[Ginger Power]

So I didn't actually get to watch a ton of matches given that we needed to inspect 123 teams between the 2 events. I can say that the top teams are going to play at a very high level, and the bottom teams are going to play at a decent level. Most teams that I worked with will field a robot that can defeat most of the drivetrain specific defenses. There won't be a single robot that misses their first match, which is awesome.

In terms of teams that will do well... I think I did a decent job with my initial predictions. One team I would move way up is 3102. I think they're a team that can finish in the top 3 at the end of quals and it'll be interesting to see who the partner with.

There are only 3 teams that I've seen climb so far. 3293 the Otterbots, 1714 More Robotics, and *4607 CIS. Climbing will probably turn into a nice boost, but not enough of a factor to warrant a pick on its own. Each of these teams is also good at other things and will be in the playoffs, most likely as a first pick or alliance captain.

2052, and 359 seem like they'll be the top 2 teams, and I think it's likely that they team up. Stopping that combination will require another alliance to strike gold with a third robot. I think the 3rd and 4th best robots will be close enough in ability to the top 2 that the finals will be very interesting. I think it's likely that two high seeded alliances play in the finals. Logic being that the difference between the 16th best robot, and the 24th best robot is virtually nothing, and the top alliances will cheescake a blocker/climber onto their third pick, making them much more valuable.

More to come if I feel like typing more later. Off to discuss strategy.

*4607 climbed in the practice area, not on the actual field.