[AlecMataloni]

It all depends on what my robot is good/bad at.

For example, if my robot climbs for 30 points and dumps in the pyramid, but doesn't have the strongest autonomous, I'm not going to pick another climber-dumper. I'm going to pick the team that has the best track record in autonomous and teleop, etc.

This type of picking strategy, while especially relevant this year (as there are many ways to successfully contribute to the game, strategy-wise) is ALWAYS relevant in FRC. Picking an alliance that complements the alliance captain robot's strengths and weaknesses is one of the keys to success, no matter if the year is 2003 or 2013.

Also our team, among others, takes extensive data for every single team for every match. We sort the information using a spreadsheet which we use to rank teams based on their scoring effectiveness, etc. Armed with this knowledge, it's easy for our scouting captain (anyone privy to the data we collect) to walk out on the field with our ideal alliance planned out, with several backups prepared in case we don't get exactly who we want (which is pretty common).