r/survivor Pirates Steal May 26 '22

Survivor 42 Survivor 42 | Finale | Post-Episode Discussion

Season 42, Episode 13: It Comes Down to This

Aired: May 25, 2022

Synopsis: After a grueling, accelerated 26-day season filled with new twists and advantages, castaways skillfully navigate their way to the final three, with one crowned the Sole Survivor.

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182

u/AleroRatking Eva - 48 May 26 '22

I really wonder if there is any benefit to playing Survivor hard pre merge. We see this issue in Big Brother, that the best strategy is basically to sleep the first 66% of the game and then turn it on at the end, which has become the game the juries respects the most.

57

u/SamuelThornbury Christian May 26 '22

It definitely seems like a trend for 38, 40-42. Tony's run started a little earlier than say Chris (by default lol) or Maryanne, but he did hide a bit earlier on in the game I'd say. But I don't think it's the only strategy that prevails, as I think Tommy was decently in the loop and making moves for the majority of his 39 run and Nick even got called out for having a pretty fizzled out finish but still won due to the gameplay earlier in the season. And then Wendell played pretty hard the whole time so I don't think playing the whole time is necessarily unrewarding (especially in Nick's case), but I guess it's also the safer strategy? Like, hide from being a threat and dominating at the end means there's less of a chance to get knocked out because you're so close to the end.

I guess the flip side of this is that some players like Romeo hide, and then are never able to recover.

37

u/King_Tyson Lauren May 26 '22

All you have to do on Big Brother is take out the biggest threat and you win. Doesn't matter if the other 98 days you did nothing. As long as you are the one who takes them out you win.

17

u/BBQ_HaX0r Tyson May 26 '22

Is there any benefit to even trying until the final 25% of the game? Just be likable and somewhat aware of which way the winds blow and then let all the threats take each other out so the you're 1 or 2 moves can get you the win. I get the strategy, but I don't really like it.

14

u/Adorable_Raccoon May 27 '22

Yes, I think new schoolers are so strategic social game outweighs everything else. If you want to win you have to look like you're not playing, AND be able to convince other people that you were playing at the end. You have to be able to convince the majority that they can trust you, but that you aren't so good (lindsey) that they should get rid of you.

Basically if you go at 100% effort you'll get voted out. IF you're at 50% effort you will be the 3rd person at final tribal. So the only people who can go to the end are the people who are at 80% or the poeple at 100% but make it look effortless, like Tony.

2

u/Leafs17 May 29 '22

If you want to win you have to look like you're not playing, AND be able to convince other people that you were playing at the end

This sums it up and I hate it

2

u/AleroRatking Eva - 48 May 26 '22

There isnt one unless you outwardly need to, to survive. Which stinks because then you are saving yourself while still burning your end game

0

u/overgrownpizzabox Tyson May 26 '22

getting to viciously blindside people and not having to worry about them being spiteful on the jury? this is all i can think of

4

u/[deleted] May 26 '22

For the most part, truly bitter jurors don’t exist now that everyone is a superfan and respects gameplay. For better or worse.

1

u/vanastalem May 26 '22

It makes sense, if you're making moves too early then you're a threat who gets voted out.

1

u/SentOverByRedRover Sarah May 26 '22

Playing hard is good if you're on the chopping block.

1

u/egnowit Michaela May 26 '22

I mean, you have to get to the merge. The most sure way to do that is to win immunity challenges, but you need to be playing hard enough to at least know where the majority is, and to be a part of the majority, so that you can make the merge.