transport creatures, which can make the breeding process more efficient. You can also use mods or server settings to increase the rate of mutations or reduce the time required for breeding and maturation. However, these techniques may not be available on all servers or in single-player mode.

In conclusion, breeding for higher weight capacity in ARK: Survival Evolved requires a combination of careful planning, stat tracking, and resource management. By selectively breeding creatures with high weight stats and managing mutations, you can create powerful and efficient creatures for transportation and resource gathering. Whether you are playing solo or as part of a tribe, the key to success is patience and attention to detail. With the right strategies and techniques, you can achieve your breeding goals and create the ultimate weight-carrying creatures in ARK: Survival Evolved.