Re: optimal alliance?
 

This is exactly how we pictured it, in our mind there is no point in having two robots with great autos on one alliance, only 1 can do it all

Re: optimal alliance?
 

My predictions of a winning regional alliance(differs per regional):

1st Bot:
3-7 Disk Autonomous
Consistent Shooter from the Pyramid
30 Point Climb
2nd Bot:
3 Disk Autonomous
Consistent Shooter from the Pyramid
10 Point Fast Climb
3rd Bot:
Preferably Autonomous if even 2 point goals
Defensive
10 Point Fast Climb

For Championships:
1st Bot:
5-7 Disk Autonomous
Full Court Shooter
50 Point Climb and Colored Frisbee Dump
2nd Bot:
3 Autonomous
Floor Pickup
Shoots from Pyramid Accurately
30 Point Climb
3rd Bot:
Defensive
Can Shoot Frisbee to feed(Doesn't have to be accurate)
3 Disk Autonomous from the sides of the Pyramid
10 Point Fast Climb

Note for 1st and 2nd bots at least one probably has to be a corner climber to make sure their is enough room for both robots. It could be done with two side climbers but still.

Re: optimal alliance?
 

I like this post. Very realistic at the regional level. Anything scored above 3 discs during auto for either robots 1 and/or 2 is just gravy.

If I'm at a small regional and I am robot #1, I'd take robot #2 every single time over robot #3.

Re: optimal alliance?
 

I think during regionals this would be the best alliance
1. Small bot under 30"
Fast, to get around defenders quickly
excellent from pyramid in high
Can climb for 30
3 disc auto

2. Good shooter in high or middle
Can hang for 10
Floor pick up
shoots from the corners of the pyramid
3-5 disc auto

3. Tall bot
Blocks feeder shooters
Can shoot, but not as reliable as other 2
2-3 disc auto

Re: optimal alliance?
 

Hey mate, you may wanna check autocorrect in the future. ;)

Hint: It's spelled D-i-s-c.

Re: optimal alliance?
 

We've been able to make pyramid shots in practice from the floor.

Re: optimal alliance?
 

Yea, was just typing fast going between CD and english essay.

Re: optimal alliance?
 

The irony lol

Re: optimal alliance?
 

Did all of them lay flat against the bottom of the tray? Did any stack on each other? Because basically if it isn't perfect it doesn't count. Too much risk, too unreliable.

Re: optimal alliance?
 

Viability can be debated a bit, but you should be able to get 3 30 point climbers to function on the same allianice if they were all corner climbers that used the outside of the pyramid...or, two from the outside, 1 from the inside, actually. So, basically, depending on the robots, it's possible.

3*30 [90 points] for the climbs
+ 5*6 [30 points] if they can collectively dump all 6 colored discs in the process

That's 120 points without factoring any shooting or autonomous in, at all.

18*3 [54 points] for a perfect 3 robot autonomous (without any possible floor fed bonuses)
+(3*3*12) [108 points] for an estimated 3 robots making 3 successful 12 point scoring trips each

That's 162 points without factoring any climbing in, at all.

Just looking at that in a vacuum, yes, accurate 3 point shooters would beat 30 point climbers (plus dumpers). Games aren't played in a vacuum, though.

Ironically enough, I actually think this year's game falls more in line with a basketball team dynamic than last years:

Center - defense and 30 point climbing/top goal dumping
Forward - primary scorer and floor loader
Guard - disc feeder/long distance shooter (now becomes a very valuable role after the recent rule change, especially if partnered with a great floor loader)

And, just like basketball, mixing and matching various 3 position combinations (not to mention offensive/defensive focus) makes for some crazy dynamics and interesting matchups. As a team strategist, I'm giddy at the possibilities this game opens up. Bring on the competitions!

Re: optimal alliance?
 

I'm seeing some wishes for defensive/thirty point climb robots. I considered this as well, but truthfully, I'm not sure that's the best thing. Wouldn't it make sense for a defender to defend for as much of the match as possible? Especially against teams that shoot basically continuously.

In a related note to all of this, the fastest thirty point climb I've yet seen is 45 seconds. Can anyone beat that with any robot? A defensive robot that can make it to level three in less than thirty seconds is a force to be reckoned with in my estimation.

Re: optimal alliance?
 

I wasn't commenting as a 'wish' really, it was more of a typical observation from what's been shown and talked about up to this point. Most climbers that have been pictured or discussed have been designed with that exclusively in mind meaning that prior to climbing their most typical role would be in a defensive nature. I agree that ideally your best defensive bot would be a very fast 10 point climb while being able to defend both scoring or possibly pyramid positioning for the majority of the match and a 30 point climber would be a good scorer prior to climbing. I was just speaking in terms of the perceived generality...which is absolutely meaningless at this point because we haven't seen enough robots yet to know what will be more the norm.

And our robot's 30 point climb has been clocked in the 25-30 second range. :)