Post by tangela on Aug 6, 2013 7:14:22 GMT
*Walks into TC*
Hey, everyone! Definitely glad to be here in the final 2! Was definitely a fun game.
I'm not exactly sure how this opening statement thing works, so I'm just going to ramble and hope you guys don't get bored with me. The definition of a Sole Survivor is someone who was able to Outwit, Outplay, and Outlast all of the rest of the players, and I want to try and be able to show you all how I've accomplished all 3 of these factors.
Outwit:
I was able to successfully outwit by using my very outwardly social game to be in the 'know' with everyone; I had solid ties with just about everyone in the game and was able to always make myself fit into their plan moving forward. I wanted to put myself into a position where everyone thought it was best for their own personal game to keep me around, and I think I successfully accomplished this -- the proof being that I was never (post or pre-veto) on the block, ever from beginning to end. No matter who was in power, I had made myself seem like an asset to them and had made myself secured from all angles.
Outplay:
Winning (and not winning) challenges at the perfect time can attest for my outplay part in the game. I knew I had to secure an early HoH in order to create early ties with people and form alliances that will last further into the game. The first HoH being a popularity contest, knowing no one, I obviously had no chance. The second HoH I opted to not try hard for and had purposely did poorly and aided in the crowning of Scyther as the HoH in order to successfully have Lopunny/Leafeon up; I knew I wanted them separated, but didn't dare to be the one putting the target on my back by doing it, so I helped Scyther win that HoH. Once after, (finally a non-popularity/guessing game HoH) I was able to secure myself as HoH, thus using this as leverage to talk strategy and form bonds with players like Charmander, Dewgong and Mr. Mime, as well as solidifying pre-existing bonds with Scyther, Jynx, and mostly Lopunny (whom my alliance pressured me to nominate, but I refused to due to my personal bond with her).
Numerous other HoH opportunities passed me by but a lot of which I opted to not win, as I never felt in huge danger of being a target, no matter who was in power that week. The one week I knew I had to win was the week after Gloom surprised us all by putting up Scyther/Jynx. I knew I wanted Gloom out ASAP for pulling such a move, but strategized a Scyther win in order to once again, have Scyther be the scape-goat for any repercussions of his nominations. The two rounds I knew I would need to win the Veto to prevent Mr. Mime from taking himself off, so we can vote him off (which was meant to be at final 6 but Milotic quit), as well as the Veto in order to keep Scyther from taking himself off the block and vote him off (which was supposed to be Final 5 but Milotic & Jynx both left, making it final 3). Even though the WHEN in those plans wasn't accurate due to quitters, I still accomplished my goal by ensuring both would be gone before the finale to ensure an easier fight for myself.
Basically, I knew when to pick my battles. I knew when I absolutely NEEDED to win (the two Vetos to keep Mr. Mime and Scyther from coming off) and when not to (HoH competitions that I helped Scyther win so he can put up the noms I wanted up without getting my hands dirty).
Outlast:
As for outlast, I feel like each round, I had set myself up to be safe from every and all angles to ensure my longevity in the game. My social game ensured that no matter who was in power, I was never in any huge danger, and if I was ever on the block, I had people helping me out to be taken down, and if I ever was up on the block, my social game and bonds with others would keep me from being voted out. I left nothing in the hands of luck or chance -- I took my own game and put it into my own hands every round, which allowed me to be able to outlast each round that went by.
At the end, I did form a lot of bonds with people that I feel were real bonds, but I did come here to win. So yes, there was plotting against you, there was lying, there was some "telling you exactly what you want to hear" going on. This is a game of trust, a game of bonds, and a game of lies. I did lie to a few of you, however, I do not feel like I made any unnecessary lies. There is a difference between a lie necessary for the sake of getting further, and a lie just out of plain malice and not really needed for much of anything, and I do not feel like I've played the game in the form of the latter. I did not do anything that was extra or unnecessary to make it here to the finale; we were all fighting for the crown and playing to win, so I just hope none of you take anything I've done personally, because I do like all most of you some of you.
With that said, I'll just sit here impatiently for your questions.
