Advantage given by succesful autonomous mode

[BrianR]

Originally Posted by Windwarrior

I may be wrong, but the maximum an alliance can score during autonomous is 8pts, and no other advantage (ie, go on defense first, or score additional pts).

Okay, so 8 pts is the maximum score you would have after auto mode. BUT you now have 3 rings in a row that can't be spoiled. You are only 2 ringers away from 5 in a row, and the center isn't spoilable, so the other team needs to quickly block you from taking the two edges, otherwise you will quickly accumulate points and will take an irreversible lead.