The Ultimate Game-Breaker Robot: 2012 Edition

[Jon Stratis]

Originally Posted by JesseK

I don't expect the GDC to outlaw "trolling". Any language used would put 179's bot in jeopardy and let's be honest -- 179 has a pretty fantastic and creative bot this year (and it's obvious that 'trolling' wasn't its intent). If the GDC doesn't want trolling, due to how boring it will be (and oh will it ever be...) then all the GDC has to do is mandate to the FTA's that they use fewer zip ties to support the polycarb. [G12] would then whack every troll on the field.

Of course, if a troll bot couldn't do anything else, especially in autonomous, their 20 point contribution is almost completely and utterly moot. Thus, it's not a game breaking design (just a field breaking design...). I don't expect a 'troll only' bot to be on Einstein for the very simple fact that a troll-only bot removes 2 balls from the autonomous of their alliance partners -- either the balls are on the bridge (huge mistake), or they're stuck on the bot and not scoring 8-12 points.

It'll probably cause a ruckus in quals though.

All they have to do is redefine the bridge to not include the Lexan ball guards underneath it - essentially, define it to be what someone off the street would define it as. Then a robot like 179, which hangs off the end of the bridge without touching the ball guard, would be legal, but a "troll" would not be.