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Unread 13-01-2016, 15:57
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VacioArconte VacioArconte is offline
Appreciator of Robots
FRC #2468 (Team Appreciate)
Team Role: Electrical
 
Join Date: Feb 2014
Rookie Year: 2012
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 41
VacioArconte is a jewel in the roughVacioArconte is a jewel in the roughVacioArconte is a jewel in the rough
Re: Value of defense

Whether or not defense is important this year comes down to which alliance would win:

1. An alliance with three shooters
2. An alliance with two shooters and a defender

Since between three robots, a breach is very likely to occur in most matches (although speed is a different matter), if a defender can at least slow down the shooting cycle of all three bots, those three bots will probably be outscored by two undefended shooters.

I think that defense is especially important this year because it's so difficult for drivers to line up their shots, given the limited visibility, while defenders have a clear view of what they are defending.

I'm sure that there will be a different value to defense at different levels of competition. A defender at an early regional or district event might prevent 100% of tower-scored points, while a defender at a late regional or champs may not be able to keep up with the offensive pressure of multiple scorers.

Either way, we'll find out in six weeks!