Survivor: Heroes vs. Healers vs. Hustlers

***Survivor: Heroes vs. Healers vs. Hustlers*** is the thirty-fifth season of *Survivor*.

The season continued the trend of three-tribe seasons prominent in the modern era of *Survivor* by dividing its cast based on how they were seen by their communities. Though the season seemed headed for a straightforward finish with the decimation of the Healers after the merge, a revolt within the majority alliance combined with Ben Driebergen's string of flashy Hidden Immunity Idol plays culminated in an unpredictable end-game. This season also saw the introduction of the mandatory fire-making challenge at the final four, which has had an indelible impact on strategy in the succeeding seasons. In the end, Ben emerged as the Sole Survivor in a 5-2-1 vote over Chrissy Hofbeck and Ryan Ulrich.

## Production

The season was filmed in the spring of 2017, following the same schedule that was used for *Survivor: Millennials vs. Gen X*. The following season was filmed a few weeks after.

The season's motif was inspired by the British colonization of Fiji from 1875 to 1970, with primary focus on shipping trade. As such, Tribal Council was designed to look like an abandoned warehouse overgrown with vines and cluttered with shipwreck debris. The walkway to Tribal Council consisted of actual disused cart tracks.

The season also saw the introduction of the mandatory fire-making challenge at the final four, which has since become a mainstay in future seasons. Jeff Probst justified the addition of the mechanic as the resolution for a long-standing observation that the person who plays the best game may be voted out at the final four without the ability to plead their case at Final Tribal Council. This mechanic, he explained, gives everyone who makes the final four the chance to earn their way into the finals.

## Twists/Changes

* **Heroes vs. Healers vs. Hustlers:** The 18 contestants were divided into three tribes based on how they are perceived by their immediate communities:
	+ The Levu​ tribe are the "Heroes", who serve their duties heroically and courageously.
	+ The Soko tribe are the "Healers", who serve others by helping them heal physically or emotionally.
	+ The Yawa​ tribe are the "Hustlers", who are praised for their work ethic and determination in achieving goals.
* **Hidden Immunity Idols:** For this season, clues for the regular Hidden Immunity Idols were etched onto trees. In addition to regular idols, before the marooning, a "super-idol" which can be used *after* the votes are read will be planted beneath the supplies. Unlike its *Panama*, *Cook Islands*, *Cagayan*, and *Kaôh Rōng* counterparts, this idol could only be used during the first Tribal Council. If its finder's tribe won the first Immunity Challenge, that player must anonymously send the idol to a member of the losing tribe.
* **Return of Previous Tiebreaker Rules:** The revote, which was removed in the previous season, was reinstated this season. This was announced to the castaways on this season prior to the start of the inaugural Immunity Challenge.
* **Tribe Switch:** A tribe switch occurred on Day 9, shuffling the remaining fifteen castaways into three tribes of five.
* **Vote Blocker:** After the Reward Challenge on Day 9, a vote blocker was hidden in a bag of potato chips for the winning tribe. This allows a castaway to block another from voting at the next Tribal Council. Should the person who found the advantage not attend the next Tribal Council, they must block someone on the losing tribe from voting.
* **Merge:** This season merged with twelve castaways in the game.
* **Extra Vote:** The extra vote returned, though with a difference in its mechanism. At their next Tribal Council, its finder was allowed to keep a blank parchment instead of casting a vote, allowing them to vote twice at a future Tribal Council.
* **Simplified Final Four Tribal Council:** Instead of a traditional vote, the person who won the Final Immunity Challenge got to choose one person to take with them to the Final Three. The remaining two castaways competed in a fire-making challenge for the right to reach Day 39.
* **Expanded Jury and Final Three:** The Final Tribal Council was held with a Final Three facing an eight-person jury.
* **Reformatted Final Tribal Council:** Instead of having each jury member speak one by one, an open forum was held to ensure a more insightful rapport between the jury and finalists.