Last Updated on March 3, 2026 by The Official Game Rules Team

Survivor: The Tribe Has Spoken by Exploding Kittens is a fun and fast-paced card game where players work together to outwit, outplay, and outlast their opponents to survive on the island. Inspired by the popular Survivor TV series, the game brings elements of strategy, alliances, and clever gameplay to the table. Perfect for 3–6 players, ages 13 and up, the game offers a unique twist with a dose of humor, allowing players to use tactics and strategy to navigate challenges, vote off rivals, and avoid being the next player eliminated.

Survivor: The Tribe Has Spoken card game box

How to Play Survivor: The Tribe Has Spoken

SETUP

Each player selects a color and takes the two Survivor Character Cards matching that color. Place these cards face up in front of you—this is your tribe! Put aside any extra Survivor Character Cards, as they won’t be needed.
Gather all 67 Action Cards, then remove the 9 Tribal Council Cards and 6 Vote Cards. Deal one Vote Card to each player; set the extras aside.
Shuffle the remaining Action Cards and deal three face-down cards to each player. You may look at your own cards but keep them hidden from others.
Select the appropriate Tribal Council Cards based on the number of players. Remove any unused Tribal Council Cards from the game.
Shuffle the selected Tribal Council Cards. Place one face-down at the bottom of the Action Card deck. Insert the remaining Tribal Council Cards evenly throughout the deck, face down.
Place the full deck face down in the center of the table as the Draw Pile. Set the Voting Box nearby and leave space for a Discard Pile.
Choose a player to start the game.

HOW TO PLAY

Each turn consists of three steps, taken in order:

1. Steal a Card

Choose a player and steal a random card from their hand. (Alliances aside, betrayals are part of Survivor!)

2. Play a Card (Optional)

You may play one card from your hand. Place it face up on the Discard Pile and follow the card’s instructions.

3. Draw a Card

End your turn by drawing the top card from the Draw Pile into your hand.

Play continues clockwise around the table.

TRIBAL COUNCIL CARDS

When you draw a Tribal Council Card, immediately reveal it face up in front of you to start a Tribal Council. This occurs after you complete your steal, play (optional), and draw steps.

Single Elimination Tribal Council: Players vote to eliminate one player.
Double Elimination Tribal Council: Players vote to eliminate two different players.

Tribal Council Cards are larger than other Action Cards to signal their importance.

THE VOTING BOX

Remove the Voting Box lid and place the box on the table with the voting slots facing up. Players will use this box to secretly cast their votes.

VOTING PROCEDURE

The player who drew the Tribal Council Card becomes the Tribal Council Leader. They start the vote, count the ballots, and resolve any ties.
Before voting, players may discuss strategies, form alliances, lie, or negotiate, but:
- You cannot give cards to others unless a card effect allows it.
- You cannot show your hand unless a card effect requires it.
- You must keep your hand size visible (no hiding card counts).
Players can play any number of Tribal Advantage Cards during the discussion phase but not after voting starts.
If you hold Extra Vote Cards, you can use them on the same or different players, or save them for future Tribal Councils.
Players vote by closing their eyes and tapping the table rhythmically. When the Voting Box reaches them, they open their eyes, insert their Vote Card into the slot for the player they wish to eliminate, then pass the box to the left and close their eyes again.
If a player plays an Immunity Idol, votes cast against them do not count.
After all votes are cast, the Tribal Council Leader opens the box and tallies the results.

ELIMINATIONS

If you receive the most votes in a Single Elimination Tribal Council, flip one of your Survivor Character Cards face down to show you’ve been voted out.
In a Double Elimination Tribal Council, the two different players with the most votes each flip one Survivor Character Card.
When both of your Survivor Character Cards have been flipped, you are eliminated from the game. Place your cards face up in the Discard Pile. Although eliminated, you will still participate in the Final Tribal Council.
The phrase to say when voting someone out is: “The Tribe Has Spoken!”

HANDLING TIES

For Single Elimination, the Tribal Council Leader chooses which tied player is eliminated.
For Double Elimination:
- If three or more players tie for most votes, the Leader picks which two are eliminated.
- If two players tie for most votes, both are eliminated.
- If one player has the most votes and two or more tie for second most, the player with the most votes is eliminated first, then the Leader chooses among the tied second-place players for the second elimination.
- If only three players remain and two must be eliminated (which would leave one winner), the Leader decides who is eliminated and the Final Tribal Council begins immediately.

If it’s unclear who to eliminate due to ties or Immunity Idols, the Leader applies these rules in order:

Eliminate from non-immune players who received votes.
If none, choose from non-immune players who received no votes.
If needed, choose from players who played Immunity Idols.

FINAL TRIBAL COUNCIL

Once only two players remain, the Final Tribal Council begins immediately to determine the winner.

The Jury consists of all eliminated players. The most recently eliminated player serves as the Final Tribal Council Leader.
The Final Tribal Council Leader asks the finalists three questions:
1. What was your strategy coming into the game?
2. What was your best move?
3. How did you outplay your opponent?
The finalists have unlimited time to make their cases. They may reveal their hands as evidence but cannot play cards. They may respond to each other’s statements.
Jury members may ask questions or argue their case for who should win.
When ready, Jury members raise a finger. When all have raised theirs, the Final Tribal Council Leader counts down and Jury members simultaneously point to the player they believe should win.
The player with the most Jury votes is declared the Sole Survivor and winner.

Breaking a Tie:
If the finalists tie in Jury votes, the Final Tribal Council Leader breaks the tie by choosing the winner (they do not have to pick the player they originally voted for).

ADDITIONAL NOTES

Use strategic alliances, secret communication, and timely use of cards to outwit your opponents and be the last survivor.
If you run out of Survivor Character Cards, you are out of the game but still active during the Final Tribal Council.
You can refer to the Survival Guide at any time to clarify card effects.
The game box itself is used for voting, making it a unique component.

Video Tutorial

Survivor: The Tribe Has Spoken combines strategy, bluffing, and a little bit of luck, creating a lively and interactive game where every decision could mean the difference between staying on the island and getting voted off. Perfect for fans of the Survivor TV show or anyone who loves competitive and strategic games.