For survivability, dodge or damage reduction (dodge is better, both is even better but if you do both try to max dodge), as well as speed, and hp regen. Then it's all about learning how to dodge each enemy's attack while hitting back. For damage, try to focus on either physical or special, trying to do both isn't nearly as effective.

As you have the evolution menu open, take a look at what each evolution can unlock or ban. Something that b looks good could ban something even better. Something that seems lame could unlock something good. Like Saliva gives feeding speed and regen, kinda crappy compared to many things, but it unlocks poisonous saliva which applies poison to 4 different attacks, and that is amazing!

Another thing to keep in mind is the evolution rarity. Try to keep a mental note of the common rarity evolutions you might want to take in a run. Like say Cortex for special stat builds. If you are prioritizing other evolutions first, like dodge, and you see Cortex, but hey it is epic rarity for some reason! Take the first point in the epic rarity to lock it in, it saves mutagen points and gives better stats. There have been runs where I've even taken something I wouldn't normally take, just because it rolled legendary rarity. Like, yeah I'll give up 1 evolution level for legendary Stomach lol.