Survivor 46, episode 7: Post-merge player power rankings

Let the chaos begin! After the players in Survivor 46 were thrown together on a beach, but not merged, the season started to get very interesting. For most of the season, the focus was on the inept Yanu tribe, but now everyone has finally been to tribal council, the game can begin.

The makeup of the tribe isn't completely balanced with three former Yanu members left, four Nami, and five Siga. In episode 6, a power struggle emerged between the evenly-matched (at the time) Nami and Siga tribes. Siga won out, and Moriah was sent home from the Nami tribe.

As often happens when one team comes into the merge as the minority, they can suddenly become the power. Suddenly, the other tribes need votes, and the tribe that has lost the most people can become the deciding factor. This appears to be the case right now with Yanu.

Often, tribal lines don't always hold after the merge. Players realize they are on the bottom of their own tribe, and they look elsewhere to improve their game status. After the merge, the game transitions to an individual game and not all former tribal relationships will work in the individual game. Players who recognize this early usually succeed.

These power rankings are based on how each player has performed to this point and what relationships they might have. It is also based on the threat level they've already developed among their tribe mates. With two people going home in episode seven, there is a chance there will be a big shakeup around camp after the next tribal council.

12. Liz

Liz has almost no chance to when season 46. It's not that she's a big threat or anything, but she was vocal early on about all her business success and that she was wealthy. She hasn't shown any strategic acumen yet, and while someone might drag her along for a while, she's just a vote at this point.

11. Venus

It's not that Venus doesn't have an idea of how to play the game. It's more that her personality rubs everyone the wrong way. She has vehement enemies among the more powerful players, namely Tevin, and that doesn't bode well. It's doubtful she can improve her social game enough at this point for anyone to be able to trust her for more than a vote or two.

10. Ben

There aren't many more likable players in season 46 than Ben, and that isn't going to help him. He was already a much-discussed target in episode 6, and unless he can pull in at least two of the former Yanu members, it's doubtful he can survive for long this season after the merge.

Siga members coasted for most of the game, never going to tribal until the last episode. When the three tribes were thrown together, Ben didn't appear comfortable discussing strategies.

9. Q

There is no doubt that Q is playing the game. The problem is that he is obviously playing the game. He's tried to reach across tribal lines even before the merge with his ill-fated journey alliance. Other players quickly noticed how hard he was working people once everyone was together. There hasn't been much subtlety to his game, and he has assumed some things for his former Yanu mates that might not be in their best interest. Unless Q backs off his aggressive style quickly, he won't be around much longer.

8. Tim

Tim is a good, careful player, but he's been a bit clueless at times. He's convinced that he's Maria's closest ally in the game, but he's not. If he doesn't quickly realize that and adjust, it might cost him. At this point, he's going to suffer a blindside based on that relationship.

He also hasn't instilled trust in everyone. He didn't tell Maria about the journey alliance, and now, Maria and Q know that. He doesn't appear to be in any immediate danger, but you never know. Things could turn against Tim very quickly.

7. Tevin

As things sit right now, Tevin might have the most power, and if he doesn't know it, he at least suspects it. While it might seem like a good thing, players who wield a lot of power this early don't tend to last very long. He is one of the more personable and entertaining players this season, and he has a strong but downplayed partnership with Hunter.

With that said, he's not without enemies. If Venus can manufacture enough support, she could take out Tevin sooner rather than later. At this point, it is hard to see Tevin being taken out soon, but he's too popular around camp to feel safe.

6. Kenzie

Back on the Yanu beach, Kenzie was playing a hard game. She laid low once the tribes joined on one beach, allowing former tribemate Q to emerge as the hardest player among the former Yanu members. It is doubtful she stays quiet for long. She seems to be a smart player who sees all angles, but she also seems more aggressive than some others. That aggressiveness could cost her eventually, as her trust level may slide as the game progresses. She's also the strongest woman physically, and that could come into play for her. She's someone who could make it all the way, or be voted out next.

5. Hunter

The next couple of episodes will be key for Hunter's game. So far, he's been quiet, satisfied to perform well in challenges and around camp, and allow his partner Tevin to handle all of the social work in their alliance. It's not yet clear how strategic he is, but anyone who lives in a house filled with Survivor challenges and puzzles knows the game of Survivor.

What he can't do is to go out and immediately start dominating challenges. He won't last long if he does. He needs to be competitive, but not necessarily win challenges right away. Stay under the radar now and emerge down the road. Everyone would be smart to get rid of him before the final five, but it's not clear anyone knows that yet.

4. Tiffany

There is something about Tiffany that just feels like she can last a long time in this game. She's quiet when listening to others, or letting others take the lead when it is to her benefit, but it's doubtful she'll allow others to dictate the direction of her game. She's in the minority right now, but we should look for her to ally with someone that can help her game moving forward. Right now, she's aligned with Q, but his aggressive style might not match with Tiffany's game much longer.

3. Charlie

While Tevin and Hunter appear to be the alliance holding the most power, Charlie and Maria might just be the true power couple on Survivor 46. No one seems to know how close they are. Charlie's biggest downfall is his likability. He doesn't seem to have any known enemies. He's probably safe for a while, but the longer he stays in the game, especially if he remains paired with a player like Maria, the more dangerous he is.

2. Soda

She isn't going to be any threat on any purely physical challenge, so she might be able to fly under the radar considering some of the physical threats in the game. Still, she is canny and she keeps her eyes open. We're expecting her to be someone who makes big moves and will be on the right side of most votes. She's sociable and likable, but she's going to play the game hard, just not as obviously as others are right now.

The biggest threat to Soda is Tevin, who sees her as a menace to his game long-term. If she can survive the next dual-elimination tribal council, she could be a strong candidate for the final three.

1. Maria

There will come a time in this game when Maria is running the show, and the best part is no one may even know it for a while. There are so many big personalities this season, and while Maria isn't a boring player, she's willing to stay out of the spotlight for now.

Players tend to overlook older women players until it's too late. It could happen this season, too. Maria is playing, but she's being subtle so far. She also has a great ally in Charlie. If she can find a way to keep Ben around, she could be the leader of a strong group in the second half of the season. Don't underestimate Maria!

Of course, after the merge sets in and new alliances are made, and old accounts settled, it is anyone's guess who will survive the double dismissal in episode seven. Hang on, folks. There are too many big personalities for this not to be a fun ride!