Did Lunacy really level the playing field?

[Akash Rastogi]

Originally Posted by Pikat

Well here's a question that my team has been wondering. What about this year's game made it so that one team could not pull the alliance, and that alliance members could pull you down?

Was it because of the FRP, meaning that it was easier to defend against one powerhouse robot (pin in the corner for the whole match)?

Or was it because the scoring locations were attached to the robots, meaning that teams that could not drive as well would be easy targets?

One robot couldn't pull an entire alliance because every robot out on the field was a liability. You won as an alliance or you lost as an alliance. It was as simple as that.

As for traction control playing a significant role in the game: simply not true. Watch 816 and learn what Jared and I are talking about.

Richard: a team with a simple drive train could outmaneuver the veterans with "sophisticated" drivetrains, it was a matter of drive skill and throwing your weight around. 2753 could hunt almost anyone down on the field because of their driver skill and practice. They had a 12 wd set up. Does that constitute simple or sophisticated for you?

All those rookies you listed had gifted mentors on their teams and other mentor teams helping them. Their design processes were solidified before build season and this structure lead them to success. I forget who said it, but its a quote I hold dear:

"Build a good team, and the robots will follow"

Truly a simple concept that these rookie teams mastered early in their careers.