[TD912]

I recently received an email containing "Breakaway BONUS" rule changes. I copy-pasted and highlighted the changes here. If you have registered, check your email for the official rule modifications, as the sender has requested that you reply to the email to confirm.

<G09> BALL Starting Positions – Prior to the MATCH, each ALLIANCE is provided with nine BALLS to be placed on the FIELD. The BALLS must be placed on a STARTING GRID location prior to the MATCH start. When the FIELD is viewed from the ALLIANCE STATION, the BALLS must be placed on the right side of the CENTER LINE, with two BALLS in the near ZONE, three BALLS in the MIDFIELD, and four BALLS in the far ZONE. The BALLS must not be in contact with a ROBOT at the start of the MATCH.

<G04> Scoring - ALLIANCE scores are determined by a combination of the number of BALLS SCORED in the ALLIANCE GOALS during the MATCH and the number or ROBOTS in the following states at the conclusion of the MATCH, where:

a. Each Standard SCORED BALL is worth 2 points during the AUTONOMOUS PERIOD, and

b. Each Standard SCORED BALL is worth 1 point during remainder of the game, and

c. A single ELEVATED ROBOT is awarded 3 points, a second ELEVATED ROBOT is awarded 5 points, a third ELEVATED ROBOT is awarded 7 points, or each SUSPENDED ROBOT is awarded 9 points.

d. Each SCORED BONUS BALL is worth 3 points during the last 20 seconds of the MATCH.

e. Standard BALLS may be scored and returned to the playing field during the FINALE PERIOD as in normal play.

BONUS Balls: 2 of distinctively different color from those used for regular Breakaway

BONUS Balls will be INITIALLY introduced to the playing field at the start of the FINALE PERIOD, by a REFEREE, 1 BONUS Ball, into each END ZONE. Once a BONUS Ball has been scored, it must be returned to the field via the normal TRIDENT RETURN path by the human player.

We expect these changes will cause most teams to modify their game strategy, but it is expected that these changes will make the game a bit more exciting and certainly create some interesting results.