How do I breed for high knockback damage in ARK: Survival Evolved?

Breeding for high knockback damage in ARK: Survival Evolved involves a combination of selective breeding, stat inheritance, and mutation management. Knockback damage is primarily determined by the melee damage stat of a creature, as higher melee damage increases the knockback effect when attacking. To achieve this, you will need to focus on breeding creatures with high melee damage stats and potentially introduce mutations to further enhance this stat. Below is a detailed guide on how to achieve this goal.

First, you need to understand the mechanics of breeding and stat inheritance. When two creatures breed, the offspring has a 55% chance to inherit the higher stat from either parent. This means you can selectively breed creatures with high melee damage to increase the likelihood of passing that stat to the next generation. Start by taming multiple creatures of the same species and checking their stats. Look for individuals with naturally high melee damage. Once you have identified the best candidates, begin breeding them to produce offspring with the desired stat.

To maximize efficiency, create a breeding pair with the highest melee damage stat you can find. Keep breeding these two creatures until you get an offspring with the same or higher melee damage stat. This process may take several generations, but it is essential for creating a strong foundation. Once you have a stable line with high melee damage, you can start introducing mutations to further enhance the stat. Mutations occur randomly and can increase a stat by 2 points, but they are rare, so patience is key.

When breeding for mutations, it is important to keep track of the mutation counter. Each creature has a mutation counter that increases by 1 for every mutation it inherits. The maximum number of mutations a creature can have is 20 per stat, so you need to carefully manage this limit. To do this, breed your high melee damage creatures with clean, unmutated creatures to avoid stacking too many mutations on one side of the family tree. This will allow you to continue introducing new mutations without hitting the cap too quickly.

Resource management is crucial during the breeding process. You will need a steady supply of food to keep the parents and offspring fed. Kibble is the most efficient food for breeding, as it reduces the time between breeding attempts. Additionally, you will need a safe and secure breeding area to protect the creatures from predators and other threats. Build a dedicated breeding pen with walls and a roof to keep the creatures safe. Include feeding troughs to automate the feeding process and reduce the amount of manual work required.

Baby care is another important aspect of breeding. Once the egg hatches or the baby is born, you will need to feed it regularly until it reaches the juvenile stage. After that, it can eat from a feeding trough. Imprinting is also crucial, as it increases the creature's stats and loyalty. To imprint, interact with the baby during its growth stages and complete the requested tasks, such as walking or feeding. Proper imprinting can significantly enhance the creature's melee damage and overall effectiveness.

Common mistakes to avoid include over-mutating a single stat, neglecting imprinting, and failing to protect the breeding area. Over-mutating can lead to hitting the mutation cap too quickly, limiting your ability to further enhance the stat. Neglecting imprinting can result in weaker creatures that do not perform as well in combat. Failing to protect the breeding area can lead to losing valuable creatures to predators or other players in PvP scenarios.

Advanced techniques include using cryopods to store and transport creatures, which can save time and resources. Cryopods allow you to freeze creatures and store them in a cryofridge, reducing the need for large breeding pens. Additionally, you can use a breeding calculator to track stat inheritance and mutation counters, making it easier to manage your breeding lines.

Tribe and solo considerations differ slightly. In a tribe, you can divide the workload among members, making the breeding process more efficient. However, you will need to coordinate with your tribe to ensure everyone is on the same page regarding breeding goals and mutation management. Solo players will need to manage everything themselves, so it is important to plan ahead and allocate time for breeding, feeding, and imprinting.

Specific examples include breeding Rexes for high knockback damage in boss fights. Rexes are popular for their high melee damage and health, making them ideal for this purpose. Start by taming multiple Rexes and selecting the ones with the highest melee damage. Breed them to create a strong foundation, then introduce mutations to further enhance the stat. With proper care and management, you can create a line of Rexes with devastating knockback damage, making them formidable in both PvE and PvP scenarios.

In conclusion, breeding for high knockback damage in ARK: Survival Evolved requires careful planning, resource management, and patience. By focusing on stat inheritance, introducing mutations, and properly caring for the offspring, you can create powerful creatures with impressive knockback capabilities. Whether you are playing solo or in a tribe, following these strategies will help you achieve your breeding goals and dominate the game.