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

Breeding for higher oxygen in aquatic creatures in ARK: Survival Evolved involves a combination of selective breeding, stat inheritance, and mutation mechanics. Aquatic creatures, such as the Megalodon, Ichthyosaurus, or Basilosaurus, rely heavily on oxygen for their underwater survival and efficiency. Increasing their oxygen stat can make them faster swimmers, more efficient divers, and better at escaping predators or chasing prey. Below is a detailed guide on how to achieve this.

First, you need to understand the mechanics of breeding and stat inheritance. When two creatures breed, the offspring inherits stats from either parent. Each stat, including oxygen, has a 55% chance to be inherited from the higher-stat parent and a 45% chance from the lower-stat parent. This means that if one parent has a higher oxygen stat, the baby has a slightly better chance of inheriting that higher stat. To maximize oxygen, 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 program.

Once you have identified creatures with high oxygen stats, you can begin breeding them. Place the two selected creatures close together in a safe, enclosed area, such as a breeding pen. Enable wandering or use the mating option to initiate the breeding process. After mating, the female will either lay an egg or become pregnant, depending on the species. For aquatic creatures, ensure the environment is suitable for the egg or baby. Some eggs require specific temperatures to incubate, so you may need air conditioners or standing torches to maintain the correct temperature.

After the egg hatches or the baby is born, you must care for it until it reaches adulthood. This involves feeding it the appropriate food, such as raw meat or fish, and ensuring it stays safe from predators. During this time, you can also imprint on the baby by interacting with it when it requests care. Imprinting increases the baby's stats and loyalty, making it more effective in combat or other tasks. For aquatic creatures, imprinting can also improve their oxygen efficiency, so it is worth the effort.

To further increase oxygen stats, you can introduce mutations into your breeding line. Mutations are rare and random, but they can provide significant stat boosts or color changes. Each mutation adds two levels to a random stat, including oxygen. To maximize the chances of a mutation, breed as many creatures as possible and keep track of their stats. If a baby is born with a mutation that increases oxygen, use that creature as a parent in future breeding attempts. However, be aware that each creature can only have 20 mutations total, so plan your breeding carefully to avoid wasting mutations on less useful stats.

Resource management is crucial for successful breeding. You will need a steady supply of food, such as raw meat or fish, to feed both the parents and the babies. Additionally, you may need materials like thatch, wood, or stone to build a secure breeding pen. If you are playing solo, consider automating some tasks, such as using feeding troughs to keep the babies fed while you gather resources. In a tribe, you can divide responsibilities, with some members focusing on breeding while others gather resources or defend the base.

Common mistakes to avoid include neglecting to check the stats of the parents before breeding, failing to provide a safe environment for the babies, and not imprinting on the babies. Additionally, avoid over-mutating a single stat, as this can limit your ability to improve other stats in the future. Always keep track of your breeding lines and mutations to ensure you are making progress toward your goals.

Advanced techniques include stacking mutations and using stat calculators. Stacking mutations involves breeding multiple generations of creatures with the same mutation to further increase the stat. Stat calculators can help you predict the outcome of breeding pairs and plan your breeding program more effectively. These tools are especially useful for players who want to optimize their creatures for specific tasks, such as underwater exploration or combat.

In summary, breeding for higher oxygen in aquatic creatures requires careful planning, resource management, and attention to detail. Start by taming creatures with high oxygen stats, breed them to produce offspring with even higher stats, and introduce mutations to further enhance their abilities. With patience and persistence, you can create a powerful line of aquatic creatures that excel in underwater environments. Whether you are playing solo or in a tribe, these strategies will help you achieve your breeding goals in ARK: Survival Evolved.