After taking three of four titles between 2003 and 2006, Archimedes hasn’t managed to take home another Championship since then and has failed to escape the semi-finals on Einstein each of the past two years. This storied division is loaded with the depth and top-level talent it takes to win a Championship though, and should produce an alliance very capable of taking home the Einstein gold.
This division could also be referred to as the NASA division, with almost all of the NASA base teams in the division. 118, 233, 254, and 330 will all be fierce competitors. But these NASA teams will have their hands full with a number of other incredible teams to compete against.
There will be no shortage of scoring teams for any zone, but there are a particularly large number of teams who are capable of playing the mid-field in this division. Teams who are flexible enough to play multiple zones effectively, change zones when needed, and can work through (or around) defense and traffic will be especially important in both maximizing qualification scores and ensuring elimination success in this skilled field. Unique or specialized features can potentially give certain robots a definite edge over others, especially if utilized effectively, and may determine some close matches.
PREDICTIONS:
TIPS:
Indiana is loosing their best and brightest onto Archimedes. 45, 71, and 234 should all be in the eliminations and each have a chance to do damage. The Technokats bested Cyber Blue in the finals in Purdue, and both teams definitely improved there compared to their first events (where they both lost in the quarters). Both teams are likely to be picked in the 7-12 range and will have to rely on their partners or face an uphill fight in the eliminations. The BEAST has the best shot at going deep of the three, though. Team Hammond specializes in the offensive zone, and is nimble and effective enough to give most defenders fits. But they are also flexible enough to play the middle zone as well, have effective autonomous codes for all three zones, and can hang. 71’s potential is great, but they have to improve their consistency if they want another trip to Einstein.
359 has quietly won three regionals this season, and are an incredibly effective striker. Their lack of flexibility is a little worrisome, and will likely ward some captains away. However, their plus-level offensive zone skills and ability to elevate will grant them value to many alliances, especially if they can continue to score through defenders. Given the surplus of teams capable of feeding them balls, they have a very solid chance at seeding high and potentially being able to build their own alliance. However, the nature of their strategy makes them very dependent on their partners.
Miss Daisy has built the best bot in their history, which includes a trip to Einstein in 2003. 341 won New York and Philadelphia as the top alliance captain, and aims to repeat their success in Archimedes. Their game is comparable to the team-IFI twins (148 and 217). They lack the nona-drive and don’t play at that level, but strategically they do many of the same things (including their ability to start in the far zone in autonomous and the majority of their scoring happening in the offensive zone). Watch for them to slide into the bottom half of the bracket, most likely as a first round pick.
968 has made it to Einstein the last two times they came to Atlanta (2006 and 2008), and the only time in their history they’ve fallen short here is in 2004 (when they lost to the eventual division champions 105-100 in the third match of their quarterfinal). RAWC plan on returning there this year, despite falling in the finals of their only regional. They haven’t shown the consistency or overall ability of their twin, 254, but the upside is unquestionably there.
In most divisions, the Beachbots would be a lock rather than a tip. But 330 will have to fight off a bit more competition in this division than they would elsewhere. Their ball control, while capable, isn’t quite on the level as some of the other elite teams. They know how to drive their robot to avoid their weaknesses and emphasize their strengths, which makes them incredibly dangerous though. If they can find a partner that lets them be the “second” robot (as well as someone to rack up the garbage goals), they could be playing into the evening on Saturday.
The NC Gears exploded onto the scene last year after some mediocrity their first few years, and managed to reach the Newton finals. They have another strong contender this year, and emerged victorious in the epic clash in the MSC finals. They’re a very capable middle and far-zone bot, and can keep the ball supply in the offensive zone high. However, they might not be as fortunate head-to-head against some of the teams in Archimedes as they were in MSC (where they had a pretty favorable qualification schedule), which will make it more difficult to seed #1 and control their alliance. If they don’t rank in the top 2-3, it’ll be very difficult for 1918 to repeat the success they had last year.
DARK HORSE:
The Brazilian Trail Blazers came home to Brazil with two silvers from the Southeastern US, and are looking to pick up another medal from that region this weekend. After reaching the finals in Palmetto and North Carolina, 1772 has helped prove that Brazilians are even good at robot soccer. They’re dynamic in the offensive zone and can play the middle when needed. They’ll slide behind some of the bigger names in alliance selections, but if they can find their way into the 2nd round, they could be incredibly effective on the right alliance.
SLEEPER:
The last time Pink didn’t win a regional they won Archimedes. However, they didn’t miss the eliminations entirely in Florida in 2007. 233 rallied in LA, but met their exit in the semi-finals. Pink has definite potential for success, but will need to continue to improve if they want to crack the top handful of teams.
LOCKS:
2006: Thirty-one wins and zero losses.
2010: Thirty-one wins and one loss (which came via a massive DOGMA penalty for a ball returned incorrectly).
2006: Gold in New Jersey and Vegas
2010: Gold in New Jersey and Vegas
There’s a lot of comparisons to draw between 25’s 2006 and 2010 regional campaigns, but they’re hoping they don’t end the 2010 season with the same loss in the finals that they suffered in 2006. They’re more than capable of being a workhorse on an alliance, but they had significant aid from 1676 and 254 at each of their regionals. Their effective ball control, hanging mechanism, and kicker help them dominate mid-field. Their ability to acquire balls in corners will help give them an edge over the many other mid-fielders. Their consistency will be their biggest weapon, as it should help them rank highly and get the right partners for them to succeed in the eliminations.
The Killer Bees are the best team to not win an event in 2010. 33 met 67 and 910 in Kettering, 217 and 469 in Troy, and 217 and 67 in MSC. But the Bees are an exception mid and far zone robot with a reliable hanging mechanism. They should find their way onto one of the top three alliances.
The Robowranglers’ aim is clearly on Einstein, and they have a robot that will give them a shot at it. They can play anywhere on the field, but earn their money by converting goals in the home zone. 148 can capitalize on the quantity of mid-fielders to keep their scores high during qualifications, which can help ensure a high seed. If they align with one of the top-tier teams, anything short of the division finals would be surprising.
The Poofs goal is clear, to make it to Einstein for the first time since 2005 and to win their first Championship. 254 has the speed and skill to make most defenders look foolish, and utilize it become one of the most effective offensive zone scoring machines around. However, they’re nearly as effective in the middle and far zones, and their autonomous is capable of putting five balls into the home zone to start a match. Their flexibility and skill will make them a very attractive partner, and if they can improve their scoring from mid-field (and particularly in autonomous), they’ll be very difficult to stop.