Is Defense key to this game?

[Cody Carey]

Originally Posted by Lil' Lavery

While I agree that a vast majority of bots will not be able to do it effectively, several of the upper tier of teams will probably have that capability. And there is no guarantee that the defensive bot (no matter how powerful) will have the ability to move the offensive one, or will even be oriented correctly to do so (as he may be, as swampdude has decribed, oriented in order to strafe in front of the goal). There is also no guarantee that the defensive bot will be 4' tall (and if it is, in many situations, it could just be scored over for the upper two levels).

There is also no guarantee that the offensive robot won't explode. Things are just very unlikely to ever line up that way. Just as they are very unlikely to ever line up to be totally in the offensive bot's favor. I don't know who you are referring to as "the upper tier" of teams, but unless they are magic, they are going to have a hard time finding a wheel that can transfer torque much better than the AM does. We have done extensive testing, and had great results with them. A robot won’t just sit still as you score over its head. Unless they have a failure of some sort, and can't move.

Let me rephrase my initial comment:

The notion of a robot sitting still while you score over its head is ludicrous. It just won't happen.
Bottom line is that if our robot is ever caught between an offensive scorer and the rack; the scorer won't score.
We've tested this with previous years' bots, and I know it to be true. I would assume it would be true for any halfway decent defensive bot.

Originally Posted by Lil' Lavery

Particularly shutting down a powerhouse offensive team with a drivable base. Many of the upper tier at each regional will be able to outrun a kitbot, easy. Many of the upper tier at each regional will be able to push around a kitbot, easy.

Why do you make the assumption that no "upper tier" teams will try for a ramp/defensive bot? If you ask me, we've had a harder time designing an effective and redundant ramp than any manipulator we've ever done.

A defense/Ramp bot won't always be the underdog/noob. That is an assumption that shouldn't be made, and will get your team into strategic trouble later on. Our 2007 robot, for example, has a custom drivetrain that will give any robot a run for it's money. It also has a consistent ramp, and a low-scoring arm.

Originally Posted by Lil' Lavery

Many of the upper tier in FIRST will have features to try and prevent rotational motion (and many teams have for years). Many of the upper tier in FIRST will have turrets to rapidly adjust for rotational motion that may occur (I can't wait to see what 27 comes up with this year ).

Many teams tried to implement the rotational motion stops last year, too. How well did that work?
How about those plentiful and effective turrets from last year? Call me a pessimist, but I just don't see it happening.

Originally Posted by Lil' Lavery

If the opposing alliance can commit a large enough defensive effort to any of these upper tier bots, good luck for them scoring enough to win.

Once again with the assumptions about team quality and function... I just don't get it.

Brandon, there is no "undisputable evidence" either way, and
arguing defense/offense is a droll thing to do, as depending on the situation, either could be called for. That is why we designed our robot to be able to do both. To design your robot for one or the other is a mistake.Offensive robots will do OK, and defensive robots will do OK, but flexible robots will win.

I guess we'll just have to wait and see.