Re: Number of Balls
 

Animation is not always a legitimate source.

Re: Number of Balls
 

Good point.

Re: Number of Balls
 

It would take a rule change for there to be more. There is no provision anywhere else in the rules that I have seen for allocating more balls. 18 total, that's all she wrote.

Re: Number of Balls
 

Ok, the official rules need to be quoted here. There's too much confusion with bridges and alliance bridges and the animation. Please, read the manual.

I believe there are only two rules that relate.

2 balls x 6 robots
plus
2 balls x 3 Bridges
=18 total

Extras not used by the robots will simply be added to the middle Coopertition Bridge instead.

This total excludes any that the human players might have. I believe there are no rules on that, so therefore the only balls available at the beginning are the ones mentioned by the above two rules. So, human players don't get any balls at the beginning.

Re: Number of Balls
 

I'm guess this will be cleared up straight away in a Q&A/Update.

But doesn't the rule mean that it's possible that the Coopertition Bridge will have 14 balls on it? I feel sorry for the refs :P.

Also, on the topic of ball setting, is there a rule on what counts as being 'used by the robots' (ie, can it be like last year and have the balls lying next to/touching the bumper so other robots can pick them up?

Re: Number of Balls
 

Note to self: Program an 18 ball autonomous mode.

Re: Number of Balls
 

Rule [G01] that was quoted says the robots must "contain" up to 2 balls. Something to be clarified by the GDC, but I would say on the floor touching the bumper isn't "contained".

Re: Number of Balls
 

Assuming there are 18 balls total:

Suppose an alliance decided to claim possession of as many balls as possible to prevent the other team from scoring.
Per the rules, each Inbounder may hold up to 2 balls. Also, each robot may hold up to 3 balls. No extra balls may be left in the Corral.

2 * 3 Inbounders + 3 * 3 Robots = 15 balls taken out of play from other team.
So, only 3 balls are now in play for the opposing team.

Makes for a pretty low scoring match.

Re: Number of Balls
 

That's like suggesting that last year, people might not put any tubes into play. You'd have to be pretty confident in your end game bonus abilities. Plus, ranking is based partially on score, a team using that strategy, would rank below a team that won just as many matches, but played the intended way.

Re: Number of Balls
 

Ranking this year is based off of :
1st order sort
Qualification Score (W-L-T)
2nd order sort
Cumulative sum of Hybrid Hoop points
3rd order sort
Cumulative sum of Bridge points
4th order sort
Cumulative sum of Teleop Hoop points
5th order sort
Random sorting by the FMS

Re: Number of Balls
 

The 1st order sort is more than just (W-L-T). It also adds the Coopertition points awarded to teams that have robots on their alliance on the center/neutral bridge at the end of the match.

In the past a win earned 2 points, a tie 1 point and a lose resulted in 0 points received. In addition to these points, 2 points are awarded to each alliance if the robots from each alliance are balanced on the center bridge and 1 point if two robots are on the bridge, but not balanced.

So effectively, you can win and earn 2, 3, or even 4 points. Similarly you can lose and earn 0, 1, or even 2 points.

Re: Number of Balls
 

Just pointing it out, I have my own reservations on the matter.

Re: Number of Balls
 

Your score during the match, however, is only a 4th tie-breaker, which doesn't matter much.

Re: Number of Balls
 

If the 3 inbounders each have 2 balls then as soon as another ball is scored they will be in violation of <G31>, even if an inbounder throws one into the field, another inbounder cannot 'immediately remove' a ball from the corral since he'll have 2 in his possession.

Re: Number of Balls
 

We definitely need an operational definition of "immediately" here.