How do I breed for higher oxygen in utility creatures in ARK: Survival Evolved?
Breeding for higher oxygen in utility creatures in ARK: Survival Evolved involves a combination of selective breeding, stat inheritance, and mutation mechanics. Oxygen is a stat that primarily benefits aquatic creatures, such as the Ichthyosaurus, Basilosaurus, or Megalodon, as it increases their swim speed and underwater stamina. However, breeding for higher oxygen can also be useful for land creatures that may need to traverse water frequently, such as the Spinosaurus or Baryonyx. Below is a detailed guide on how to achieve this.
To begin, you need to understand the mechanics of stat inheritance. When two creatures breed, the offspring has a 55% chance to inherit the higher stat from either parent. This means that if one parent has a high oxygen stat and the other has a low one, there is a good chance the baby will inherit the higher stat. To maximize this, you should start by taming multiple creatures of the same species and checking their stats. Look for individuals with naturally high oxygen stats, as these will serve as the foundation for your breeding line.
Once you have identified creatures with high oxygen stats, you can begin the breeding process. Place the two selected creatures close to each other and enable mating. Ensure they are well-fed and in a safe environment, as breeding can take some time. 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, which can be achieved using air conditioners, standing torches, or other temperature-regulating items.
When the baby hatches or is born, it will have a combination of its parents' stats. Check the oxygen stat to see if it has inherited the higher value. If it has, you can use this offspring as part of your breeding line. If not, you may need to try again with the same parents or introduce a new creature with a higher oxygen stat. This process of selective breeding can take several generations, so patience is key.
Mutations can also play a role in increasing the oxygen stat. Mutations are random and can affect either a stat or the creature's color. When a mutation occurs, the affected stat will increase by two levels, which can significantly boost the oxygen stat if it is the one mutated. However, mutations are rare, with only a 2.5% chance per stat per baby. To increase your chances, you can breed multiple pairs of creatures simultaneously. Keep in mind that each creature can only have 20 mutations on the maternal and paternal sides combined, so it is important to track your mutations carefully.
One common mistake is neglecting the other stats of the creature. While focusing on oxygen, you should also ensure that the creature has good health, stamina, and other relevant stats. A creature with high oxygen but low health may not be very useful in practical scenarios. Additionally, imprinting the baby is crucial. Imprinting involves interacting with the baby during its growth stages, such as feeding it or taking it for walks. Imprinting increases the creature's stats and loyalty, making it more effective overall. Aim for 100% imprinting to maximize the benefits.
Resource management is another important consideration. Breeding requires a significant amount of food, especially for raising babies. Stockpile meat, berries, or other appropriate food items before starting the breeding process. You will also need a secure base with adequate space for the creatures and their offspring. Consider building a dedicated breeding area with air conditioners, feeding troughs, and protective structures to keep the creatures safe from predators or other players in PvP settings.
For tribes, breeding can be a collaborative effort. Assign roles to different tribe members, such as one person responsible for taming high-stat creatures, another for managing the breeding pairs, and another for raising the babies. This division of labor can make the process more efficient. Solo players will need to manage all aspects themselves, so it is important to plan ahead and allocate time for each step of the process.
In terms of advanced techniques, you can use stat calculators or breeding trackers to monitor the stats of your creatures and plan your breeding lines more effectively. These tools can help you predict the outcomes of breeding pairs and identify the best candidates for future generations. Additionally, consider using cryopods to store and transport your creatures, as this can save time and resources when managing large breeding operations.
A specific example would be breeding a high-oxygen Megalodon. Start by taming several Megalodons and checking their oxygen stats. Select the two with the highest oxygen and breed them. If the offspring inherits the high oxygen stat, use it in the next generation. Continue this process, introducing mutations if they occur, until you have a Megalodon with significantly higher oxygen than the average. This creature will be faster and more efficient in underwater tasks, such as hunting or resource gathering.
In conclusion, breeding for higher oxygen in utility creatures requires a combination of selective breeding, stat inheritance, and mutation mechanics. By carefully selecting high-stat parents, managing resources, and utilizing advanced techniques, you can create powerful creatures with enhanced oxygen stats. Whether playing solo or in a tribe, patience and planning are essential for success in ARK: Survival Evolved's breeding system.
To begin, you need to understand the mechanics of stat inheritance. When two creatures breed, the offspring has a 55% chance to inherit the higher stat from either parent. This means that if one parent has a high oxygen stat and the other has a low one, there is a good chance the baby will inherit the higher stat. To maximize this, you should start by taming multiple creatures of the same species and checking their stats. Look for individuals with naturally high oxygen stats, as these will serve as the foundation for your breeding line.
Once you have identified creatures with high oxygen stats, you can begin the breeding process. Place the two selected creatures close to each other and enable mating. Ensure they are well-fed and in a safe environment, as breeding can take some time. 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, which can be achieved using air conditioners, standing torches, or other temperature-regulating items.
When the baby hatches or is born, it will have a combination of its parents' stats. Check the oxygen stat to see if it has inherited the higher value. If it has, you can use this offspring as part of your breeding line. If not, you may need to try again with the same parents or introduce a new creature with a higher oxygen stat. This process of selective breeding can take several generations, so patience is key.
Mutations can also play a role in increasing the oxygen stat. Mutations are random and can affect either a stat or the creature's color. When a mutation occurs, the affected stat will increase by two levels, which can significantly boost the oxygen stat if it is the one mutated. However, mutations are rare, with only a 2.5% chance per stat per baby. To increase your chances, you can breed multiple pairs of creatures simultaneously. Keep in mind that each creature can only have 20 mutations on the maternal and paternal sides combined, so it is important to track your mutations carefully.
One common mistake is neglecting the other stats of the creature. While focusing on oxygen, you should also ensure that the creature has good health, stamina, and other relevant stats. A creature with high oxygen but low health may not be very useful in practical scenarios. Additionally, imprinting the baby is crucial. Imprinting involves interacting with the baby during its growth stages, such as feeding it or taking it for walks. Imprinting increases the creature's stats and loyalty, making it more effective overall. Aim for 100% imprinting to maximize the benefits.
Resource management is another important consideration. Breeding requires a significant amount of food, especially for raising babies. Stockpile meat, berries, or other appropriate food items before starting the breeding process. You will also need a secure base with adequate space for the creatures and their offspring. Consider building a dedicated breeding area with air conditioners, feeding troughs, and protective structures to keep the creatures safe from predators or other players in PvP settings.
For tribes, breeding can be a collaborative effort. Assign roles to different tribe members, such as one person responsible for taming high-stat creatures, another for managing the breeding pairs, and another for raising the babies. This division of labor can make the process more efficient. Solo players will need to manage all aspects themselves, so it is important to plan ahead and allocate time for each step of the process.
In terms of advanced techniques, you can use stat calculators or breeding trackers to monitor the stats of your creatures and plan your breeding lines more effectively. These tools can help you predict the outcomes of breeding pairs and identify the best candidates for future generations. Additionally, consider using cryopods to store and transport your creatures, as this can save time and resources when managing large breeding operations.
A specific example would be breeding a high-oxygen Megalodon. Start by taming several Megalodons and checking their oxygen stats. Select the two with the highest oxygen and breed them. If the offspring inherits the high oxygen stat, use it in the next generation. Continue this process, introducing mutations if they occur, until you have a Megalodon with significantly higher oxygen than the average. This creature will be faster and more efficient in underwater tasks, such as hunting or resource gathering.
In conclusion, breeding for higher oxygen in utility creatures requires a combination of selective breeding, stat inheritance, and mutation mechanics. By carefully selecting high-stat parents, managing resources, and utilizing advanced techniques, you can create powerful creatures with enhanced oxygen stats. Whether playing solo or in a tribe, patience and planning are essential for success in ARK: Survival Evolved's breeding system.