It is important, of course, to have a functional robot that can knock over boxes. I do believe a team must have a combination of all three components in order to be sucessful.
However, strategy is important. It seemed at the St. Louis regionals that many teams had forgotten the fact that they recieve twice their opponent's score. I watched most of the matches. I noticed.....
1. Not many teams were defending their non- scoring areas
2. Many teams pushed most of the boxes into their own area
3. Many teams did not utilize the time given
4. Alliances did not seem to have a coordinated attack
5. Box placement: you have to know the other robot's capabilities!
6. Many teams did not have a strategy plan for losing
This was not true for all teams. Many had wonderful strategies!!Yet it was obvious which teams had plans and which teams did not.
The skill of the driver is important, yet I do believe the skill of the driver is amplified through strategy. It is important to have a coordinated "attack" in this stacking game!
Good Luck and hope to see you at nationals!