How do I breed for higher oxygen in flying creatures in ARK: Survival Evolved?

Breeding for higher oxygen in flying creatures in ARK: Survival Evolved is a process that involves understanding the game's breeding mechanics, stat inheritance, and mutation systems. While oxygen is not a critical stat for most flying creatures, as they do not rely on it for stamina or speed, some players may want to breed for higher oxygen for specific purposes, such as underwater exploration with creatures like the Pteranodon or Argentavis. HereÔÇÖs a detailed guide on how to achieve this.

First, you need to understand the basics of breeding. Breeding involves pairing two creatures of the same species to produce an egg or live baby. The offspring will inherit stats from both parents, with each stat having a 55% chance to be inherited from either parent. This means that if one parent has a higher oxygen stat, thereÔÇÖs a good chance the baby will inherit it. To start, youÔÇÖll need a male and female creature of the same species. Place them close together and enable the mating option. Ensure they are well-fed and in a safe environment, as the mating process can take some time.

Once the egg is laid or the baby is born, youÔÇÖll need to care for it. Babies require constant feeding and attention until they reach adulthood. During this time, you can imprint on the baby by interacting with it when it requests care. Imprinting increases the babyÔÇÖs stats and loyalty, making it more effective in combat or other tasks. For flying creatures, imprinting can also improve their speed and stamina, which are more important than oxygen for most players.

To breed for higher oxygen, youÔÇÖll need to focus on stat inheritance and mutations. Mutations are rare and random, but they can introduce new stat points or color variations. Each mutation adds two points to a random stat and can also change the creatureÔÇÖs color. To maximize your chances of getting a mutation in the oxygen stat, youÔÇÖll need to breed multiple generations of creatures. Start by selecting parents with high oxygen stats. If neither parent has a high oxygen stat, youÔÇÖll need to find or tame creatures with better stats. Once you have parents with desirable stats, breed them and check the offspringÔÇÖs stats. If the offspring has a higher oxygen stat, use it as a parent for the next generation.

One important tip is to keep track of your breeding lines. Use a spreadsheet or notebook to record the stats of each generation. This will help you identify which creatures have the best stats and which ones to breed next. ItÔÇÖs also important to avoid inbreeding, as this can lead to weaker offspring. Always introduce new creatures with high stats into your breeding lines to keep them strong.

Resource management is crucial for successful breeding. YouÔÇÖll need a steady supply of food, such as meat or berries, to keep your creatures fed. YouÔÇÖll also need a safe and secure base to protect your breeding pairs and offspring. Consider building a breeding pen with walls and a roof to keep predators out. If youÔÇÖre playing solo, this can be a time-consuming process, so be prepared to dedicate a lot of time to breeding and caring for your creatures. If youÔÇÖre in a tribe, you can divide the workload among members to make the process more efficient.

Common mistakes to avoid include neglecting to imprint on your babies, not keeping track of your breeding lines, and not providing enough food or protection for your creatures. Imprinting is especially important, as it can significantly boost your creatureÔÇÖs stats. Make sure to interact with your baby whenever it requests care. Also, avoid breeding creatures with low stats, as this will only weaken your breeding lines. Always aim to breed the strongest creatures with the best stats.

Advanced techniques include using mutations to your advantage. While mutations are random, you can increase your chances of getting a mutation by breeding a large number of creatures. The more babies you have, the higher the chance of a mutation occurring. Once you get a mutation in the oxygen stat, use that creature as a parent for the next generation. Over time, you can stack multiple mutations to create a creature with a very high oxygen stat.

In conclusion, breeding for higher oxygen in flying creatures in ARK: Survival Evolved is a complex but rewarding process. It requires a deep understanding of the gameÔÇÖs breeding mechanics, careful planning, and a lot of patience. By following the steps outlined above, you can create powerful creatures with high oxygen stats that are well-suited for your needs. Whether youÔÇÖre playing solo or in a tribe, the key to success is careful management of your resources and breeding lines. With time and effort, you can achieve your breeding goals and create some of the strongest creatures in the game.