The True Game Changers: 5 Obscure Players Who Invented Common Survivor Strategies

Throughout Survivor history, the game has evolved in really interesting ways. Players as legendary as Richard Hatch, Cirie Fields, and Russell Hantz have changed the way Survivor is played with inventive, outside-of-the-box thinking and clever strategic maneuvering. Of course, not everyone who has changed the game is so memorable. Indeed, some of the most common strategies we see in Survivor now came from some of the most unlikely players in Survivor history. Here are five true Survivor Game Changers, obscure as they may be.
Music: Silent Partner - New Tires
#survivor #survivorstrategy #survivormoves

[@moonhead538]

To this day I am very shocked that Cao Boi was never brought back. One of the most underrated players ever.

[@morganjennings527]

He’s a full on Nomad

[@lormackk]

one of my fav players of all time.......i miss him :(

[@Kernel15]

@PersonaX He's living somewhere in Southeast Asia at the moment.

[@Finkardop]

Some players don't take the offer to come back.

[@morganjennings527]

Finkardop no he’s a full on nomad

[@FTW360Gaming]

Yul voting our Cao Boi because he was too smart is exactly why Yul got voted out this season lol

[@joeymichel1447]

Johnny Buckets no it was because Michele nick and Wendell had a pre game alliance

[@hr1010ful]

@@joeymichel1447 yes, there was no way Yul and Parv stay because of that.

[@britishnobleman1306]

Joey Michel yul was in that pregame alliance

[@joeymichel1447]

Magahis Earl C. Um no he wasn’t

[@britishnobleman1306]

Joey Michel he was. He stated that in his RHAP interview. It was the four of them: him michele wendell and nick.

[@mitchellrusso2898]

Actually, Sue from Survivor S1 was the first to make a pitch to the jury on who to vote for. Dubbing Richard the snake and Kelly the rat, she begged the jury to allow mother nature to run its course and have the snake eat the rat.

[@Furkward]

But that's a bit unclear with all the analogies.

[@CatherineJessicaNatof]

@@Furkward True, but still counts.

[@ThorHC11]

@@CatherineJessicaNatof It counts, but I think the point is that Erik's speech preceded a series of them happening, whereas Sue's speech was more of a one-off.

[@CatherineJessicaNatof]

@@ThorHC11 So one was the first to *use it;* but the other was the first to *sell it.*

[@queenzoroark]

She helped Kelly to win more votes when she didn't wanted that to happen

[@jeffreycraven6231]

Gary Hogeboom is one of the biggest game changers in Survivor History. First famous person to deny being famous. First person to create a different occupation and last name than his original one. First person to find an idol. First person to find the idol without being given the clue. First person to play an immunity idol. Survivor needs to give Gary Hawkins the love he deserves.

[@Loogaroo1]

What do you mean without a clue? He was told that the idol was absolutely, by far, on the ground. ;)

[@vannakinder352]

Technically Gary did not have a clue for the idol. Since, Gary was humble he did not get the credit.

[@nostalgia9338]

Who?

[@English_MoFo]

@@nostalgia9338 exactly. Gary got a clue by watching the other guy. Not a game changer. A very mediocre forgettable player.

[@MrGibbo9876]

@@nostalgia9338 from Survivor Guatemala.

[@petertromp8786]

I'm so glad you give Cao Boi the credit he so richly deserves with this video. Hopefully people who only remember him as a tom-fooling comedy relief character will reevaluate his contribution to the game; he changed the game forever, even if he wasn't the one to execute his strategy.

[@guardian2598]

I just recently saw Cao Boi’s season. He’s one of my all time favorite players.

[@ScottTrolls]

I still feel the people (Especially Jeff in narration) should still call it plan Voodoo.

[@Blastoise53097]

This video seriously rules. I rewatched Cook Islands recently and couldn’t believe the thing about Cai Boi. I saw this on r/Survivor so I hope you’re getting a bump in views!

[@IdoledOut]

Thank you! Your comment means a lot. Cao Boi was most definitely the inspiration for this video!

[@simplebutpowerful]

@@IdoledOut Cook Islands was the first season I watched! Plan Voodoo aside, I loved Cao Boi as a colorful personality. I don't think I really understood Plan Voodoo until sometime after that season concluded.

[@rlakey]

Omg ever since I’ve watched Cook Islands and every time someone splits the votes I think of plan voodoo

[@codypk5111]

@@simplebutpowerful I liked him the second he gave the guy a red spot squeezing his face. But the dude even said ‘my headache is gone though, so’

[@theemeraldaxe1414]

Honestly people forget that yau man was the first to create the fake idol. Edit: turns out he isn't the first. But he is the first to find the normel idol and play it correctly.

[@adonm6998]

"Honostoly"

[@theemeraldaxe1414]

@@adonm6998 oh no

[@trainwrecktim]

True but Yau-Man isn’t exactly an obscure player.

[@theemeraldaxe1414]

@@trainwrecktim ehh, back in the 15-25 seasons definitely not, but now, he kind of is

[@NYChica23]

He wasn't...it wasn't shown on TV, but during Exile Island, Austin became the first person to come up with the idea of creating a fake idol

[@VitaEmerald324]

5:56 THAT EXPLAINS EVERYTHING. No wonder Wendy felt like such a dissociation, she was playing up a part to win the Sia money!

[@IdoledOut]

I totally think she was. Which, more power to her, I don't blame her for chasing the Sia Bucks, it's just like how people actively tried to be the Sprint Fan Favorite™ before Sia.

[@brettlarkin1992]

I thought she was just crazy

[@VitaEmerald324]

Brett Larkin but like why did she set the chickens free despite not being vegetarian or anything? IT WAS AN ACT!

[@Thepokedek]

Um i didn't even know the sia money was a thing and i still would've done the same

[@Thepokedek]

@@VitaEmerald324 lol she is vegan she has a yt channel

[@UnknownUser-fj1cg]

I love Yul's faces while Cao Boi's explaining everything offscreen

[@TheSunxy]

Well Sue started that vote for this person speech in season one with snake and a rat speech

[@Jovenfeliz]

TheSunxy sort of, but Sue’s speech was more “I will not be voting for you [Kelly], I will be voting for Richard because that is what should happen.” Erik’s speech was the first “jury, vote for this person” stump speech

[@bangaliekanu5852]

Which actually made Richard lose some votes but hey it’s still historic

[@aelahthomson1104]

But I think it was more out of spite whereas the other people genuinely were trying to get people to vote for who they thought played the best game

[@TheSunxy]

@@aelahthomson1104 she tried to get ppl to vote for Rich but ppl didn't get her speech and they voted against it hahaha

[@phillippascual9959]

Yeah Sue didn’t really ask questions and had a speech prepared unlike the others in that first season.

[@shannonclark8313]

Fabio playing the shit out of everyone in his season by pretending to be dumb and clumsy was just 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@folseygaming5174]

lol im pretty sure he was just dumb and clumsy. wasnt a good player lol his season is one of the worst of all time n thiers a reason why he was never brought back to play

[@Lechgang]

@@folseygaming5174 Well you're wrong

[@craigresendes2403]

Can we talk about how Stacey was so underrated and had it not been for Yau’s idol she could have had a shot at winning the whole thing?

[@jeffyladner5970]

Agree!!

[@brokenpikachu9491]

Craig Resendes Stacy was the queen of Fiji

[@bangaliekanu5852]

But she was the one who made the dumb move at basically spilling her plan at tribal.

[@abbyrose6660]

As if anyone stood a chance against Yau-Man or Earl though

[@tokyotourist]

i don’t think she wins but earl would not have swept if she were there

[@stefanstenroos6344]

I was so glad to see Paschal and Neleh on this list. John Carroll was playing a perfect game based on how seasons 1-3 went. This flip changed so much and it is amazing in hindsight. Marquesas is a seriously underrated season that gets overlooked because the winner beat the radar.

[@itmustbemac]

Stefan Stenroos The first season to draw rocks too!

[@onedirectioninmyhead]

Agree! Marquesas is a top 10 season for me.

[@vansieber230]

I found Marquesas boring lol. At one point even Jeff said it was his 2nd least fav season before going into S20 I believe.

[@gabihunter1749]

@@vansieber230 Was his least fave Thailand?

[@vansieber230]

@@gabihunter1749 YUP HAHAHHAH

[@nostalgia9338]

Cai Bou should have came back for Game Changers or another appearance. Its criminal he didnt get any credit for the split vote.

[@natashajacksonmusic]

Wouldn't you say that Sue was the first person to petition a vote towards a specific person with the snakes and rats speech?

[@Danielm219]

Why wasn't Johnny Fair Play? I've never seen it before. But he knew family get a chance to come on for a challenge. Played it so well that he had his family member come on and say his mum had died. Like Jesus Christ, what a play. Love it or hate it, that's well played.

[@maximaldinotrap]

It was his friend that game on and it was supposedly his grandmother that died.

[@jamie5654]

Because he’s not obscure lmao that’s one of the most well known moments in Survivor history

[@anjunxis]

the funniest part about cao boi’s thing is that it didn’t just come to him in a dream bc a shaman told him to. it came to him in a dream where a shaman told him he needed 3 american express cards and 3 visa cards😭😭😭

[@alexmilne1464]

Why are we not calling split votes plan Voodo

[@jukio02]

Cai Boi was entertaining to watch, loved that guy. I get why people didn't vibe with him on the season, because of a generation gap and because he was a bit too hippy for them. I would have vibed with him just fine if I was on the show.

[@emilyh6585]

Yau-Man created the first fake immunity idol although it was never found.

[@luisr6955]

Apparently it was actually Austin from Panama (it was shown in a secret scene)

[@splendidspy9615]

You and Peridiam have the best Survivor contents out there on KZbin. Props to you guys. Good job.

[@guardian2598]

I love the way Cao Boi started that fire. I would love to have a beer or a smoke with that guy.

[@DionysisGalanis]

Even in the latest episode Cao Boi's idea lives on, but honestly it's only natural to eventually think about this strategy once you have the hidden immunity idol mechanic as it is natural to have new strategies about deals with fire tokens.

[@Brantley923]

I disagree with Spencer's plea for Tony being pointless. I feel like he changed some minds on that jury and swung the game for Tony

[@ryanwest6035]

lol changed nothing, only thing it did was nearly make Kass vote for Woo in spite.

[@AGJ117]

Tony was already winning against Woo. Spencer's speech wasn't entirely wrong, but made him look really arrogant and awful because of how he ripped into Woo. All you have to do is look at the jury's reaction to it. Spencer even said himself that speech was his greatest regret in the game.

[@freestrike2000]

"It's the biggest power shift in Survivor history!" Marquesas commercial I will never forget.

[@Timothy-sy1fw]

Crazy how everyone has been brainwashed into thinking Richard created the first alliance, but on TV it’s Kelly and Sue.

[@gabeakarube]

Timothy First successful one at least

[@mbar7777]

The way I remember it is that Richard had a confessional basically saying why are we all voting for one random person when we can vote together for one person no one is brainwashed Richard actually did make the alliance happen

[@phillippascual9959]

I guess Sue and Kelly started the whole you’re my number one. Richard started the voting alliance or voting bloc.

[@Bauermayers]

I've heard this bs before. That was more like a 1 time voting block to try to get rid of Rudy. Richard was the first to create an actual alliance.

[@anthonyromano1078]

Sue also gave the first impassioned speech at final council with the snake and rats speech

[@ExodusDisciple]

This was a fantastic video. I almost exclusively watch Peridiam's channel, but saw your videos popping up here and there, and I am so glad I gave it a watch. You are certainly filling a niche that he is missing. Keep up the awesome work, and let me know when you get a Patreon ;).

[@toptenguy1]

Eric was such a hypocrite. He got blindsided by his OWN TRIBE, and then he cheered on and fist pumped from his Jury seat every time Russell outsmarted his opponents. He was Russell's biggest fan. LOL

[@megancurtis9502]

No, he was just cheering for Foa Foa. If they were able to come back from a 4-8 alliance then it makes Eric look better because his whole tribe was stupid. It's like when you lose in sports playoffs you cheer for the team that beat you because if they do really good it makes your team look better because you lost to the best.

[@bryanfuerst3277]

Your channel is amazing! I love your videos, the length of them, and your themes. I’m subscribing and hoping to watch all of them! Thank you :)

[@BigMattXXL]

Im still waiting for the return of Cao Boi and Eric Cardona

[@do_not_replytothisemail1421]

Cao Boi is probably way too old at this point

[@BigMattXXL]

@@do_not_replytothisemail1421 Maybe. But, hes only in his mid 50s

[@raaaaaaaaaam496]

Erik was a poo poo player but ok.

[@Kernel15]

#4 Snakes and Rats? Also "playing for the Sia Money" is basically the fan favourite award all over again.

[@jpbproductions3872]

Players robbed from a spot on Game Changers: Cao Boi, Rich, Stacy, Russell, and Erik Cardona

[@olgak4446]

I mean it could be that they have been asked but refused. I mean they all played on early seasons so it could be pretty difficult for them to return as the game changed drastically and they simply aged and maybe just had different priorities.

[@Slackmana]

Cao boi is my favorite survivor of all time! I wish he would come back.

[@soupand2sticks921]

I like Cao Boi a lot too, but I doubt he will return, as he's currently living a nomadic lifestyle in Asia.

[@peterfromscotland]

The Cook Islands cast was great. Struggling to think of a better newby cast.

[@Drake_Dimes]

@@peterfromscotland Cagayan and Kao Rong hands down.

[@PxstelMorgxn]

@@Drake_Dimes kao rong’s cast was not that good but cagayon is top tier

[@coolwahl]

I love your videos, I keep learning so much more about this show...I can’t believe Wendy was actually trying to get the Sia vote!! It makes sense as she let herself down when she said she was gonna have a cheese burger 🤷‍♀️

[@daveconnor6174]

Chuffed to see this - Cao Boi deserves the credit

[@ErynBroughtaBook]

This video blows my mind. I wonder what future innovations the game has in store...

[@crapolaist]

Stacy Kimball got a raw deal in Fiji. She should of been on the Villains tribe in Season 20!

[@jpbproductions3872]

Sees the title: Me: Stacey and Cao Boi for number 1 and 2

[@SirChristopher365]

What did Michelle do, besides make fire? Don't get me wrong; I like her. But what makes her a Game Changer?

[@jpbproductions3872]

Christopher Madison nothing. That’s why I didn’t put her at 1 or 2

[@paligula.]

In the first season sue pleaded for Richard to win, I swear it happened a few times before eric as well

[@GrumpyMustard]

I'm rewatching Cook Islands and Cao Boi was my favorite when it premiered just from how wack he was. Wish he would have gone further

[@seanmcconville1410]

Awesome video! Can’t even tell you’re just starting out

[@IdoledOut]

Thank you!

[@stephoncyrus7540]

Great video loved the topic

[@EverythingHappens4AReason]

GREAT VIDEO LUKE🔥

[@RealBillyGarcia]

Great list. 🤙🏽

[@go6o6o1]

You my friend.... YOU deserve my subscription !!! Very good video

[@ztuttergod]

Cao Boi revolutionized the game let's not cap

[@redred4877]

Deserve Million Subs!!!

[@velesiq23]

You forgot about Yau Man from Survivor Fiji and Bob from Survivor Gabon. Yau Man as first player ever creates a Fake Immunity Idol and Bob creates Fake Immunity Idol on Exile and rest of the players were thinking that he found the Real Immunity Idol so he wasn't voted out

[@jonathan536]

I see cao boi and his “plan voodoo” split vote, I click

[@SporkSlayer]

I was watching this video hoping Cao Boi would show up so I didn't have to look up how to spell his name. Thanks man, spelling bee won.

[@itscoleman85]

never watched survivor but i wztch all ur vids for some reason

[@MDaggatt]

Cao Boi is easily my favorite Survivor player ever. So much fun, so ridiculous, and completely underestimated when it comes to his smarts and skills.

[@esthergaby4913]

Cao Boi's so funny he should have been brought back

[@heatherparisi6686]

stacey and cao boi are soooo underrated. would love to see them play again

[@jeremyotero1817]

Love this video! However it was the Rotu alliance that was dominant over Maraamu

[@kneecapitator7288]

I don't think Wendy wanted the Sia money, I think she actually just didn't want to watch chickens be killed

[@cassieclover99]

same!

[@PKENDO1]

I love when “bit” players interrupt the “standard” gameplay universe!

[@JohnnyHikesSW]

Sue invented the juror to juror sales pitch, not Eric

[@jmnny85]

Sia who credit to her for giving her own money to those she feels are deserving but she is an example of the downfall of the once great reunion show, which Jeff Probst has decided to downgrade and lessen it's impact there was a time when seemingly all questions were answered about gameplay and we got info on All the players,it's gotten a little better but is still subpar, the show should be given over to the fans JP has too much control IMO, he could just read who won then leave instead of doing everything else but host the reunion show, showing for no reason past players, and focusing on the next Survivor has really messed up what stood out for the show, and making for a very satisfying informative conclusion.

[@JamesSmith-ih2cx]

Or talking to each contestant. I miss them showing some of the audition tapes! Bring back Bryant Gumble!

[@aperson22222]

Didn’t Sue already do No 4 back in S1?

[@y.davidtobo721]

... last ditch Juror move was actually started by Sue in season 1. Classic quote "this island is filled with rats and snakes..."

[@BougieBlue]

Never thought about Wendy and the Sia money.

[@emerald_wrath1873]

Cao boi changed Survivor forever

[@evang18]

Neleah and pascal did a great game move

[@nathan4327]

The second I heard “sometimes they get weird” about juror speeches i knew natalie bolton’s “how does that resonate in the bedroom” quote would appear. I was proved right

[@toptenguy1]

I'm 99% sure that Kathy was part of the majority , and Shawn and Vecepia were the only 2 on the other side. So Paschal, Neleh AND Kathy all flipped.

[@anjunxis]

kathy was in between. kathy was somewhat aligned w the majority but she knew she was on the bottom from the beginning and was already open to working with sean and v

[@stevenvegh7964]

Plan Voodoo was my instant thought when I saw the title of this video

[@adambowley2901]

Glad My #1 and #2 (Neleh and paschal) made the list

[@tneggs4115]

Seeing Cao Boi in the thumbnail, I just had to click

[@Jebusrulez]

Best part Erik's stump speech, he was drunk.

[@redred4877]

Saw this vid on Reddit 😍

[@siwap3809]

finally someone mentions Cao Boi's record

[@dumbinfp7951]

Once he said “And sometimes things get weird” I knew exactly what clip he was going to show

[@daltonriser1125]

As soon as I heard that intro I thought Cao boi inventing the split vote through dream

[@phaledax3661]

I oddly enjoy watching these Survivor reviews... Yet I have never watched survivor past season 1.

[@markos3512]

i love how stacy is included

[@hotdogambassador]

Cao boy needs to return

[@assailant8722]

Eric wasn’t the first to do a stump speech though, Sue from Borneo was. What makes Eric’s game changing?

[@JodySalerno]

Erik's speech came much after Sue Hawk's....

[@jordangomez375]

To this day all I can think of when I hear the word “Neleh” is “oh Paschal”

[@sweetgirl070707]

Oh my god, I thought the exact same thing about Wendy pandering to Sia and made me uncomfortable to watch her.

[@StephenWong14]

Neleh was actually the last 3 remaining in the coconut chop but they still realized they were in the bottom.

[@wisepine1]

wouldnt sue in s1 be the first stump speech? snakes and rats was saying richard is the snake and kelly is the rat and we need to do right by the island as the snake would eat the rat in nature.

[@josabby474]

T Bird was the first person to try to flip the person on the bottom of the majority alliance when she tried to flip Kim J. I think if she’d targeted Lex or Big Tom instead of Ethan, it may have worked. But in Borneo and Australia, the members of the minority alliance tried to get people at the top of of majority alliance to try to vote out someone at the bottom of the majority alliance. Teresa truly tried to flip the game

[@christopherbarker3543]

Will never remember him for more than the guy that Forked Russell. Sour grapes make for great wine!

[@chanceyfisher8111]

They are game changers

[@MrShortWhiteGuy]

Was Neleh & Paschal's strategy really any different from Tina Wesson's strategy on season 2? Tina was in an alliance with Jerri, Mitchell, Amber, and Colby. Once she realized she was on the bottom, she jumped ship and formed and alliance with Keith and talked Colby into joining. Neleh & Paschal, same thing, they realize they are on the bottom with Rotu so they jump ship and align with Sean & Vecepia and get Kathy to join.

[@carbon6111]

I think the difference is that Tina was part of the majority alliance and still stayed in the alliance, but manipulated it so that she'd go from bottom to the top. Naleh and Pascal abandoned their alliance to be with a different one.

[@kortenmary]

How did I not know Sia gives people money? I watched all the seasons shown. Clearly never finished the reunion shows.

[@baconloversupreme]

Keith is the most solid, nice guy player this game has ever seen.

[@theendofit]

First fake idol was another big one. But how strong of a player they were befor doing it is up for debate.

[@mfairuzramli4070]

Neleh & Pascal invented blindsides!

[@roger_towny_jr]

More appropriately, they invented Flipping.

[@roger_towny_jr]

Technically, the first blindside in Survivor was Gretchen at the Merge of Borneo.

[@mfairuzramli4070]

I stand corrected

[@YourGirlDeee]

Just a correction, Eric didn't start this in season 19. Sue did with her "rat and snakes" speech in season 1 Great list otherwise

[@marabatt2571]

#4, didn't Sue invent that in season 1?

[@survivorfan501]

Richard Hatch didnt create alliances, Stacy Stillman did

[@cftmofficial176]

and at number [pi without the decimal between 3 and 1] we have, Sean from Borneo

[@Drake_Dimes]

Rotu had 6 at the merge in Marquesas not Maraamu.

[@orelas167]

#5: I only know this is a common strategy because Parvati blocked it like a boss in HvV. Oh, and Russell outfoxing #1 in the same season.

[@jayceoneal]

Boston Rob did a split vote during Heroes vs. Villains, but Tyson screwed it up

[@Drake_Dimes]

Cook Islands was BEFORE HvV

[@beggygujons7724]

Erik Cardona was not the first one to do the plea that was Sue Hawk in season one

[@haziqanugerah6633]

Erik is not game changer. It was planned to give natalie to win