YMTC: Picking Strategically?

[StephLee]

We were in this position at Chesapeake, aside from the two teams being collaborative. We were seeded #1 and wanted to pick the #3 seed for our alliance. Our alliance captain went to speak with this team about us possibly picking them, and we were told in quite certain terms that they would decline. We had noticed them talking to several members of another, very good team quite a lot, so we came to the conclusion that these two teams had worked out an agreement as far as picking went. Now, this potential alliance of two of the best shooters at Chesapeake worried us a good bit, but we had others on our list of picks before the team we thought #3 would pick.

In the end, we still invited the #3 seed to join our alliance, but they graciously declined as expected; we picked 175 and later 1184, and went on to win.

The situation you described, though, is a little different; in that case, I'd say pick the lower seeded of the two robots. They can't form that amazing alliance then, and if the lower seed isn't in the top 8, they can't count on being in the finals unless they accept. It's strategy, plain and simple. Another form of playing the game, if you ask me. HOWEVER...if the only reason you'd choose the lower seed is to break up the alliance, and NOT because they are the best complement to your robot, then DON'T do it. Play your game and let the rest play theirs.