Kudos GDC

[Ginger Power]

Originally Posted by wesbass23

Thing is with how this game is scored is that they didn't necessarily NEED to score those last second totes. Scoring last second points can't win you the game anymore, and in situations like the one you described, trying for those last second points might hurt you. Rushing to balance totes might end up with more totes on the floor than you intended. Previous years you had nothing to lose by going for a double balance over a single or an extra cycle of disks before hanging if you were down by enough points. Now you have to think about the risks you are taking by pushing you robots capabilities in the final seconds of the game. I suppose this isn't necessarily bad but I wouldn't be surprised if teams play it safe at the end rather than risk dropping in rank.

While I think some teams will play it safe I also think every point will count. As it gets closer and closer to alliance selection time teams will take more risks to get that extra point. The matches will get more intense throughout the day.

[XaulZan11]

Originally Posted by Ginger Power

While I think some teams will play it safe I also think every point will count. As it gets closer and closer to alliance selection time teams will take more risks to get that extra point. The matches will get more intense throughout the day.

Similar to in 2012 when teams attempted a triple balance when a double would have won the match, alliances will have to know when to take the chance to place that last second bin and when their stack(s) are good enough. I'd have a scout run the numbers and tell my field coach before the 2nd quarterfinal and 3rd semifinal match how many points we need to move on.

[philso]

It seems likely that the teams that do well in this game will be the ones who know their capabilities the best and have the most self discipline.