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

Breeding for high weight capacity 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 for creatures, especially for those used in resource gathering or transportation, such as the Argentavis, Ankylosaurus, or Brontosaurus. To achieve a high weight capacity, you need to understand the mechanics of breeding, stat inheritance, and mutations, as well as the steps required to optimize your breeding lines.

First, you need to understand how stats are inherited. 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 weight stat and the other has a low one, the baby has a good chance of inheriting the higher stat. To start, you should tame multiple creatures of the same species and check their stats. Look for individuals with naturally high weight stats, as these will serve as the foundation for your breeding program. Once you have identified the best candidates, you can begin breeding them to produce offspring with even higher weight stats.

The next step is to manage mutations. Mutations can occur randomly during breeding and can affect either a creature's stats or its colors. Each mutation increases a stat by two levels, which can significantly boost weight capacity if applied correctly. However, mutations are rare, and each creature has a limit of 20 mutations on the maternal and paternal sides combined. To maximize the chances of getting a mutation in the weight stat, you should breed creatures with high weight stats repeatedly. Keep track of the mutations and ensure that you are not exceeding the mutation limit, as this will prevent further mutations from occurring.

To optimize your breeding process, you should set up a dedicated breeding area in your base. This area should have plenty of space for the creatures to move around, as well as feeding troughs to keep them well-fed. You will also need a steady supply of food, such as meat or berries, to keep the parents and babies healthy. Additionally, you should have a system in place for managing the eggs or live babies, such as incubators or air conditioners for eggs, and a safe enclosure for the babies to grow in.

One important tip is to focus on imprinting the babies. Imprinting involves interacting with the baby creature during its growth stages, which increases its stats and loyalty. Proper imprinting can significantly enhance the creature's weight capacity, making it even more effective for resource gathering or transportation. To imprint, you will need to feed the baby its preferred food and perform specific actions, such as walking or cuddling, at regular intervals. Imprinting requires careful timing and attention, so make sure you are prepared to dedicate the necessary time and resources.

Common mistakes to avoid include neglecting to check the stats of the parents before breeding, failing to manage mutations properly, and not imprinting the babies. It is also important to avoid overbreeding, as this can lead to a large number of creatures that are difficult to manage. Instead, focus on quality over quantity, and only breed the best individuals with the highest weight stats.

Advanced techniques include using external tools or mods to track breeding lines and mutations, as well as optimizing the breeding process by using creatures with high food stats to reduce the amount of food needed for the babies. You can also use cryopods to store and transport creatures, which can make the breeding process more efficient.

Resource requirements for breeding include a steady supply of food, such as meat or berries, as well as materials for building the breeding area, such as wood, stone, and metal. You will also need resources for incubating eggs, such as air conditioners or standing torches, and for imprinting, such as the preferred food for the baby creatures.

Tribe considerations include coordinating with other tribe members to manage the breeding process, as well as sharing resources and responsibilities. Solo players will need to manage everything on their own, so it is important to plan ahead and ensure that you have the necessary resources and time to dedicate to breeding.

Specific examples include breeding Argentavis for high weight capacity to carry large amounts of resources, or breeding Ankylosaurus for high weight capacity to gather metal and other resources more efficiently. In both cases, the goal is to produce offspring with the highest possible weight stats, which can be achieved through careful breeding, mutation management, and imprinting.

In conclusion, breeding for high weight capacity in ARK: Survival Evolved requires a combination of selective breeding, stat inheritance, and careful management of mutations. By following the steps outlined above, you can produce creatures with significantly higher weight stats, making them more effective for resource gathering and transportation. With proper planning and attention to detail, you can create a powerful breeding line that will give you a significant advantage in the game.