[g_sawchuk]

How many points would this strategy most likely block? We're seeing many games with 4-6 boulders scored into the low goal. Come championships, we will be seeing captures more frequently. So, let's assume that we have a situation where an alliance is capable of scoring 8 boulders in the low goal (we will question the validity of this later). Each low goal is worth 2 points, so that means that you are preventing a total of 16 points. So, this robot at what could fairly be considered it's "best case" can block 16 points. That doesn't quite merit a "chokehold" label.

However, it is a valid strategy. Until you add a high goaler to the mix. Let's take someone like 1241 for example, who has demonstrated the capability to shoot from just off the batter with a high level of accuracy. Let's presume that they are their alliance's captain, and can score 5 high goals each match. They have a 1st pick who can score the remaining goals required to receive a capture, meaning 3 low goals. Thus, in this scenario, you are denying the opposition a grand total of...6 points. Meanwhile, the alliance still scores 25 points. In the last 30 seconds (assuming that the robot leaves at 30 to get out of the courtyard before 20 seconds to avoid the risk of penalties), 1241 and their 1st pick can certainly score the remaining 3 boulders that were shut down by this proposed defender robot. You won't even deny the opposition a capture.

Look at more long-range-high-goal-capable robots: 2013, 2056, 118...if you're resting at the batter trying to block the low goals, they will have a complete field day scoring without a robot aggressively trying to hit them while lining up.
An important rule that nails this strategy into the grave is that you can only have one robot on defense in the courtyard at a time. It's much more valuable to have a fast drive train with a strong driver when playing defense. If you play defense on a low goal robot very effectively with a fast drive train, you can disrupt their cycle significantly. If the opposing alliance knows that they're up against this proposed "blocker bot", they won't even try low goal, saving them the time of getting shut down by a defender. However, if you put a fast drive train on defense, they're still going to attempt to low goal, and that's going to kill their time. Which benefits you a lot.

And this isn't even considering the fact that, as deemed above, the current design is illegal.
Quite simply, a fast drive train with a strong driver is the most effective form of defense we will most likely be seeing played in the courtyard in FRC Stronghold.