[ngreen]

I've seen this game from the beginning as the winning teams will be the one that uses the alliances to the best ability. Sometimes you will have subpar offensive robots working with you that could best be utilized in defense. No, you won't get amazingly high scores but you won't lose either. And a win is a win in my book.

From watching regional, specifically the St. Louis Regional, I've seen times where one of the alliances was better used at stopping the other from scoring as many points while the other team scored points. More than anything I am super impressed by these team that do take on the defensive role and those are the kind of team that I would love to have on my alliance. To become that team you have to forget your pride and do what is best for the alliance. I kind of find the defensive team like this sexy because it makes the game exciting too.

Too say you can play a pure offensive game and do well is true (take for example the KC Chiefs) but it won't win you championships. Defense is a extremely potent tool when utilized to the right extent in this game. No alliance can be purely defensive and expect to do well. But the right mix of these can make for great alliances and great matches.

Trying to scare people from playing defense is just wrong and boring and limits who can compete to win.

As to what is better, who knows. I would love a match between a good offensive alliance and a good offensive team with a good defensive team.