I will make a set of prediction(s) now. (I would have/could made this prediction on game release day 1 easily also).
A team that can quickly snatch 2~4 RC's from the step in Auto, time after time (say 80~90% or better), (or 2 in Auto & can get to the Robot Set position, & 2 more immediately when teleop begins, if they are still left there of course after the first 15 seconds...very doubtful at least 25%~50% of the time, as I will also predict now), WILL BE playing on both Einstein fields this year.
In fact....You can be the lowest actual scoring personal single robot on your Alliance, in qualifying, round to round, every single time or event. BUT, if you can guarantee at least 2 or more RC's off the shelf in Auto onto your side of the field, and more, on a consistant basis, and still stack (or even push around stacks of), a few Totes, cap a few Stacks w/ litter loaded RC's, upright RC's that have fallen over (~THIS is really important also), handle the RC's to get the litter in them at the human station, your robot will be "worth its weight in gold" to ANY alliance in the Playoffs or at Champs IF teams are scouting properly. (Great INBOUNDING STRAIGHT THROUGH ROBOTS last year were worth their weight in gold also, though they really didn't do that much as far as scoring points personally themselves...They were ALLIANCE COMPLEMENTARY, and very necessary to score & win). They helped the High Scorer super shooter, shoot faster and gain more points.
Another prediction here, they (THE SUPER Shelf RC Capture Bots), will also score in the top 1/3 of all QPA's more often than not also. Denying possible points to the opposition (and allowing your alliance the opportunity to use any and all of said stolen/snatched RC's as "HUGE points multiplyers" on any stack of grey totes from 1~6 on a scoring platform will often mean more than just the match)...It will always equal YOUR ALLIANCE more/higher points possibillities, while also denying higher possible points to the opposition ALLIANCE. (Doublemint Gum!)
I will also predict, that HUGE AUTO and Tele-op tug of wars will no doubt happen often, and RC Snatchers will go through more than a few actual repairs before the season is over...The more robust the Robot Shelf RC Snatchers are, the better they will fare. The RC Lids...Not so much. (I would be ordering more than a few extra lids for those RC's if I were preparing fields for
FIRST!) They can (And Should), be ordered separately.
Storage of the RC's once captured 2 X 2 preferably, is rather easy, then grab them one by one, take to human player station, get loaded w/ litter, drop on any 1 grey tote or higher stack on the platform(s) (that would score it no matter what), any elevator or forklift loader can lift the totes and Litter loaded RC onto a higher stack later. Early on until stacks start, they could also be loaded and stored right in front of the player station glass momentarily only in the middle (careful there though, you wouldn't want to waste those very important points multipliers).
Last prediction....The Build for Playoffs/Champs/Any Q round "SUPER SHELF RC Snatcher" (Will not be in the slightest ever overlooked, they will be up front and on display just as much as any 3 Yellow Tote Auto Stacker, or 4 Tote Shelf Stacker, though they won't need to be as accurate, ever...As, on your side of the shelf/field, is all that is necessary (In the Auto Zone BETTER). But, also clean up the messes you make too!)....They also Would "NOT BE" A 3rd. pick, they would be a second pick, and possibly an Alliance Captain & a picker.
If your Alliance very often has 5~7 of those RC's avail. on your side to use, you will use them more, you will score higher more often...You will be in the top 10~15 anywhere after 10 Q rounds...Almost anyone playing this game this year will be able to stack Totes & drive I certainly hope.
The much more rare (and almost as equally important), utility bot that I will also predict, will be the one that can lift & rotate / or right a Tote that is not rightside up (those upside down nasty ones will be the very worst, and IT will happen more than just what is already on the field to begin with I think).
Now, the real moral question becomes (for those daring to choose to go that route), when faced w/ a null / or extra Q round (that rare event where you cannot gain qualifying average points, but do still play a Q match). Do you use that Shelf RC steal that round, or not? (It is a rare time when helping your actual Alliance partners to gain a higher QPA, can possibly actually hurt your own teams actual Q position). Does not seem right though does it?
WELCOME to a nuance of no more Win/Loss/Tie, & the new QP Average scoring dilemma.
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Lastly....If you have not done so already. Label all your RC's/Totes/ & Noodles that you may be planning on taking to competitions / practices, etc. w/ your Team #'s immediately. (I can see many taking them to practice fields etc., and losing them very easily). If they are pre-marked now, it will be much easier to determine your personal ownership later. (It would sure be nasty to load those up those practice game pcs. w/ stuff and take them into the venues, then not have those storage containers when you went to pack up again at the end of the event). LOL.
