Hybrid VS Mutie

Hybrids: A special type of lion resulting from the breeding of two different big cat species, ie. Lion x Tiger. Hybrids are hereditary and can pass down their genes. (Hybrids are technically considered Mutations by the game and many players. I like to give them a distinctive difference, since they are very different, just categorized the same. ie. There is no issue with referring to your Tigon as ‘My Tigon Mutie!’, play the game however you like! :)

Muties: Mutations, or “Muties” are abnormalities that randomly occur during breeding resulting in cubs with physical traits that deviate from normality, ie. Primal, Folded Ears, Clawless, Eyeless, Achromia, Melanism, and many more. AMP (Adult Mutation Present) are a bit different in this aspect as they are not born with visible abnormalities, but are still Muties. Check out this mutie Guide for more information on all mutations in Lioden.

Section 1.0) Understanding Hybrids

Hybrids in Lioden are special lions born from the crossbreeding of (Hybrid) lionesses with different big cats. The three primary hybrids are:

- Tigons: Produced by breeding a female Hybrid with a male lion, or happens spontaneously as a chance encounter when your lioness randomly births one.

- Leopons: Produced by breeding a female Hybrid with a male lion, or happens spontaneously as a chance encounter when your lioness randomly births one.

- Jaglions: Produced by breeding a female Hybrid with a male lion, or happens spontaneously as a chance encounter when your lioness randomly births one. Zuri’s Jaglion Guide for more on this.

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Hybrid Traits:
*1st Gen Hybrids will be born with the following traits, and have a small chance to pass them down onto non-mutated cubs. This is where Tier 6 markings originate from, Hybrid lions. You can find NCLs with these markings in explore, and it means they’ve at some point had a hybrid in their ancestry. It does not give you an increased chance of Hybrid cubs to have Hybrids in the parents’ lineage.



Tigon

- Tigons: Mandarin base, Scarce Nacarat mane, Sunglow eyes, Tawny skin. White Undersides in slot 1/any, Mottled Stripes in slot 8.

Leopon

- Leopons: Kimanjano base, Scarce Dark Golden mane, Yellow eyes, Dudley skin. White Underfelt in slot 1/any, Mottled Rosette in slot 6.

Jaglion

- Jaglions: Any base, Scarce mane, Intense Heat eyes, Matte skin. Phantom Rosette in Slot 2, 4, or 7. Born at a fixed 5% Fertility.

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Section 1.1) Breeding Mechanics

Lioden breeding mechanics are quite complex, especially when it comes to breeding for Hybrids - in this section I will go over Hybrid production rates and the pros and cons to female vs male Hybrids, and if you should or shouldn’t king a Hybrid stud.

Hybrid Production Rate & Information:

- First-Generation Hybrids: 10% chance per litter.
(1st Gen Hybrids have a higher output rate of Hybrid offspring than any Generation thereon.)

- Subsequent Generations: 5% chance per litter.
(2nd Gen Hybrids and so on have a 5% chance of putting out a Hybrid cub. After gen 1, the gen does not matter, the Hybrid will still have a 5% chance even if g10 for example.)

- Low Fertility Lionesses: Unknown chance per litter, but known to raise odds of mutations in cubs.
(Avoid Lionesses with Goddess Fertility. Lionesses with Low Fertility [ LF ] and Very Low Fertility [ VLF ] have a higher chance of conceiving mutated offspring. Goddess Fertility is the opposite: while you have an output of 3-4 cubs, they will almost never throw Mutations, much less Hybrids).

[ First Generation Hybrids will state this right next to their ‘Mutation’, making them very easy to identify, ie. Mutation: Tigon (First Generation) ]

First Gen Hybrids can be born with very very low chance to normal lionesses without Breeding items, and with a potentially 10%-30% higher chance using Breeding Items and meeting certain conditions, similar to Random genetic mutations like Folded Ears, Bobbed Tail, - except Tigon, Leopon, and Jaglion are actually pass-able genes*. Meaning, even if both parents are Eyeless or Clawless, etc, you will not get a cub with the same mutation. The case is different when breeding for Hybrids, your chances are low, but not zero.

Female VS Male Hybrids

- Female Hybrids:
- Can pass down hybrid traits to their offspring.
- Preferred for breeding due to their ability to produce more hybrids.

- Male Hybrids:
- Can only pass down Hybrid traits, such as Tier 6 markings, base, mane. Cannot pass down Tigon/Leopon, irregardless of Generation or any other traits or factors.
- Must be bred with lionesses of 100% fertility (Goddess fertility level), which do not typically ever throw Hybrid or even Mutated cubs.
- Exception: Only male Primal studs may pass their mutation. Female Primals (with the exception of Ferus) are more so for pride decoration and cannot pass the Primal mutation.

Should I not King a Hybrid Stud?
(Or will Kinging a Mutie stud affect Hybrid breeding?)
You can King a Hybrid stud if you want, that’s fine! Just keep in mind that they, themselves, are infertile as far as throwing Hybrid cubs go. You can only get Hybrids from Females. Kinging or studding to any other Mutie will not affect your chances of a Hybrid as Hybrids roll first before anything else and will overwrite any other Mutation if they both roll on the same cub.

Section 1.2) Breeding Items Pros/Cons


Cotton Root Bark (CRB):
- Use: Terminates the current litter of a lioness and increases the chance of producing mutated offspring in the next litter.
- Effect on Hybrids: Does not directly affect hybrid chances but boosts mutation chances. Studies by players suggest a 15% trigger rate with CRB. You should ideally not use CRB on a currently pregnant lioness, as it may terminate a hybrid in the current litter.
- How to Get: Purchase from the Oasis for 1



GMO Cow (Genetically Modified Organism)
- Use: Increases the chance of producing mutated offspring in the immediate litter around 30%. Does not necessarily affect Hybrid production.
- Effect on Hybrids: Boosts mutation chances but does not stack with Lion Meat or Lion Scrotum.
- How to Get: Purchase from the Prophet Shop for (150 JB), rare drop during the Tigon Hype, or as a bonus item with GB purchases.



Lion Meat (LM)
- Use: Moderately increases the chance of producing mutated offspring by around 10%.
- Effect on Hybrids: Increases mutation production chance, but cannot be combined with GMO Cow or Lion Scrotum. Does not directly have any effect on Hybrid outcome.
- How to Get: Purchase from the Carrion Shop (2000 SB), Boneyard (100 LB), Gorilla Enclave (300 MT), or as a referral reward.



Crunchy Worm (Crunchy)
- Use: Provides a 25% chance to pass down the mother’s appearance to cubs.
- Effect on Hybrids: Will not pass the mother’s mutation. CRB should be used before Crunchy Worm.
- How to Get: Purchase from the Manticore Shop for (300 BB) during the October event.


Buffalo Scrotum (Buffy Balls, Buffies)
- Use: Guarantees at least 3 cubs in a litter, thereby increasing the chances of producing a hybrid. Does not directly affect Hybrid production. CAN be stacked with GMO Cow and Lion Meat.
- Effect on Hybrids: Works especially well with hybrid breeding, as litters of 1–2 cubs are common without it. Therefore, a litter of 3 or more cubs with odds of a 10% passage rate from a Gen 1 is significantly higher than if it were to be otherwise, with a normal sized litter.
- How to Get: Purchase in the Flirt shop for (60 HS) or from The Peddler for (600 DB) during 2 Events.



Grain of Paradise (GoP)
- Use: Guarantees 2 cubs in a litter.
- Effect on Hybrids: Provides an opportunity to produce more cubs, though fewer than Buffalo Scrotum, but provides the same effects/benefits as Buffy Balls.
- How to Get: Purchase in the Flirt Shop for (30 HS) or in The Peddler for (300 DB) during 2 events.


Lion Scrotum
- Use: Provides a 25% chance of passing a mutation.
- Effect on Hybrids: Does not work on hybrids (e.g., Tigon, Leopon, Jaglion) or Primal mutations. but it works with Patches, Piebald, and Overgrown Fur. Cannot be combined with GMO Cow or Lion Meat.
- How to Get: Purchase from the Slap shop for (80 HS) or from the Champion Shop for (400 MB) during 2 Events.



Vuka Vuka
- Use: Allows you to change a lioness's fertility. Cannot select VLF or Goddess.
- Effect on Hybrids: Higher fertility increases breeding success, though it does not directly impact hybrid production, keep this in mind. Lower fertility = higher chance of mutation.
- How to Get: Purchase from the Oasis for 3



Great Tit
- Use: Ensures the entire litter will be female.
- Effect on Hybrids: Helpful when breeding for female-specific mutations such as DUs (Double Uterus) or female hybrids for passing hybrid mutations.
- How to Get: Attain from Slots.


Instant Cub Delivery/Feather (ICD/IBF)
- Use: Forces your lioness to give birth instantly when used. Lioness must be nested.
- Effect on Hybrids: Extremely helpful for reducing the heat cooldown you have to wait for to breed a lioness again, by causing her to birth 3 days early. Can be used with a Zebra Heart as well to force a lioness into early heat, as long as she is not on cooldown. Has no effect on Mutation/Hybrid outcome, only preserving your lioness for as many heats as possible.
- How to Get: Purchase from the Oasis for 2

Overall Tips for Hybrid Breeding Success

1. Use Female Hybrids for Breeding: They can pass down hybrid traits. Males cannot directly pass down Hybrid.
2. Combine Breeding Items Wisely: Stack items like GMO Cow, Lion Meat, or a Buffalo Scrotum/GoP, to maximize chances.
3. Track Traits and Stats: Carefully consider the traits and stats of your hybrids to improve stat breeding outcomes.
4. Take Generation into consideration - 1st Gens have a 10% pass rate over any other generation which will put out 5%.
5. Lower fertility will be helpful! low fertility lionesses have a slightly higher chance of passing on mutations than other fertility levels. Goddess fertility lionesses will almost never throw mutated cubs.
6. Preserve as many heats from your Hybrid lionesses as possible using IBF, Zebra Hearts, and other cooldown items.

By using the proper breeding items and picking your pairs wisely, you can only try your best to maximize your chances of successfully producing hybrids.

Looking At Breeding Item Combinations

The mutation roll order determines the likelihood of mutations when breeding lions, especially with stacked items. Here's a breakdown of how the general roll order would work, followed by specific variations for commonly stacked breeding items for example.

Section 2.0) Breeding Item Combinations

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These combinations cannot be used together:
GMO Cow x Lion Meat
GMO Cow x Lion Scrotum
Lion Scrotum x Lion Meat
Lion Meat x Lion Meat
GMO cow x GMO cow
Great Tit x Red Cock
CRB x CRB

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General Mutation Roll Order (No Items Used)

1. Leopon/Tigon/Jaglion, Overgrown Fur (Heritable Mutations): The first roll checks if the cub will inherit these mutations from the mother.
2. Patches/Piebald: Rolls for Piebald and Patches mutations (if present).
3. Natural Mutation (Based on Fertility): Cubs from lionesses with lower fertility have a higher chance of naturally producing mutations.

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Item-Boosted Mutation Roll Order:
When breeding items are involved, the roll order changes depending on which items are used. Here's the general order when items are stacked:

1. Heritable Mutations (Leopon, Tigon, Jaglion, Overgrown Fur): These always get the first chance, and will overwrite anything else below.
2. Patches/Piebald: Rolls if applicable (e.g., if the parents have Piebald or Patches mutations).
3. GMO Cow/Lion Meat: Items that significantly boost mutation chances are considered next. These cannot be stacked together.
4. Cotton Root Bark (CRB): Boosts mutation chances in the next litter, though it cannot directly increase hybrid chances.
5. Fertility/Natural Mutation Chance: Cubs from lionesses with low fertility have a higher chance of producing mutations.
6. Lion Scrotum: Provides a 25% chance to pass down a mutation, but it does not affect hybrids or primal mutations.
7. Primal Variations: Primal (Ferus, Smilus, Felis) mutations get their roll, boosted by Pennyroyal if applicable.

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Common Stacking Item Variations

Here are a few common item-stacking combinations and their effect on the roll order:
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Combo 1: CRB + GMO Cow + Buffalo Scrotum (Max Mutation Chance + Litter Size Boost)
- Roll Order:
1. Heritable Mutations (Leopon, Tigon)
2. Patches/Piebald
3. GMO Cow (High mutation chance)
4. CRB (Boosted mutation chance from previous breeding cycle)
5. Fertility/Natural Mutation Chance (Low fertility lionesses)
6. Lion Scrotum (25% mutation pass chance)
7. Primal Variations (if male Primal stud is used)

Summary: This combo maximizes the chance of producing mutations due to the effects of CRB and GMO Cow, while Buffalo Scrotum guarantees at least 3 cubs per litter, further boosting the odds of getting a mutation. NEVER use CRB after another breeding item. Always use your CRB first.

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Combo 2: Lion Meat + Buffalo Scrotum (Moderate Mutation Boost + Litter Size Boost)
- Roll Order:
1. Heritable Mutations (Leopon, Tigon)
2. Patches/Piebald
3. Lion Meat (Moderate mutation chance)
4. Fertility/Natural Mutation Chance
5. Lion Scrotum (25% mutation pass chance)
6. Primal Variations

Summary: This combination is a bit more moderate in terms of mutation chance compared to the GMO Cow, but it's still effective. Buffalo Scrotum ensures more cubs, which increases mutation odds. Lion Meat will increase your odds of mutated cubs by 10%.

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Combo 3: CRB + Lion Meat + GoP (High Mutation Boost + Guaranteed 2 Cubs)
- Roll Order:
1. Heritable Mutations (Leopon, Tigon)
2. Patches/Piebald
3. Lion Meat (Moderate mutation chance)
4. CRB (Boosted mutation chance for next litter)
5. Fertility/Natural Mutation Chance
6. Lion Scrotum (25% mutation pass chance)
7. Primal Variations

Summary: This setup works well when you're aiming for a decent mutation chance, with GoP ensuring two cubs per litter. It’s slightly less effective than Buffalo Scrotum for total cubs, but this method is more affordable and easier to obtain.

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Combo 4: Crunchy Worm + Buffalo Scrotum (Appearance Focus + Litter Size Boost)
- Roll Order:
1. Heritable Mutations (Leopon, Tigon)
2. Patches/Piebald
3. Crunchy Worm (25% chance to pass down the mother's looks)
4. Fertility/Natural Mutation Chance
5. Lion Scrotum (25% mutation pass chance)
6. Primal Variations

Summary: This setup focuses on passing down the mother’s looks to the offspring, with a 25% chance provided by Crunchy Worm. Buffalo Scrotum ensures three cubs, boosting the odds of getting at least one with the mother’s appearance.

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Combo 5: Buffalo Scrotum ONLY (Litter Size Boost Only)
- Roll Order:
1. Heritable Mutations (Leopon, Tigon)
2. Patches/Piebald
3. Fertility/Natural Mutation Chance
4. Lion Scrotum (25% mutation pass chance)
5. Primal Variations

Summary: If you’re not using items that directly boost mutation chances but want to increase the litter size, Buffalo Scrotum ensures more cubs, giving you more opportunities to roll for a mutation.

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Final Thoughts

Stacking items like GMO Cow, Lion Meat, and Buffalo Scrotum can greatly increase your chances of mutations in a litter, but keep in mind that no items directly affect hybrid production. The use of hybrids, specifically female hybrids, is essential for passing down hybrid traits.

The order which the rolls play out are crucial to understand when planning your breeding strat. Increasing general cub production with a Buffalo Scrotum or GoP combined with mutation-boosting items will give you the best odds here.