[MCC] Minimum Competitive Concept 2012

[Nemo]

Originally Posted by mikemat

IMO, The design of the MCC should focus more on being a viable second or even first round pick than seeding high. I think seeding high relies on too many variables. Therefore, i think it should have:
A wide frame to make yourself a more favorable second pick. I noticed that there was a huge demand for wide bots as second picks at the events I attended.
A one point dump auto because 8 pts per match guaranteed looks good and helps seeding.
A bridge manipulator on the back because the bots with coop autons were in even higher demand than the wide bots. Even if the auto was 'Feed and drive back to bridge', you would almost be insured a slot playing Saturday afternoon.

I think this design would be a very valuable second (or even first) pick at most events.
If possible, I would add:
Collector to feed the shooters on your alliance
Bump crossing to get to the side you will be defending faster
2 point dump capibilities because 12 pts per match is better than 8.
Brakes for easier balancing and 1 cp almost guaranteed
In that order.

Strategy would be to get your auto points however possible, play defense either at the fender or the spot where the inbounder is bouncing balls across the bump, and then head to the bridge (preferably coop).

I agree with much of this. If I was going for the most attractive 2nd pick, I'd simplify a bit. Brakes are unnecessary since you aren't trying to seed well. Autonomous shooting and dumping are unnecessary since you aren't trying to seed well. Those functions are unnecessary for success in eliminations as a defender / gatherer robot / balancing robot. In fact, it is to your disadvantage to seed too high and become an alliance captain if you are trying to be the ideal second pick. Instead of shooting ability, simply make sure the gatherer can reverse and feed two balls to a shooting robot during Hybrid.

As has been stated, 4334 was smart enough to pull this off, and the proof is in the pudding. Kudos to that team for a really smart strategy for the year.

I think it's fascinating to try to figure out how to be the elusive 2nd pick of the #1 or #2 alliance. It's tricky and requires some luck, but I think this was a better year to try it than most.