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

Breeding for higher oxygen in land creatures in ARK: Survival Evolved is a process that involves understanding the game's breeding mechanics, stat inheritance, and mutation systems. While oxygen is typically a stat that benefits aquatic creatures, some players may want to increase it in land creatures for specific purposes, such as underwater exploration or simply for the challenge of optimizing a creature's stats. 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 offspring. The offspring inherits 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 mating process begins, the female will either lay an egg or, in the case of mammals, become pregnant. For egg-laying creatures, youÔÇÖll need to incubate the egg at the correct temperature. This can be done using air conditioners, standing torches, or other temperature-regulating items. For mammals, youÔÇÖll need to wait for the gestation period to complete. After the baby is born or hatched, it will require constant care, including feeding and protection, until it reaches adulthood.

To breed for higher oxygen, youÔÇÖll need to start with creatures that already have a high oxygen stat. This can be achieved by taming wild creatures with naturally high oxygen stats or by selectively breeding creatures over multiple generations to increase the stat. When taming wild creatures, focus on those with high oxygen levels, as this will give you a better starting point for your breeding program.

Once you have a pair of creatures with high oxygen stats, breed them and check the stats of the offspring. If the offspring inherits the higher oxygen stat, you can use it in future breeding pairs to further increase the stat. This process may take several generations, as stat inheritance is random. However, by consistently breeding creatures with the highest oxygen stats, you can gradually increase the stat over time.

Mutations can also play a role in increasing a creatureÔÇÖs oxygen stat. Mutations are rare and random, but they can provide significant stat boosts. When a mutation occurs, it can affect either the creatureÔÇÖs stats or its colors, or both. To maximize the chances of getting a mutation, breed as many creatures as possible. Keep in mind that each creature has a mutation counter, and once it reaches 20, further mutations are less likely. Therefore, itÔÇÖs important to track your breeding lines and avoid over-mutating a single creature.

Resource management is crucial when breeding for higher oxygen. YouÔÇÖll need a steady supply of food to keep your creatures healthy and well-fed during the breeding process. Additionally, youÔÇÖll need resources to build and maintain a breeding facility, including structures to house your creatures, temperature-regulating items for egg incubation, and storage for food and other supplies. If youÔÇÖre playing in a tribe, coordinate with your tribe members to share resources and responsibilities. If youÔÇÖre playing solo, plan ahead and gather resources in advance to ensure you have everything you need.

One common mistake to avoid is neglecting the other stats of your creatures. While focusing on increasing the oxygen stat, itÔÇÖs important to also consider the creatureÔÇÖs overall health, stamina, and other stats. A creature with high oxygen but low health or stamina may not be as effective in combat or other tasks. Therefore, aim for a balanced approach when breeding, ensuring that all important stats are optimized.

Advanced techniques for breeding include using stat calculators and breeding trackers. These tools can help you keep track of your creaturesÔÇÖ stats, mutations, and breeding lines, making it easier to plan and execute your breeding program. Additionally, consider using cryopods to store and transport your creatures, as this can save time and resources when managing a large breeding operation.

In conclusion, breeding for higher oxygen in land creatures in ARK: Survival Evolved is a complex but rewarding process. By understanding the gameÔÇÖs breeding mechanics, focusing on stat inheritance and mutations, and managing your resources effectively, you can create powerful and specialized creatures. Whether youÔÇÖre playing solo or in a tribe, careful planning and execution are key to achieving your breeding goals.