The Noodle Agreement

[Mineboy2300]

Thats what I love about this years game. strategy like this are viable and help everyone in the game

[StAxis]

Thought of this almost as soon as I read the rule, didn't expect I was the only one to think of it, but also didn't expect there to be a thread on CD about it by the time I got home. I think the noodle agreement is an excellent idea and will have to be a standard match arrangement for every qualification match unless somehow and updated patches it out.

Additional point, "The Noodle Agreement" is the best CD thread name I've seen in many a time.

[Jonathan Norris]

Originally Posted by GaryVoshol

At a cost of a foul per noodle in the final 20 seconds of the game (G33). Plus 40 points, minus 60 points. Oops.

Ok you got me there , I'm sure they can be dumped over earlier in the game, or one at a time through the chute in the last 20 seconds. Doesn't change how this affects the strategy of trying to take down the top alliances in the eliminations, this could easily be used to take 40 points away from the top alliance's averages. The only possible solutions I see is getting rid of the litter bonuses, or randomizing your opponents in the quarters and semi's (but that doesn't totally solve the issue).

[Skyehawk]

The only fix I see is making litter scored in the landfill the same number of points as the litter bonus. And again, this still doesn't completely solve the issue.

[johnr]

What I would like to know is did the gdc see this coming or was there a loud slap of the head when they learned of it?

[JosephC]

Originally Posted by Jonathan Norris

Ok you got me there , I'm sure they can be dumped over earlier in the game, or one at a time through the chute in the last 20 seconds. Doesn't change how this affects the strategy of trying to take down the top alliances in the eliminations, this could easily be used to take 40 points away from the top alliance's averages. The only possible solutions I see is getting rid of the litter bonuses, or randomizing your opponents in the quarters and semi's (but that doesn't totally solve the issue).

You are assuming that the teams playing against the top ranked teams will not do the Noodle agreement with them. Rank 1 and 2 play Rank 7 and 8 in QF's. I'm 100% sure the Rank 7 and 8 alliances aren't going to purposely handicap themselves just so the rank 3-6 teams can advance.

In the SF you play each other team once, so even if 3 and 4 only TNA withselves, Rank 1 and 2 still get to TNA with themselves.

[Skyehawk]

The only shared space of the field is the STEP. Can anyone think of a use for it in this strategy?

[Verrazano]

I think we should take the noodle agreement a step further. How about nobody moves their robot and we dump all our noodles on the floor. That way everyone ends the qualifiers with same score.

[Sparkyshires]

Originally Posted by hexane

Coopertition doesn't work in Eliminations. No points are awarded. I assume that this won't happen either.

Does co-op score at all? I could see in the QF's, for ex. with 1 v 8, it would be mutually beneficial to co-op and get 40 point bonus.

[Chinmay]

Originally Posted by Sparkyshires

Does co-op score at all? I could see in the QF's, for ex. with 1 v 8, it would be mutually beneficial to co-op and get 40 point bonus.

I had the same thought originally. This does not score in playoff matches (table 1.2 footnote)

[Skyehawk]

Originally Posted by Verrazano

I think we should take the noodle agreement a step further. How about nobody moves their robot and we dump all our noodles on the floor. That way everyone ends the qualifiers with same score.

WOW! Wouldn't that be something! A finals dictated solely by the random placement in the FMS! haha love it!

[PandaHatMan]

Originally Posted by Jhalasz

I don't see this working out in eliminations... too cut-throat

This could work in Elims. Due to how the finals matches work, you could agree to do this in both matches, boosting you and your partner's averages. Since you agree twice, you get those points twice. All the teams will end up doing this because it leaves them higher scoring by doing it.

Personally, I would have a designated guard robot to protect the noodles for the last few seconds. that robot would sit with the noodles in front of it. If you sense foul play, simply drive forwards. The other robots on you alliance would be unable to go against the agreement because the noodles are protected.

You could also agree that if the other alliance touches the noodles after entering play, the deal is off. Both teams get 10+ points for them being in barrels or landfill, etc.

[Chinmay]

Just realized that this "Noodle Agreement" is mutual littering lol. So much for the theme of recycling

[Abhishek R]

While this strategy is fully valid as outlined in the rules, it does bring up another dilemma. Say a team believes that is against their morals or does not believe that is the intent of the game. If a few teams decide to play the noodle strategy, these other teams will be forced to take part in order to keep up in the points standings, or else risk seeding low.

I don't like this loophole, personally.

[Oblarg]

This basically removes a significant portion of the game. I don't think it was intended, and wouldn't be surprised if there were a rules update invalidating it. I would certainly like such a rules update, because I don't want to have to abandon a potentially interesting part of the game simply because the scoring system has perverse incentives.