Look Back: Week 2

[Josh Goodman]

Originally Posted by Tetraman

I still have the idea that soon teams will realize that the best thing is not to toss out all of the moon rocks human players are given until the last 40 seconds of the game. Imagine how much different the scores would work if for the first minute not a single robot could pick a moon rock from the floor.

Interesting thought Evan.....definitely something to put in the play book.

[Steven Sigley]

Originally Posted by Tetraman

I still have the idea that soon teams will realize that the best thing is not to toss out all of the moon rocks human players are given until the last 40 seconds of the game. Imagine how much different the scores would work if for the first minute not a single robot could pick a moon rock from the floor.

Or simply not miss, payload specialists are making and breaking the game. Our alliance partners in the Quarter finals lost 9-10 balls per each match which really hurt us.
Not to knock them, but in the qualifying matches our team got a great boost from the almost guaranteed 10 balls (out of 13), and they didn't want our outpost specialist, they wanted their own. (We have one for corners and one for the outpost)

So be sure that you either hold on to the moon rocks until later in the match, or have a really accurate payload specialist, whichever works for your team, because they're really helping offensively and somewhat defensively by not allowing floor loading bots to restock.

[commodoredl]

Originally Posted by KevinReid

Does anyone know what happened? Was it a miscalc or deliberate(broken bot)?

My team's coach was standing next to the 610 coach during the alliance selection... From what he said it sounded like the 610 coach thought he was ranked number 11 instead of 12 and had a good shot at picking an alliance... Too bad for the miscount. I remember 610's robot being a very good machine.

[OZ_341]

Originally Posted by Looking Forward

......The closest any one team came to individually winning a regional came in San Diego. It wasn't 1332 or 341 either, it was 2543 and their tremendous defense. ........

The key lessons here are scouting, strategy, alliance teamwork and determination. Picking 2543 was not a random selection. We talked it over carefully with our partners and we believed that The Titans were our best chance to win.

We could not have won without the Titans, but we also could not have won without a plan.
Thank you 1332 and 2543. You are awesome!

[ejSabathia]

Originally Posted by OZ_341

The key lessons here are scouting, strategy, alliance teamwork and determination. Picking 2543 was not a random selection. We talked it over carefully with our partners and we believed that The Titans were our best chance to win.

We could not have won without the Titans, but we also could not have won without a plan.
Thank you 1332 and 2543. You are awesome!

Hats off to your strategic power play. While it was heart breaking to watch 2543 bully 968 across the field, you proved the point that scouting and strategy wins matches.

[OZ_341]

Originally Posted by p0iZeN-254

Hats off to your strategic power play. While it was heart breaking to watch 2543 bully 968 across the field, you proved the point that scouting and strategy wins matches.

All this being said, RAWC 968 is a great team and a nice bunch of folks.

We also respect and fear what that machine can do to a match score, in just a matter of seconds. We were in awe of its power all weekend.

[Jonathan Norris]

Originally Posted by commodoredl

My team's coach was standing next to the 610 coach during the alliance selection... From what he said it sounded like the 610 coach thought he was ranked number 11 instead of 12 and had a good shot at picking an alliance... Too bad for the miscount. I remember 610's robot being a very good machine.

I don't know exactly what happened, seeing as I wasn't there. But I do believe they thought they were a bit higher, however they fully knew the risk of declining the 3rd seed and believed they could form a powerful 8th alliance.I'm sure Duncan will chime in at some point about what happened, it was a risky move that didn't turn out in their favor. I know 610 learned a lot at FLR and have a very strong, high quality robot that will be a force at GTR.

[MattLi]

Refering to the first post on this thread: (didn't feel like quoting)

I totally agree, strong defensive robots help so much in an alliance.

[idahorobot]

Originally Posted by p0iZeN-254

Hats off to your strategic power play. While it was heart breaking to watch 2543 bully 968 across the field, you proved the point that scouting and strategy wins matches.

What was the plan?

[kiettyyyy]

Originally Posted by idahorobot

What was the plan?

To pin and bully the scoring robot.

Hats off to their alliance. The strategy and scouting that their alliance displayed played an essential part in winning the regional.

[IKE]

Originally Posted by Looking Forward

Week two saw the emergence of defensive specialists, the continued need for secondary scoring, and a reduced roles for super cells. Fewer third picks were dedicated to running empty cells and more concentrated on shutting down the primary threat on the other alliance. How these strategies will fare against one another is yet to be seen. Lunacy is far from the final form of competition, and while defensive specialists will be important, don't bet the farm on them yet.

While I definitely agree that Defensive bots were a major part of week two, I felt that Kettering showed that Supercells were a big part also. While they decided mostly QF matches (3 out of 4 pairings went to 3 matches, and the one that did not was only a 1 point difference in the first round), the threat of Supercells limited scoring in the final 30 seconds of the matches as teams stayed away for good Payload specialists that had Supercells in Hand. Not having one in hand allowed your competition to continue scoring until the buzzer.

[xzvrw2]

The Huskie Brigade struggled with a bit of inconsistency and balls not feeding properly from their hopper their scoring mechanism. But their offensive potential and upside were only matched by 245 at the event, and there was no way they should have been around when they were selected (second pick by the #6 alliance). They stepped it up during the eliminations, and were the primary scoring threat on their alliance (which reached the finals). Both of their alliance partners were "on the bubble" in terms of reaching the Michigan state Championship. But the tremendous performance on this alliance essentially locked up both teams (and 65 will likely only need a few more points) for a spot.

Its good to see this guys. Great job! I wish I could have been there to see it, but school and my fraternity have been kicking my butt latley. I will try to make it in Detroit but I will definatly be there for the Championships.

[ZakuAce]

I think there are a lot of good points here.

First, I completely agree with human players hanging onto their balls for a while, especially if you know the other team is good at dumping or shooting. The less balls they can get their hands on, the less they will score on you.

Teamwork, as always, is needed, but this year it is CRITICAL. I am going to make sure our drive team gets together with the drive team and head scout of each team we are in an alliance with, and come up with a comprehensive plan each time. IMO, the drive team can't work on your robot until you have a stratagy. You can't have your alliance partners doing one thing while you do something completely different. Chances are you will run into each other and be easy targets for a well coordinated alliance. Of course, taking advantage of a situation that may break away from your stratagy to make a good play will be necessary. Make sure your drivers are confident in their abilities. Confidence is the key! If you believe the bridge will be there, it will be there! Get rid of the negative waves! (Cookies to people who get this movie quote )

I have always been partial to a defensive stratagy and a defensive robot. I believe that they WILL be critical in the outcome of matches. Stopping a powerhouse scorer can be the key to victory, as has already been seen (er grammar?) not only in this game but in years past.

Good luck, and I'll be seeing ya'll at Wisconsin.

[RyanCesiel]

Originally Posted by ZakuAce

First, I completely agree with human players hanging onto their balls for a while, especially if you know the other team is good at dumping or shooting. The less balls they can get their hands on, the less they will score on you.

This isn't a bad strategy except for the fact that there's three other human players that will still throw balls out.

I, personally, use my balls at an even pace. I throw roughly 2 or 3 in autonomous and the rest throughout the two minutes I have. I also only throw ones I know I can make. I've seen payload specialists throw balls half the distance of the field with a minute and half to go still.

[ZakuAce]

[quote=RyanCesiel;834147] also only throw ones I know I can make. [quote]

This should be a rule followed by all Payload Specialists. Be patient, your oppurtunities to score will come!