ElitistGenetics
Elitist: New Picks and Upgrade Rules
Selecting a new Legendary Evolution immediately grants another level-up. Official 1.2 notes Selecting a new Common Evolution reduces Max HP by 10%; upgrades do not trigger either effect, and the penalty cannot kill Darwin. Official 1.2 notes
ElitistFAQ
Do upgrades trigger Elitist’s extra level or health penalty?
Check whether the offer is a new Evolution or an upgrade. The extra level and health penalty apply to new selections; upgrading an existing Evolution triggers neither.
How should I judge a useful new Common option?
A useful new Common option may still be worth considering, but weigh its benefit against the Max HP you will lose.
What do the 20-upgrade goal and 10-Mutagen control describe?
The official Version 1.2 notes distinguish new selections from upgrades and define Elitist’s health penalty. A September 19–20 player exchange identifies the 10-Mutagen option that raises the current offers by one rarity tier as the action for the 20-upgrade achievement. September player discussion It does not establish whether progress is counted per purchase or per offer shown, so use the in-game counter.