Climbing Up and back again

[Grim Tuesday]

We have come upon an interesting issue with the climbing rules. It seems that nothing requires the robot remain on the tower at the end of the game--scoring is based upon reaching a level of the tower. See rule 3.1.5.2:

Points are awarded for the highest Level achieved for every ALLIANCE ROBOT that CLIMBS its PYRAMID. The Level to which a ROBOT has CLIMBED is determined by the lowest point of the ROBOT (in relation to the FIELD). CLIMB point values and Levels are defined in Figure 3-4.

Emphasis mine. Does this mean that a robot may climb up the tower at the beginning of the game, validate a climb, and have the score count at the end even if they immediately descend?

Also, from the introduction:

Teams earn additional points by CLIMBING their ALLIANCE’S PYRAMID by the end of the MATCH.

Emphasis mine. Note the by the end of the match not at the end of the match.

Another relevant rule:

A ROBOT has CLIMBED its PYRAMID if it contacts the PYRAMID in

sequential order (Level 0, 1, 2, 3) during ascent and
no more than two (2) Levels simultaneously.


If a CLIMB is considered unacceptable (e.g. a ROBOT has touched non-adjacent Levels or more than two (2) Levels at a time), a Referee will indicate a rejected CLIMB by turning the offending ROBOT’S PLAYER STATION LED strings yellow. The ROBOT will be ineligible for CLIMB points unless and until it begins a new CLIMB from the floor, Level 0.

Assuming your climb is validated when you reach the top, must you follow the rules when descending (ie, could you go level 0,1,2,3,1,0)?

[Racer26]

My suspicion is each ROBOT can only receive points for one CLIMB in a given MATCH, and if the rules don't explicitly say so somewhere, that it will likely be fixed in a Team Update.

It wouldn't be very exciting to watch a match consisting of robots playing elevator on the pyramids.

[Grim Tuesday]

Originally Posted by 1075guy

My suspicion is each ROBOT can only receive points for one CLIMB in a given MATCH, and if the rules don't explicitly say so somewhere, that it will likely be fixed in a Team Update.

It wouldn't be very exciting to watch a match consisting of robots playing elevator on the pyramids.

Well they do say that the only points scored are for the highest achieved by a robot so they can't just jiggle up and down between layers for infinite points.

I have to note that the animation explicitly says that robots must remain there at the end of the game so maybe that was (very sadly) the GDC's intent.

[ipburbank]

Another proposed argument against the possibility of climbing up, earning points, and climbing back down is G4:

G4 ROBOTS may only be removed from a PYRAMID under the following conditions:
A. by the TEAM,
B. unpowered,
C. and under the supervision of a FIRST Technical Advisor (FTA), FTA Assistant, Referee, or Field
Supervisor.

G4 doesn't specifically make exceptions for the robot removing itself during the match under its own power, however, I counter this argument with the following quote which implies that a robot may remove itself from the pyramid:

[...] begins a new CLIMB from the floor, Level 0

[MatthewWalker]

Definitely something they need to clarify, and quick!

[Tetraman]

A FAQ question, sure to be addressed in the first Team Update for sure.

[CubeNinja]

Originally Posted by Grim Tuesday

I have to note that the animation explicitly says that robots must remain there at the end of the game so maybe that was (very sadly) the GDC's intent.

From the animation: "Robots can climb up the sides or corners of the pyramid, but they have to remain there as the game ends to collect their bonuses."

[IisMathwizard]

This doesn't make sense. From the manual, however, it doesn't state this. Perhaps an update is in the future???

[Sam390250]

The rules are certainly misleading, however I am trying to understand the advantage of this... The only one I see is if you did it in autonomous mode to get it out of the way and then could focus on scoring discs the rest of the round. But depending on your method, it might waste a lot of time climbing back down safely.

[Basel A]

The game animation is not official and shouldn't be relied upon. here's my interpretation of why you're incorrect, but it's not absolute.


3.2.4.2: The Level to which a ROBOT has CLIMBED is determined by the lowest point of the ROBOT.

3.2.4 Final scores will be assess five seconds after the ARENA timer displays zero or when all elements come to rest, whichever event happens first.


To me, this suggests that that the climb is assessed after the end of the match. I believe the "highest Level" language is because a Level 3 climb also counts as a Level 2 climb and a Level 1 climb, not because of multiple tries. Ask the Q&A.

[iPenguin]

Just to pull from section 1 of the game manual:

The match ends with robots attempting to climb on pyramids located near the middle of the field.

Emphasis mine.

Also:

Originally Posted by Basel A

I believe the "highest Level" language is because a Level 3 climb also counts as a Level 2 climb and a Level 1 climb, not because of multiple tries. Ask the Q&A.

A level 3 climb cannot count as a level 2 climb (and so on) because the level is determined by the lowest point of the robot.

[Rishabhgadi]

So, basically you can't have a "system" attach at level two and pull you up, you have to go one at a time?

[iPenguin]

Originally Posted by Rishabhgadi

So, basically you can't have a "system" attach at level two and pull you up, you have to go one at a time?

The way I see it, yes. You have to go from the floor (Level 0) to level 1. Then before you get to level 2, you have to get up off the floor. And before you get to level 3, you have to get off level 1.

[mama_tree]

Adding 2 questions to this discussion:

1. Can you use another robot to assist you in your "climb"?
2. Is your robot allowed to start inside the pyramid?

[MetalJacket]

Originally Posted by mama_tree

Adding 2 questions to this discussion:

1. Can you use another robot to assist you in your "climb"?
2. Is your robot allowed to start inside the pyramid?

The manual states that a robot may support another robot only if one or both are in contact with the pyramid so, like in the animation, one robot may assist another up onto the pyramid.
There is nothing from what I hae seen that restricts where you start your climb so long as you touch the levels in the proper order.