Quote:
Originally Posted by Paul Richardson
I think I'm more excited about the mention of some in-depth strategy discussion. On a related note, I'd suggest taking a good chunk of time to work through what the rules actually mean, especially the sections many teams don't read (human player rules this past season, for example).
I remember drive coaching at a week one event the past two years, and having to correct other drive teams way too much. For example, a lot of teams last year blindly chased the 0-assist 10-point goal when they could have done 10% better with low goals and just one assist, even before you take accuracy and time-to-cycle into account. Build Blitz last year did bring this up, but never really did anything with it since they were trying to build good solo robots. Since you won't be tied down to a single robot per group, you can explore a lot more options for how to play the game.
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Exactly this.
Also, from what I can infer from the website and Mr. Kanagasabapathy's post, the intention is for the Build Blitz team to look at several different ways to tackle the game, as well as potential mechanisms that could be used in those strategies. As far as I'm concerned, this can only lead to proliferation of ideas and designs. Because there will be copies, but there will also be teams designed to beat these copies.
Most Ri3D teams have to determine a strategy early, and build to that design. With BB taking the entire week to strategize and prototype - like most FRC teams do - they'll be able to go much more in depth and breadth with strategy.
I'll be interested to see if there's a gamebreaking strategy uncovered by these fine folks, if they'll make it public or sit on it.
How different would 2010 have been if more teams had pursued a 469-style robot? Or how much money could teams have saved on burnt-out FTC motors in 2011?
Hopefully this exercise will raise the gameplay, and lead to much more refined play and playmaking at the highest levels of competition.