Is Defense key to this game?

[Joe Matt]

Originally Posted by Swampdude

I heard Adam on First cast knocking our concept of a big ramp and low scorer (expecting more from us - BTW I take no offense), Which I can understand. He expected us to bring back our 05 bot with the arm like 1345 has and the Exploding Minotaurs.

What do you think?

I applaud, no, embrace with open arms people who pick on Adam (I need someone in ATL to throw him in the fountain btw, PM me if your interested) along with others on the FIRSTcast team. Push us.

Anyway, my thoughts are quite simple. Too many teams have ramp bots, too many teams can get two robots on their backs and score. I wouldn't be surprised if we see ramp bots getting ontop of other ramp bots due to their proliferation. If you want to get picked for finals for a ramp (like in 2004 you would if you could hang like crazy), then I think you are mistaken. That's part one (and really doesn't answer your question at all, it's a personal rant.)

As for defense, I can see your argument quite well, but how does this NOT apply to any other game? Last year teams would shoot, get hit, and totally miss, sending balls missing. Teams could to the same with the tetras, with the multipliers, with ramp blocking, with goal stealing and moving (think 71), etc. Maybe it's the fact I'm not on a team and I don't have access to the field and build, so I don't see the writing on the wall, but I see defense and offense as being the same this year as any other. Heck, I think defense was more pronounced in last year's game due to the forced defense/offense rounds compared to this year.

I'm impressed by your massive ramp, which could be used to blot out the sun, and I really like that your taking a different route with this game, but I don't see how defense is more important or the key to this game. I think the key this year is torrid manipulation, just like in 2005 with the tetras.