Backbot interaction

[Sachiel7]

Here's an interesting question...
I've looked through all the rules and noticed that there isnt any rule that causes the currently offensive alliance robots to have to remain on their scoring half of the field.
So, this would mean (as I originally had assumed) that scoring robots may be entering the area occupied by the backbot.
What does this mean for the backbot?
What kind of bot-to-bot interactions are allowed? I would assume that the backbot is allowed to interact with an opposing alliance robot once it has entered its area, but there aren't many rules about this.
Ideas anyone?

[MikeDubreuil]

My interpretation of the back bot rule is to allow for more offense. To create a 3 on 2 situation where one robot is always free to move and score in the offensive zone. The rest of the manual explains what will happen in the backbots zone. The backbot can do anything it wants, witihin the rules of robot interaction, while in the back bot zone.

[samson234]

I do not see much of an advantage to entering the backbot area during your team's offensive period. It would be better to protect your partners. I suppose that if there were an abundance of balls just waiting to be corralled, it might be beneficial, but I see no reason for interfering with the backbot.

[MikeDubreuil]

Originally Posted by samson234

I do not see much of an advantage to entering the backbot area during your team's offensive period.

Unless, your robot can't harvest balls from the floor and relies on your human player loading a hopper. Then the backbot can become very influential

[Paul Copioli]

Mike brings up a good point regarding loading at the player station. This leads me to ask a question:

Which team will be brave enough to be the ultimate partner, the robot who gets the assist, the passer not the shooter? What I mean is, who will design their robot to be the ultimate "ball from the floor sucker" that will simply be designed to "load" the ultimate shooter robots?

To me, that robot will be extremely valuable to the top tier shooters ....

-Paul

P.S. - Don't tell me your robot will be the ultimate floor sucker, the ultimate shooter, the ultimate "loader", and the ultimate ramp robot because I won't believe you (unless your 71 or 111 who are the only teams who have consistently been successful building "do everything bots").

[Madison]

Our machine is capable by design of both accepting balls into our hopper (it even lowers to make it easier for you!) and making short distance tosses into someone else's hopper. It was a feature I've been cognizant of as I've refined the design. I don't think it'll be used all too often, but it's fun to have.

[greencactus3]

Originally Posted by Paul Copioli

Mike brings up a good point regarding loading at the player station. This leads me to ask a question:

Which team will be brave enough to be the ultimate partner, the robot who gets the assist, the passer not the shooter? What I mean is, who will design their robot to be the ultimate "ball from the floor sucker" that will simply be designed to "load" the ultimate shooter robots?

To me, that robot will be extremely valuable to the top tier shooters ....

-Paul

P.S. - Don't tell me your robot will be the ultimate floor sucker, the ultimate shooter, the ultimate "loader", and the ultimate ramp robot because I won't believe you (unless your 71 or 111 who are the only teams who have consistently been successful building "do everything bots").

well now meet 1481..
i think until we all see how each team works on practice day, its a rock paper scissor unless someone stands up.

[Daniel_LaFleur]

I actually believe the backbot will have a lot to do.

Remember, every shot the "offensive" team scores gives the ball to the "Defensive" team whom could just lob the ball into the back court.

Also the Backbot will effectively get a "fast break" at the period change, giving him a clear shot at the goal.

Any robot that can pick balls up from the floor and isa decent shooter wll make an excellent backbot. (pushing would be helpful to in stopping reloading )

[pyroslev]

Backbot is your ace up the sleeve.

Kicking around ideas, we found out that if the situation calls for it, take 1 of the three off offense and send that one to deal with the backbot.

[Sachiel7]

I totally agree. I think people are underestimating the backbot at present.
The reason I brought up this thread was more for long-range shooters who may venture onto the other half of the field occasionaly. But there are also many possible strategies for that backbot to play...
PS:
I just noticed this:
WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
500 posts.............
YEAH!
WOOOO!

[Lil' Lavery]

The most important bot during the 2nd and 3rd periods will be the backbot, period. The play of backbots will determine how offensive or defensive a match is.
Also note, not only may the offense venture into the backbot zone, so may the defense (multiple backbots!?! ).....

[dtengineering]

If your alliance has a good pusher, then it starts on defence, pushes an attacker into the "backbot" zone, and keeps pushing it right up onto the ramp and pins it there.

As soon as the pusher crosses the centre line then it becomes the backbot and the previous backbot moves up to go on active defense.

At first I thought the backbot rule was a bit silly... but I should know better than to doubt the GDC. It will certainly make for a more interesting game.

Jason

[Taylor]

The 'backbot' per se need not be the same robot throughout the period. This gives the alliance who won the auto mode a distinct advantage. The three teams can take turns filling their robots with poofs during their defense, making them fully loaded to begin their first offensive period. Furthermore, I see the backbot as a 'cherry picker' to expand on the fast break analogy - they'll be in direct scoring position immediately at the beginning of the 2nd period. If the backbot is paired with a 'loaderbot' then they can work as a unit, scoring with twice the capacity. I think as the games go on and people become more familiar with the gameplay and different strategies are exposed, you will see one or two offensive bots break away at the end of the 1st period to defend against the cherry picker(s). Offensively, a floor-loading, distance-shooting bot would be the best counter to the backbot.

[Eric Scheuing]

Possibly if you were to have a really good shooter with good aiming, it could prove beneficial, becuase you wouldn't have as much interferance (sp) back there.

Otherwise, I'd say to stay out of the backbot area on offense.

[Donut]

The best counter to the backbot is a shooter that can hit from just in front of half-field, and can pick up balls from the floor. If you were to sit ~1-2 feet in front of the center line and shoot balls, it would force an opponent who might be blocking a corner goal to venture all the way to the center of the field to stop you.