[Ricky Q.]

Originally Posted by AmyPrib

I think it's good. If one of your three original chosen alliance members breaks down, you have ONE chance to select a 4th (I think whoever is the next highest seed joins your alliance - do we have the choice? or just next highest seeded available).

From The Tournament, Section 8.4.1:
Of the remaining eligible teams, the highest seeded teams (up to eight) shall remain on standby and be ready to play. If a robot from one team in a three-team alliance becomes inoperable, at the discretion of the Alliance Captain, the highest seed of the standby teams shall join that alliance. The resulting alliance would then be composed of four teams, but only three teams will be permitted to continue with match play. The inoperable team remains part of the alliance for awards but cannot play, even if their robot is repaired.


So it looks like the highest seed is automatically thrown in there if the Captain decides to do it. Personally I would look to pick an alliance that has the least chance of this happening. Throwing a new team into the mix in the semi-finals or even finals could mess up an entire strategy and ruin some alliances. But it is a nice option, it is going to be some tough elimination rounds with every robot playing every match. Teams are going to need a top notch pit crew on the sidelines to turn around those bots fast. I think the eliminations will be some of the most fun, tough, hardest fought matches out there.