Survivor Winners at War merge episode 8 power rankings: Black and yellow

2. Kim Spradlin

One of two people with a Hidden Immunity Idol in her pocket, Kim Spradlin is in the swing position heading into the merge. She’s made a big deal about how many options she has, and with the swing in dynamics heading into the Final 12 scenario (with a variable of the returning player from the Edge of Extinction in play), we’re led to believe Kim is in control of her fate right now.

We could see a scenario where Kim is the third or fourth in command in the dominating merge alliance or even the swing vote. She knows not to play that role like Sarah did in Cagayan, and there isn’t a player like Chaos Kass on this season specifically who doesn’t like her. Kim is well-liked, sociable, and has most of the players who targeted her out of the game already.

The merge might be where Kim finally spreads her wings and flies like the champion she is.

1. Sophie Clarke

The loss of Yul Kwon might be the biggest blow yet to Sophie’s game, but with a Hidden Immunity Idol at the merge, she’s likely in the driver’s seat. She has the option to let Tony lead the pack by example as he explodes his threat level significantly while she plays second or third fiddle as huge targets fall around her.

Plus, Sophie continues to thrive by being overlooked by a majority of the high-threat winners left in the game, as she can gravitate to both sides of the aisle. She can work with Nick and Wendell once again, who move the needle over to original Sele numbers while also having the option to return to players like Kim, to whom she holds the secret of her Hidden Immunity Idol.

Sophie holds information right now, which is pivotal to having control at the merge.