Hosts
For this season, there were 6 countries in the competition represented by 2 contestants per episode. Each country has their own set of two hosts/commentators for the competition. They are as follows:
Not only do each pair of hosts provide color commentary for each of the six localized versions, but the foreign commentators also make appearances in each localized version, with their commentary presented by subtitles. If a contestant completes a course, all hosts' reactions are shown on screen. Furthermore, since all host booths are placed in a row on the Ultimate Beastmaster set, commentators from one localization can easily walk over into the booth of another localized version.
The Beast
The obstacle course for the competition is known as The Beast, and it is divided into 4 Levels. Competitors with the highest scores after each level move on while those with the lowest scores are eliminated. Unlike the previous season, scores accrue on all four levels, with ties decided in favor of the competitor with the lowest time. The obstacles are suspended over a body of red-tinted water referred to as Beast Blood (except for Level 3 which has blue-tinted water and is referred to as the Fuel of the Pyramid) and housed in a giant steel frame that takes the form of a large animal. A competitor is considered to have failed a Level if all four limbs are submerged into the Beast Blood/Fuel of the Pyramid. Failure ends the attempt at the current Level but confers no penalties. Competitors have 1,500 seconds (25 minutes) to complete all four levels.
Level 1
In Level 1 all twelve competitors compete with the top eight scorers moving on.
- Bite Force - Competitors must scale a 30° platform leading to the Grinders.
- Grinders - Competitors must cross 3 gear-like platforms separated by 6 ft.
- Faceplant - Competitors stand on a narrow platform, hands braced against panels on either side, as they are tilted forward to a 45° angle. They must then jump to a chain and swing to the next obstacle. Unlike last season, the chain never becomes a rope at any point in the season.
- Energy Coils - Competitors must jump across a series of 5 semi-stationary hanging platforms at various heights. The first Point Thruster is located next to a side platform. The coils were placed farther apart for the finals. An additional coil is added if the second path is taken.
At the end of the Energy Coils, there are two different paths taken, depending on the episode.
Path 1
- Dead Bolts - Competitors must jump across a series of 4 semi-stationary hanging bolts. A Point Thruster is located underneath the second Deadbolt.
- Mag Wall - Competitors navigate horizontally across a climbing wall. Every 2 seconds (1 second for the finals) the magnetic handholds are released and fall into the Beast's blood. The wall features an inversion, from which the competitors must jump to the finishing platform, which is placed farther in the finals. The final Point Thruster is located toward the end of Mag Wall.
A perfect run will give you a score of 120 points.
Path 2
- Blue Energy Coils - Competitors must jump across a series of 5 additional semi-stationary hanging platforms, though unlike the regular Energy Coils, these are all at the same height and are closer to each other. A Point Thruster is located in between the first two blue coils.
- Sling Shot - Competitors must use their momentum to swing across a trapeze bar.
- Crash Pads - Similar to the Bungee Beds from season 1's Level 3, competitors must traverse two unstable platforms suspended at varying heights by bungee cords. The final Point Thruster is located in between the two Crash Pads.
Each individual portion of an obstacle is worth 5 points allowing for a possible total of 90 or 120 Points, depending on Beast configuration. A perfect run will give you a score of 130 points. Competitors have 360 seconds (6 minutes) to complete Level 1.
Level 2
In Level 2 the top eight competitors compete, with the top five scorers moving on. All obstacles are lifted from the previous season.
- Spinal Ascent - Competitors must complete a series of vertical jumps, with the largest being 8 feet. Three platforms are fixed, while two are suspended.
- Spinal Descent - Competitors must work their way down through a cable web. A Point Thruster is located at the bottom.
- Stomach Churn - Competitors must traverse three spinning platforms all at varying heights and speeds. The speed of all platforms increases for the finals. A Point Thruster is located next to the second platform.
- Digestive Track - Jumping from the last spinning platform into a tube, competitors must climb the tube before it sinks and jump to the next obstacle. The tube sinks faster in the finals.
- Dreadmills - Competitors must cross a pair of suspended treadmills and leap to a platform.
- Chain Reaction - Competitors must swing across a series of hanging chains, which are farther for the finals. A Point Thruster is located midway across.
- Vertibrace - Competitors must hop through a series of five suspended vertebrae-shaped hoops and jump to the finish platform. A Point Thruster is located next to the second hoop.
Each individual portion of an obstacle is worth 5 points allowing for a possible total of 155 points. Competitors have 480 seconds (8 minutes) to complete Level 2.
Level 3 (Energy Pyramid)
In Level 3, also known as the Energy Pyramid, the top 5 scorers compete, with the top two advancing to the final level. Unlike the previous season, there are no bonus obstacles.
- The Ejector - Competitors must mount a 14 MPH (17 MPH for the finals) forward-moving treadmill and attempt to grab a suspended handhold (attached to Prism Strike).
- Prism Strike - Competitors must hold onto a handhold as it swings through a curved track, then reach for an additional handhold located just before the first Coil Crawl. A Point Thruster is located to the side of the first track.
- Coil Crawl - Competitors must work their way through three tubes structure made of pipe and chain before they each sink into the water. A Point Thruster is located after the first Coil Crawl. Each Coil Crawl sinks faster in the finals.
- Hangman- Competitors must scale 15 hanging, triangular rings which retract after a competitor lets go. A Point Thruster is located midway across.
- Pipeline - Competitors must use grip handles to slide up a set of V-shaped bars
- Climbing Wall - Competitors must climb a wall up to the final platform. A Point Thruster is located at the bottom of the wall.
Individual portions of obstacles are worth 5 points. The highest possible total is 155 points. 75 points are found in Hangman (80, including the point thruster). Competitors have 360 seconds (6 minutes) to complete Level 3.
Level 4
In Level 4 the top two competitors face each other on an eighty-foot climbing wall. Unlike the previous season, scores from the previous levels are kept and there are no Power Taps.
- Ricochet - Competitors navigate back-and-forth between 2 walls.
- Full Tilt - Competitors must scale five blocks with two handholds which tilt down as they grab them.
- Mother Board - Competitors must ascend a large pegboard divided into two sections. Two Point Thrusters are located towards the top and bottom,
- Sky Hook - Competitors must cross six hooks with two handholds.
- Ventilator - Competitors must ascend a narrow vertical crevice. A Point Thruster is located midway up with a final Point Thruster at the top of this section worth 200 points.
Competitors are given five minutes to accrue the highest possible score, with ties decided in favor of the competitor who is currently highest on the tower. There is no failure condition for Level 4, and competitors may attempt to regain their footing if they lose grip on the wall.
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