Unusual number of teams declining

[the programmer]

is it just me or are there many more teams than usual decling in alliance selection? and is this becuase of the ranking system or because of something else?

[jspatz1]

I think this is pretty simple....the seeding system is leaving more low-capability teams in top seeded positions than normal, and chosen teams are being forced to decline in hopes of doing better.

[Koko Ed]

Not surprising at all.
Alot of teams that are either unknown or as seen as undeserving are suddenly finding themselves in the top eight and teams don't want to work with them.
I mean when you got a team that's not showing up for matches making the top eight you know you got a bankrupt system.

[Stephen of REX]

Really? Which regionals? No one declined at DC when I went...

[vhcook]

No one declined in KC either.

[nikeairmancurry]

From what I know, there was none at Kettering.. Correct me if I'm wrong...

[Chris is me]

I think this is a year where a low seed is a benefit, due to the roles alliance partners need to fill. Also, being picked by a robot with the same strengths and weaknesses as you is not a good idea!

I didn't think there were more declines than normal. If anything, that means inter top 8 picking is more common and thus the top 8 is more accurate!

[Koko Ed]

We had a decline at FLR.

[Josh Fox]

I can verify that there were no declines at Kettering.

[Jim Meyer]

In my opinion the serpentine draft encourages declines. Lower seeded teams have the advantage of an earlier pick for the 3rd machine. I think we've declined a pick sitting at #7 or #8 seed from the #1 seed mostly to get a better 3rd machine. It worked too, we won that regional (Great Lakes '08).

[578robotsrock]

yes, there was indeed a decline at FLR

[alicen]

Originally Posted by Koko Ed

I mean when you got a team that's not showing up for matches making the top eight you know you got a bankrupt system.

i remember in my freshman year, there was a team there that hardly moved ten feet the entire regional, but ended up in the top 8. and this was before the seeding system changed.

i personally don't think there is a "right" way to do it, but if teams actually converse with one another, you'd be surprised how quickly your team is wanted on an alliance
it's not the bot that makes the team great, it's the team that makes the bot great.