To be a Survivor player, how would you prepare?


Would you train for it? If so, how?

What would you wear? (Keep in mind all the twists from the seasons you've seen)

What would you take as luxury items?


And lastly - considering what you've watched so far, what do you think your strategy would be?

I already have a big workout regimen, so I'd keep to it. I'd also probably get some weight-gain stuff.

I'd take along plenty of heavy clothes, and go on the boat/helicopter/whatever wearing quite a few things, just in case they pull a Pearl Islands on us.

My luxury item would be Sun Tzu's The Art of War. It would mainly serve to make the others a little unsure of what they could expect from me.

My strategy would be to do everything I can to convince the other players that I'm just a Lex-type who wants to have a good time and make friends, while plotting behind everyone's backs. See the creative quest thread as to what my jury speech would be.

Sun-Tzu's Art of War is an excellent idea. I really do need to read that again.


If it were me -

I work out pretty regularly too, but it's strictly cosmetic. I've got a lot of strength, but i don't want to fall into that Osten/Alicia camp of being totally useless. I think I would start a running program, both for endurance and speed, and really learn to swim. I love being in the water, but I'm more of a treader/splasher/dog-paddler. I think I would also work on balance stuff, maybe Yoga so that i can find my own Core of Calm and Stability for those Hold My Arm In The Air/ F3 challenges. Also would be good for balance beam stuff. That was the downfall of the boys in Amazon. And definitely worked favorably for Darrah and Amber and the rest.

As for clothes I'm not really sure - I think definitely I'd wear a swimsuit no matter what as undies, and then a sarong as a top, and either snap-leg warmup pants or cargo pants everywhere, just in case of a PI twist. Hatch's Utilikit is quite compelling too, tho.

My Luxury Item would be either the Art of Shen-Ku (a cartoony survivial guide with all sorts of tips in it) or a book of the local Flora, so that I would be able to forage better.

As for my strategery - Lord only knows. I've got a pretty strong personality, and people either love me or hate me off the bat. I don't think I'm too much of an attention whore tho - So I would either last like 1 day, or make it really far in the game. I think my strategy would be to try to get along with everyone, and be the "nice person" whilst not necessarily making any promises along the way. I would hope that there would be at least 1 person on my team that I would click with and they wouldn't be totally useless. (My luck, I would click with someone like Skinny Ryan). My worst nightmare would be to be in Shi-Ann on Thailand's or Christy's situation where I'm the total black sheep on a tribe full off QuarterBacks and Homecoming Queens.

Well, I always wanted to do something like this.

Now, let me see...

I never was a strong person physically, so getting myself in shape would be my number-one priority. Learning to swim well is a absolute necessity now, since only one season had challenges that weren't water-based (Africa). Also, I'll try to concentrate on speed much more than strength. IMO, being fast will come in handy in challenges much more than being able to lift heavy objects, plus all the bodybuilder types will become targets almost immediately. I would actually train with a Rubik's Cube - there will be mental challenges out there, and Rubik's Cubes is one of the best obstables of testing mental ability. Furthermore, I would try to learn how to start fires and cook well - this would be crucial to my strategy.

For clothes, I would have to agree with ChinaJones with the cargo pants in warning of a PI twist. Also, I would need two pairs of swimming trunks, and a couple of warm T-Shirts, in case of cold nights outside.

My luxury item? A beach ball. While I'm out there, might as well have some fun to get our minds off the game for a few moments, right?

And my strategy is to play the role of the Therapist. Being the Therapist, I would listen to everyone's problems and make them feel comfortable around me and feel better about themselves and their abilites. This, in turn, will enable them to have more energy and drive to win more challenges. The training I've done in cooking will enable them to relax more around me and help me further accomplish my goal. Everyone will think of me as everyone's best friend. The caretaker. The one person who they can all trust.

I plan on using this strategy to gain friends with EVERYONE that I come across. With people making power plays left & right, I will be approached by people who needs that one critical vote to make something happen because they know I can be trusted. No one will ever think of sweet, kind little ol' me as any sort of a threat. Before you know it, I'll be sitting in that Final Two seat, making a strong case as to why I should win.

Yes, this plan will involve a little bit of luck here and there, but then again, every player's game involves them being lucky in some way.

So sort of a Sandra meets Rupert meets Tina, huh Dbrain2004?

Oh the other thing I was htinking of, based mainly on ASS is that I wuld try really hard to make sure my team was cohesive and that pre-merge we focused on doing the best for the team, as opposed to everyone having there own agenda. How one cultivates a team mentality, i'm not sure, tho.

My biggest problem would be a gross eating challenge. I don't know how I would train for that one. I could get more fit and learn surivor skills, but I don't know how to make myself eat fish that has been sitting in the sun for three hours or cows blood and milk.

*lol* mldachille, I thought about that one too, and forget it. I'll just have to lose it. And so will my family.

God, would I love to play. Too bad Canadians are still ineligible. I have ideas for strategic plays which, good or bad, are things no-one has ever seen before.

One example: Early on in tribal stage. I approach someone and say I'm extremely hungry. I offer to trade my next vote for their last bite of rice (in other words, offer to vote for whoever they say). This person thinks he or she's getting a great deal, an extra vote for a bit of rice or whatnot, but in reality, it's a firm alliance that will target someone, anyone other than me, made with a minimum of having to convince anyone. Repeat as necessary.

Another idea: Call me crazy, but I think Sean was onto a good idea in the first season with the alphabet soup strategy. The idea was to absolve himself of voting responsibility. The error was in execution, in announcing his vote beforehand so that others could take advantage of it. I woul try gathering some similar pebbles, scratching everyone's initials onto them, and let it be known that I plan to select my vote at random, in private, just prior to any tribal council. Best part: I could still just vote for whomever I wanted and who's to say I didn't pick it at random?

These are just a few ideas. I hope Burnett either casts me or finds some other creative souls who can show us something we've never seen before.

Oh, and my luxury item? A pillow. I just have to get a good night's sleep.

Another Canadian here, so this thread topic is just a dream for us up north. Anyway, I would have a pair of those cargo pants that zip off to make shorts. A Polartec 100 fleece jacket would be needed. (It makes a good pillow, too.) A cap of some kind to keep off the sun.

As for a luxury item, that's easy: mouthwash (preferably Listerine).

Strategy? Mine would be not to enter into any alliance. Be a lone wolf, of sorts. I would make it loud and clear that alliances are made to be broken and that you win this game by deceiving and backstabbing. Why should I engage in the pose of making alliances with others? Please. I will vote for whomever I want to see gone. Don't bother coming to me to ask to join up or shake hands on something. I will not take part in that charade, thank you very much. This strategy may not get me too far; however, I could never see myself building alliances and all that crap. I would hope that my honesty would count for something.

Wow, lots of people have already said what I've been thinking. (Yes, I've been playing this game with myself for that last few weeks.)

Especially with the PI twist, I've been trying to think what I would want to wear for the publicity photo that would also be functional if that were all I'd have on the island. Definitely swimsuit as underwear, maybe khaki or other lightweight pants, short-sleeved shirt under a heavy sweater (I get cold easily). Maybe bring hat and sunglasses and my glasses and contact case just in case. (Although, I noticed they did supply them later on PI, Michelle and Andrew both had glasses.)

My luxury item would probably be sunscreen. Like an enormous Costco size bottle of it, especially since I'm sure I'd have to share. I burn in like 2 minutes in the sun. If not sunscreen than maybe something to pass the time, like a deck of cards or a book of word puzzles.

Strategy? Probably FUTR (yeah, I know, boring). At least be a hard-worker & team player and try to make it until the merge and then see which way the wind was blowing. Tough to say what exactly my strategy would be, though, until I was there and saw how the dynamics were. Maybe I'd read up a little on different personality types to know how to spot them and deal with them the most effectively.

I'd probably start working out more, like running, and definitely learning to swim better. I like the thought of learning yoga, though. Would really come in handy in endurance and balance challanges. I would be SOL for the gross food challange, though. I'd be one to say "I'm never going to make it to the end anyway, so whiy bother with this first one." If a cooked tarantula showed up I'd run screaming the other way. Which, actually, the spiders are the biggest reason I wouldn't even go on Survivor in the first place.

I'd probably gain a little weight before I went, too, just so I wasn't disguistingly thin if I make it to the end.

I've always wanted one of the girls with the huge fake boobs to say "yeah, I got them when I knew I was going to be on Survivor as strategy. Distract the guys and let everyone underestimate me."

I'm surprised that the show doesn't provide the contestants with sunscreen, since it's a major healh issue. Think of all the potential lawsuits resulting from severe sunburns and, God forbid, worse complications after the show is done. Plus, it seems to me that no one one the show ever seems to get really burnt, so they must provide it?

Anyway, if only they allowed Canadians to play!

I would wear my swimsuit as undies, of course, and I would wear little retro track shorts, a tank top, and a long sleeved cotten shirt over that. A messy bun, dangly earings, and funky coloured running shoes. That way, I look both chic and practical. Good enough for publicity photos, and good enough to kick ass in.

My luxury item would be a huge tin of instant coffee, but I don't know if food is allowed.

I already work out, but I'm only good at running long distances, but I can't run super fast. I would work on speed, and start weight-training for strength. I would also start swimming laps regularly, and practice balancing on a balance beam. I suck at puzzles, so I'd have to start doing crosswords and rubix cube sort of things every day, just to get my mind thinking that way.

I get pissed off easily, so my strategy would have to be to shut myself up and always keep my cool. I want to be like Amber in the way that she's very likeable and doesn't ever overtly piss anyone off. At first, I would just focus on being the best tribemate going, working hard, being good (but not the best) at challenges, and making friends. It seems like the first couple of votes are always popularity votes, getting rid of anyone who hasn't partnered up with someone else.
After a while I will really work on getting myself some alliances, and being as smooth and charming as I can while I vote people off. Let's face it, I would be totally manipulative and passive agressive.

You know..thinking about this - finding a swimsuit that i can wear as undies for 6 weeks would be a challenge for me. The twins are pretty generous, and I would definitely need support. however the thought of running in challenges or rowing in an underwire worries me. do they make compressions bras to swim in? That aren't ugly as sin?

They do provide sunscreen and condoms and tampons in a first-aid kit, if I'm not mistaken. I remember hearing in an early season that they were using unrolled tampon cotton for toilet paper.

Hehheh, I call them that too. I didn't know it was a common expression until now.
And I would have a problem with the swimsuit thing too. I would want to get shortie short bottoms, and not bikini ones. Kind of like Amber's, who had pretty full bikini bottoms but not too Grandma.
I would definitely need an under wire, for the support, and I wouldn't want to wear a sports bra styled bikini top. I would just wrap the buff around my boobies so that they didn't slip off when I swam. That's what a lot of the women tend to do during challenges.

I've actually thought about this too (yes, I have no life):

• lazer the hair off every inch of bod that might get exposed
• find a swimsuit that supports well for running (big twins also!) and can last a month straight without fading like poor Amber's.
• study up on the indigenous flora -- lemongrass, yucca, etc., that can be eaten or used as flavoring or medicine, consult an ethnobotanist like this guy
• study up on the area fish and learn how to build a fishtrap

Luxury: polartec jacket --or maybe bug bite gel
strategy: try to create an atmosphere of goofery -- a happy tribe wins challenges

ETA: edited since I spend waaay too much time thinking about this stuff

laurafuzz


Do you think those buffs would be strong enough to hold the twins in place? The last thing I'd want is a nipple-gate or a hatch-like pixelation whilst fighting for immunity! *lol*

Hexele - this is the thing I don't understand. surely some of these contestants thought of this stuff. Why don't they ever seem to be foraging?


I was thinking if i was on a coconut island, man my tribe would be eating good. I'd even try to evaporate us some sea-salt.

No kidding. I'm always amazed at how hairless a lot of these women seem after a month.

I don't even want to say what I would do because I already know I would suck at this game. It's just too hard to be nice to people for that long. But I think I would try to keep the strongest people in my tribe until the merge, unlike Lex in ASS. Not only would it help with challenges, but they'd be more likely to be picked off first by the other tribe post-merge. I think strategy really needs to be separated into pre and post-merge.

I might do some working out to get some muscle mass built up for the challenges, because you'll lose muscle mass from lack of food while you're there, so it's good to have some extra. :) I'd also do a lot of boning up on things that are edible and not edible in the wilderness in many areas throughout the world. (Because it's about darn well time they do a season in COLD place instead of on a beach!)

I'd wear a tankini (underwear and a bra/tank top in one, plus a bathing suit, double benefit), a pair of those Lands End amphibious sport sandals, Tactel water shorts (they're really soft and dry really fast) and a fast-drying knit top. (You know, Lands End would be a great place to shop to prepare for Survivor, now that I think about it...heh.) How much clothing are you allowed to wear? Can I have on a hoodie and sweatpants too, over all this? LOL

My luxury item is something I've known for a LONG time -- a camera. They go to the most beautiful places.

Yeah I was thinking a Tankini too Kari 1820. Except mine would have to be the shorts kind i think, so it would be easier to run in and stuff, and i wouldn't have to worry about like..ass abrasions and ass-cams and whatnot. And definitely word on the amphibious sport shoes.

Yeah, the shorts are a good idea. Or one with an attached skirt maybe. They have waterproof tennis shoes too, and those would probably be better at protecting one's toes from whatever things with teeth might be in the water. :)

I know what my luxury item would be, though TPTB would probably never allow it -- a crank-powered radio, the kind that can pick up broadcasts from all over the world. I think one of the major reasons people end up picking fights (and then getting voted off over it) is there's nothing to do away from each other (apart from sitting and being alone), and the constant bored-with-people-you-can't-stand brings out the worst. Being able to sit and listen to the BBC World Service or whatever would be like a little mini-vacation away from the game. Very calming.

I agree jennblevins; I'm surprised there haven't been more "story tellers" among the characters. I would think that being able to keep your fellow survivors entertained as opposed to making food lists or whining continuously would keep you around awhile. Sort of a 1001 nights thing.

I'm surprised more people don't bring cards. I don't think anyone's done them - at least that we've seen - since Gervase, have they? I thought they were a good idea. Bring a double deck so you can play a variety of group games, and you can also play one on one games and solitaire. Versatile. I think the way people play cards probably indicates something about the way they'll play the game.

I'd take a page from the book of...crap, what's his name, the magician/performance art guy. David...? Try going without food, practice being hungry and tired. Hang out with people I can't stand without losing my cool and see if I can steer them towards my preferred outcome. Swimming and running, weight training. Lots of stretching. Read plenty of the survival guide stuff, try building fires (like others have said). Take up some kind of martial art which explores keeping yourself from becoming a target...if that exists.

I'd do the swimsuit undies thing (my twins are easily contained), and go polypro on the rest. Quick dry, retain heat properties when wet. Cotton equals death! So I've heard. Shoes would be the kind river runners wear, I think they have a full on shoe rather than teva thing, something that goes water to land with ease. Word to the laser hair removal!

Luxury Item? Pen and paper maybe. A loaded up solar powered mp3 player? If only. Wait. Moisturizer.

The strategy thing...keep cool in challenges, be useful at camp, crack jokes to keep the team unified (sorry for cheerleader word) before merge, subtlety. Entertain! If there was somebody after my ass, look for their weakness (what would make people want them outta there) and shift the focus toward that. Deal with whatever huge hardship (bug bites especially--I hate that stuff) by expecting things like that, and adapting as quickly as possible. If somebody looks tired or sick of it, point it out (in the appearance of sympathy) and exploit it....yikes. Kinda like when Probst says to Jenna at the final challenge, getting tired? It's just going to keep her focused on being tired, and I swear that hastened her loss. Know where my challenge strengths and weaknesses are, and play to those. Be very aware of how I am perceived, and use that perception/alter it toward the goal of winning.

gradtg, laurafuzz, I read an interview a few months ago with the head of the medical team on Survivor (he's an Aussie). He said that contestants are provided with sunscreen and insect repellent, but that they usually forget to use them. That certainly would appear to be the case, what with Rupert's shoulder sunburn, and all of them scratching the bug bites madly.

For a luxury item, I would bring a phone book. I'm not using leaves to do my buisiness! Plus I could always entertain myself by doing some origami.

For clothing I'm not too sure, I would like to bring a robe and some elastic gym pants just to wear around the camp, but I think that would make me look like lazy. The pants would come in handy though because I wouldnt have to worry about them slipping off in the middle of challenge that involves running or swimming. I also don't like my legs enough to wear slutty-like Ryno & Burton shorts ;)

My strategy would be the worse, depending on what type of tribe I was in. If the majority of the tribe were slackers, I would so pull a Jenna/HeiDDi thing and do NOTHING at camp as long as we were winning challenges, if not then I would do my share of work. If the tribe was uber-hardworking (Rotu), I'd start making a plan to subtly boot their ass out. So yeah... I'd so be in the tribe of the damned. Now say if I actually managed to make it to the merge, I'd try to attempt a Shii Ann s5 post-merge strategy had she not been screwed by faux-merge. I'd be outspoken enough to let people know I was there but I wouldn't overplay my hand and end up as the person booted at S3 (Lex, Kathy, Rob C. anyone?) that no one wants to bring because of jury vote paranoia.

I'd have to get in better shape physically, including some endurance running and lots of upper body work -- it's too easy to let the arms go as you get older, especially being female. I'd want to practice swimming in salt water, too; I've not done much of it, and don't know how my eyes would react. I'd also get that laser eye surgery I've been putting off -- my level of blindness would definitely not work in this game! I'd stick with a one-piece bathing suit, or a good tankini; at my age, nobody wants to see my tummy flab, promise!

It's my understanding that the women (not the men, obviously) are provided with razors, which would explain the hairless pits after a month. If I went without shaving for a month, it would be just....gross. Eww. So I suspect this one is true, along with the sunscreen and condoms and tampons.

As for my luxury item, that's easy: A book on basketry, with instructions on how to start from scratch (i.e. gathering and preparing your own materials). I took a class in it a few years ago and it's surprisingly easy. With all those palm fronds, these people could be weaving themselves nice sleeping mats and pillots they could stuff with softer leaves and be SO much more comfortable! Not to mention sun hats and sitting mats and baskets to hold their stuff. Plus it would help with all the hours of boredom that I hear are usually the biggest problem; and it's quite sedentary, so wouldn't be a tiring leisure activity.

As for strategy, I'd probably be a worker bee; I get bored way too easily and wouldn't want to just sit on my ass all the time. I wouldn't want to try to achieve a Rupert level of providerdom, but would rather get ahead in the game by making friends early on to set up a strong but small alliance. I'm not one to take stuff quietly, though, so I'd probably be in peoples' faces about stuff and call people on their shit if I thought they needed it. Kinda like Sandra. I think her "anyone but me" strategy definitely has its merits, but I think a solid two-person alliance is ultimately the way to go.

Unfortunately I would never be picked to go on the show (but I really want to do some of the challenges).....

As the item I would take some Aloe Vera spray (if it's true about being provided with insect spray). Otherwise I would love to take a gortex, keeps you dry no matter what. Though I would probably take a tennis, cricket or rugby ball, so we could amuse ourselves.

I would obvivously do some pre-training, seeing as I am very out of shape. I would also have to work on social skills, seeing as I prefer to be alone, and away from people (especailly loud, talkative and show offs).

As a strategy, I guess I would be the under the radar type. I would probably be ok if I stayed the whole time, I dont mind being Isolated for long periods of time. I Wold try and make a strong alliance on the first day. I would have to do heaps of work, but I would not last long as I am allergic to seafood. I would probably drop dead after about a week.

*lol* Lizzy. That would suck. (the seafood allergy i mean)

I'm glad I'm not the only one who has put some thought into this. I was feeling like a dork for a while there.

I have put way to much thought into it. Sucks that I can not apply. They should really have a international version, with Australians and Americans.

I too have put a lot of thought into this. My luxury item would be a toilet seat 'cause I hate squattin' in the woods. Everyone would be able to use it, but I'd make sure to sling it over my arm every time we went to tribal council. You wanna vote me off? Squat.

I'd also load on the underpants - at least 4 pair. I figure if I got some really good microfiber ones they'd be thin and TPTB wouldn't even know about them.

And it doesn't matter what my strategy is, because I know I'd be one of the first booted off.

{{Tribal Council}}
Jeff: So guys, how have your first three days been so far?
Tribe: Awful! The bitch with the toilet seat won't quit sniveling!

Great thread!!

Bix Bender- love your ideas- wish we could see you on the show!!

Think MB could thwart all your planning by doing a Come-as-you-are party Survivor? Take a page from Extreme Makeover Home Edition and have Probst go up to the contestants' houses with a bullhorn:

"Good Morning Burton! Get up, get UP, GET UP!! You are going to the Pearl Islands! Drop that swimsuit, put down the coffee cup, the ship is leaving in TWO MINUTES! Rupert- get your tongue out of her mouth, WE'RE LEAVING!"

I too would probably be voted off at the first TC. I would take one of those T-Shirts with photos of family and friends (can you actually get those? or did I just see them on TV?) that way you could almost count it as a item of clothing and still have memories of home.

I would also probably have too many incriminating sound bites. I am too sacastic/snarky/cynical, and some times people dont know if I am joking or not. If they edited it right a simple "I am going to kill you all in your sleep" could sound like I was plotting murder.

I would so bring a book (like Catch-22 or Hitchickers Guide - Funny books would lighten the mood). Or maybe something long that could double as toilet paper.

This is going to be long, but I have spent many an hour thinking about this over the last few years. This is unbelievably long and my full paper on my strat is about 30 more pages, because it covers alternate scenarios that might occur. I am only posting my many strat.
I am male, 22, cunning, compassionate, and physically fit.

To Prepare. I am already strong, fast, and smart, but I cannot swim well.
I would spend most of my prep on swimming and gaining weight both fat and muscle. I would put an extra 10-15 pounds on my waste in fat. This will suck in the begining, but I will have more energy then the other muscle bound people that have been burning away their muscle mass for energy at the end. The most critical challenges are later in the game and I am willing to be slower and weaker in the begining for strength at the end. I would still be strong enough not to be voted off for being weak, but not too strong to get voted off for being to strong premerge or on the merges first vote.

My personal item would be a hemp paper journal as thick as they would let me take. This will double as toilet paper and paper. I find that you can explain things to your fellow dumb tribates better on paper. I think this would help me to control people better, by showing them on paper why they should do my bidding. I can also write down all the info I can find on the other players for the "how well do you know your tribe" challenges. This can also be used for games like hangman and tic tac toe to pass the time.

Pre-merge: Pre-merge having the edge is the key, although I have a great plan for a draw. Women tend to see me as a trustedfriend/oldbrother. I will play this role with the women for their trust. I will not be scheming at this point externally, only trying to gain everyones trust and friendship. With the men I would love to play alpha male, but we all know what happens to most of those. Instead I would play YOUNGER brother/son. When people think they are mentoring you, you usually can have more influence over them then they think(Pascal/Nileh and Rodger/Elizabeth are great father/child roles where the father sacrificed themselves for the kid). I used to sell Kirbys and every house I entered I had to pick a role and play it in each one, so I feel confident that I can play many roles at once. I would not play anyones bestfriend in my own tribe, because that is to hard to do without it being a blatently obviously alliance. I would be the tribe cheerleader and psychologist pre-merge. I would be all about the team and do everything within my power to make people believe in the team and want/expect us to win. I would not lead it. I would let some other sucker do that and cheer them on. First votes would be directed at people without team spirit, regardless of how strong they are.

I think this would get me to the merge with at least a tie. Even if I had the advantage I could not disappoint TWoPers with another season of Pagonging, and I would not feel right getting a million for copying someone elses tried and true FuTR/Pagong/Win strat. Here is my risky, but hopefully successful Strat.
With a tie people would be reluctant to face the PRoD.
I would try to form a best friend relationship with the most hated person of the other tribe. Of course to my tribe who I am brother/trusted friend I can tell that I am just playing them to get info on the other tribe and I will be telling them the truth this time.
I will tell their most hated person that My tribe is split 3-2 and I am on the side of the 3, but that the other 2 in my 3 are closer to each other then to me. I will tell him that the plan is to wipe out his tribe and then the 2 that oppose the 3 in my tribe, giving him a spot in the final 4. (This is where that paper will be necessary to explain) I will explain that he will be my partner vs the other 2 giving each of us a strong chance at the final 2. I think I can convince someone that is hated or disliked in the opposing tribe to take final 2 chances over the hope that they dont lose the rock draw.

The second half of my unending post:))

Step 1. Team A(mine) has 5 people and Team B(my ally's) has 5 people.
I convince my ally to vote against his tribe and my 5 vote against him. The votes split: 5 vs him. 4 vs someone in my tribe. 1 vs someone else in his tribe. He is gone and not on the jury to hate me. My tribe has a 5-4 advantage. My tribe also gains trust in me, becuase I just brokered a deal to give us the advantage.

Step 2. I know have 6 days to make a new ally in their tribe. This time my ally will be my real ally. He wont know about my checkered past of tricking the last person, because he was eliminated right away. The other tribe will also be unsure who their traitor is. The wont think that we would have voted out their traitor, so they will be very suspicious of each other and more open to outside influence.

Step 3. While still working on getting a new ally we go to tribal council and we vote off one of tribe B. Leaving us with 5 in Tribe A and 3 in Tribe B.

Step 4. The member of the other tribe I have been befriending for 6 days is now desperate, because his tribe is now down by 2 men. He agrees to come in with me on my plan. Later that day and before tribal council I instigate a fight between 2 members of my tribe. If I cant get them to fight on their own I can frame one of them for something they did not do(per Jerri). Now 2 members of Tribe A dislike each other. I convince one of the 2 people that are mad to vote against the other, saying that we will still have a 4>3 advantage over Tribe B and we dont need someone like that coming with us til the end, because the might betray us. The 3 members of B(including my partner) vote along with me and the jaded person in A against a member of A. Were now down to 4 Members of A and 3 Members of B and no one on the jury knows that they are supposed to hate my guts yet.

Step 5. I spend the next 3 days being buddy buddy with the last 3 members of my tribe. When tribal council comes. I vote with b Against one of the members of A.
Tribes are now split 3 members of A and 3 members of B. Unfortunately, now the members of A are pretty pissed and untrusting. BUT.... they will not know for sure it was me who betrayed them, because this whole time I will have been doing the "chain of info"(per Rob C.) thru the B tribe, where my ally in B tells them who to vote for, but not who the traitor is in the other tribe or any info like that. Ambitious I know, but I think it can work.

Step 6. The next tribal council I stick with B and vote off another member of A. This leaves 2members of A(including me) and 3 members of B(including my ally). At this point my ally in B could betray me and go for the final 3 with his old B allies, but after all weve schemed together I do not think he would betray me to take 2 people in B, who probably have a better bond with each other then with him, when he knows I will get him to the final 2.

Step 7. I go back to the other member of A and work with him to target a member of B, along with my partner in B we will have 3 votes.
We now vote out the last 2 members of B other then my partner.
The final three are now my old friend from A that I bonded with best throughout the last 37 days, me, and my ruthless partner from B.
We go to the final 3.
If I win immunity I take my partner from B.
If he wins immunity he will take me, because I have more blood on my hands.
If my old amigo from A wins immunity he will take me hopefully for the same reason.

At the final Tribal Council I stand before the jury and explain everything I did and why.
I explain and diagram(go paper) my entire plan.
I say that I have clearly outwitted and outlasted them or I would not be in my seat.
After I explaining my plan I show that it was clearly me who outplayed anyone.
The title of the game is Outwit, Outplay, and Outlast. The title is not OutFuTR, OutRideCoatails, or OutASSkiss. I will say that a vote for me is a vote for the person who worked and thought the hardest to get where they are and a vote against me is a vote simply based on hurt feelings, which is not what Survivor is supposed to be about. I will be unapoligetic, but friendly in my answers. Hopefully, at least 4 people will buy what I am selling and vote for me.

Now Mark B. just needs to pick me.

One more thing that wouldnt fit into my original post:
I would wear a "I see dumb people shirt"(available at Thinkgeek) to the final tribal council. Even if I lost at least I went out with brass balls. :)

Part of Survivor is being flexible. It seems like if there's a single hitch in your plan, everything will fall apart. Good work coming up with a strategy though.

Steps 5 and 6 seem unnecessarily difficult.

I appreciate your criticism Scat. I have alternate paths for alternate scenarios, but I did not think anyone wanted to read that much.
It is just my general idea of how I would try to tackle the game in a way that would be creative and entertaining to watch.

The title of survivor winner would mean more to me then a million dollars(lots of people get a million dollars not to many people win something as difficult as survivor). It just would not seem like I did anything worth meriting the title if I got on, formed a strong tribe, pagonged the enemy, and coasted with the better alliance.

Unfortunately, I will probably never get picked to actually go play survivor so I will probably never be able to test it out.

DorianGary, I like your strategy. Just one thing you don't seem to have factored in is when someone unexpected wins Immunity, it will throw your whole plan into disarray. But hell, if you got to the final two, and gave that speech, I would vote for you!

MB, pick him! Now that would be entertainment!

shouldn't that be "I see stupid, stupid people?" Or not.

No, the shirt is a rip off of "I see dead people". I would never wear anything with Shii-Ann's words of "wisdom" on it.

Okay, so here are my ideas...
I would have a big string of fishing wire and put a bunch of beads on it to make it look like a pretty necklace. I would wrap it around my neck seven or eight times, and make it pretty long, but not long enough to be suspicious. I probably would also do that with an anklet or a braclet. Also, maybe incorprate some safety pins into my clothing, like say it was to hold up my pants or something.
To wear, I'd go with a sports bra to contain Betty and Bertha, or a very supportive bikini. Probably shorts under some sort of lightweight pants and a sweatshirt for cold nights.
Possible luxery items:
Tweezers or nail clippers
A deck of cards or a double deck. I just can't live without playing Speed, and I would want to have two decks so my tribe could have a little tourny going on in our spare time.
Maybe a book? A very long book, at least 2000 pages or more. Not just for reading, but for wiping too! But read before you wipe, mmkay?
Or...my newest obsession, a magnetic dartboard. Put it on a branch, play a game. It could also be a stratigy, whoever loses gets my vote!
Personally, I think each season needs a different stratigy. I would first analize the situation, then decide what would get me farthest. And when all else fails, bargin, plead, blackmail and beg, not all in that order.
I can't take all the credit for the ideas, my sister thought of some of them. We had a three hour long talk about what we'd do if we got on Survivor.

I would take a shirt with 'There are no stupid questions, just stupid people'. On the back you could have 'I'm looking at you Peachy' or a picture of a peach, whichever (hopefully he and no one else would have visited the message board, though I guess its obvious)

I like it lizzy.

Okay, after more thought, my luxury item would be a Tubey button, worn prominently. It's not that I base my self-worth on the opinions of a faceless mass of strangers. or anything. but. okay maybe a little. Damn right, I would play for sympathy.

Training and preperation: You gotta prep yourself for all four challenge types: You got physical, mental, endurance, and some wonderfully juvenile eating challenge.

First up, you got physical. I'm not exactly chubby, but I'm a little round and could definitely stand to get in better shape. Running and other cardio would be a staple because you need good lung and heart condition to be able to handle all that swimming. If I'm in a waiting room of some kind, I could do some kind of "Let's see how long I can hold my breath". Of course, it would have to be subtle, as not to look like a freak, and I would have to avoid going too far, as to avoid turning smurf-blue.

Then, mental. I like the idea of the Rubiks Cube, so props to whoever came up with it. There's also those challenge books with stuff like crosswords, etc, mostly because they feature those damn logic problems that are so hard I can't help but think that they're the work of the devil himself. Plus, that game All Out is enough of a mental gymnastics to help prep for stuff like this. Also, skim through the TWoP recaps in case another one of those Survivor Past Season Trivia Games comes along.

For endurance, I'd recomend stuff like yoga to those capable of doing it. For those like me who are a lot less capable, I'd go for practicing stupid stuff like seeing how long you can stand on a post, which may actually come in handy. I'd also practice this thing I heard about called freeze-frame workouts, where you do things like do 25 crunches, and hold your position where you're "crunched" on your 25th for 30 seconds.

For stupid juvenile eating challenges, I'd give that raw egg thing a shot.

Strategy: My strategy has two parts. The first is easy. Make myself as useful as possible: catch fish, make fire, get water, build shelter, cook fish, boil water, and essentially become a male Martha Stewart (minus the irritating fakeness) for the sake of assuring my safety through the first few rounds. Second part is a little more complicated: play the numbers.
I'd align myself with four people in the first few days. Since it's too difficult to form an alliance of five that will work harmoniously, I'd create an alliance with two people, and annex two people that have already became allies: these two will be thrilled to form a super alliance with your group of three, because they'll be ensured safety from the vote through at least three rounds, and most likely more since you probably won't lose immunity six times.
Pick which of the other two members of my original three I trust more, and slowly establish that person as the leader. This way, in the unlikely event that I would need to screw over someone who will be on the jury, the leader will be blamed. I need a close bond with the leader, so my advice and feedback will be greatly valued. In the event of a belated merge, I'd make sure my intial three be my primary alliance and have us know that the other two are expendable if it came down to the wire.
If all five make it to the merge, life is good, the alliance can remain status quo. If not, I'd have my alliance stage a situation where we arrive at the camp and pretend not to be an alliance and one of us would approach another tribe member, strike a partnership with them, and recruit as many people as we need, and make sure the first choices are my alliance from the original tribe. The same plan applies if there's a tribe shuffle. When I get to the final nine, make sure to decide who you want with you in the final two. Preferably, it would be the leader. Make especially nice with them. Decide which four people will vote for you on the jury. Be especially nice with them.

To be continued...

Part 2 of my long post:

Pick two people to be your sworn enemies. A few heated arguments with them, and there will be less of a chance that people won't take you to the final two because they think you're too nice and won't want to go up against you in the final two. Note: your sworn enemies shouldn't be especially likable people. They shouldn't be hateful, because yelling at them when no one else will just makes you look like a big-mouth. Pick someone whose the opposite of you, and people won't hold it against me because it will just seem like an oil-and-water scenario.
Keep a neutral relationship with the remaining person. Your neutral person should preferably someone with a little hostility with the person you intend on taking to the final two, or at least someone who disrespects or is the opposite of your final two person. This way, if I accidentally piss off one of your four votes or are unable to find four, you'll have a backup.
I'd bring a journal with me (my luxury item pick) so I can take notes on comments fellow players make about their lives in case there's a trivia game on the lives of the other competitors, which has been before used as the final immunity challenge, or at least one of the last two. If it's an endurance, that's when my excessive endurance training comes in handy. Another use for the journal: along the process of the game, I'd write down my answers for the usual questions from the jury at the last Tribal Council: why you deserve to win, and soforth.

Yeah. I've put a lot of thought into this.

Wow, all these strategies sound so well thought out. I really don't think I'd come up with a full strategy like that, even if I got picked. Because, simply put, there are probably several people who have done that on every single season. I just think you need to plan a general strategy and play it by ear. Planning your move for every round...I hope I'm not offending anyone here, but it just sounds doomed to failure. I can't see any plan working perfectly every single round.


Aaaanyway, my general plan. For starters, I would make friends with one person to be my main ally from Day One. It's risky, because you could end up with an idiot like Jon who'd just love the opportunity to get lots of camera time by backstabbing you in the first round after swearing to go with you all the way. Also, the person could identify you as a real schemer for coming up to them with a plan that early, and boot you. But anyway, if it works - we have a tribe of eight people. I ally myself with three, and they ally themselves with the other three. In doing this, we can keep a handle on the entire tribe, and warn each other of any impending ousters with our names on them. We also don't have to give ourselves too many allies each, which would result in one of us being labelled a liar and backstabber no matter who goes. After that, I'd just go with the flow.

To keep this alliance secret, I'll pledge to keep away from my ally as often as possible - like Rob suggested to Amber, but never did. I'll also try and stage a big fight with them at the start. You might think the other tribe members might easily catch on to this act, but I think I can make myself look pretty mad. Plus, there is nearly always an argument of sorts on the first few days regarding shelter, fire, work, etc.

Post merge - If I'm looking at being Pagonged, first of all I'll try to be as likable as possible and make sure I completely suck the bag at the challenges. At least that way, I'll be the last to go. To get myself back in the game, I'll try and analyse the members of the larger tribe, and identify the people who are likely to be voted out once the Pagonging, she is done. I'll need to make them see this and this will be my sole argument in getting them round to my side. Since they're likely to be voted out by my tribe once their tribe is finished, I'll offer them the deal of picking off some members of my tribe before we finish off theirs - I'll try and promise F4, I think.

If I'll be the one doing the Pagonging, I'll do the same thing and see if the sub-alliances mean I need to jump ship as soon as possible, like Jon, Burton and Lill did.

And that's how I intend to play!

And I just spent 20 minutes typing up my strategy for a game I will never get to play. Go me.

I am always amazed that (after how many years has Survivor been on-air now?) people are STILL going on Survivor who:

a. can't make fire
b. don't know how to swim...and swim VERY well

So those would be two things that I'd have to learn how to do well before going.

And I agree with the poster who said that they'd learn all that they could about the flora/fauna(etc) where they were headed. I've always wondered about that...so they know ahead of time where they're going? I'd definitely be spending TONS of time online researching the location, learning all that I could about what to eat & how to survive in that area.

Picking clothing intelligently is also a surprisingly lacking area on Survivor. What the heck are these people thinking? And how many times will they fall for the "oh, we're just going for a cruise around the harbor...wear your nicest clothes & just leave your suitcase here at the hotel". Uh, d'uh? You just KNOW that 30 minutes later you'll be jumping overboard somewhere.

Total Word on b. In fact, the only Survivor that gets a pass from me on a lack of swimming skills is Gervase, for 3 reasons:

1. He was on the first season, so it wasn't then known how much any of them would need to swim.
2. He and his tribe compensated for this weakness intelligently.
3. He didn't whine about it.

After him though, all the other non-swimmers can go fuck themselves...especially the big whiny Quitter.

Fire is different though. It's not that the Survivors don't know how to make fire. In fact, most of them do learn how. It's more often than not that Burnett picks locations where it's damn near impossible to make fire without flint, matches, or a lens.