The math of the cans...

[AllenGregoryIV]

Gamesense had a good discussion on this. Your alliance still has to execute even if you get all 4 cans off the step. A knocked over stacked could end an alliances hope at making it out of any round.

Also noodles in the RCs mean that the opposite alliance needs another 3 totes per stack to catch up. There is something to be said for efficiently noodling the cans and ensuring the noodles stay in the cans. One of the reasons why so many people are amazed by 148 is their ability to play two different roles. They can both acquire cans, put noodles in them and put them on top of stacks while they stack at the same time. If that gives them an extra stack or possibly two out of the feeder station (say 4 or 5 by one robot with littered RCs on top) that is a huge advantage.

The average stacks per robot gets harder as more good teams get on an alliance. 30 totes behind the glass (5 stacks) and 18 right side up in the landfill (3 stacks). The 9th stack is likely way slower for even the best alliances since it's either upside down or pulled from the step.

The arms race (as talked about on GameSense) will be very interesting this year. It's going to be like 2011 but worse since teams can keep throwing power, weight, and design time at it. 3310 has set the bar at their reported 1/4 sec pull. I'm waiting for the 1st team to start wind tunnel testing their mechanism to reduce drag.