Thread: Curie 2010!
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Unread 12-04-2010, 10:36
Steve Compton Steve Compton is offline
Project Manager, Mentor
FRC #1391
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Rookie Year: 2001
Location: Philadelphia PA
Posts: 75
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Re: Curie 2010!

Quote:
Originally Posted by Don Wright View Post
I just want to throw the other side of the coin to most of the posts in this thread. I know that this might seem like I'm trying to sway people to play differently than most of the posts above, but I just wanted to air it...

There are a lot of good teams in this division. Maybe it doesn't have the "star power" of the other divisions, but it's still very strong. Also, with the number of teams, and number of matches, the chance of getting in a qualification match with a top scoring team (either for or against) is low.

Remember, there are no wins and losses in qualification matches, only points. The only difference is that the alliance that scores more points gets two bonuses: 2x their opponent score and the 5 pt bonus.

If you want to seed well, you need to score as many points in every match you play as you possibly can. By scoring points, and seeding high, you can even control your own destiny by being in the top eight.

So, if that is your mindset, you might want to think about using your match with or against a top team to get a huge score and boost your seeding place. No, I'm not saying 6v0...although that is an option. I'm just saying that if you are lucky to get in 2 or 3 matches with a good scoring robot, those 30, 40, or 50 point matches will do a lot to getting you high into the rankings.

Furthermore, I believe that the third robot as a good striker is very important. We had a great striker in MSC and it won it for us. I will more likely take notice of the robots that go out every match and even just push in 6-8 balls per match than the robot that went out and (IMHO) didn't play the game very smart for qualifications and played defense the whole time. This causes both alliances to get a low score, which in qualification matches IS against the spirit of the game due to how the GDC has the scoring system this year... So even if you "win", you drop in rankings.

I know I'm going to have to put my flame suit on because a lot of you are going to take this as me trying to change how everyone plays against us so we can pair up with so-and-so...that's why I rarely (never) post in threads like this...

But, I honestly believe that if all of you focus so much on a few teams, and how to stop them, you are just going to hurt your chances to do well at the World Championships. It takes 24 robots and 8 alliances and 8 captains to play Saturday afternoon. Be one of those captains!
Hey Don,
Good to hear from you! I've been impressed by how remarkably constrained your kids have been in responding to the immense number of posts made about you and others this year. We've spent some time with our own kids talking about your robot, not to design ways to beat you but rather to underscore what creativity and innovation and out-of-the-box thinking can do. Of course we have develop strategies and counterstrategies, but that's not the point. We look to thinking through your design logic as foundational work for next year's build.

What you wrote about seeding points is clear and sensible, and I might even suggest that a well-balanced alliance would have a response strategy to implement that takes this into account mid-match, once they see how they are faring.

In any case, we here at 1391 look forward to playing with or against you - regardless of outcomes your robot this year leads to more thinking by all the kids, and that's got to be a good thing.

Steve