What is the best way to breed for high oxygen efficiency in ARK: Survival Evolved?

Breeding for high oxygen efficiency in ARK: Survival Evolved involves a combination of understanding the game's breeding mechanics, careful planning, and patience. Oxygen is a stat that determines how long a creature can stay underwater before needing to surface for air. While this stat is particularly useful for aquatic creatures like the Ichthyosaurus, Basilosaurus, or Megalodon, it can also be beneficial for land creatures that may need to traverse water or participate in underwater activities. HereÔÇÖs a detailed guide on how to breed for high oxygen efficiency.

First, 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, thereÔÇÖs 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. Make sure they are well-fed and in a safe environment to avoid interruptions. After mating, the female will either lay an egg or become pregnant, depending on the species. For egg-laying creatures, youÔÇÖll need to incubate the egg at the correct temperature, which can be achieved using air conditioners, standing torches, or other temperature-regulating items. For live-bearing creatures, youÔÇÖll need to wait for the gestation period to complete.

When the baby is born or hatched, it will require constant care. This includes feeding it the appropriate food, such as meat for carnivores or berries for herbivores. During this time, you can also begin the imprinting process. Imprinting involves interacting with the baby at specific intervals to increase its stats and loyalty. Each imprinting action will give you a choice of tasks, such as cuddling, walking, or feeding a specific item. Completing these tasks will boost the babyÔÇÖs stats, including oxygen, and improve its overall effectiveness.

One important tip is to keep track of your breeding lines. Use a spreadsheet or a notebook to record the stats of each generation. This will help you identify which creatures have the highest oxygen stats and allow you to plan future breedings. Additionally, mutations can play a significant role in boosting stats. Mutations are rare and random, but they can provide a significant increase in a creatureÔÇÖs stats or change its appearance. If youÔÇÖre lucky, you might get a mutation that increases the oxygen stat, further enhancing your breeding line.

Common mistakes to avoid include neglecting the babyÔÇÖs needs during the early stages of growth. Babies require constant attention and feeding, and failing to provide this can result in the babyÔÇÖs death. Another mistake is not having enough resources on hand. Breeding and raising babies can be resource-intensive, so make sure you have plenty of food, narcotics, and other necessary items before starting the process.

Advanced techniques involve stacking mutations. This is a more complex process that requires breeding multiple generations to accumulate mutations in a single stat. To do this, youÔÇÖll need to breed a mutated creature with a non-mutated one, ensuring that the mutation is passed down while keeping the mutation counter low. This can be time-consuming but can result in creatures with exceptionally high stats.

Resource requirements for breeding include a steady supply of food, narcotics for keeping babies unconscious if necessary, and materials for building incubators or temperature-regulating structures. If youÔÇÖre playing solo, youÔÇÖll need to manage all of this on your own, so itÔÇÖs important to be well-prepared. In a tribe, responsibilities can be divided, making the process more manageable.

Specific examples include breeding a high-oxygen Megalodon for underwater exploration or a high-oxygen Argentavis for long-distance travel over water. Each scenario will require different strategies and preparations, but the core principles of selective breeding, stat tracking, and proper care remain the same.

In conclusion, breeding for high oxygen efficiency in ARK: Survival Evolved is a rewarding but time-intensive process. By understanding the mechanics, planning your breeding lines, and avoiding common mistakes, you can create powerful creatures that excel in aquatic environments. Whether youÔÇÖre playing solo or in a tribe, careful preparation and resource management are key to success.