Re: Team Update #6
 

[quote=340x4xLife;1010986]

That's a BIG difference this late in the season. If they didn't want defense played between the towers then penalize it from the get go.

http://www.chiefdelphi.com/media/photos/36093


It is a radical change that should have been included in the original rules. I think the observation that blocking bots from leaving rather than entering is a good adaptation to this change. Also, pinning is more important and has to be part of defense, stalking the other Alliance's line to prohibit entry won't work, weight, wheels and drive train of bots built to block all have to be chosen for strength and stability vs. maneuverability. Quick light maneuverable blocking bots are going to be penalty factories for the opposition unless they keep to the middle.

Re: Team Update #6
 

So here is an idea on the retrieval of the minibot...
At the end of the match... a little door opens on your minibot and a rope falls down...allowing you to pull it down...

Someone tell me what they think of the legality of this... It would deploy after the match was over...

Tell me what you think

Bob

Re: Team Update #6
 

In a word, YES. I still believe that team is going to be one of the most unique robots strategically and a valuable asset to an alliance. They can play defense anywhere they want, not just at the line. I would hope that they can make the sides go up and down at a reasonable pace though(up to get in place, down to stay in place). Besides that, there is still ambiguity as to what happens when you push a robot into it. I think that if you don't make a slight attempt to go around them, then you(scoring bot) is at fault regardless of them being near the line. If you try to go around and they move into your way, then it is their(defense bot) fault. I hope they clarify it this way in the updates though. It should make it more cut and dry for refs and make the punishment fit the crime more.

Re: Team Update #6
 

I completely agree (as I stated earlier) that defense just needs to be played in the middle of the field, and played to delay them getting to the scoring zone. I don't think it will be hard with good defense to double or triple the amount of time it takes a robot to traverse the field and score.

I am still concerned with the idea that if you get pushed into an opponent's robot in the lane or in the scoring zone you get a red card. For example, you get a tube and come out of the lane toward the middle of the field (side note: I think that against a defender coming out of the lane along the edge of the field will make it very tough to get to your scoring zone) and the defending robot blocks and shoves you back, pushing you back into their scoring zone and one of their allies.

Re: Team Update #6
 

Genius!

<R92-J> Allows rope, and there aren't any limitations on its length.

Re: Team Update #6
 

Yes there is. Your minibot cannot excede the 12x12x12 at anytime.

Re: Team Update #6
 

During the match. If I have a 12" cube, and I take the top cover off by a hinge (disregarding legality of that for a moment--bear with me), and that top cover is 6" thick, I now have a 12" by 24" by 6" block. I'm in the pits, or accessing the NXT before the match (or after the match) to turn it on or off. Am I illegal?



If, at match end + 30 seconds or so, a minibot dropped a rope to about the 6' mark, making it easy to grab, I think it would be legal, because it's after the match. However, that rope/cord/string would have to be inside the cube the entire match.

I like the idea, but I'd probably suggest asking Q&A about this.

Re: Team Update #6
 

does anyone know if it is legal to stand on the base of the tower to retrieve the tube? if it is then all you really need is a pretty tall guy on the drive team every match.

Re: Team Update #6
 

The update says you must be standing on the floor.

Re: Team Update #6
 

Looks within the rules to me, just remember that after the match isn't when time runs out; it's ten seconds until after time runs out OR until everything comes to rest, which means that if you drop a rope five seconds after the buzzer while minibots are still climbing, you're in trouble.

Re: Team Update #6
 

Have fun wiring a minibot to drop a rope after the match without an NXT.

If you do have an NXT - you don't exactly need the rope...

Re: Team Update #6
 

The minibot coming back down shouldn't really be that much a problem. Everyone's trying to shave off as much weight as possible, which means the massive weight (proportionally) of the battery should ( i didnt say will) be enough to make the wheels slide nicely back down.
P.S. has anyone actually found out yet if the battery is enough to pull it back down?

Re: Team Update #6
 

MINIMARIA doesn't backdrive off the pole in her current incarnation, but she falls right off with a good shake...

Re: Team Update #6
 

On at least one of our minibot designs the battery weight is not enough to drag it back down.

Re: Team Update #6
 

On the only one of our 3 minibot designs to be tested, the bot does fall back down under its own weight if the motors are not running. This is using a magnetic gripper to the pole.