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Unread 01-05-2016, 06:44
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The GreenHorns Team Lead
AKA: Ryan Swanson
FRC #4607 (C.I.S.)
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Join Date: Jan 2014
Rookie Year: 2012
Location: Becker, Minnesota
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Re: 2016 Minnesota State Champs

Now that champs are over (and I'm on a 14 hour drive back to Fargo) let's start talking about states! We have some world champion quality teams in attendance in 2052, 5172, 2502, and 2512.

2052: Nearly unblockable outerworks shooter that has been playing at a very high level of late. Just watch their Einstein film... oh yeah they made Einstein.

5172: Been the best MN robot all year. Probably top 3 robot in the world. The drive team is dissipointed when they score just 8 boulders in the high goal if that tells you anything

2502: Incredible batter shooter that averages 6-7 high goals per match. They also have an away from the wall climb which makes a triple climb feasible.

2512: Despite unfortunately not qualifying for champs, 2512 has a fantastic robot and drive team. Knowing them they've been working with their practice robot and will be just as prepared as any champs team for states.

There is also a really high quality 2nd tier of robots including: 2987, 2823, 2883, and 4009

Each of these robots was chosen to to play a key role (usually scoring) on a playoff alliance at world's. All of them are high goal efficient and will add value to a playoff alliance as a scorer.

We also have a couple of robots that were drafted at world's to play defense and do it really well: 4607 and 3042.

4607: 9th overall pick on the Einstein winning Carver field. Played defense throughout quals and racked up a total of 4 penalties through 12 matches. 54" arm that can reach 15" outside their frame perimeter with and 8-12 second climb.

3042: Cobalt was picked to play defense on the famous all Minnesota alliance. They added a large blocker and have a powerful drivetrain. They can also accurately hit high goals if called upon.

There are also a few wildcards out there that are either making some major changes or have the potential to make some changes that will make them valuable in the playoffs: 1816, 3102, 4539, and 6175

3102 and 6175 are both incredible low goal scorers with great driving. Low goals may or may not be a factor (more on that later) so these teams would do well to contribute in other ways such as feeding high goal shooters or playing defense. Both have high quality machines and drive teams.

1816 and 4539 are making major changes to their robots but that's all I'll say. They can reveal details if they want. The changes could help them find themselves in the playoffs.

Strategy Stuff: We still don't know what the tower strength will be for states (8 or 10) so that will play a large factor in teams' strategies. Although it really shouldn't affect elimination strategies. With all the high goal scorers in the field, the only way to win will be to score more high goals. There will be no preventing the capture in the finals, just slowing teams down. Low goal robots will only be able to contribute as defenders or breacher/feeders. Low goals are more or less worthless.

There is still a lot of debate between the 2 offense and 1 defense (2-1) and 3 offense 0 defense (3-0) strategies. Both were effectively used in the finals of Einstein and they literally resulted in the same score. It completely depends on the depth of the scorers in the field. In my opinion it'll work out like this: the 1st and 2nd alliance will have capture ability with no offensive help from a third partner, while the 3rd and 4th alliances will need offensive contribution from all 3 alliance members to capture. This leaves the door open for both 3-0 and 2-1 strategies in the playoffs.

Predictions:
To be added later.

I'll probably edit this post when I'm not coming off of the greatest championship in the history of FIRST.
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