[quote=@Crosswire]
Because if it's a character driven game the players will likely be monsters. However given the ecological hierarchy there's no real way to progress that I can see. If you play as Prey there's no way to become a predator or become stronger. You either start as a Predator and something meaningful or you don't really have any options. 
[/quote]

This I have covered. If this becomes a RP, there will be a starting creature and there will be ways to actually evolve into a more powerful creature. You get to the next phase by collecting a certain amount of "evolution spheres". Here's how it goes:

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You'll start off as one of the "Great/Drome" creatures (Great Jagras, Great Jaggi, Cephadrome, Congala, Blangonga, Seltas, etc), which are medium sized monsters that while they're small in the grand scheme of the ecosystem, they are still capable of holding their own. These creatures are pack leaders, and they can call upon their pack to help them take down opposing creatures. 

Through completing quests and taking down other large monsters, you can collect evolution spheres in order to evolve into a larger creature. This is when you can choose which creature-class you want to be. Depending on the creature you pick, you'll go down a certain tech tree in which you become more stronger creatures of the selected branch.

Once you graduate from the "Drome-Class", you get to choose to become either; "Brute Wyvern - Flying Wyvern - Piscine - Fanged - or Bug".

So lets say you pick being a Brute Wyvern, you can evolve into a Medium-Class creature, (Barroth, Anjanath) or their subspecies (you can also create your own creature as long as they fit the section class - this applies for all other branches). Once you gain more orbs (Three), you can evolve into a Heavy-Class creature (Uragaan/Radobaan, Abiorugu/Giaorugu, Duramboros, Najarala, etc). And the final evolution is the Apex-Class (Glavenus, Gasurabazura, Deviljho) which you can evolve after gaining four points.

(Basically it goes like this: Drome --> Medium --> Heavy --> Apex)

If you pick Flying Wyvern, you evolve into a Medium-Class creature (Yian Kut-Ku, Pukei-Pukei, Gypceros, Qurupeco, Khezu, etc), then Heavy-Class creatures (Yian Garuga, Malfestio, Rathalos/Rathian, Tigrex, Monoblos, etc), and finally the Apex (Diablos, Seregios, Astalos, etc). 

(Basically it goes like this: Drome --> Medium --> Heavy --> Apex)

Here's when things get different:

If you pick Piscine Creature, you evolve into a Medium-Class creature (Tetsucabra, Daimyo Hermitaur/Shogun Ceanataur). Depending on what you pick, you can go down certain a certain sub-branch. 

If you pick Tetsucabra (or any amphibian creature), you enter the "Amphibian Branch", and unlock the Heavy-Class (Zamtrios, Pelsioth/Jyuratodus, Lavasioth, etc). If you take the former two creatures (Zamtrios, Pelsioth/Jyuratodus), you get to evolve into the Leviathan Class (Lagiacrus, Nibelsnarf, Baruragaru, Mizutsune, etc). However, if you take the latter creature (Lavasioth), or any creature that swims/burrows in lava/ice, you unlock the Lavscine Class (Agnaktor, Glacial Agnaktor), which then you evolve into the Apex depending on which Agnaktor creature you select Akantor, Ukanlos). 

If you pick the Medium-Class Daimyo Hermitaur/Shogun Ceanataur, you enter the Carapaceon Branch, and unlock the Heavy-Class (Akura Vashimu - And the other Scorpion creatures), and then the Apex Class (Juvenile Shen Gorens).

(Basically it goes like this: Drome --> Amphibian/Carapaceon --> Heavy --> Apex)

If you pick Fanged Wyverns, you evolve into a Medium-Class creature (Dodogama, Tobi-Kadachi, Kecha Wacha, etc). Depending on what you pick, you can go down a certain sub-branch.

If you pick (Dodogama, Tobi-Kadachi - or any four-legged carnivore), you enter the "Pelagus Sub-Branch", and unlock the Heavy-Class (Azuros, Lagombi, Caeserber, Kamu Orugaron, Volvidon, Midogaron, Slicemargl, etc), then unlocking the Apex-Class (Zinogre, Odogaron, Gammoth).

If you pick Kecha Wacha (Or any ape-like creature), you enter the "Primatius Sub-Branch", and unlock the Heavy-Class (Gogomoa, Lolo/Ray Gougarf, etc), then unlocking the Apex-Class (Rajang, Voljang, etc).

(Basically it goes like this: Drome --> Pelagus/Primatius --> Heavy --> Apex)

If you pick a bug type creature, their branch is going to act differently as well. If you pick say a Seltas, or any hive-drone creature you'll become a Seltas Queen (or a queen of said creature) as a Medium Monster. There you can diverge into either a large land-based or flying-based creature. Land-based you can turn into say, Mantis, Spiders (Nerscylla), land beetles, etc, while flying are say dragonflies, bees/wasps, etc. Each does have an apex stage.

(Basically it goes like this: Drone --> Queen --> Large Independent Bug (Land or Flying) --> Apex)

Elder Dragons will unfortunately be off limits, but your creature can get to the point where they can rival these creatures. For more info and creatures of these types, [url=http://monsterhunter.wikia.com/wiki/Monster_Types]click here[/url].

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