[g_sawchuk]

It's quite concerning that the Sally Port and Drawbridge (Class C Defenses) don't actually have a higher frequency in eliminations.

Class C defenses have typically been tackled by two robots working together, one propping the door or bridge open, the other driving through. Some alliances have made it as part of their game play, having their best two robots go through together, others have put poor robots to the task as a "side job" so that they don't interfere with the "carry" robot, that can do all defenses except Class C. This almost guarantees that they won't have to worry about a robot getting on a defense that they can breach. If the two robots manage to get it, no complaints, extra points - it's a win-win.

A reason to not see the Class C with a higher frequency in eliminations is just that - there isn't more than one poor robot that need to be given a "side job".

However, the Class C defenses could play a very important role as the quality of FRC Stronghold matches improve. It's quite plausible that we will still see 2nd pick robots that struggle to do much, even in regards to crossing terrain defenses. It is safe to assume though, that they will be able to drive on a flat surface. This is where the Class C defenses can tie in to add a 10 point bonus to an alliance's "end game" (the last 20 seconds of their match). The offensive robot can come from the other side, and prop the door open for the 1st pick. The 2nd pick, assuming limited terrain crossing, but still capable of driving, can cross the C defenses as they are just a bump once the door is open. All three robots can then drive across into the courtyard, train formation (choo, choo!), positioning all three robots in a very capable position to challenge the castle. As we reach Championships, this triple challenge will become important, as we'll be seeing many more towers being reduced to 0 strength.

An important thing to note is that this play could be carried out in Qualifications or Eliminations. However, the plausibility of it being carried out successfully is much higher in eliminations (which leads me to believe that the frequency of C defenses being crossed in Eliminations will eventually beat the frequency of C defenses being crossed in Qualifications). This is due to the fact that you are playing several consecutive matches in Eliminations with the exact same alliance. This allows you to fine tune your execution of such a strategy, smoothing out your game play, and making way for a more coordination-involved play like the one listed above.