2 bots v. 3 bots Trailer question

[hayleybayley217]

Alright, so I am wondering as you may have noticed throughout the past years, there is alot of matches in which it becomes 2 bots vs. 3 bots, after robot problems. During the past years, that was an advantage usually to the alliance of 3 bots, but does not seem like it this year. If there is only 2 bots on the other alliance, the alliance of 3 would have a less chance of scoring there moon rocks and cells. What is gonna be in place to make sure it is equal and fair amongst all situations? In this case, would the trailer be removed from the field or would the trailer be left somewhere to be scored into? As well in this situation, would the 20 moon rocks for that team still be given to the alliance? I guess there needs to be some clearification on the alliance situations.

[legotech25]

Originally Posted by hayleybayley217

Alright, so I am wondering as you may have noticed throughout the past years, there is alot of matches in which it becomes 2 bots vs. 3 bots, after robot problems. During the past years, that was an advantage usually to the alliance of 3 bots, but does not seem like it this year. If there is only 2 bots on the other alliance, the alliance of 3 would have a less chance of scoring there moon rocks and cells. What is gonna be in place to make sure it is equal and fair amongst all situations? In this case, would the trailer be removed from the field or would the trailer be left somewhere to be scored into? As well in this situation, would the 20 moon rocks for that team still be given to the alliance? I guess there needs to be some clearification on the alliance situations.

What they've done in the past is pick a surrogate team, or a team that fills in for the missing team. That way, it stays 3 on 3.

[Madison]

Originally Posted by legotech25

What they've done in the past is pick a surrogate team, or a team that fills in for the missing team. That way, it stays 3 on 3.

In ten years of participation, I have never seen this happen.

[Abra Cadabra IV]

Firstly, that partly depends on what happened to the third robot. Did they not show up for the match, or did they have to press the e-stop? If it's the second case, there's no rule that you can't score on a disabled robot's trailer (as far as I'm aware) so if that's the case the alliance with the busted bot is pretty much screwed. Especially if they never moved in the first place and spend the match right in front of the opposing team's human player.

If it's the first case... that's a tough one. It depends a lot on the robots that are on the field and the strategies they use. I'd say that you're right, it looks like the short-handed alliance has an advantage. Not an incredibly game-breaking one, though.

[Kevin Sevcik]

According to <G10>:

ROBOT Starting Positions – Prior to the MATCH, each TEAM negotiates within their ALLIANCE to select one of the three LAUNCH PADS of the ALLIANCE. Each ROBOT is then HITCHED to the TRAILER assigned to the selected LAUNCH PAD. The ROBOT and TRAILER are then placed entirely within the LAUNCH PAD, and positioned such that the TRAILER is in contact with the AIRLOCK or guard rail (as appropriate).

TRAILERS are assigned to LAUNCH PADS. So I assume they're always on the field, whether there's a robot or not. A robotless TRAILER is going to be a dead easy target to score on, so I think a 2 robot team is going to have a huge detriment. So.... Don't forget to show up for a match!

[Abra Cadabra IV]

Originally Posted by Kevin Sevcik

According to <G10>:TRAILERS are assigned to LAUNCH PADS. So I assume they're always on the field, whether there's a robot or not. A robotless TRAILER is going to be a dead easy target to score on, so I think a 2 robot team is going to have a huge detriment. So.... Don't forget to show up for a match!

Wow, I missed that when I read the rules. Man, that prospect is...frightening.

[hayleybayley217]

well in the case of a robot, breaking down and not being able to go out on the field and compete, well there has to be something to give the other team a little better chances, because that clearly does not seem too fair.

And to the idea of just another robot, that really is not going to work out because there would be problems with equality amongst the teams. Who would you put in the match... and the always notices "they got more matches then i did excuse" at that moment?

I am hoping there is some rule or answer to this, as this will probually cause alot of situations.

[hayleybayley217]

TRAILERS are assigned to LAUNCH PADS. So I assume they're always on the field, whether there's a robot or not. A robotless TRAILER is going to be a dead easy target to score on, so I think a 2 robot team is going to have a huge detriment. So.... Don't forget to show up for a match!

yeah that seems more understandable. I guess I missed that. Thanks

[ExarKun666]

Originally Posted by Abra Cadabra IV

Wow, I missed that when I read the rules. Man, that prospect is...frightening.

<G10> ROBOT Starting Positions – Prior to the MATCH, each TEAM negotiates within their
ALLIANCE to select one of the three LAUNCH PADS of the ALLIANCE. Each ROBOT is
then HITCHED to the TRAILER assigned to the selected LAUNCH PAD. The ROBOT and
TRAILER are then placed entirely within the LAUNCH PAD, and positioned such that the
TRAILER is in contact with the AIRLOCK or guard rail (as appropriate)

However this rule says the robot is hitched to the trailer in the launch pad, so by my understanding if a team did not show up the launch pad can't just be filled up with only a trailer, but even if that interpretation is correct, the chances of team not showing up to their match is very slim, there is a much higher chance of a robot stopping on the field because of whatever reason (broken power cord, chain loose, ect...) then that stationary bot becomes a very easy target for the human players.

I see that as very unlikely. If the trailer would indeed be place out alone, how would it be stood up? It only has two wheels so I assume the hitch would be used as a "leg," and I assume that could scratch the floor (which naturally wouldn't be desirable). Furthermore, it would be pushed and knocked over the playing field, likely falling over at some point due to its two wheels, and causing problems for everyone.

[Ian Curtis]

[NOT OFFICIAL IN ANY WAY SHAPE OR FORM]

If only 2 teams show for an alliance, one side is going to have an advantage. If only 2 TRAILERS are placed on the field, the alliance with the no-show has an advantage. If 3 TRAILERS are placed on the field, the full alliance has an advantage. I'd imagine they wouldn't want to favor the no-show's alliance, so the advantage would go to the full alliance.

[/NOT OFFICIAL IN ANY WAY SHAPE OR FORM]

They don't necessarily have an advantage. Although there are less trailers to be scored on, there are also less robots to do the scoring.

[Ian Curtis]

Originally Posted by Jaybee1405

They don't necessarily have an advantage. Although there are less trailers to be scored on, there are also less robots to do the scoring.

Look at the image in 6.2.3 "Launch Pads." Your alliance's TRAILERS (and vice versa) start directly in front of the opposing alliance's HUMAN PLAYERS. A decent human player should be able to make almost every single ball into the stationary TRAILER sitting three feet away. If there was a robot attached to the TRAILER, the TRAILER would be moving and farther away, making it significantly harder to make shots in. It doesn't deal with the number of trailers or robots, it's the ease of the Human Player's shot.

[Daniel_LaFleur]

My guess is that if a robot does not show up then the team would not be allowed to play during that match. That would mean that one of their payload specialist stations would be unmanned and 20 moonrocks would go unused.

<G40>
GAME PIECE Interaction – With the exception of PAYLOAD SPECIALISTS, no TEAM member may contact GAME PIECES at any time during the MATCH. Violations will result in a PENALTY.

[Kevin Sevcik]

Originally Posted by Jaybee1405

I see that as very unlikely. If the trailer would indeed be place out alone, how would it be stood up? It only has two wheels so I assume the hitch would be used as a "leg," and I assume that could scratch the floor (which naturally wouldn't be desirable). Furthermore, it would be pushed and knocked over the playing field, likely falling over at some point due to its two wheels, and causing problems for everyone.

This is going to be a pretty stable thing. The wheels only stick 2" under the bottom of the trailer. With all the geometry, it will end up resting on the end of the trailer tongue, but only with a 4 degree tilt. It may scratch up the floor slightly, but it's a nice rounded corner, so I doubt it. I think the only real concern that might keep the trailer off the field without a robot is worry over the trailer tongue being damaged.