To get points for challenging or scaling the tower, does the tower need to first be weakened (8 balls shot into the tower)? Also, do all 3 robots have to be present at the tower to get any of those points?
The rules are a little moot on this, as is the video.
The rules may be silent, but Q&A is not.
To add to that, Scaling and Challenging are assessed by individual robot status. Capturing is accomplished if all three robots have Scaled or Challenged the Tower.
And just letting you know, the amount of balls it takes to weaken the tower can change. They will stay the same for regional events but most likely they will change it at worlds.
Just because FIRST has the right to do so doesn’t mean that they will. Similar clauses have been included in years past for various elements of gameplay, and the point values don’t always change before Champs.
(relevant manual section, section 3.1.4 blue box):
As the season progresses, TOWERS may become fortified to increase their starting STRENGTH. While the starting STRENGTH of a TOWER will not change between weeks of Regional or District Competition play, the starting STRENGTH of a TOWER may be changed for District Championship and/or FIRST Championship play. Teams will be notified of changes in the starting STRENGTH of a TOWER no later than the scheduled Team Update prior to the date of the event.
The option for the GDC to change certain point values has been in the manual since 2012, and it has never been exercised.
Actually…
Type is correct, in his first sentence. The number of boulders required can change, and can change mid-match no less. It’s called a Tech Foul, and if you commit one, you need to score one more boulder. Easy way to avoid that? Don’t commit a Tech Foul.