Hmmm....
Your right, the game will be played completly different.
1) DEFENSE: Maybe the veteran teams will be able to adapt to playing the role of defense easily, but rookie teams could have a whole lot of trouble adjusting.
2) CONTACT: With 2 vs 2 comes alot of ramming and blocking. Not only is earning points essential to winning, so is staying in one piece. Many teams decided not to build strong frames and reinforce parts due to this years game.
3) NEW RULES: The teams that know the
new rules fluently will definatly have the upper hand. I predict that like the regionals, the first few matches for each robot will be slow, and unproductive.
4) NEW SCORING: 1.5 multiplier for a robot balanced (with or without a goal) on the bridge. 3 multiplier for 2 robots balanced. That could help teams that can't balance goals on the bridge have a chance for a high score, no matter their partner.
Overall, it should be fun to see how each team deals with the new rules.
Of course, RAGE will be back to defend its title
Steve Prairie
RAGE 173