The Beware Advantage is a twist introduced in Survivor 41 that enforces restrictions upon its finder if they choose to take it from its hiding place.
Overview[]
Introduced in Survivor 41, the Beware Advantage is hidden in each tribe camp like a normal Hidden Immunity Idol.
The packaging of the Beware Advantage is similar to that of a Hidden Immunity Idol, with it being wrapped in parchment and bundled with string, but with a warning: "Beware Advantage. If you take it, it is yours, but you must do what it says. Otherwise, leave it" are printed.
The package containing the idol contains two pieces of paper: the conventional congratulatory note for finding an idol,[1] as well as a set of instructions informing the finder that they have lost their vote until:
- All three idols' "activation phrases" are read out at the same Immunity Challenge, or
- The finder reaches the merge
Each Beware Advantage comes with a specific phrase that the finder must say at a challenge to help activate it. In addition, each finder is informed what the other two activation phrases are, so they are aware of when their own idol is activated, and who possesses the other two idols. While it was initially mandatory for the finders to state their phrases at every Immunity Challenge, this requirement was waived midway into Survivor 41[2] and appeared to be unenforced throughout Survivor 42.
In Survivor 41, if all three activation phrases were not said at the same challenge by the merge, the three idols would be rendered powerless. This was changed in Survivor 42 such that the idols would gain full power at the merge regardless of whether the phrases were said during the pre-merge.
On Day 6 of Survivor 41, a variation of the Beware Advantage was introduced, forcing its finders to get into a boat to attend a summit that night in order to protect their votes.
On Day 15 of Survivor 42, a post-merge version of the Beware Advantage was introduced at the Reward Challenge. Its finder must find the Knowledge is Power advantage hidden near the water well. Failure to retrieve the advantage by sundown would result in the finder losing their vote. Unbeknownst to the player, the advantage would be hidden in a hole full of red paint, forcing the player to avoid being literally caught red-handed.
In Survivor 43, a Hidden Immunity Idol bracelet, which was by itself powerless, was given to the finder along with a note informing them that they have lost their vote. To activate the idol, the finder had to obtain the distinct beads from each of their tribemates' bags and bring them along with the bracelet to Tribal Council. If any bead was missing from the bracelet any time the finder went to Tribal Council, they would be unable to vote. However, each bead had to be willingly given to the finder instead of being stolen. Furthermore, if the finder was unable to obtain each of their tribemates' beads come the merge, the finder would regain their vote but the idol would be rendered powerless.
In Survivor 45, the Beware Advantage sent its finder on a scavenger hunt to find a Hidden Immunity Idol located at camp. The Idol only has power for one Tribal Council, but the wielder can sacrifice one vote to extend the power as far as the merge, and a second vote to extend the power as far as the final five.
Twist History[]
Survivor 41[]
The note that comes with the Beware Advantage.
Beware Advantages were introduced as one of the numerous twists that came into play in Survivor 41. One advantage was hidden at each of the three tribe camps.
On Day 4, Xander Hastings found and opened the Beware Advantage on the Yase tribe, coming into possession of an inactive Hidden Immunity Idol at the cost of his vote. It was revealed that each finder would have to say one of three phrases to formally activate the idol:
- Luvu: "I'm as confused as a goat on Astroturf."
- Ua: "I didn't realize this till now... Broccoli is just a bunch of small trees."
- Yase: "I truly believe that butterflies are dead relatives saying hi."
While Xander uttered his phrase at the Day 5 Immunity Challenge, none of the other tribes had found their Beware Advantage. After Yase lost that challenge, Xander was rendered ineligible to vote at that night's Tribal Council.
The next morning, Brad Reese found and opened the Ua tribe's Beware Advantage, hidden on their beach's jungle. Shortly thereafter, he found a second Beware Advantage hidden on his tribe beach. At the same time, Sydney Segal and Tiffany Seely found this second version of the Beware Advantage on Luvu and Yase beach respectively. It was revealed that, in order not to lose their vote, they would have to sneak into a boat that night and attend a summit together. There, Brad, Sydney, and Tiffany faced a prisoner's dilemma which gave each of them a choice between receiving a tarp or a Vote Steal. If all of them opted to receive a tarp, they would all receive a tarp; if all of them opted to receive a Vote Steal, all of them would lose their votes; if there was a split decision, all three players would keep their votes, but those who picked "Vote Steal" would receive a Vote Steal and those who picked "tarp" would receive nothing. Sydney and Tiffany played defensively by picking "tarp", receiving nothing the next morning. Meanwhile, Brad successfully chose and received a Vote Steal. He revealed his possession of both an inactive idol and a Vote Steal to his allies Genie Chen and Shan Smith.
Before the Day 7 Immunity Challenge commenced, Brad and Xander each uttered their phrases, but because nobody on Luvu had found the advantage yet, they would continue to be ineligible to vote. When Ua lost that challenge, Brad was rendered ineligible to vote at Tribal Council and he was blindsided by his tribe because of the advantages he was known to possess. As a result, the Vote Steal was removed from play and the Ua Beware Advantage was re-hidden.
On Day 11, remembering what Brad had told her about the Beware Advantage, Genie hunted for and found the re-hidden Ua advantage. She shared this with Shan and Ricard Foyé, who convinced her to leave the package unopened. Ricard and Shan then conspired to activate the idol without Genie's knowledge, with Shan passing Ricard her Extra Vote for safekeeping so that it would remain usable if she could not vote. Ua devised a plan to help Xander say his phrase without arousing further suspicion at the next Immunity Challenge. There, Shan and Xander said their phrases, and it was revealed that Naseer Muttalif had found Luvu's Beware Advantage earlier that morning. With all three phrases uttered, the idols came into full power and Shan's vote was re-instated in time for that night's Tribal Council when Ua lost the challenge.
On Days 17 and 19, Naseer and Shan were respectively blindsided, leaving the game with the idols in their pockets. On Day 24, Xander played his idol at the final five, the last time the idols could be used, though he did not negate any votes against him.
Survivor 42[]
On Day 5, Mike Turner found the Vati tribe's Beware Advantage in the jungle. Eager to take risks, he opened it to learn that he had lost his vote. At the same time, the three tribes' phrases were revealed.
- Ika: "Potatoes have skin. I have skin. Am I a potato?"
- Taku: "It's another classic case of the bunny rabbit having dinner in the mailbox."
- Vati: "There's such grace in a game of soccer, it makes me cry."
In order to garner the support from his allies, he divulged this information to Daniel Strunk and Jenny Kim. Mike hoped for Daniel to devise a strategy to utilize the advantage; Daniel suggested for Mike not to utter his phrase at the challenges, ostensibly to keep suspicion away from Mike, but with the ulterior motive of never having the idols be activated. In addition, Daniel revealed Mike's possession of the idol to his own ally Chanelle Howell, and the pair debated whether Mike was now too big of a strategic threat and a strategic liability due to his inability to vote. Later on, Daniel would come to discover that the idols would be activated by the merge regardless of whether Mike said his phrase, defeating his original plan.
Maryanne reads the Beware Advantage.
On Day 7, the Taku tribe went on an idol hunt, during which Maryanne Oketch found the Beware Advantage and shared this information with the rest of her tribe. She said her phrase at the next Immunity Challenge, but the Ika tribe had yet to find their advantage and Mike held off on saying his phrase. After Vati lost the Immunity Challenge, Mike found himself unable to vote at that night's Tribal Council. On Day 9, Maryanne said her phrase once again and, yet again, she received no response from either of the tribes.
On Day 10, Drea Wheeler and Romeo Escobar hunted for the idol on the Ika tribe, with Drea finding the advantage. Meanwhile, the five remaining Vati members settled on Mike keeping quiet until the merge so that they would have an idol the other tribes were unaware of. At the Immunity Challenge on Day 11, Maryanne once again led in saying her phrase; Drea followed, and, on the spot, Mike said his phrase as well, activating all three idols. When Vati lost the Immunity Challenge, Mike regained his ability to vote at that night's Tribal Council.
Drea finds her fourth advantage.
On Day 15, Drea opted to switch places with Maryanne and sit out of the Reward Challenge after the random draw. Under the sit-out bench was a Beware Advantage placed by Jeff Probst before the castaways arrived. Drea found it during the challenge and read it back at camp. The note told her there was an advantage hidden five paces from the water well, but she had to get it quickly or risk getting caught "red-handed". This proved to be rather literal, as Drea found the advantage submerged in a hole filled with red paint. She had to reach in and cover her arm in paint to retrieve the advantage, which turned out to be the Knowledge is Power advantage.
During the Double Elimination on Day 17, Drea and Maryanne played their idols before the votes were cast to grant themselves preventive immunity.
Drea played her Knowledge is Power advantage on Day 21 in an attempt to steal Mike's idol. However, this was foiled as Mike had transferred ownership of the idol to Omar Zaheer before Tribal Council.
Mike had individual immunity at the final five, the last time idols could be played. Thus, he opted to play his idol for Maryanne but did not negate any votes.
Survivor 43[]
On Day 5, Cody Assenmacher found the Beware Advantage at the Vesi camp just hours before the tribe was to go to Tribal Council. He obtained a Hidden Immunity Idol bracelet, which was by itself powerless, at the cost of his vote until he had obtained the distinct beads from each of his tribemates' bags. With Tribal Council looming, Cody enlisted the help of his allies Jesse Lopez and Nneka Ejere to help him obtain each bead. The three managed to clandestinely persuade Dwight Moore, Justine Brennan, and Noelle Lambert to give Cody their beads, allowing him to regain his vote in time for Tribal Council.
Karla reads the Beware Advantage.
On Day 6, Karla Cruz Godoy found the Beware Advantage at the Coco camp and, although she had left it behind at first, she returned for it and claimed a Hidden Immunity Idol bracelet. Without disclosing that she found it, Karla managed to gain her tribemates beads by trading some of her personal belongings, therefore regaining her vote and activating her Idol.
On Day 10, Jeanine Zheng found the Beware Advantage at the Baka camp. She shared it with the rest of her tribemates sans Mike Gabler, whom she managed to persuade to give up his bead, thus successfully activating her idol.
On Day 14, Cody and Jeanine gave their idols to Jesse and Dwight respectively as they feared James would use his Knowledge Is Power Advantage to steal them. When Dwight was voted out that night, everyone believed that Jeanine's idol was flushed out. However, Dwight gave the idol to Jesse minutes before going to Tribal Council, giving the latter two idols.
On Day 23, Jesse hatched a plan to blindside Cody while flushing Karla's idol. Jesse played the idol that Cody had entrusted in his possession on Owen, prompting a flustered Karla to play her idol. Cody went home that night in a 4-0-0 vote. The next day, Jesse revealed that he had been holding on to Jeanine's idol since Dwight's elimination. He played the idol to guarantee his safety at the final five.
Survivor 45[]
The Beware Advantage reappeared in Survivor 45, where the task sent the finders on a scavenger hunt to find the idol, until which they would be unable to vote at Tribal Council. On Day 2, Reba's Austin Li Coon became the first person to find the advantage. He was instructed to use a cipher to decode a message hidden on his tribe flag, which then directed him to dig at a palm tree on his beach. He later gave the idol to Julie Alley at the final nine in case she was separated from her allies, but he never received it back. Julie ended up playing the idol on Day 21 to negate a unanimous vote and blindside Emily Flippen.
Meanwhile on Day 4, Brandon Donlon discovered Lulu's Beware Advantage, but out of reluctance to sacrifice his vote, offered the advantage to his ally Sabiyah Broderick to open instead. Sabiyah then followed her first clue to a palm tree on the Lulu camp, where she found the idol encased in a wax totem. She was instructed to melt the wax with fire, but Lulu's lack of flint forced her to put her endeavors on pause. After her tribe lost the third Immunity Challenge, Sabiyah used the campfire at Tribal Council to melt the wax. Right as the tribe headed up to vote, she was able to retrieve her idol, but was presented with a dilemma at the voting booth. She decided to abstain from voting in order to extend the validity period of her idol. This proved to be a big mistake as she was blindsided shortly thereafter, leaving with the idol in her pocket.
On Day 12, the Lulu tribe went to search for an idol. Bruce Perreault found and opened a Beware Advantage, which directed him to find the idol buried under the tribe shelter. The tribe sans Katurah Topps conspired to help Bruce find the idol; though he was initially unsuccessful, he managed to recover the idol amidst the chaos as the tribe prepared to make their way to the merge tribe camp. Bruce ended up getting blindsided on Day 19, leaving the game without using his idol.
Survivor 46[]
In Survivor 46, idols were hidden in locked boxes at each tribe camp. The person who finds the Beware Advantage will be directed to the location of the lock box, but the location of the key will only be revealed after their tribe loses the next Immunity Challenge. On Day 2, Jem Hussain-Adams became the first person to find the Beware Advantage at Siga camp. Some time later, she moved the box containing the idol and rehid the Beware Advantage, which Maria Shrime Gonzalez found when the Siga tribe went on a group idol hunt. Siga finally lost their first Immunity Challenge on Day 11, allowing Jem to receive a set of instructions that directed her to find the key. First, she had to use her tribe machete to measure the perimeter of the tribe boat, the perimeter of Tree Mail, and the width of the tribe flag. Then, she had to input these values into an equation, which informed her that the key was hidden 28 machete-lengths away from where she originally found the advantage. Stealthily completing the task, Jem found the key, retrieved the idol, and regained her vote before Tribal Council.
On Day 3, Tiffany Nicole Ervin found Yanu's Beware Advantage; after Yanu lost the challenge, she was given a cipher puzzle that led her to the key hidden on the tribe's beach. After finding the key, Tiffany acquired the idol and regained her vote before that night's Tribal Council.
Later on Day 5, Randen Montalvo found Nami's Beware Advantage hidden in a tree at camp. However, he was medically evacuated on Day 7 before his tribe ever lost an Immunity Challenge. The advantage was rehidden and later opened by Hunter McKnight on Day 10. Because Nami never lost an Immunity Challenge, Hunter was directed to return to where he found the box once his tribe received news of an impending merge. When the Tree Mail came, Hunter returned to the box and found a riddle directing him to find a key somewhere on his camp. He managed to retrieve the key and unlock the box shortly before the other castaways arrived at his camp.
All three idols were ultimately taken out of play when their respective owners were blindsided at Tribal Council.
Summary[]
| Season | Location | Episode Opened | Owner | Task | Advantage | Successful? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Survivor 41 | Yase camp | "Juggling Chainsaws" |  Xander Hastings |
Say an activation phrase at an Immunity Challenge | Hidden Immunity Idol | 
|
| Ua camp | "My Million Dollar Mistake" |  Brad Reese |
Say an activation phrase at an Immunity Challenge | Hidden Immunity Idol | 
| |
| Luvu camp | "My Million Dollar Mistake" |  Sydney Segal |
Attend and "risk" vote at a summit on Night 6 | Vote Steal | Protected vote | |
| Yase camp |  Tiffany Seely |
Protected vote | ||||
| Ua camp | Brad Reese |
| ||||
| Ua camp | "The Strategist or the Loyalist" |  Shan Smith |
Say an activation phrase at an Immunity Challenge | Hidden Immunity Idol |
| |
| Luvu camp | "The Strategist or the Loyalist" |  Naseer Muttalif |
Say an activation phrase at an Immunity Challenge | Hidden Immunity Idol |
| |
| Survivor 42 | Vati camp | "Good and Guilty" |  Mike Turner |
Say an activation phrase at an Immunity Challenge | Hidden Immunity Idol |
|
| Taku camp | "Go for the Gusto" |  Maryanne Oketch |
Say an activation phrase at an Immunity Challenge | Hidden Immunity Idol |
| |
| Ika camp | "I'm Survivor Rich" |  Drea Wheeler |
Say an activation phrase at an Immunity Challenge | Hidden Immunity Idol |
| |
| Day 15 Reward Challenge | "You Better Be Wearing a Seatbelt" | Drea Wheeler |
Retrieve an advantage at camp before sundown | Knowledge is Power |
| |
| Survivor 43 | Vesi camp | "Lovable Curmudgeon" |  Cody Assenmacher |
Retrieve beads from each tribe member's bag | Hidden Immunity Idol |
|
| Coco camp | "I'll Sign the Divorce Papers" |  Karla Cruz Godoy |
Retrieve beads from each tribe member's bag | Hidden Immunity Idol |
| |
| Baka camp | "Stop with All the Niceness" |  Jeanine Zheng |
Retrieve beads from each tribe member's bag | Hidden Immunity Idol |
| |
| Survivor 45 | Reba camp | "We Can Do Hard Things" |  Austin Li Coon |
Complete a scavenger hunt | Hidden Immunity Idol |
|
| Lulu camp | "Brought a Bazooka to a Tea Party" |  Sabiyah Broderick |
Complete a scavenger hunt | Hidden Immunity Idol |
| |
| "I'm Not Batman, I'm the Canadian" |  Bruce Perreault |
Find the idol hidden under the tribe shelter | Hidden Immunity Idol |
| ||
| Survivor 46 | Siga camp | "Wackadoodles Win"* |  Jem Hussain-Adams |
Lose an upcoming Immunity Challenge to receive a clue to the location of a key; Use the key to unlock the idol |
Hidden Immunity Idol |
|
| Yanu camp | "This Is Where the Legends Are Made" |  Tiffany Nicole Ervin |
Lose an upcoming Immunity Challenge to receive a clue to the location of a key; Use the key to unlock the idol |
Hidden Immunity Idol |
| |
| Nami camp | "Scorpio Energy" |  Randen Montalvo |
Lose an upcoming Immunity Challenge to receive a clue to the location of a key; Use the key to unlock the idol |
Hidden Immunity Idol | Evacuated | |
| Nami camp | "Tiki Man" |  Hunter McKnight |
Lose an upcoming Immunity Challenge to receive a clue to the location of a key; Use the key to unlock the idol |
Hidden Immunity Idol |
|
Trivia[]
- In both seasons with the activation phrases, the Hidden Immunity Idols were activated on Day 11.
- Brad Reese is the first contestant to open multiple Beware Advantages.
- Drea Wheeler is the first contestant to activate multiple Beware Advantages.
- Randen Montalvo is the first (and so far, only) contestant to be evacuated while having a Beware Advantage in his possession.
- In the On Fire with Jeff Probst podcast, Jeff Probst revealed that the name "Beware Advantage" came before a concept for the advantage was established.[3][4]
References[]