Robot Defensive Strategies

[notmattlythgoe]

Why wouldn't a smaller robot be able to bring down the bridges, small doesn't necessarily need to mean lighter.

[karomata]

I think that a large robot would be better. I don't think that a small robot would play very good defense. I also agree that smaller doesn't mean lighter.
I was thinking that a good idea for defense would to spray one side of a square robot jet black so that drivers couldn't see through it. Then just move back and forth in front of the opposing alliances drivers station as the drivers try to aim to score.

the opposing drivers wouldn't like your strategy very much, but it sure would be effective!

[Ninja_Bait]

See R08 B.

[Mr. Pockets]

Defense this year is going to be a bit less prevalent in my opinion this year, largely due to the field set up.

For starters, the field is split in two, this inherently limits mobility. Then, within each zone, the key and alley are off limits, further limiting defense movement. Then there's the fact that the fender takes up further more space, as well as the overhang from the bridges. In a nutshell, playing defense will require such careful positioning and caution to avoid the minefield of penalty risks, it almost seems not worth the trouble, or at the very least, highly risky.

EDIT: Possibly more viable will be hard pushing bots that have the ability to stop well placed wall bots from interfering with the scorers.

[PayneTrain]

I feel offensive teams will be teams that have the capacity to build great shooters, which means they know a robot of considerable height to play offense and not tip over in a terrain game is unfeasible. I would recommend rookie teams to build a small kit-bot on steroids, and a big, max height wall on one side of it. I just can't see offensive bots using that entire 5 feet to lift and shoot, and expect to go over the bump and bridge problem-free.

To those of us applying the build season philosophy of Championship Eliminations or bust, that kind of design wouldn't fly. Rookies that build small and low to the ground bots with a big wall could be attractive at some regionals.