The Noodle Agreement
 

Not to be confused with the noodle incident.


The noodle agreement is an exploitation of the tournament rules and scoring system, in that QA score is based upon maximum score alone, and G24 prohibits robots from throwing game objects to the other side of the field.

For effectively zero effort, both alliances can score the other alliance 40 points by simply dropping their noodles (litter) on the floor outside the player station. It is a huge net benefit to both alliances, for both the points, and no longer having to worry about noodles getting tossed into locations which could tangle on their robots.

And since the herculean task of putting a noodle into a trash can earns but 2 more points above the noodle agreement, there is very little incentive to spend time/effort/weight to attempt to accomplish the task.

It does mean one of the player stations will be cluttered with noodles, but the asymmetry of the map means one player station is better used than the other anyway. Good teams will also be able to minimize the quantity of time the station is cluttered by rapidly deploying the noodles near the end of the game.

But effectively, if the 6 teams on both alliances agree to do the noodle agreement will have almost a 40 point lead above any two alliances which fail to honor the noodle agreement.

Thoughts on the matter?

Re: The Noodle Agreement
 

Simply Brilliant Sir!

Re: The Noodle Agreement
 

Thought of this almost immediately, and it seems like a mutually beneficial arrangement.

I also cant think of a way to restrict teams from doing this, because teams will inevitably drop noodles on their own side while attempting to throw them over the center into their opponents side.

Re: The Noodle Agreement
 

The counter is that both sides have to agree to it, and trust them to follow through. If one team does it and the other doesn't (or puts them in the landfill) it's advantageous. Basically a nerd version of the Prisoner's Dilemma.

Re: The Noodle Agreement
 

This is a form of Prisoner's Dilemma.
The problem with the agreement is that it is beneficial for any individual alliance to deposit their noodles for the 10 points, meaning that one alliance gets 50 points and the other gets 0. This way, unless you can trust your opponent, it is in your best interest to deposit the noodles.

Re: The Noodle Agreement
 

im interested to see how this and how coopertition works in elims :)

Re: The Noodle Agreement
 

If you put the 10 noodles near the landfill (but not in it), you can easily push them in at the last moment if the other alliance doesn't follow through.

Re: The Noodle Agreement
 

You can push them in even if they follow through... thats the dilemma

Re: The Noodle Agreement
 

I agree with most of what you are saying, but the potential for 18 additional points in the finals is enticing especially considering how easy it could be. I wouldn't write off that task.

Re: The Noodle Agreement
 

Coopertition doesn't work in Eliminations. No points are awarded. I assume that this won't happen either.

Re: The Noodle Agreement
 

I literally brought this up to my team 20 minutes ago. Great minds think alike!

Re: The Noodle Agreement
 

Just checked the manual and I think I'm missing the rule that says this. Can you let me know what rule number it is.

I had just assumed it worked in quarters and semis because i didn't see anything when I skimmed. I'm sure you're right

Re: The Noodle Agreement
 

Yes. exactly.

And while coopertition earns a mere 20 points for a fairly difficult task of stacking 4 boxes, this earns 40 points for much less effort.

Re: The Noodle Agreement
 

We thought of this too! Like the others said, it won't matter in eliminations, but hey.. those teams that cooperated in qualifications will sure get a huge head start.

Re: The Noodle Agreement
 

Coopertition is 40pts for a stack [1.1, table 1-2]

1.1, just under table 1-2