What's the best rope?

[icomella]

Keep in mind that whatever rope you use, you can put knots in it to make it easier for your robot to scale.

[MooreteP]

But if you choose a specifically different type of rope, you will be limited to that specific position.

[carpedav000]

Originally Posted by MooreteP

But if you choose a specifically different type of rope, you will be limited to that specific position.

Unless you're the only climber on the alliance or you cheesecake your partners. Then you could give your alliance partners your rope.

[Eric Scheuing]

I am going to push to use the default rope. The knots are nice, but if something happens to your own rope(s), you risk losing out on climbing points if you're forced to use the field rope.

[runneals]

You would probably want a static rope. I was also potentially thinking of slackline.

[Thayer McCollum]

Originally Posted by runneals

You would probably want a static rope. I was also potentially thinking of slackline.

I agree that using a dynamic rope would be a bad idea. But I don't think a slackline would work because I have never seen a slackline that is 1 inch strap, most slacklines I have used are typically 2-3 inches. You could definitely use nylon (or other material) strap, but it probably would not be designed as a slackline.

[Moonsault]

Originally Posted by icomella

Keep in mind that whatever rope you use, you can put knots in it to make it easier for your robot to scale.

Does this mean it can be looped also?

[carpedav000]

So according to the rules, velcro may be considered a rope as it's flexible and non metallic. Is this correct?

[chandrew]

Originally Posted by carpedav000

So according to the rules, velcro may be considered a rope as it's flexible and non metallic. Is this correct?

By technicality you are correct, however this is something I believe will be quickly cleared up in the first rule update.

[GeeTwo]

Originally Posted by carpedav000

So according to the rules, velcro may be considered a rope as it's flexible and non metallic. Is this correct?

Originally Posted by 2017 game manual, in at least three places

A ROPE is a strong, thick string composed of twisted or braided strands of manila, hemp, flax, or the like, secured to the AIRSHIP, and used to secure ROBOTS for flight at the end of the MATCH.

Velcro is not composed of twisted or braided strands, unless you consider individual polymer molecules strands and are looking at it under a really good microscope. Feel free to ask on Q&A, but this seems like a pretty solid no to me.

[The Ginger]

personally, I believe that if you want a rope off the shelf that is static, gripy, and strong, without any modification, then I would say you should get a natural fiber rope

[Lil' Lavery]

Originally Posted by GeeTwo

Velcro is not composed of twisted or braided strands, unless you consider individual polymer molecules strands and are looking at it under a really good microscope. Feel free to ask on Q&A, but this seems like a pretty solid no to me.

[carpedav000]

Originally Posted by GeeTwo

Velcro is not composed of twisted or braided strands, unless you consider individual polymer molecules strands and are looking at it under a really good microscope. Feel free to ask on Q&A, but this seems like a pretty solid no to me.

It is the instant you braid about three strands of it

[Chris is me]

Originally Posted by GeeTwo

Velcro is not composed of twisted or braided strands, unless you consider individual polymer molecules strands and are looking at it under a really good microscope. Feel free to ask on Q&A, but this seems like a pretty solid no to me.

You omitted the verbiage of the rule that makes Velcro legal from your definition, specifically "woven". Loop-side Velcro consists of very thin strands woven together, sometimes with a fabric backing that is also woven. Sometimes the backing and the Velcro loops are even interwoven! This means certain strips of Velcro clearly meet the rules as written. I suspect the rules will probably be changed to add a Velcro exception so that we don't all just have winches made of Velcro that can be designed in five minutes, but as of now it doesn't seem very ambiguous.

[Levi Madden]

Originally Posted by carpedav000

So according to the rules, velcro may be considered a rope as it's flexible and non metallic. Is this correct?

Just remember that G15-C states you can not attach to the field using hook and loop (AKA velcro). When you add your own rope, it becomes part of the field, therefor, you could use velcro as a rope, but you can not attach to it.