NEForecast: Week 2 WPI

[NEforecast]

Webcast: https://www.twitch.tv/nefirst_red
Team list: http://www.thebluealliance.com/event/2016mawor

This week we turn to Wistah* for another week of fresh robots ready to take on Stronghold and reveal what teams have been working on. WPI is known for hosting action packed events whether it’s a district/regional, the New England District Championship, or the highly demanded BattleCry@WPI offseason event. Due to its Central location the team list represents most of the New England states giving it some variety in teams.

While Week 2 events are still the first event for most teams, many teams choose the later start date to allow more time for improvements & practice while tackling slightly more ambitious designs. Expect to see some of the top teams executing in more areas of the game than just breaching or scoring low goals. High goal shooters and scalers will begin to emerge as primary offensive strategies for teams with an equal focus on defense in the elimination rounds reminiscent of 1369 at Palmetto.

1768 As an emerging New England team, the RoboChiefs came out strong last year seeding at the top of their district events and the district championship by playing very consistently throughout qualifications. This year they are bringing an elegant robot aimed at navigating defenses with their 8wd and nailing the high goal from all over the courtyard. If they are prepared as last year they will be at the top of the rankings Sunday afternoon going into eliminations.

175 With a string of finalist appearances at 13’ GSR, 14’ Archimedes, & 15’ district championship since their last event win in 2011, Buzz is a proven team to bring a competitive strategy to an event and are long overdue to come out on top of the elimination bracket.

4564 After a breakout 2015 season winning their first district event, finalist appearance at another, and several offseason wins, expect Orange Chaos to come in full steam at WPI. Featuring a strong breaching drivebase, full width intake, and tape measure climber they have a lot of tricks up their sleeves to use at WPI to keep up with another week of Stronghold play.

2067 While Apple Pi typically doesn’t shine during qualification matches they always enter the elimination bracket rounding out a formidable alliance. If they can improve on their usual opening event performances they have a chance of following up on the 2015 season where they won both events hosted at WPI.

2168 One of Connecticut’s perennial powerhouses with well executed strategies by an equipped, practiced drive team. Another member of the 10 wheel club, the Aluminum Falcons will be near the top of the rankings with a strong breach strategy aimed at claiming as many RPs as they can in quals.

190 With some of the most unique concepts each year, Gompei and the H.E.R.D. are typically among the top of the pack at their home event. With wins at WPI in 2010, 2012, and 2014 history just might be in favor of repeating itself.

1100 The T-Hawks are yet another competitive Massachusetts team entering the fray adding to the quality of the WPI district event. Even though they aren’t a typical team to seed near the top they can be a big game changer come Sunday afternoon.

2877 Coming into WPI with a well constructed machine ready for solo breaching, the Ligerbots are hoping their custom tank treads help to give them an edge over the rest of the field of play.

5122 While the RoboTies are a a very young team only entering their 3rd year, you can’t overlook them due to their age. With strong, competitive robots in 2014 and 2015 they aren’t unfamiliar with playing late into
elimination matches.

Honorable Mentions in no particular order:

5813 Morpheus
126 Gael Force
2648 Infinite Loop
172 Northern Force
4473 Delta Prime
5400 WARP
1153 Robo-Rebels
4048 Redshift


Special rookie shout out to 5813 Morpheus and 5844 Josiah Quincy Upper School as they go into their first official events this weekend.

*If you are confused and looking at a map, you are looking for Worcester.