[FVC]: What is more important?

[Domino]

just checking to see what people have thought about regarding strategy
or how people are going to play the game

[BandChick]

I don't believe this is a matter of INTELLIGENCE, but a matter of STRATEGY. If you build a robot that cannot control the atlas ball but can hang, then obviously hanging is going to be more important. If you build the opposite, then the opposite would be true.

You might want to consider revising your post. =)

[Domino]

I disagree. I have been to many regional and the atlas ball has always been more important in deciding the outcome of a match. Controlling the atlas ball is far more important then hanging. It’s not a matter of preference. I’m not asking "what do you like more.” Or “what is more convenient for you” I'm simply asking what is smarter to do. Hanging is only 15 points. If it is a match between two high goal robots OR if you are facing a two high goal robots and you are a low goal robot the atlas ball is far mor importaint You might consider revising your post to avoid signs of downs.

To put it in your terms as far as a matter of strategy goes - What is more effective.

[fredliu168]

I have to go against Domino in this one. I think your statement is too general... I've seen many matches where hanging won the match. It really depends on the function of your robot and the function of your opponents.

In Atlanta with all these high scoring robots, the Atlas ball will be more important, but you can't say we're not smart by hanging, if thats our general strategy...

[Domino]

90% of the time the atlas ball is the deciding factor.

[Thiele]

I really hope this isn't what CD is all about.... You may be somewhat correct but you are kind of a jerk....

[JaneYoung]

Let's calm down.
I PM'd Domino and made a suggestion as to how to post his thoughts.
Let's not flame but try to salvage the thread, get it back on course, and explore the possibilities of communication and the game.

Jane

[Warren Boudreau]

Thanks Jane.

Now. It would seem that with all the high scoring robots going to the Championship, controlling the Atlas ball will generate more points than hanging from the bar.......

Most of the time.

Personally, I think that controlling the Atlas ball will be more effective. However, it is a gametime decision. Whatever scores the most points.

[ManicMechanic]

It doesn't always have to be either/or. Sometimes, the Atlas ball is safely pinned in your zone by an alliance partner or a sea of softballs (we had this happen once -- the opponents didn't have a means to effectively push the balls out of the way and couldn't even enter our zone, let alone get the ball). Or the Atlas ball might be so securely pinned in your opponent's zone that the chances of getting it back are slim to none. In both cases, it makes sense to go for the chin-up (and knock off an opponent's robot while you're at it).

Our initial strategy had actually included trying to push the Atlas ball out of play to increase the relative value of our chinning up, but we found it impractical.

[Domino]

I wanted to take this opportunity to formally appologize to - bandchick, fredliu168, JaneYoung, and Warren Boudreau. I did not mean to offend anyone and I am sorry. I ask that maybe I could get a fresh start in the spirit of gracious professionalism.

[Rick TYler]

It depends on whether your are thinking in terms of strategy or robot design. What I'd want is a 'bot that could "control" the Atlas ball (not that I think any small Vexbot could really control that infernal object), and hang with 15 seconds to go. Oh, wait -- that's what one of ours does!

If I could only pick one function, it would be "neither." I'd want a 'bot that score a ton in the high goals. If I had to choose between hanging and the atlas ball, it would depend on what my 'bots other talents are. If I had a great high-goal scorer, I'm not likely to take much time to mess with the atlas ball, because 2 times nothing is nothing. I'd ask my alliance partner to manage the atlas ball. If I had a low-goal scorer, I'd really want it to be good at nudging the atlas around, and hang at the end. A high-goal scorer doesn't (IMO) need to hang, if it's good.

Whew. What a confusing post. I guess the bottom line is: It depends.