By Any Means Necessary (also known as Battle Dig, Beach Bash, and Water Slaughter) is a physical race challenge that originated in Survivor: Palau, and has subsequently appeared in Micronesia, Caramoan, Millennials vs. Gen X, Ghost Island, and Winners at War. A land-based version of the challenge was also used in Panama and Heroes vs. Villains.
Rules
In Palau, Caramoan, Millennials vs. Gen X, and Ghost Island, two members of each tribe would race out in the water to retrieve a ring. The tribe members would then battle against each other to gain possession of the ring and bring it to their tribe flag/pontoon. The first tribe to score a given number of points wins.
In Panama and Heroes vs. Villains, a designated number of members for each tribe will race out to a marked location and dig up a bag. The castaways then compete to return the bag to their tribe's mat. The first person to touch the tribe mat, with a hand on the bag, scores a point for their team. The first tribe to win a given number of rounds wins the challenge.
In Micronesia, the tribes start at opposite ends of the playing field with three canvas bags. The tribes have to battle their way to their end zone. The tribe that has their three bags and two of the other tribe's bags in their end zone at the same time wins.
History
The challenge debuted in Palau as a Reward Challenge. Two contestants from each tribe would swim out to retrieve an inner tube and try to bring it back to their tribe's platform while contestants from the other tribe would try to stop them. The first tribe to three points won. Ulong won this challenge in a 3-0 sweep over Koror.
The challenge re-appeared in Panama as a tribal Immunity Challenge. The first tribe to score three bags won the challenge. Casaya narrowly defeated La Mina 3-2 to win immunity.
In Micronesia, playing in an area similar to a football field, the tribes started at opposite ends of the playing field with three canvas bags. The tribes have to battle their way to their end zone. The challenge ends when one tribe has their three bags and two of the other tribe's bags in their end zone at the same time. The tribes, dressed in war paint, had a very physical battle in the rain with the reward of items chosen from a catalog. Malakal won the challenge over Airai, taking home a tarp, a lighting kit, and a survival kit.
The challenge was used as the first Reward Challenge in Heroes vs. Villains. The challenge occurred immediately at the start of the game. Teams of two raced for each tribe, with the first tribe to reach three points winning. The Heroes tribe won the challenge, defeating the Villains tribe 3-2, receiving flint. The challenge was notable for inflicting multiple injuries, with Stephenie LaGrossa dislocating her shoulder and Rupert Boneham breaking a toe. This challenge was also notable for Sugar Kiper letting go of her bra, which had been undone by Sandra Diaz-Twine, in order to score a point for the Heroes tribe.
In Caramoan, a variation of this challenge was again used as the first Reward Challenge of the season. Adapted to an aquatic playing field, two members of each tribe would race to retrieve a buoy from one end of the course and return it to their tribe's pole. Bikal won the challenge 4-1 over Gota receiving flint and 20 pounds of beans.
In Millennials vs. Gen X, the challenge appeared as the first Reward Challenge of the season. Again, it was played on an aquatic field. The Takali men were physically stacked against males on Vanua. Despite a strong showing of effort from the Vanua tribe, which included Michaela Bradshaw losing her bra, the physically intense brawl ended with Takali victorious 3-2 and winning a barbecue feast.
In Ghost Island, the challenge was again used the first Reward Challenge of the season. Again played in the water, two members of each tribe would race to retrieve a buoy from one end of the course and return it to their tribe's pole. Naviti defeated Malolo 3-1 to win a reward of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches with ice cold milk.
Winners
| Episode | Challenge Type | Winners |
|---|---|---|
| Palau "Dangerous Creatures and Horrible Setbacks" |
Tribal Reward |        Ulong |
| Panama "Crazy Fights, Snake Dinners" |
Tribal Immunity |        Casaya |
| Micronesia "I Should Be Carried on the Chariot-Type Thing!" |
Tribal Reward |          Malakal |
| Heroes vs. Villains "Slay Everyone, Trust No One" |
Tribal Reward |           Heroes |
| Caramoan "She Annoys Me Greatly" |
Tribal Reward |           Bikal |
| Millennials vs. Gen X "Who's the Sucker at the Table?" |
Tribal Reward |         Takali |
| Ghost Island "Trust Your Gut" |
Tribal Reward |         Naviti |
| Winners at War "Greatest of the Greats" |
Tribal Reward/Immunity |           Dakal |
Gallery
Trivia
- Adam Klein, Amanda Kimmel, Cirie Fields, Danielle DiLorenzo, Erik Reichenbach, James Clement, Parvati Shallow, Rob Mariano, Sandra Diaz-Twine, Stephenie LaGrossa, Tom Westman and Tyson Apostol are the only contestants to compete in this challenge more than once.
- Adam, Danielle, Erik, and Tom are the only Returning Players to have competed is this challenge in all of their seasons.
- Amanda, Cirie, James, and Stephenie are the only castaways to have won the challenge every time they competed.
- Cirie and Parvati are also the only castaway to compete in this challenge 3 times.
- This is the only challenge that Francesca Hogi has won in her two seasons.
- Except for Dakal, all tribes to win this challenge have been colored blue or purple.
- Sele is the only blue tribe to lose this challenge.
- Panama and Winners at War are the only seasons in which this challenge is used as an Immunity Challenge.