Hidden Immunity Idol Survivor Gameplay Description: Used to save oneself or others from getting voted out Appearances: Guatemala - present - present

The Hidden Immunity Idol (also known as the "Hidden Idol" or simply as "the idol") is a pocket-sized talisman, and is widely believed to be the most groundbreaking twist ever to be created on Survivor. Its purpose is to, one way or another, prevent the user from being voted out in a Tribal Council vote. The idol has influenced many of the contestants' strategies, whether they use the object, or defuse its powers. The Hidden Immunity Idol made its debut in Survivor: Guatemala, and in seasons containing the Exile Island twist, the idol is often hidden there.

It is not to be confused with the tribal Immunity Idol or the individual Immunity Necklace, as the Hidden Immunity Idol is not won or usually found at challenges, and is flexible as the found idol is not forced to be applicable on only the following Tribal Council. However, clues to the whereabouts of the idol may exist at camp or may be given to the winners of a Reward Challenge.

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Overview

When the idol debuted in Survivor: Guatemala, its purpose was to give its owner Individual Immunity without the winning of an individual Immunity Challenge. But in later seasons, it was reformatted to negate votes that the holder would receive at Tribal Council. Despite its potential to protect its owner in the game, it may only be used once, after which the idol will either be re-hidden or discarded. With this, owners should be careful about divulging information about possessing one and/or when to use it, because starting in the Survivor: Fiji season and beyond, a player can still be eliminated with the idol in their possession, thus going home bringing their idol with them. Another limitation is that the idol is only valid until a given deadline (usually Day 36 or 37, when six or five players are left). Since Survivor: Heroes vs. Healers vs. Hustlers, however, idols obtained through means other than being found at tribe camps have had an earlier expiry date (typically valid at the immediate Tribal Council). A player may hold more than one idol if available.

Appearance

Similar to the Immunity Idol and the Immunity Necklace, the Hidden Immunity Idol is usually a small, ornate talisman that is designed to match the season's theme and/or location. For example, the Hidden Immunity Idol in Survivor: China was a plaque-like wooden square with a Chinese symbol engraved on it. Other idols are designed like small necklaces or bracelets. Usually, the idol is an item based on the history or landscape of the area.

Format

The format of how the Hidden Immunity Idol is used every season differs, and as of now, there are three different formats of how it is used based on the time it can be used in Tribal Council.

Preventive Idol

Appeared in: Survivor: Guatemala

Played: Before the regular votes are cast.



This type of Hidden Immunity Idol, which can be used before the votes are cast, only appeared during the twist's debut in Survivor: Guatemala, where its existence was revealed via Tree Mail. The owner came to be Gary Hogeboom, who used it in the same episode it was found, making him ineligible to be chosen as a vote target, similar to how the Immunity Necklace works. After its usage, the idol is discarded.

Super Idol

Appeared in: Survivor: Panama, Survivor: Cook Islands, Survivor: Cagayan (finder only), Survivor: Kaôh Rōng (combining two negating idols),[1] and Survivor: Heroes vs. Healers vs. Hustlers (first Tribal Council only)

Played: After the regular votes are read.



The super idol is a type of Hidden Immunity Idol that can be used after the votes have been read. Under this mechanic, all the votes the user received will be negated, and the person with the next highest number of votes will be eliminated instead. This creates a scenario where the group which originally had the fewer votes gathered during Tribal Council gain control of that vote.

The downside, however, is that it is almost impossible to counter without a split vote plan: with the knowledge of the castaway being voted out is known, the voting side who has the super idol has full control of who is going to be voted out, as they know where the majority votes will go, negating their power with the idol.

This format was panned by fans, calling the item "too powerful," by using them akin to the "Get Out of Jail Free card" used in Monopoly.[2] These idols are good up until the Tribal Council where there are only four contestants remaining. In Cagayan and Kaôh Rōng, this was changed so that, like regular idols, they can only be played up until the final five. In Heroes vs. Healers vs. Hustlers, a super idol was planted beneath the supplies before the marooning. Unlike previous iterations of the super idol, this idol could only be used during the first Tribal Council. If the finder's tribe won the first Immunity Challenge, that player had to anonymously send the idol to a member of the losing tribe.[3]

In Kaôh Rōng, while the current format still applied, there was also the option to combine two idols to create a "super idol" that can be played after the votes are read to save any player still in the game.

So far, no idol has ever been played under this format.

Negating Idol

Appeared in: Survivor: Fiji onwards

Played: Before the reading of regular votes.



From Fiji onwards (with the exception of Micronesia, Gabon, Cambodia, and Game Changers), there has been one idol hidden in each of the tribe camps. Additionally, the format was once again changed in response to the criticisms directed at the super idol format. Instead of using it after the host revealed enough votes to eliminate a castaway, the idol must be used after the votes have been cast, but before the host reveals them. According to host Jeff Probst, this created a "happy medium" between the previous two formats.[2]

This mechanic makes it possible for the idol to be wasted, as a castaway must play the idol on someone that can be voted against, but who is not guaranteed to have the most number of votes, making timing a crucial factor in playing it. A way to counter this type of idol is to force the user to waste it (i.e. if they do not have the most number of votes), a strategy several castaways refer to as flushing. Once the idol is used, it is usually re-hidden. Typically, these idols are valid up until there are only five castaways remaining in the game (including Redemption Island).

In Survivor: One World, while there is only one camp, there are still two idols; one for each tribe. Both idols are exclusive to a tribe. For instance, if a member of one tribe finds the idol of the rival tribe, they must give it to one of its members before the next Tribal Council.

In Survivor: Heroes vs. Healers vs. Hustlers, however, the original intent of the negating idol was seemingly lost when it was shown that negating idols can be played even before the intended period. Ben Driebergen was allowed to play an idol during the Night 36 Tribal Council even before the castaways voted, meaning it was known to the others that any votes cast against him would not count before they vote.

Per the current tiebreaker rules, those who play an idol (or had an idol played for them) are exempted from the rock draw.

Clues

To find Hidden Immunity Idols more easily, clues are provided to castaways. Several clues either are progressive (meaning the first clue will not be as helpful as the next ones because it will only lead to another clue, but the succeeding clues would lead the looker closer to the actual place of the idol), or still lead to the same hiding place, albeit restructured for added confusion.

As the season progresses, more clues will be provided, regardless if the idol has already been found or not. These clues can be shared with others by the finder(s)' choosing; however, in several incidents in Russell Hantz was notorious for finding the idols without any clues.

These clues may be a cryptic message similar to Tree Mail messages or rebus puzzles in Survivor: Nicaragua. Sometimes, the exact location of the idol is stated outright.

In Survivor: Blood vs. Water, Monica Culpepper began a trend of refusing the clue as to prevent a target from forming on one's back. Only four of the ten clues were accepted during the season.

Over the years, there have been varying ways for how the clues have been given to the contestants:

In Guatemala , Heroes vs. Villains , Nicaragua , and Redemption Island , aside from the prize that a tribe gets after winning a Reward Challenge, a clue to the Hidden Immunity Idol was either given to the winner/s outright or hidden inside their prize.

, , , and , aside from the prize that a tribe gets after winning a Reward Challenge, a clue to the Hidden Immunity Idol was either given to the winner/s outright or hidden inside their prize. In Panama , Cook Islands , and Gabon , the idol was hidden at Exile Island. The banished castaway will be handed clues of its whereabouts. Additionally, in Gabon , a second idol was revealed, hidden somewhere near the feast table during the fake merge feast.

, , and , the idol was hidden at Exile Island. The banished castaway will be handed clues of its whereabouts. Additionally, in , a second idol was revealed, hidden somewhere near the feast table during the fake merge feast. Starting in Fiji , two Immunity Idols became available, with one hidden at each camp. The exiled castaways will receive clues. This was the first time a flushed idol was replaced with a new one.

, two Immunity Idols became available, with one hidden at each camp. The exiled castaways will receive clues. This was the first time a flushed idol was replaced with a new one. In Micronesia , several mechanisms have been used: The two people (one from each tribe) banished will be provided multiple clues that are scattered around Exile Island, where they have to compete for ownership of the idol. This was during the tribal phase of the game. At the merge phase, several idols have been available. Ozzy Lusth possessed an idol but wasn't able to use it during the Tribal Council where he was eliminated. With Ozzy's idol gone, a new one was placed on Exile Island, though its finder, Jason Siska, made the same mistake. The next idol was found by Amanda Kimmel, who possessed a clue while at Exile Island, but realized that the idol was at camp, under their tribe flag. Amanda's idol was re-hidden in the next episode. Parvati Shallow was sent to Exile Island in the next episode, and although it looked like she did not look for the idol, it was revealed in a post-show interview that she found the idol while snorkeling and left it on the island to prevent trouble.

, several mechanisms have been used: In Tocantins , two people will receive clues about the idol, only to realize that the idols were hidden at their tribe camp.

, two people will receive clues about the idol, only to realize that the idols were hidden at their tribe camp. In China and Samoa , one player of the opposing tribe will visit the camp and they will provide the clue for the idol. In China , however, the member of the opposing tribe was forced to give the unopened clue to a member of the tribe they were visiting.

and , one player of the opposing tribe will visit the camp and they will provide the clue for the idol. In , however, the member of the opposing tribe was forced to give the unopened clue to a member of the tribe they were visiting. In South Pacific , the clue was also hidden at camp, providing more difficulty in finding the idol. The tribe that wins the Immunity Challenge will have a clue planted somewhere around their camp. The more Immunity Challenges a tribe wins, the more clues they get.

, the clue was also hidden at camp, providing more difficulty in finding the idol. The tribe that wins the Immunity Challenge will have a clue planted somewhere around their camp. The more Immunity Challenges a tribe wins, the more clues they get. In One World and Caramoan , Hidden Immunity Idols would still be available, but clues were not provided, as Jeff Probst said that the contestants "do not need them" anymore.

and , Hidden Immunity Idols would still be available, but clues were not provided, as Jeff Probst said that the contestants "do not need them" anymore. In Philippines , the clues were hidden in the tribes' bags of rice, and the idol was actually on top of the bag of rice, disguised as the handle of the lid of the rice basket.

, the clues were hidden in the tribes' bags of rice, and the idol was actually on top of the bag of rice, disguised as the handle of the lid of the rice basket. In Caramoan , several mechanisms have been used: Malcolm Freberg bought "information" at the Survivor Auction on Day 29, which was a clue to an idol that he was allowed to read for 60 seconds. As part of the individual Immunity Challenge on Day 31, the winner would be rewarded with "information", which was the clue to an idol. Andrea Boehlke won the Individual Immunity and the clue.

, several mechanisms have been used: In Blood vs. Water , the person who finished first in the Redemption Island duel will give a clue to someone left in the game. At the return point, the returning contestant is allowed to give the clue to themselves.

, the person who finished first in the Redemption Island duel will give a clue to someone left in the game. At the return point, the returning contestant is allowed to give the clue to themselves. At the beginning of Cagayan , the weakest castaway of each tribe (selected by the Tribe Leaders) were sent to their respective camps first. When they arrived, they were given an option to either take an extra sack of rice for their tribe or to receive a clue to the Hidden Immunity Idol. However, clues were also known to be found on certain rewards the tribes won in Reward/Immunity Challenges. [4] [5]

, the weakest castaway of each tribe (selected by the Tribe Leaders) were sent to their respective camps first. When they arrived, they were given an option to either take an extra sack of rice for their tribe or to receive a clue to the Hidden Immunity Idol. However, clues were also known to be found on certain rewards the tribes won in Reward/Immunity Challenges. In Worlds Apart , before the castaways were sent to their camps, each tribe chose a representative to make a decision when they reached their respective camps. The representative would then have to choose another representative from the tribe, who would join them in making the decision. The representatives would then have to choose either "Honesty" or "Deception"; choosing the former would give the tribe a big bag of beans for the entire tribe while choosing the latter would give the representatives a clue to their tribe's idol, but with only a small amount of beans for the tribe.

, before the castaways were sent to their camps, each tribe chose a representative to make a decision when they reached their respective camps. The representative would then have to choose another representative from the tribe, who would join them in making the decision. The representatives would then have to choose either "Honesty" or "Deception"; choosing the former would give the tribe a big bag of beans for the entire tribe while choosing the latter would give the representatives a clue to their tribe's idol, but with only a small amount of beans for the tribe. In San Juan del Sur , on Exile Island, there were two urns. Each castaway who arrived must choose one of them to open and get a note from inside. One urn contains nothing, while the other contains the clue to their tribe's idol (the clue is the same for both tribes' idol). During the merge, when only one player gets exiled, only one urn would be available but would be guaranteed to have the idol clue.

, on Exile Island, there were two urns. Each castaway who arrived must choose one of them to open and get a note from inside. One urn contains nothing, while the other contains the clue to their tribe's idol (the clue is the same for both tribes' idol). During the merge, when only one player gets exiled, only one urn would be available but would be guaranteed to have the idol clue. In Cambodia , Game Changers , and David vs. Goliath , instead of being hidden in the tribe camps, the Hidden Immunity Idols may be hidden in challenge venues instead, making it potentially harder for an idol to be hidden from others. However, clues are hidden at camp, indicating exactly where the idol is going to be located, which means each clue is only applicable for the immediate challenge. If no clue is found for a specific challenge, the idol is not hidden.

, , , instead of being hidden in the tribe camps, the Hidden Immunity Idols may be hidden in challenge venues instead, making it potentially harder for an idol to be hidden from others. However, clues are hidden at camp, indicating exactly where the idol is going to be located, which means each clue is only applicable for the immediate challenge. If no clue is found for a specific challenge, the idol is not hidden. In Kaôh Rōng , a first clue was hidden in a tree, pointing to the location of a locked box. Along with the locked box, the player would find tools to build a pole to retrieve a key that was attached to the top of a tree. After retrieving the key, the player could unlock the box to get the idol.

, a first clue was hidden in a tree, pointing to the location of a locked box. Along with the locked box, the player would find tools to build a pole to retrieve a key that was attached to the top of a tree. After retrieving the key, the player could unlock the box to get the idol. In Millennials vs. Gen X , the Hidden Immunity Idols were once again hidden in plain sight. This time, they were hidden inside objects such as a coconut, log, or shell, with their container being marked with their respective tribe insignias.

, the Hidden Immunity Idols were once again hidden in plain sight. This time, they were hidden inside objects such as a coconut, log, or shell, with their container being marked with their respective tribe insignias. In Game Changers , the way the idols were hidden were varied and inconsistent, adding to the difficulty of finding them.

, the way the idols were hidden were varied and inconsistent, adding to the difficulty of finding them. In Heroes vs. Healers vs. Hustlers, the clues to the Hidden Immunity Idols were written on objects such as trees and rocks, available for everyone to possibly see.

Rules

Hidden Immunity Idols are considered "personal items," and thus cannot be stolen from its owner, as stated in the Survivor Rulebook. If the owner hides his or her idol for safekeeping and someone else finds it, whoever finds the already-found idol may not take it.

If all countable votes are negated by idols, a vote restart would happen (see tiebreaker for details). Idols can only be played at the initial vote, not at any revotes.

Strategy

Several strategies regarding the idol have been developed by contestants. Here is a non-exhaustive list of how the idol was used over the series:

There have been several instances where a person that is caught looking for the idol (or even merely suspected of having looked for the idol) has become an immediate target, so it is crucial that searchers must be undetected when looking for it.

Hidden Immunity Idol History

Fake idols

Created by the contestants, these idols have been used as a foil for players to use them under the assumption that they have been helped out by one of their tribemates. They have no value at Tribal Council, and when a fake idol is presented, Jeff Probst throws it into the fire pit stating that it is not a Hidden Immunity Idol.

Contestants Making Fake idols

Fake Idol Kit

During Survivor: Game Changers, a fake idol kit was one of the advantages offered as part of an Advantage Menu to whoever was sent to Exile Island after the second Tribe Switch. The exiled castaway, Debbie Wanner, chose an Extra Vote instead of a fake idol kit (or a tribe challenge advantage).

Gallery

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Trivia

Firsts

Records

The earliest use of a Hidden Immunity Idol was on Day 5 ( Redemption Island ) when Kristina Kell played it on herself unsuccessfully.

) when Kristina Kell played it on herself unsuccessfully. The earliest successful use of a Hidden Immunity Idol was on Day 11, in several seasons.

The latest use of a Hidden Immunity Idol was on Day 37, in several seasons. In all such seasons, it was the last day idols could be played.

Michael Yerger ( Ghost Island ) is the youngest castaway to find an idol, being 18 at the time he found his first idol.

) is the youngest castaway to find an idol, being 18 at the time he found his first idol. Janet Carbin (Island of the Idols) is the oldest castaway to find an idol, being 59 at the time she found her second idol.

Miscellaneous