Everyone wants to be a survivor, until they get hangry....

 Hi All,

This is your classic strategizing Survivor blog writing by a schmuck who wishes they could be competing on the beaches but would completely fall apart the first time it took more than 30seconds to open a coconut!

It's my first year actually joining a Survivor fantasy pool, something I didn't actually realize existed until this year!

I just wanted to provide a brief intro into my picks, my mindset, and how I see the season unfolding. Enjoy!

...also, hi Jeff!

@Ricostravels

The Cast.

The Picks:

In draft order.

Number 1: This was not a difficult pick for me. Savannah has the demeanour of someone who has had to communicate effectively with others and gives off a internally-competitive vibe in a tribe that appears content to go along cohesively, while they're winning.

Savannah is building alliances early and appears to have a sharp eye for folks she sees a loyal as well as a drive to progress in this game. 

I don't think she'll fly too far under the radar but she's not also overtly isolating others to achieve her means. Strong player. I think she'll build a cohesive set of allies and terminate those she's sees a threats early.

Number 2: Alex, similar to Savannah, has a strong social game while also being a physical presence. It's clear that he is planning his four and his number 1-2 early which is going to serve him well. As a bromance 2ic, he asserts himself as valuable without being the meat-shield that often falls in the merge.

He has a good read of his tribe, where folks stand and is a challenge asset. Again, similar to Savannah, the bonds he makes with others are paying dividends in terms of data and resource gathering in the game (good-will, information, developing idols)

If he can survive being on a tribe with a disastrous start and potentially survive any merge tribe culling (but to be honest the weakest tribes in the merge are usually scooped up for extra votes), he'll go far imo.

Number 3: The Rizzler was perhaps my wildcard pick. I try not to overanalyze edits, but it's clear the editors have a thing for this guy. He gets more airtime than a lot of the other competitors, and is generally a likeable goof. He fits the role of a younger, more wholesome, maybe naive player who will fit nicely into the plans of other more assertive players. 

My hunch is we're getting the goofy-vulnerable edit on this guy to flesh out his development as the game goes on. I can't really see him rubbing the others the wrong way or sticking out as a threat to many until it's too late for them

Number 4: Steven is a player who I think demonstrates a lot of qualities I would use myself. He's pushing himself physically, while trying to warm up to as many others as possible, mostly from the angle of forming alliances that benefit himself and others.

It's hard to read folks on the dominating tribes as well, but I think he's doing a good job of hauling ass in challenges without standing out for "carrying the team".

Likable guy, has the numbers in his tribe, on a very strong team. Picked to spread my tribe numbers around as well.

Number 5: I'll be honest, this was not a pick I loved but it's the pick I wanted at number 5. Shannon will do well because she's tight with Savannah and I think Savannah will go deep. Her happy clappy vibes are going to annoy some folks (it wouldn't vibe with me when I'm hangry because it can come off as insincere).

I think Shannon is going to butt heads with folks when her tribe starts losing numbers. I think she'll go far but I don't get the sense from the edit that her story is going to be terribly compelling. 

Physical presence, nurturing others, still has an assertive and focused mentality when she needs it. A very well rounded competitor with some personality vibes that will keep her out of the targets of some but in the sights of others.

Anyways. I'm excited to see how the above tribe does, I'll try to check in weekly and reflect on things as I go!