Predator ranks

Predator "castes" is a misnomer. Predator ranks are fluid allowing for vertical mobility, whereas a caste system is strictly static and precludes vertical migration of any sort. It is a misconception that elders are the strongest and deadliest of the hunter race. Humans physically deteriorate with age and the same is true of all carbon-based life-forms, including the hunters. The source of the elders' authority, much like that of human tribal leaders, is wisdom, gained through years of experience. Though still formidable fighters, the elders do not rely on physical prowess to maintain their leadership positions, as do younger clan-leaders. It is this researcher's belief that the deadliest fighters belong to a rank, known as the "honored," that represents an intermediary step between clan-leaders and elders. The honored are essentially elders in the making. Having reached the apex of martial skill, they answer directly to the elders and oversee the conduct of clan-leaders. It is in this manner that they gain the necessary experience to become elders themselves.

Another assumption lacking solid evidence is the idea that there is some sort of formal distinction between "hunters" and "warriors" within the blooded class. These sub-categories however were likely based on reports of encounters with hunters that favored different styles. Naturally some hunters are more stealth-oriented in their pursuit of prey while others are more combat-oriented. This researcher believes that until more substantial evidence is brought to light, the distinction is merely one of individual taste and that the practitioners of both styles belong to the blooded rank with no further formal subdivisions.

It has been speculated that even elders answer to a higher authority, dubbed the ancients. It would be erroneous to conceive of predator society as a unified system. That is though multiple clans form a single tribe, the tribe is the largest unit that functions as a coherent whole. Ancients operate independently of each other. Their number is currently unknown but if estimates of the adult male hunting population are correct and the proposed tribal structure is also valid, the number of ancients would be approximately 750.

Rankings of predators from movies and books

Celtic, Gill – unblooded
Scar – young blood
Anytime – blooded
Urban Hunter – clan-leader
Dachande – clan-leader
Top Knot – clan-leader
Nat'kapu – clan-leader
Shorty – young blood (War), blooded/clan-leader (Hunter's Planet)
Wolf – honored
Scarface – blooded/honored
P2 elder and AvP elder – elders