The Viruses were a group of different curses, which were introduced in their entirety during Survivor: Naozhou. It allows its owner to ban their enemies from certain game elements for a length of time, such as voting, competing in challenges, and having idols played on them. Selected variants have returned individually in subsequent seasons.
Overview[]
Viruses are a distinct group of curses, whereby players are able to hinder their enemy’s game by restricting key abilities for a set number of rounds. There have been 3 virus variants so far:
- Vote Virus - Bans a player from voting at Tribal Council. An alternative of the more versatile Vote Blocker power.
- Challenge Virus - Bans a player from competing in Immunity Challenges.
- Idol Virus - Bans a player from being able to have a Hidden Immunity Idol played on them by themselves or another player.
If a Virus is found by a player, it may already be set into one of the variants, or they be able to choose which variant to assign to it.
The way a Virus is placed in the game, which variant(s) are used, the longevity of curse and how it can be found can vary from season.
- In Naozhou, this curse was an option for players to select at The Dragon's Head, alongside various advantages. The Vote, Challenge and Idol variants all appeared, and each lasted two rounds.
- In All-Stars, the Challenge variant of the curse was an option for players to select on Advantage Menus, alongside a Challenge Advantage and Major Idol Clue, lasting two rounds.
- In Yucatan, the Vote variant of the curse was an option for players to select on Advantage Menus, alongside an Ejector Seat and Idol Nullifier, lasting two rounds.
- In Cephalonia, the Idol variant of the curse was a punishment for players to select at Medusa Reigns, alongside other tasks, lasting three rounds for the first time.
- In Final Verdict, the Idol variant of the curse was a punishment players could find while searching for a Hidden Immunity Idol, as a result of one of the Final Verdict pathways that could be selected by a Tribe Chieftain.
Viruses History[]
| Season | Location | Found By | Cursed | Variant | Episodes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
The Dragon's Head |
 Bubba G. |
Challenge (Backfired) |
"Being Drunk Ain’t A Strategy" "Serious Damage Control" | |
 Chloe D. |
 LeQuisha Q. |
Idol | "Being Drunk Ain’t A Strategy" "Serious Damage Control" | ||
Chloe D. |
Bubba G. |
Vote | "Screaming Bloody Murder" "Light At the End of the Tunnel" | ||
|
Advantage Menu Clervaux camp |
 JaVale M. |
 Evan T. |
Challenge | "Set These Bitches Ablaze" "The Suitman Graveyard" |
|
Advantage Menu Akumal camp |
 Aria M. |
 Bob P. |
Vote | "I'm Seriously Befuddled" "Literally, Just Shut Up" |
|
Medusa Reigns |  Mickle P. |
Idol | "Logic Games Aren't My Thing" "Just Better At Being Fake-Nice" "Sacrifice Now, Gain Later" | |
|
The Final Verdict Eretoka camp |
 Hefferey P. |
Idol | "Power to Make White Girls Cry" "I'm Not Good At Sportsball" | |