Re: Team Update #6
 

Our minibot slams back down as soon as it hits the top of the towers, and the battery is our main weight on the back of our minibot (which weighs less than 5lbs).

It probably depends on your minibot weight and where the battery is placed.

Re: Team Update #6
 

I wish I had some wise, forehead-smackingly true, verbal harpoon to throw at the offense, offense, offense mentality that colored last season's FRC game and is coloring this season's; but I don't.

What I do have is a strong distaste for it. I have been a team mentor or a 5th Gear developer for Aim High, Rack-N-Roll, Overdrive, Lunacy, Breakaway and now, Logomotion. I applauded the Aim High through Lunacy game rules; and I generally applaud the Breakaway and Logomotion rules; but I simply have a gut dislike of seeing so much effort put into tilting Breakaway and Logomotion toward offense.

However, it is FIRST's game to create, and it is our/my choice whether I play it or I spend my time on something else. So I'll try to save any further complaining until I get asked about my opinion; and regardless of whether I get asked, I'll remember that no one is putting a gun to my head, and I'll get on with my business...

Blake
PS: To put this into perspective, I also have a gut dislike for allowing basketball players to hang onto the goal's rim. As for making zone defense illegal in the NBA - I didn't pay enough attention to pro B-ball before that rule change to be able to form an informed opinion now.

Re: Team Update #6
 

I actually thought Breakaway allowed for a pretty high amount of defense, and the restrictions were very reasonable (only one robot in the defensive zone because otherwise 2 robots could block both goals, hanging protection for the sake of preventing excess robot damage). Seemed like a very solid balance to me - the game ultimately being won by one of the best back zone robots in FIRST.

This game's strangling of defense is something I'll form more of an opinion on once I play it.

Re: Team Update #6
 

I agree. Breakaway was very good as defense goes (during elims). I keep on flipping back and forth on if this game will be good or bad for defense. I think we will have to just wait and see.

Re: Team Update #6
 

The ranking point rules were tilted obscenely against defense. If red scored six goals and blue scored zero, and red got one penalty, then blue would get six RPs and red would get five. Who really won that match?

We had an extremely strong defense bot and the more we won, the more we went down in the rankings.

Re: Team Update #6
 

After the week 1 team update, Red would get 10 and blue would get 6 (since the winner got 5 points for winning)

Re: Team Update #6
 

My regional was in week 1 :mad:

Re: Team Update #6
 

Oh please let us have a 5th gear :yikes:

Re: Team Update #6
 

Re: Team Update #6
 

Perhaps I am misreading the rules update, but it looks to me like the change (or clarification) places at least (I think more) of a burden upon a team trying to score with an opponent playing defense outside of the scoring zone.

If I am either trying to enter or leave the scoring zone and I am pushed into my opponent’s Lane, then I receive a penalty. If a referee determines that I do not make immediate effort to leave OR if I contact another ROBOT (or GAME PIECE in its POSSESSION) - presumably another of my opponent’s robots, then I will receive a RED CARD.

I certainly hope that this was not the intent of the GDC or that I am misinterpreting the updated rules.

Re: Team Update #6
 

Hmm.

What if little lexan slip pads were designed into the MINIBOTs such that when the bots hit the top, the impact forced the slip pads underneath the wheels -- thereby reducing friction with the pole and thus allowing the MINIBOT to slide down the pole? This assumes a cutoff switch is designed into the MINIBOT as well.

Re: Team Update #6
 

Hmm...

Re: Team Update #6
 

"Then, it won't so much fly as plummet!"

Re: Team Update #6
 

That's why it reduces friction rather than creating full separation: just how much friction it reduces is completely customizable if you think it through. There's no magic to it; the best way to figure out the balance for a given MINIBOT is to prototype on a specific design. It's better (IMO) than relying on backdriving the motors (though it'd take away the 'innovation' of regenerative MINIBOT falling :rolleyes: ) while also removing the need for other (heavier) concepts (like the NXT + sensors).

Re: Team Update #6
 

I get that... I just saw a way to make a Monty Python quote relevant and couldn't pass it up!