Why I love the coopertition bridge

[Andrew Zeller]

Originally Posted by Koko Ed

Oh. My mistake then. I thought the two team balancing ont he bridge were the only ones getting the Co-Opertition points.

[G41] If a Robot from each Alliance is balanced on the Coopertition Bridge when the final score for a Qualification Match is assessed per Rule [G37], each Alliance earns 2 Coopertition Points. If the Coopertition Bridge is not balanced, but a Robot from each Alliance is fully supported by the Coopertition Bridge, each Alliance will earn 1 Coopertition Point.

I thought only the two balanced robots got the coop points too, until I reread the rules. This certainly changes things. I'm sure this is a rule that many teams do not understand.

In an elimination match the best strategy would be to have the two weaker robots immediately go and double balance and have the best robot score balls and then go balance on the coopertition bridge at 60 seconds.

[Sean Raia]

Originally Posted by boarder3512

In an elimination match the best strategy would be to have the two weaker robots immediately go and double balance and have the best robot score balls and then go balance on the coopertition bridge at 60 seconds.

In an elimination match, the co-op bridge does not count for anything.
My opinion: If your alliance is outgunned you should send your weakest balancing bot to try and co-op while your other two bots balance on your bridge and secure a win.

[470-RBTX]

I love the bridge because it forces opposing alliances to interact in a positive way in a game where without it there would be no interaction. It's a spawning point for chemistry between drive teams before eliminations, and when all the teams start working for a common purpose as one unit, it strengthens FIRST as a whole. The bridge is just a microcosm of it.

[Koko Ed]

Originally Posted by Sean Raia

In an elimination match, the co-op bridge does not count for anything.
My opinion: If your alliance is outgunned you should send your weakest balancing bot to try and co-op while your other two bots balance on your bridge and secure a win.

You should send your best driving team to climb to assure the bridge will be successfully balanced.

[Grim Tuesday]

Strategically, the Co-Op bridge is more important than the alliance bridge, and thus you should send your best bots to balance. Ranking wise, it is identical, except for the fact that 3 other teams in an event of 60 move up faster. It also helps build good will, which is not to be underestimated. In general, it is more polite for both alliances to send their best scoring bots to the bridge so that the other one doesn't see it as a ploy to win the match by pulling away their scoring capabilities.