If week five taught us anything, it that strategies cannot be copied and pasted into different events and different matches. Evidence for this already existed, but after five weeks of competition and much evolution in strategy, it is now undeniable. At some events, triple scorers prospered. At others it was defense that reigned supreme. At several it was clearly shown how important flexibility was, and the alliances that could best adapt to each opponent were crowned victorious.
Vegas was a terrific example of this, with both finalist alliances blending defense and offense together. 330 was the undoubted leader of their finalist alliance, often scoring one large payload then playing outstanding defense on their leading opposing scoring machine (and fully utilizing their pseudo-crab). But their alliance couldn’t pull it off against a well-balanced #3 alliance, which featured three solid scoring machines, but no single “explosive” element. 987 and 1622 weren’t the flashiest, but they got the job done. 1013 is what set the alliance apart, providing both defensive and support scoring, and made many other alliances look foolish for not picking them earlier.
254 and 1538 paired up as the number 1 alliance, but the two robots were too similar in design and strategy to work together ideally. Defense and less than spectacular teamwork led to their semi-final demise.
Similar events played out in Long Island, Lonestar, South Carolina, Seattle, Hawaii, Mest Michigan, and Connecticut. No number #1 alliance took home gold at any of those events, with less flashy, but better rounded alliances capturing gold. Strategies varied from event to event, with some using three offensive bots, some using witty defense, and some placing lots of value on super cells, but good strategy was crucial to all.
1771 was probably the best bot in Palmetto, but fell to the #3 alliance due to a decline, and picked up one of the bots that knocked them out two weeks before (2415) to aid them in capturing gold.
Many of the top bots faced heavy defense in qualifications, and didn’t seed exceptionally high in Seattle. The eliminations included a dramatic, four-match semi-final series, and ultimately 488, 1425, and 1569 claimed the crown (and 1280 got their second silver).
1421, 704, and 2587 chugged their way to the top in Houston, with a solid effort from all three robots and some tough finals matches. 148 met a quarter-final exit due to lots of defense.
Connecticut saw a heavily favored combo of 121 and 694 barely escape the QFs, then get beat in the semis. 694 had technical issues that left them sitting ducks at various points, but when on their game was lethal. 121 saw huge amounts of defense thrown their way, and could barely move more than a few feet without one or two bots pinning them. 126 and 1155 improved their scoring significantly from their first events, and added a strong defensive team in 1902 (who could also score while pinning thanks to their turret) to form a ferocious alliance with no real weaknesses.
399 decimated the field in Denver, with a 13-0 record, #1 seed, and regional victory. Once paired with 1332 and 2996 in the eliminations, they were unstoppable, breaking 100 four times in six matches, acquiring three <G14>s (missing a 4th by a single moon rock), and only having one match within a 34-point difference.
Another California team also had a perfect record this weekend, with 1717 going 15-0, #1 seed, and winning in Sacramento. Their domination wasn’t as complete, especially in the scoring column (several very close matches), but the D’Penguineers could endure defense far better than most, and got very good complimentary scoring from 668 (who came much closer to realizing their full potential than earlier int he season). 1717 managed to sneak by, with a match in each round being decided by 4 points or less, but all in their favor.
67, however, did not escape undefeated. HOT took three losses (two in quals) and seeded 2nd. However, 217 (who seeded first, and irregular thing for anyone who follows the Chickens) selected them and formed a very strong alliance. The Thunderchickens have certainly improved since Midwest, and though they still use the super cell extensively, their moon rock scoring is vastly improved. The #1 alliance received a scare in the semis, when the #5 alliance took the first match by using three solid scoring machines and a ball-hogging strategy. But the one-two punch of 67 and 217 was ultimately too much, and both walked away with another victory (and the top two rankings in the state).
If 610 wanted a moment so memorable that it could erase any trace of their gaffe at Rochester, they got it in the finals in Toronto. The #1 alliance of 2056, 1114, and 2185 faced off against the #3 alliance of 188, 610, and 1305. The blue alliance took the first match by a solid 97-74 margin, and edged them to within one match of gold. But then all hell broke loose.
610 had damaged a roller playing defense and needed a time-out. 188 called it. As the clock expired on the time-out, 188 didn’t quite make it to the field and wasn’t allowed to compete. The blue alliance reacted by sandbagging the match, attempting to draw a 3x G14. 2056 and 1114 caught on, and starting scoring on their own trailers to avoid the penalty. The blue alliance hit a super cell in 610s trailer, but they only drew a 2x G14, leaving the red alliance with one super cell at each station.
The third match went down to the wire. Blue was leading heading into the final seconds, but by a very narrow margin. In the waning seconds the red alliance nailed a super cell, giving them the edge, 97-90. Remember that 2nd G14 penalty they just avoided in match 2?
This marks the 6th consecutive regional victory for 2056, the longest streak in FIRST history. 2185 won their second of the year (and in two weeks). 1114 was vastly improved over their performance in Midwest, and while most will cite 2056 as the best team on their alliance, 1114 was no slouch. Both teams played a very large roll in the success of this alliance.
), they would load up in the beginning and spend most of the match looking for a good opening to unload. Whether or not they got this opportunity was what decided most of their matches, and it sure kept everyone on the edge of their seats!