As for value, it's all about how people envision the competition season will play out. Here is what I imagine are going through the minds of do-it-all teams based upon what I've read and heard*:
- Running gears will be like breaching was last year, where every team can do it.
- Due to the large leap of effort between rotors 3 & 4, a robot that gets more points per cycle, and fewer cycles, is likely to contribute more points than a gears specialist.
- We'll prioritize climbing over the 4th rotor.
- What do you mean there may be more gears to place at the highest levels of play?
- Gears that fall on the floor aren't worth the SWAP or time effort to anyone on the field in a match.
- We'll definitely participate in at least one match where getting the 4th rotor is a guarantee.
- Points for fuel matters more than defense against gears. We don't like playing defense anyways.
- This is a pivotal year for us, and we believe we can make it work for the first time in our history.
- I really wish my team didn't prioritize gears, shooter and THEN climb.
- Kids will LOVE this bot as a demo bot!
*I don't mean to imply any team who thinks these things is right, wrong and/or will have a bad season. Every team has to decide what's best for their team based upon the info they have and their team vision. These are simply a collection of what I've read & heard. I know that no matter what, my team will likely make a shooter for demos. These balls are
really fun for kids.