Starting Positions ... 'bots vs. Humans

[Ziaholic]

As I am currently 110% dedicated to finishing our drive-train brainstorming, I've come upon a question that I haven't researched the rulebook for yet.

Could somebody please interpret the rules regarding the 'bot/trailer placement versus the human player placement?

Can our alliances decide to put our 3 'bots into any of the 3 locations, and then independently decide where to put the 3 Payload Specialists?

I assume that each PS (a.k.a. HP) from each team is limited to 20 minus the number of balls on THEIR 'bot. We probably cannot "donate" balls among Alliance players.


... ahhhhh ... Week 1 Energy Levels ... it's hard to beat ... Savor it!

[Ian Curtis]

As I am currently 110% dedicated to finishing our drive-train brainstorming, I've come upon a question that I haven't researched the rulebook for yet.

Could somebody please interpret the rules regarding the 'bot/trailer placement versus the human player placement?

Can our alliances decide to put our 3 'bots into any of the 3 locations, and then independently decide where to put the 3 Payload Specialists?

I assume that each PS (a.k.a. HP) from each team is limited to 20 minus the number of balls on THEIR 'bot. We probably cannot "donate" balls among Alliance players.


This is all spelled out in Section 7 "The Game"

You'll want to check <G09>, <G10>, and <G11>. I don't see any ambiguity, am I missing something?

[smurfgirl]

Also, take a look at the diagram on page 6 of Section 7 (http://usfirst.org/uploadedFiles/7%20-%20The_Game_Rev_A(1).pdf)).

Notice how, for each payload specialist, the number of moonrocks listed is "13-20"? This is a good indicator that each PS starts with 20 minus the number on their team's robot.

Also note <G39>
<G39> TEAM Positions During TELEOPERATED PERIOD - During the TELEOPERATED PERIOD, the PILOTS and the COMMANDER may travel anywhere within the ALLIANCE ZONE (note that the ALLIANCE ZONE includes the local FUELING STATION). The PAYLOAD SPECIALIST must remain within the FUELING STATION to which they are assigned for the entire MATCH. The PAYLOAD SPECIALIST stationed in the OUTPOST must remain in the OUTPOST seat during the entire MATCH (note that if the PAYLOAD SPECIALIST in the OUTPOST unbuckles the seat belt or stands up in this location, it may be considered a violation of <S01>). Each violation (stepping outside the designated area, or stepping across the PLAYERS LINE) will result in a PENALTY. Exceptions will be made in cases involving TEAM member safety.

The payload specialists must remain in their respective positions for the entire match, so they can't go exchanging pieces.

Also consult <G40>

<G40> GAME PIECE Interaction – With the exception of PAYLOAD SPECIALISTS, no TEAM member may contact GAME PIECES at any time during the MATCH. Violations will result in a PENALTY.

The other members of the drive team can't transport moonrocks to the PSs, either.

Throwing from one PS to another is also not really an option, because of the distance and the ways in which game pieces may enter the field.

Bottom line: your team is pretty much limited to possessing your 20... at least before they get on the field.


But... you can strategize with your alliance before matches, and you can have one of your alliance's PSs feed balls into your robot! Aha!

[Ziaholic]

The nature of my question (and thus the reason for the title of the thread ... STARTING POSITIONS) is related to the strategizing of the Alliance before the start of the matches.

I'm not asking about tossing MoonRocks from station to station while the clock is running, but rather, the decisions behind who gets to stand where. i.e. are the location selections of the HP's independent of the locations of their robots.

[smurfgirl]

You decide this with your alliance before the match begins- see bolded statement in <G09>, below:

<G09> TEAM Starting Positions – Prior to the MATCH, the COMMANDER and PILOTS from each TEAM are stationed behind the PLAYERS LINE, and facing their PLAYERS STATION. The PAYLOAD SPECIALIST is stationed in either of the FUELING STATIONS belonging to the ALLIANCE, or seated in the OUTPOST belonging to the ALLIANCE. The seat belt in each OUTPOST must be snugly fastened around the PAYLOAD SPECIALIST seated in this location. The determination of where the PAYLOAD SPECIALIST is stationed among these three possible locations is negotiated within the ALLIANCE before the start of the MATCH.

Edit: Sorry about responding to the wrong statement, I was trying to advise on your musing that I assume that each PS (a.k.a. HP) from each team is limited to 20 minus the number of balls on THEIR 'bot. We probably cannot "donate" balls among Alliance players.

[Ziaholic]

You decide this with your alliance before the match begins- see bolded statement in <G09>, below:



Edit: Sorry about responding to the wrong statement, I was trying to advise on your musing that


Thanks. No Problem. ... it's ME that should be sorry for not looking it up myself. I've been pretty much single-minded on the drivetrain for the past couple days and didn't take the time to look it up myself.

Thanks again.

[GaryVoshol]

The nature of my question (and thus the reason for the title of the thread ... STARTING POSITIONS)
...
the decisions behind who gets to stand where. i.e. are the location selections of the HP's independent of the locations of their robots.At the beginning of the game, a robot from the opposing alliance is in front of each PS location.

As for the distribution of moon rocks, the rule is quite clear, emphasis mine:
<G11> MOON ROCK Starting Positions – Each TEAM is provided with twenty (20) MOON ROCKS prior to the MATCH. The TEAM may place up to seven (7) of the MOON ROCKS in or on the TEAM ROBOT prior to the MATCH. These MOON ROCKS must be completely supported by the ROBOT – they can not be placed on the CRATER floor. The remaining MOON ROCKS are retained by the PAYLOAD SPECIALIST for that TEAM, to be used during the MATCH (containers will be provided at each PAYLOAD SPECIALIST location to temporarily store GAME PIECES).

[Ziaholic]

At the beginning of the game, a robot from the opposing alliance is in front of each PS location.


Understood. I was simply trying to verify that just because my Robot is in a corner (for example), that our HP could either be positioned at a corner or at the side.

Thanks for the replies.