Wow, lots of positive changes here. Thank you IRI!
IMHO, the match algorithm and serpentine draft should have been done away with from the start of the season. And I love the keeper bonus, as auton this year was a bit lacking (especially compared to last year).
The added pick/backup team is a very interesting idea and I think will add a good deal more strategy to the elims, as well as keeping more teams involved. Alliances will find themselves asking, "Should we go with 3 scorers to fight the defense/ramp oriented alliance, or should we sub in our D-bot to shut down their great scorer?" This probably wouldn't work out well in at a number of smaller competitions, but with IRI's stacked field, we're sure to see some amazing play!
Andy didn't mention it, but THANK YOU for the "tube supporting the lifted robot" clarification. I never thought FIRST's ruling was quite right.
Argggg! I can't believe IRI is almost three months away. I'm excited now!
