[Rick TYler]

Originally Posted by Jack Jones

I think the replacement rule is a good idea. However, I do have one serious reservation.

What would prevent an alliance from deciding to replace a robot that was less than 100% (running, but not at it's best). Or worse, from deciding that the top seed in the pool would do a better job against the upcoming alliance.

Your answer, most likely, would be; "Gracious Professionalism." But how long will it take for someone to take advantage of a loophole like that?

We were that first-up replacement robot at PNW and sat and watched the whole finals. One team had a robot that had significant driving problems as a transmission was failing and (apparently) lost the use of its arm early in the finals and their alliance stuck with them anyways. Our team captain talked to the alliance captain who had never heard of the replacement rule. The alliance captain still stuck with his choice. I'm pretty sure than an alliance robot would have to catch fire before most captains would replace it.