From the four hundred teams loading in their robots today, only twelve will emerge from their divisions to compete on Einstein. Only three of those will scrape together the last four wins necessary to be crowned champions, giving everything they and their machines have left in the tank to do so. Robots will be beat up and far from their initial calibrations. The teams who can adapt on the fly and best avoid these issues will be the ones with the best odds. But all twelve teams will be well used to the rigors of elimination play by this point.
This game has the potential for absolute greatness at the highest levels. It also has the potential to be a disciplined and well controlled game, where starvation and ball control are more important than blasting away at the net at every given opportunity. When the top teams tango, it will come down to who can out execute the other. Expect smart play to prevail.
All twelve teams will be able to score three point buckets, and likely from the key (even if it isn’t their preferred position). Each alliance will be capable of putting up 36+ points in hybrid in a good match, though it won’t happen every match. All four alliances will have the capability to gun for the co-op bridge in autonomous, but in some cases it may be to prevent the other team from reaching the balls more than it is to score the balls themselves. All four alliances will have triple balanced to reach Einstein, and will likely chose to triple themselves instead of subjecting themselves to the judgement calls of referees when it comes to bridge defense.
Tele-op game play will have a focus on obtaining loose balls and avoiding putting any of the balls on the ground. Human loading may become a key factor for robots on the far side of the court, as it can save precious seconds compared to loading from the lane. Some alliances will opt to have robots pass balls forward, while others will opt for teams loading and crossing the field to score. Crossing the barrier will be hotly contested, especially after alliances scope out each others’ strategies. Expect battles for loose balls and crossing the field, with teams trying to goad one another into taking a penalty via contacting the bridge or obtaining a lane violation. Teams that can rapidly change from crossing a defended barrier to hopping over their alliance bridge may have an edge.
As with any year, the participants on Einstein will be hugely impacted by the seeding in qualifications. This year, the seeding system is particularly volatile with the inclusion of coopertition points. It’s going to take a perfect, or near perfect, QP to seed first and probably just shy of 30 of the 36 possible QP to be an alliance captain. This makes predicting how the tournaments will play out particularly difficult, but it won’t stop me from taking a guess. Not to mention the loss of a “sure thing” bet in 177 (as well as Einstein regulars 217, who missed CMP by a single point in FiM, and 71).
ARCHIMEDES:
HOT utilizes their surefire coopertition skills to edge out the competition for the #1 seed. They select 2056 first and the Adambots with the last pick of the draft. They’re significantly challenged along the elimination tournament, but 1114 is eliminated at some point due to a failed triple balance.
67/2056/245
CURIE:
The High Rollers stay close to undefeated and emerge as the top seed on Curie. They select Daisy, who seeded highly as well. The rookies from Indiana, 3940, round out the alliance. Other major contenders are split up pretty well, and despite some close calls the #1 alliance emerges from Curie in only 6 or 7 matches.
987/341/3940
GALILEO:
None of the major players go undefeated, but the Bomb Squad are still a mid seed captain. They select the Killer Bees, who showed promise but were inconsistent in qualifications, and 801 (the twin of 1592). The original “stinger” helps them triple balance quicker and more consistently than most of their foes, and some strong fender defense keeps their opponents off balance. It’s close, but they emerge on top.
16/33/801
NEWTON:
A mid-major power seeds on top and claims D’Penguineers with the first selection. Las Guerillas seed 3rd or 4th and add Wildstang and Birds of Prey to their alliance. The deep Newton field provides plenty of challenge, but 469 and 111’s dual assault and veteran tactics help them overcome the adversity.
469/111/181
EINSTEIN:
AvC and GvN in the first round.
987/341/3940 defeat 67/2056/245 in three, tightly contested matches. Daisy’s hybrid proves the difference.
469/111/181 defeat 16/33/801 in two matches. Galileo simply can’t match the speed and volume of Newton’s offense.
469/111/181 top 987/341/3940 in three matches. A mistimed failure or hybrid miss costs Curie their chance at their first championship, while Wildstang gets their second in a row, fourth overall (to tie Beatty), and their second alongside 469 (2003).
These predictions are just a bit of fun. Neither these, nor the division threads, are meant to be comprehensive. Don’t like 'em?
Go out there and prove them wrong!
