Do or Die was a game mechanic first introduced in Survivor 41. It subjected the last place finisher of a predetermined Immunity Challenge to a game of chance that will eliminate them on the spot should they lose.
Overview[]
Before the upcoming Immunity Challenge, the host will reveal the twist to the castaways along with its stipulations. He will then ask if they would like to participate in the challenge or bypass the twist at the cost of abstaining from the Immunity Challenge.
The castaway who finished last in the challenge was forced to partake in a game of chance at the next Tribal Council. Immediately before the formal vote, the castaway was called up to the podium and presented with three boxes by the host, in which the player was asked to predict which box had the fire symbol which meant safe. After the castaway chose their selected box, one of the unchosen boxes was revealed to be incorrect, after which the host asked the castaway if they wanted to keep their chosen box or switch it for the last unchosen box. Afterwards, the host revealed the contents of their chosen box; if they chose correctly, they were given individual immunity and the traditional vote commenced as usual. Had the castaway chosen the box that contained the "skull" symbol, they were eliminated on the spot, cancelling the vote altogether. In relation, no advantages can save the player subjected to the Do or Die game.
According to Jeff Probst, the twist was implemented to make castaways re-evaluate where they think they stand in the game, as well as to add a risk for choosing to compete in Immunity Challenges (previously, food or other luxuries would be offered to the castaways in exchange for giving up their spot in an Immunity Challenge).
Strategy[]
As winning the game of chance is essentially the same as winning individual immunity, and losing it results in the victim's immediate elimination, several potential strategies taking advantage of the twist would have been implemented:
- If a castaway is confident that they will not win the upcoming Immunity Challenge but knows that they are certainly being voted out anyway, they could throw the challenge to ensure that they are competing in the game of chance, where they can potentially become immune for the round and avoid elimination should they pick correctly.
- Theoretically, the majority alliance could counter this by having one of their own members throw the challenge to try to ensure that the target remains vulnerable, although the high risk of losing the game of chance and being eliminated as a result makes this unfeasible to enact.
- By extension, a minority alliance of two in possession of one Hidden Immunity Idol could potentially take advantage of the Do or Die to ruin the majority's plan of a split vote, as the immunity from Do or Die along with the immunity from their Hidden Immunity Idol would protect both members.
- If said Hidden Immunity Idol is public knowledge, this could force the majority alliance to scramble and turn on each other in case the victim wins immunity, as they know that the other member of the minority will negate any votes cast against themselves.
- This would also apply if one of said members wins individual immunity, rather than being in possession of a Hidden Immunity Idol.
- If said Hidden Immunity Idol is public knowledge, this could force the majority alliance to scramble and turn on each other in case the victim wins immunity, as they know that the other member of the minority will negate any votes cast against themselves.
- A castaway who fears they will be eliminated at Tribal Council, but is not willing to risk playing the game of chance could attempt to bait weaker competitors into competing in the Immunity Challenge so that they will lose and fall victim to Do or Die's game of chance, canceling Tribal Council and saving them for the round.
Twist History[]
Survivor 41[]
The twist was initially introduced in Survivor 41 at the Day 21 Immunity Challenge. Heather Aldret and Liana Wallace both chose to sit out and give up their shot at winning immunity in exchange for not risking being put into the game of chance. This left Danny McCray, Deshawn Radden, Erika Casupanan, Ricard Foyé, and Xander Hastings to compete for immunity. Within seconds of starting the challenge, Deshawn lost his concentration and dropped out of the challenge, subjecting him to the Do or Die. He was successful in selecting the "safe" box, granting him immunity at that night's vote. Ultimately, Liana was voted out in a 5-3 vote over Ricard.
Survivor 42[]
The twist reappeared at the final seven of Survivor 42 at the Day 21 Immunity Challenge. With the exception of Jonathan Young and Lindsay Dolashewich, the entire Kula Kula tribe opted to sit out. After a test of endurance which lasted about 12 minutes, Jonathan won immunity, leaving Lindsay up for elimination. Lindsay was successful in selecting the correct box, granting her immunity. Drea Wheeler was then voted out, 5-3.
Summary[]
| Episode | Challenge | Victim | Guessed Correctly? | Eliminated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Survivor 41 "Do or Die" |
Balance on the Line |  Deshawn Radden |
 Yes Granted immunity |
 Liana Wallace |
| Survivor 42 "Battle Royale" |
Uncomfortably Numb |  Lindsay Dolashewich |
Yes Granted immunity |
 Drea Wheeler |
Reception[]
The Do or Die twist was negatively received by commentators in the Survivor community. Former contestants Rob Cesternino and Stephen Fishbach have expressed their distaste for the twist on their Survivor Know-It-Alls podcast, believing that the twist's situation at the traditionally "important" final seven vote encourages "safe" gameplay; the twist also contributes to the fact that there were only four "normal" votes after the merge in Survivor 41 and 42.[1] Fan reception has been overwhelmingly negative, with 92% of respondents to a poll held by Rob Has a Podcast after the twist's appearance in 42 objecting to its appearance in future seasons.[1]
On the On Fire podcast, Jeff Probst admitted the game mechanic was ill-conceived and confirmed its retirement.[2]
Trivia[]
- Similar to how the Summit in 41 operates based on the game of chicken, the Do or Die's game of chance is based on the Monty Hall problem, a fact referenced by the castaways.
- Contrary to the mechanics of the Monty Hall problem, which statistically favor the victim switching their box, the victim has survived in both instances of the twist despite staying with their original box.
- Both appearances of the twist ended with the victim winning immunity and an African-American woman being voted out 5-3 with an Extra Vote being played. This woman had also previously found and played the Knowledge is Power advantage, and chose to sit out of the Immunity Challenge where the twist was implemented.
References[]