Maximizing Plort Production: How Many Largos Should You Have in Slime Rancher?

The question every budding rancher asks themselves: How many Largos should I have in each corral? The short answer? Aim for 10 Largos per corral. This number offers an excellent balance between plort production, food consumption, and ease of management, especially when paired with fully upgraded gardens. Let’s delve into the why, the how, and the everything-else-you-need-to-know about Largo populations in Slime Rancher.

Understanding Largo Dynamics

Before diving into specific numbers, let’s quickly recap what Largos are and why they’re so important. Largos are created when a slime eats a plort that isn’t its own. This combination results in a larger slime that produces two types of plorts (corresponding to its two parent slimes) without requiring twice the amount of food. This makes them incredibly efficient plort producers.

The Magic Number: 10 Largos Per Corral

Why 10? It’s all about balance. Here’s a breakdown:

• Food Consumption: A fully upgraded garden in Slime Rancher is designed to produce enough food to sustain roughly 10 Largos. This creates a self-sufficient system where you harvest, the Largos eat, and you collect plorts.
• Plort Management: 10 Largos is an easily manageable number for plort collection. Too few, and you’re not maximizing your potential income. Too many, and you risk plort overflow, leading to wasted resources and potential Tarr outbreaks (more on that later!). Drones can certainly help, but even with automation, 10 remains a good benchmark.
• Happiness and Health: Overcrowding can lead to unhappy slimes, increasing the risk of them escaping their corral. 10 Largos provides adequate space within a standard corral, keeping your slimes content.
• Growth and Efficiency: Larger numbers mean faster growth and production rates if done efficiently, leading to more plorts and better yields.

Factors Influencing Largo Population Size

While 10 Largos is a great starting point, several factors can influence your ideal number:

• Corral Upgrades: High Walls are essential to prevent escape, regardless of the number of Largos. Consider a Slime Toy to keep them entertained and calm. Auto-Feeders can help distribute food efficiently, especially with larger populations.
• Slime Type: Some slime types are naturally more docile or energetic. Consider the nature of your Largo mix when determining your optimal number. For example, a corral of Hunter/Honey Largos may require more space due to the Hunter slime’s tendency to jump.
• Food Source: The type of food your Largos eat also matters. If you’re growing less efficient crops (like Odd Onions), you might need fewer Largos per corral. Chickens, while a good food source, can be unreliable unless free-ranged, thus not always the best option for maximizing plort production.
• Drone Automation: Drones can significantly increase the efficiency of your ranch. If you have multiple drones dedicated to plort collection, you can potentially increase the number of Largos in each corral, but closely monitor the system.
• Tarr Outbreak Risk: The more Largos, the higher the risk of a Tarr outbreak if a Largo eats the wrong plort. Ensure you have a good water supply to deal with any potential issues.
• Gameplay style: Some players prefer a more leisurely, less optimized ranch. If you’re not focused on maximizing plort production, feel free to experiment with smaller populations.

Largo Combinations: Some Are Better Than Others

Not all Largo combinations are created equal. Some are more profitable, easier to care for, or simply more manageable than others.

Here are a few popular and effective Largo combinations:

• Rock and Tabby (Heart Beet): A classic combination that thrives on Heart Beets.
• Rad and Crystal (Oca Oca): Produces valuable plorts and consumes Oca Oca, a relatively easy crop to grow.
• Honey and Hunter (Mint Mango): The Honey slime’s valuable, attractive plorts are best obtained through a Largo combination, and the Crystal slime is a great partner. This combination prefers Mint Mangos.
• Mosaic and Dervish (Carrot): Carrots are simple to produce and both slimes are useful.
• Phosphor and Boom (Cubeberry): Best kept outside, these slimes enjoy Cubeberries.
• Pink and Quantum (Phase Lemon): This combo allows you to exploit Phase Lemons.

Dealing with Tarr

Tarr are the bane of any rancher’s existence. These ravenous creatures are created when a Largo eats a plort it shouldn’t. They consume other slimes and quickly multiply, potentially wiping out your entire ranch.

Prevention is key:

• Be vigilant: Keep a close eye on your Largos and ensure they only have access to their designated food source.
• Eliminate stray plorts: Regularly clear any stray plorts that may have escaped their corrals.
• Water is your friend: Keep a full water tank at all times. Tarr are vulnerable to water, and a quick blast can neutralize them.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some frequently asked questions about Largo populations and management in Slime Rancher:

1. What happens if I put too many Largos in a corral?

Overcrowding can lead to several problems. Slimes may become agitated and escape, increasing the risk of Tarr outbreaks. It can also make it harder to manage food distribution and plort collection.

2. Can slimes starve to death in Slime Rancher?

Yes, slimes can starve to death if they don’t receive enough food. Starved slimes become agitated and produce fewer plorts. If the slimes are not cared for well enough they will return into feral forms.

3. Do toys help keep my Largos happy?

Yes, slime toys can significantly improve slime happiness. Happy slimes are less likely to escape and produce more plorts.

4. What are the best corral upgrades to get?

High Walls are essential, and they need to be the first purchase when upgrading a corral. Auto-Feeders are highly recommended for efficient food distribution. Plort Collectors save you time and effort. And music boxes increase slime happiness.

5. Can Gold Slimes become Largos?

No, Gold Plorts cannot be used to create Largos. This trait is shared with Fire Plorts, Puddle Plorts, and Quicksilver Plorts.

6. Do Largos eat plorts?

Yes, Largos do eat plorts, but only their own. If a Largo eats a plort that isn’t from either of its parent slimes, it will turn into a Tarr.

7. Is it better to have Largos or regular slimes?

Largos are generally more efficient than regular slimes. They produce two types of plorts without requiring twice the amount of food.

8. How do I prevent Tarr outbreaks?

Prevent stray plorts and keep a water supply ready. Regular ranch maintenance is crucial.

9. What is the cutest Largo in Slime Rancher 2?

The Honey Crystal Largo slime is considered by many to be the cutest. It’s valuable, attractive, and makes a great addition to any ranch.

10. Can Hunter slimes be Largos?

Yes, Hunter slimes can become Largos. However, Hunter Largos can be more difficult to manage due to the Hunter slime’s feral tendencies.

11. Do Batty slimes need a solar shield?

If you are not keeping the Batty Slimes in the Den, players should equip the corral with a Solar Shield. They may become agitated the longer they’re in sunlight. Sunlight does not kill Batty Slimes.

12. Can you make Fire Largos?

No, it is not possible to create Puddle, Fire, Quicksilver, Lucky, Gold, Twinkle or Glitch Largos.

13. Do Angler slimes need a pond?

Unlike Puddle Slimes, Angler Slimes do not require a pond to live at the Conservatory. They do prefer meat.

14. What is the most profitable slime combo in Slime Rancher?

The most profitable slime combo can vary depending on market conditions and available resources. However, Mosaic-Saber Largos are consistently a strong contender.

15. Where can I learn more about game design and the science behind games?

There are many educational resources available online. One great resource is the Games Learning Society, which explores the intersection of games and learning. Check them out at GamesLearningSociety.org for more information.

Conclusion

Determining the ideal number of Largos per corral involves balancing food consumption, plort production, and ranch management. While 10 Largos is a good rule of thumb, adapt your numbers based on your specific circumstances and gameplay style. Happy ranching, and may your plorts ever be valuable!

As the field evolves, you can find more information on the intersection of games and learning from the Games Learning Society at their website, https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/.