Re: Team Update #6
 

I wouldn't say that defense has been strangled.

Yes, the days of "beat the hell out of them so they can't score" defense are gone, but I really think that smart defense still can be played and is still important in this game.

Personally, I'm thinking that keeping an opponent in their zone or lane may be a worthwhile strategy, and wouldn't be all that risky to do (versus keeping them out of their zone and risking getting pushed in). Also I think we'll see a lot of defense played in the mid-field in the form of Picks and blocking the straightest routes to and from the scoring zone and feeding lanes.

Basically, the point would be to slow a robot down while they're attempting to score instead of trying to keep them from scoring all together.

Re: Team Update #6
 

If you're anywhere near their zone, you get nudged in by a second robot and instantly get a penalty.

Teams are going to have to stay FAR AWAY from the zones if they want to not get stupid penalties that are no fault of their own.

Re: Team Update #6
 

Like <G22> in 2008. It was avoidable, but usually only by not trying to rectify mistakes or play defense anywhere near the lines.

Re: Team Update #6
 

Which is why you wouldn't want to keep someone from getting into their zone.

Keeping someone from getting out of their zone might be a bit easier and less risky since a hit from the robot that you're defending would most likely cause you to move away from the zone.

Re: Team Update #6
 

I'm expecting these rules to be nearly as universally hated as <G22> from 2008 come week 1 regionals.

I might be proven wrong, its just what I think right now.

Re: Team Update #6
 

I'm saying that if you're trying to block someone from getting out, all they need to do is get an alliance partner to nudge you and even though you did nothing and had no intention of breaking the rules, you lose points.

I guess you're right - defense is big. The best defense to play is to have a robot dedicated to making the other alliance get penalties.