Given the rules here, and my lack of desire to actually make a CAD model, I'm just going to theorize a couple of different robot archetypes:
The "Fender Shooter"
Given that the maximum robot height outside of starting configuration is 10 ft, I expect quite a few robots to attempt to shoot and/or dump in the hoops. The high goal is just out of reach for a dump, but also only worth 2 points more than the middle goal.
The biggest problem these robots would have is with extended defense, as the area near the hoops is not a safe area, and there is likely to be a defender there, possibly blocking hoops as well.
The "Key Shooter"
These robots are optimized to shoot from the semicircle, as it is a safe zone, however, since the opposing alliance's semicircle is adjacent, you're not entirely safe from defensive action, and smart teams might touch the circle with just the corner of their robot, or an extension to contact the semicircle while shooting.
The Keeper
Generally defensively-oriented robots with "goalie sticks". Unlike in 2014, the goals are small enough that one goal can be blocked by a goalie stick relatively easily. These robots will be very useful during autonomous if teams aren't planning to have multiple options or trick autos. Some of the better robots of this nature will be able to spend their time clearing quaffles and feeding their partners on the other side of the field. Some of the best might even be able to score quaffles during autonomous or even teleop from the keeper zone.
Keepers will also have to deal with anti-defense teams ready to push them out of the keeper zone during both autonomous and teleoperated periods.
Bludger Specialists
Bludgers are the "X Factor" that makes this game so different from any other game in FRC history. Many top-tier robots will focus on scoring goals in the hoops and capturing snitches, ignoring the bludger mechanic other than maybe grabbing some of them so the other alliance can't have them. Bludger Specialists will be able to shut down top-tier machines who are taking a long time to set up to shoot in their semi-circle, and can destroy alliances who aren't smart about how they play the game.
I think one of the most interesting rules regarding this mechanic is this one: "Bludgers will have no effect if POSSESSED by a robot upon contacting another robot." This makes it sound like if the robot in question catches the bludger, their balls do not become grounded. I wonder if the best robots in this game might have some sort of net-style catching mechanism to ensure they do not take grounding effects.
Lastly, the golden snitch. Not every robot will have the ability to capture a golden snitch, as only two robots on any alliance can be chasing down the snitch, and the snitch is worth nothing if the alliance scores no hoop points during the endgame period. Most of the top seeded teams in their divisions will, as that endgame score is the tiebreaker for seeding, and it would be interesting to see what kinds of mechanisms would emerge for this task.
As such, does the keeper stay where he is to lower the opponent's endgame score? Does he go for the snitch? Does the Bludger Specialist save a bludger or two for the endgame to ensure the opponents get no points during this period? How does the endgame strategy differ between qualifications and eliminations?
A couple questions now:
- What defines "attach" in G11: "Robots may not climb the the goalpost that supports the HOOP, nor attach to the goalpost or the HOOP."
- Would a robot with an appendage on either side of the goalpost count as being attached?
- Would having a slot in the robot to surround the goalpost count as attached?
- How about having the robot long enough to brace itself against two goalposts if hit from one side?
This is a really cool game to think about, and it supports a wide variety of robots to play this game. 2012-style shooters, 2014-style goalies, 2009-style power dumpers, and a bunch of crazy styles of play yet to be seen in an FRC game. The wide open field necessitates robot durability, and the bludger mechanic even more so. Good strategy and good robots would be required to win this game, and I appreciate that.
Thank you for posting this game and giving us an exercise in strategic design during this part of the off-season.