[sanddrag]

In San Diego, both 330 and 696 had ramps/platforms but didn't need them, because the alliance was a scoring and defense powerhouse. Ramps/platforms can win it every time against an opposing alliance of do-nothing bots, but if the opposing alliance has a decent scorer with free reign over the rack, ramps only just aren't gonna have. They are good to have, they can win a lot of matches. They are great if the rack is scattered or if the opponents are going really hard on defense. But, you really need a good scorer or two, and a good defender to win. And from what I've seen, a lot of teams have trouble getting up ramps. Also, in the last 20 seconds that an alliance spends getting 12" high, the opposing alliance can be making huge points on the rack. If you have a row of 6, and can make it a row of 7, that is more points added than two robots at 12".

So, I guess the bottom line is there is a lot of ways this game can go. There is no clear-cut "this is what wins it every time." You just need an alliance with great robots, great teams, and great people, who like to play hard, in whatever way they can.