Survivor: Game Changers Power Rankings After Episode 1

12. Caleb Reynolds

The only reason that Caleb is this high in the rankings is because of his physical prowess. He can help out whichever tribe he lands on a great deal in challenges, assuming he doesn’t pass out and have to get evacuated from the game of course. But when you consider just how severely lacking he is as a strategist in Survivor and how painfully glaring that was over just two hours of the show, he’s a blindside waiting to happen and he won’t have a clue in the world that it’s coming.

11. Sarah Lacina

Much like Andrea, it’s at least a bit concerning that Sarah wasn’t seen much in episode 1. However, why I have her vaulting ahead of Andrea and Caleb in the rankings is for two reasons. First, I think that’s part of her strategy when it comes to her second time playing. Trying to make moves and be aggressive in Cagayan were ultimately what hurt her and led to her getting booted off. So if she’s taking a backseat to observe, that’s actually a smart strategy. The second part is similar, but it should be noted that she simply has less of reputation than Andrea. So if she’s lying in the weeds right beside Andrea, Sarah will be noticed well after the rest of the castaways notice Andrea.

10. Jeff Varner

Upon first watch of episode 1, I came away impressed with the way that Varner played. I had him as a bet to be one of the first boots, but he proved me wrong. Where his aggressive strategy has failed him in the past, he was involved but reserved in that regard this time around. That said, he’s still a liability when it comes to physical challenges and, with the tribes getting smaller, that’s not going to play in his favor. Still, there’s a noticeable improvement with Varner this time around.