There's no denying that Survivor is the type of reality show that will leave viewers on the edge of their seats while waiting to find out what shocking twist will happen next. These twists and turns that the producers create have always been a highlight for fans. But when these surprises come from the actual contestants due to their strategic moves, it's a game-changer.
Since Survivor's debut, there have been many amazing seasons with strategic moves that helped players get themselves out of a bad situation or simply win the game. But, there are only a handful of game-changing moves that are considered legendary while, at the same time, created some memorable moments.
Chris Underwood Takes A Gamble - Survivor: Edge Of Extinction
It was a huge surprise to viewers when Chris decided to nominate himself to compete in a fire-making challenge against Rick Devens during Tribal Council. What made this such a shocker was Chris won immunity during the challenge prior, so he did not need to put himself in that situation. But in the end, Chris won the challenge and ultimately won the season.
Chris' move was reckless and brilliant at the same time. He already earned a spot in the final three, but knew if he had a shot at winning, he needed to get Rick out. By making this move he not only showed the jury that he's great at dominating challenges, but he also that he's a strategic player who knows how to make and execute big moves.
Yau-Man Chan Creates A Fake Hidden Immunity Idol - Survivor: Fiji
Fans got to see a first during Survivor: Fiji, and that was a fake hidden immunity idol. Yau-Man found a hidden immunity idol while in exile, but he had a trick up his sleeve. He knew other tribemates had clues as to the idol's whereabouts and decided to create a fake one, placing it exactly where he found the real hidden immunity idol.
Although the fake idol was never found, this was a huge strategic move and the first time someone had ever attempted to make an idol of their own. Yau-Man's decision to make the fake idol changed Survivor gameplay forever and paved the way for future players to create fake idols as well.
Jonny Fairplay's Biggest Lie - Survivor: Pearl Islands
Jonny Fairplay easily stood out from the rest of his tribemates on Survivor: Pearl Islands and during the loved ones' visit, he proved why. Fairplay and his buddy made up a story to tell the rest of the players that his grandma died, even though she was alive. Feeling sorry for Fairplay, the majority of the remaining players let him and his friend win the challenge.
This was the biggest lie in Survivor history and a big strategic move. Jonny knew he had to do whatever it took to get himself further in the game, and if it wasn't for his lie, he would have never won that challenge. Fairplay outsmarted everyone on the island, including Jeff Probst, which made this move even more iconic.
Russell Hantz Finds A Hidden Immunity Idol Without A Clue - Survivor: Samoa
Russell was a player who came to play Survivor hard. After the first tribal ceremony, Russell decided to look for the hidden immunity idol without any clues, and to the surprise of everyone watching, he found one. What made this moment even bigger is that his tribemates knew he was searching for an idol.
Russell was the first player in Survivor history to find a hidden immunity idol without any clues. Even though he did not win Survivor: Samoa, this was his season. This move solidified Russell as a huge threat in the game, and his skills took him all the way to the final three.
Pavarti Shallow Outsmarts The Heroes - Survivor: Heroes Vs Villians
Russell Hantz decided to give Parvati a hidden immunity idol, but unbeknownst to Russell, Parvati already had one tucked away. Before tribal council, Amanda told Parvati to use her idol to save herself, but Parvati knew she was lying. During Tribal Council, she surprised everyone and used her hidden immunity idol on Jerri Manthey and Sandra Diaz-Twine.
Survivor: Heroes vs Villians is one of the best seasons because of the vast amount of strategic gameplay from the castaways. This was a brilliant move made by Pavarti because no one saw it coming. She proved that not only was she a strategic threat during that season, but that she could read people well and not show that she was on to them.
Black Widow Brigade Blindsides Erik Reichenbach - Survivor: Micronesia
Erik won the immunity challenge, making himself safe during the next tribal council. The Black Widow Brigade alliance suggested that Natalie Bolton try and convince Erik to give his immunity necklace to her during tribal council and in exchange, they would vote Amanda Kimmel out. During tribal council, Erik fell for the bait and gave up his safety, and was voted off by the remaining four women.
This was a horrible strategic move on Erik's part, but a great gameplay move by the Black Widow Brigade because, from a fan's perspective, no one would ever take that big of a risk to give up their safety. But the women were willing to take a risk in order to keep their alliance together, and that risk paid off.
Todd Herzog Gives A Winning Final Speech - Survivor: China
During the finale of Survivor: China, Todd's speech was anything but lackluster. He laid it all out owning up to not playing a clean game, and instead lied and backstabbed to get his to the final three. His honesty impressed the jurors, which earned him the title of sole Survivor.
Todd's speech was so iconic because this was the first time someone turned playing a dirty game into a positive. Seasons prior, contestants would usually try to downplay their deception, but Todd put it all out there. His decision to be openly honest set a new tone for final speeches in future seasons where players were more honest about their deception in the game.
Cao Boi Invents The Split Vote - Survivor: Cook Islands
Survivor: Cook Islands was the first season of Survivor that mentioned splitting the vote. Cao Boi thought someone had an idol and wanted to flush it out. In order to do this, he came up with "Plan Voodoo," which was splitting the votes between Candice Woodcock and Jonathan Penner in order to flush the idol out.
Although this plan failed and Cao Boi was eliminated, "Plan Voodoo" was history in the making. Before Cook Islands, no one in Survivor history thought of such a plan. Now, almost every season since has players using this same method in order to flush a potential hidden immunity idol out, and it's all thanks to "Plan Voodoo."
Russell Helps Out Parvati - Survivor: Heroes Vs Villians
Russell was known for easily being able to find hidden immunity idols, so it was no surprise when he found one on Heroes vs Villians. During tribal council, he shocked everyone by playing his idol, but not for himself, instead, for his fellow Survivor villain teammate, Parvati.
Back then, it was rare for someone to play an idol for someone else. Russell's move was thinking outside of the box and it caught everyone off guard. Now this move is remembered as an iconic moment and has been done more often in the seasons since.
Rob Cesternino Switches It Up - Survivor: The Amazon
Rob was one of the early players who played the game of Survivor hard. He was the first player who jumped from alliance to alliance multiple times whenever he felt it worked in his favor, or when he was in danger of getting voted out. His method of double-crossing people helped him stay on the island for 38 of the 39 days.
But what makes Rob's moves so special was that if anyone else flipped as much as he did, they would have been voted off instantly. But he knew how to play the game and how to get people to trust him all over again, even though he would vote them off the next day.