Predictions Championship: Einstein

[Looking Forward]

No, this isn't a prediction of what teams will be on Einstein, or the style of play. It's a prediction of how Verbrugge will make his entrance!



Well, that's impossible, so I'll attempt to brave the more than 1,000,000:1 odds that I can predict the alliances going to Einstein, and the eventual winners. More than likely these predictions will be totally wrong, so much so, that I guarantee you a team that virtually nobody sees coming will be on the winning alliance. Who saw 435 in 2004, 503 in 2005, 296 and 522 in 2006, or any of the members of the 2007 alliance as favorites going into any of those events?
The winning alliance will be a potent three-team alliance. Nobody gets a free-ride at Championship, especially on Einstein. 522's long-range sniping and skilled defense were a critical component in 2006. 190's ramps, 987s scoring, and 177s defense made a solid 1-2-3 punch last year that won them the championship. Whether the third partner actually hurdles or not, they will have to seriously impact the score in order to succeed. Every robot on Einstein will be capable of scoring at least 12 points in hybrid (although they may not do it every match due to the amount of robots moving around the field in hybrid). Every team on Einstein will be capable of recording at least 8 laps if they chose to purely run laps. Each alliance will have at least one robot capable of removing balls in hybrid. Each alliance will be capable of putting up at least 130 points and hurdling 8 times in an offensive match. At least one alliance will hurdle 10 times.


ARCHIMEDES:
987's veteran drive crew will lead them through the qualifications into a high seed. They know how to win matches they're supposed to, and very rarely give up upsets, but they'll end up as #2 or 3 due to RS. They'll select 1124 in the first round and 201 in the second. This alliance won't coast through the eliminations, with at least two of their rounds going to three matches, but their consistency, strategic flexibility, and experience will guide them to Einstein.
987/1124/201

CURIE:
Many of the top teams will beat up on each-other during the qualifications, meaning very few of true top teams will be captains. 67 will end up at the lower end of the top-8, and after declining an early selection, they'll chose 100 and steal 326 (who is inexplicably still on the board). This alliance will utilize all three hurdling machines and big hybrid points (especially from 326) in order to win Curie.
67/100/326

GALILEO:
Much like Newton in 2006 and Curie in 2007, an upper-tier (but not elite) team will seed 1st and disrupt the alliance selections by causing declines and separating power-houses, before grabbing a power-house seeded too low to reasonably say no (not always outside the Top 8). It could possibly be either of the Martians, 343, or 2062. 1114 will seed well, but lose one qualification (possibly two) in this loaded field, resulting in a probably 4-7 seeding. After declining the #1 selection, and watching the other juggernauts get absorbed by other alliances, they'll select 1717 (469 if they're gone) and 195. This speedy alliance relies on the consistency of 1114 and 1717, along with an occasional hurdle and lots of laps from 195, to push themselves through a very tough elimination series on Galileo, allowing 1114 to finally break through onto Einstein.
1114/1717/195

NEWTON:
233 maintains the high standard they set in Hawai'i, rolling through the qualifications undefeated and reaching the #1 seed. They have a very hard decision between 39 and 968, but ultimately side with 968 to be their #1 selection. They grab 60 with the last selection of the draft to round out their #1 alliance. Similar to the last time RAWC was on Newton, their partners draw most of the defensive fire and they put up huge numbers (although 233 is no slouch either, scoring frequently, and placing at the end). 60 contributes enough laps to push this alliance to Einstein.
233/968/60


EINSTEIN:
Assuming the same bracket as the last two years, Archimedes faces Curie and Galileo faces Newton in the Semi-finals.

987/1124/201 top 67/100/326 in 2 matches.
233/968/60 top 1114/1717/195 in 3 excellent, very close, matches.

233/968/60 top 987/1124/201 in 3 dramatic, close, matches.

Archimedes, Galileo, and Newton each top 120 at least once on Einstein. Galileo has the highest score of the tournament, but cannot advance past the Semis. Both of the finalist alliances is held under 100 at least once during the finals matches.

Have fun and good luck.
Don't like the predictions? Go out there and prove me wrong!

[T3_1565]

wow.. it's too in depth for me to disagree lol congrats Looking Foreward, on stunning me with your words lol













I still hope 1114 wins it all.....

[BBnum3]

On Archimedes I could definitely see 27 and 71 teaming up and selecting 1646 (who 27 paired up with at GLR). That alliance would have a great chance at making Einstein.

[Protronie]

Originally Posted by Looking Forward;738160

[B

ARCHIMEDES:[/b]
987's veteran drive crew will lead them through the qualifications into a high seed. They know how to win matches they're supposed to, and very rarely give up upsets, but they'll end up as #2 or 3 due to RS. They'll select 1124 in the first round and 201 in the second. This alliance won't coast through the eliminations, with at least two of their rounds going to three matches, but their consistency, strategic flexibility, and experience will guide them to Einstein.
987/1124/201

Have fun and good luck.
Don't like the predictions? Go out there and prove me wrong!

I think you crystal ball might be a little fuzzy.... 1124 yeah I can see them going to Einstein. 987 & 201 both hard teams to beat.... could see either of them being the third to join 1024 & 1124 go on to Einstein and winning it all.

I think what its going to come down to is who wants it more and who has the lucky touch... either way... no matter who ends up going.... everyone better be ready cause Archimedes will be the top dogs!

[Tottanka]

Originally Posted by Protronie

I think you crystal ball might be a little fuzzy.... 1124 yeah I can see them going to Einstein. 987 & 201 both hard teams to beat.... could see either of them being the third to join 1024 & 1124 go on to Einstein and winning it all.

I think what its going to come down to is who wants it more and who has the lucky touch... either way... no matter who ends up going.... everyone better be ready cause Archimedes will be the top dogs!

987 as a third bot? lol
987 is gonna seed high, and if not, be picked by 1 of the three top alliances as a first pick. no way they will be there for the second pick

[Jetweb]

Originally Posted by Looking Forward

NEWTON:
233 maintains the high standard they set in Hawai'i, rolling through the qualifications undefeated and reaching the #1 seed. They have a very hard decision between 39 and 968, but ultimately side with 968 to be their #1 selection. They grab 60 with the last selection of the draft to round out their #1 alliance. Similar to the last time RAWC was on Newton, their partners draw most of the defensive fire and they put up huge numbers (although 233 is no slouch either, scoring frequently, and placing at the end). 60 contributes enough laps to push this alliance to Einstein.
233/968/60

I have to agree, I think it is PINKs game this year.

[Corey Balint]

dream Alliance!

[BornaE]

NICE,
I bet you predicted at least one part right. NEWTON is gonna take it all (hehe)

I-SAAC -

[Jetweb]

Originally Posted by 0705920

I-SAAC -

NEW-TON

179's leaving for Atlanta right now!!!

[sgreco]

Here's what think(Just for the first two alliance partners) I think the third alliance member will not come in to play very much because the scores will be so high that laps will not matter very much. I don't know, but I can't see two hurdlers picking a third onto their alliance
Galileo: 1114 will finish First in qualifying due to their amazing hybrid, pickup and hurdling and pick the thunderchickn(217). 330 will finish second in qualifying and pick 40. 1114's alliance will beat 330's and head on to Einstein. 330 and 40 would make an amazing alliance in any other division, but I think 1114 and 217 would be too much in the end.
Newton: 233 will finish first in qualifying with their fantastic pickup and quick hurdles and 968 will finish as a strong second showing in what I predict to be some dominant qualifying rounds by them. 233 will pick 968 and 20 willl have the next pick due to their great mechanum drive and fast hurdles and pickup, and they will select 2056. 233 and 968 will beat 20 and 2056 and advance.
Archimedes: 27 will finish first and in the process will hurdle seven times in one match. 365 will finish second and edge out 987 for the spot. 27 will pick 987 for their ability to pick up and hurdle with ease, and 365 will pick 71. 27 and 987 will move on.
Curie: I think that we have not yet seen the full potential from 118's robot, but we will in qualifying. They will finish first and 191 will finish second. The robonauts will pick 501 and they will get a chance to improve on their runner up positions at the lonestar. 191 will pick 1126. 191 and 1126 will be the only 2 seed advancing to Einstein.
Einstein:1114 and 217 will win in two tight matches against 233 and 968. 27 and 987 will beat 191 and 1126.
27 and 987 will give 1114 and 217 a very tough match in a classic final going three matches, 1114 and 217 will win the championships.

[SSMike]

Originally Posted by Sgreco27

Here's what think(Just for the first two alliance partners) I think the third alliance member will not come in to play very much because the scores will be so high that laps will not matter very much. I don't know, but I can't see two hurdlers picking a third onto their alliance

Actually, I think that just the opposite will be true. The 3rd partners will make or break the alliances, and a strong 3rd partner is essential to reaching Einstein. I believe that you are underestimating the power of a lap bot that can play defense against an elite hurdler. Even if all they can do is stop or delay a team like 1114 just once, that may be enough to win the match (provided that the other members are effecient hurdlers).

As to a three-hurdler alliance, I think that you will see at least one in eliminations, solely due to the fact that this game is dominated by hurdlers. Granted, the least effective (for lack of a better term) scorer will probably be placed on defensive duty, they would still have the ability to get a last second hurdle if need be. I do however, agree that many alliances will not be immeaditaly searching for a 3rd hurdler to complete their alliance if it is already comprised of 2 hurdlers.

That being said, I also believe that while the points racked up by lap bots may seem insignificant in comparison to points scored by a hurdler, they will be vital nonetheless.

[EricH]

Originally Posted by SSMike

Actually, I think that just the opposite will be true. The 3rd partners will make or break the alliances, and a strong 3rd partner is essential to reaching Einstein. I believe that you are underestimating the power of a lap bot that can play defense against an elite hurdler. Even if all they can do is stop or delay a team like 1114 just once, that may be enough to win the match (provided that the other members are effecient hurdlers).

You're dead on about the third pick. What Looking Forward didn't say about 503 in 2005 was that their strategy (and automode) was very good in the Championships. In the final round, a tetra landed cockeyed in auto, knocking down the hanging tetra below it. They left the tetra cockeyed all match, even though it was worth three points properly placed. The tetra below was only worth one...but because it owned that goal unless the one above was upright or off, it was worth 11, pretty much permanently.

Ever since the three-robot matches started, the third pick has been the key to victory, unless one alliance is so lopsided they could win a 3-on-2 easily. And that almost never happens.

[les chortos]

remember what happened last year with 1114 they had their arm break off- why would they not choose another 3rd hurdler "just on case " it gets rough- and it will. and they or there first choice gets "broken" -- that s what I would do. 3 hurdlers. - the 2 best hurdle- the third does everthing else and "hurdles just in case one of the 2 premium hurdlers " gets his wookie bent as Ralphy would say.

good luck to all
don't stop till you've hurdlered them all.!!

[T3_1565]

Originally Posted by les chortos

remember what happened last year with 1114 they had their arm break off- why would they not choose another 3rd hurdler "just on case " it gets rough- and it will. and they or there first choice gets "broken" -- that s what I would do. 3 hurdlers. - the 2 best hurdle- the third does everthing else and "hurdles just in case one of the 2 premium hurdlers " gets his wookie bent as Ralphy would say.

good luck to all
don't stop till you've hurdlered them all.!!

1114 learned from there mistakes, there shooter this year barely comes outside of there bumper zone, and if you see it up close, it's built like a rock. if anything breaks on that bot, its the motors lol.


At the same time I agree completely agree! 3 hurdlers, one that is good at everything (but its elite at it) as back up is a good idea!

[Renee Becker-Blau]

These predictions are amazing, thank you Looking Forward!

Originally Posted by SSMike

The 3rd partners will make or break the alliances, and a strong 3rd partner is essential to reaching Einstein. I believe that you are underestimating the power of a lap bot that can play defense against an elite hurdler. Even if all they can do is stop or delay a team like 1114 just once, that may be enough to win the match (provided that the other members are effecient hurdlers).

In some matches there were two good hurdlers that were paired with a lap bot, and the lap bot was able to play defense against the other alliance's elite hurdler. The three robots in an alliance are all equally important, because each can bring something different to the team. A third alliance pick can make or brake an alliance. It's comforting thinking that your alliance has a back up hurdler, but in the end if no one brakes that third robot could just be used as a lap bot to decrease the use of the balls.

Originally Posted by T3_1565

I still hope 1114 wins it all.....

They beat us in quarter finals in Chicago, and I highly respect them. I hope they do very well in Atlanta, and they don't get damaged like in 2007. (ps. I also hope they like the cookies! )

Renee