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Official Q&A: VRC 2018-2019: Turning Point

Usage Guidelines All Questions

21: Questions about <G12>


30047A
7-Jun-2018

It seems that rule <G12> normally protects against other teams using deliberately defensive strategies, like a ground based bot using a <18" tall forklift/spatula to flip/tip bots off of the top platform. Under Note 1 of <G12>, Robots "Attempting" to utilize the Center Platform waive this right, unless they are "Alliance Parked" (Note 2).

  1. Can teams design intentionally destructive/defensive/entangling subsystems for use against opponents or to aid teammates who are Center Parked?

  2. If a robot is attempting to utilize the center platform but still has a single wheel, or even a single wire contacting the alliance platform, is it protected under "Note 2" of <G12> until they stop touching their own alliance platform?

  3. Can Blue team tip a Red robot that is Center Parked onto the other Red robot that is "Alliance parked"?

  4. Can a Blue Alliance Parked robot grapple and secure a Blue robot that is Center Parked, making it harder to push the Center Parked robot off of the center platform?

  5. Can a Blue robot driving on the foam tiles use a cap to ram a Red robot that is Center Parked off of the center platform?

  6. Can a robot grab and tug on the wires or VexNet Key of a Center Parked Opponent?

And now some possible rule clarification suggestions:

Could Note 1 be amended to only waive the protection offered by <g12> from robots that are either Alliance Parked or Center Parked? This way more destructive, momentum based interactions can be avoided, unless that is something that is encouraged.

Can Note 2 be extended to only cover Alliance Parked robots that have their motion subsystem touching the Alliance Platform. This way robots can't incorporate ideas to technically seek protection under Note 2, while being mostly or almost completely positioned on the center platform.

Answered by Game Design Committee

In the future, per the Q&A Usage Guidelines, please quote the relevant portion of the manual in your question. In this case, you are referring to Notes 1 and 2 of G12:

  • Note 1: Teams who attempt to utilize the Center Platform should expect to encounter vigorous interactions from opponent Robots who are attempting to do the same. Engaging in this gameplay element of VRC Turning Point constitutes an acknowledgement of the risk of incidental tipping or damage, as covered by <G12b> and <G12c>, and waives the protection that is offered by <G12> against destructive interactions.

  • Note 2: The Alliance Platform is not included in Note 1. Robots which are Alliance Parked are still protected by <G12> against destructive or defensive strategies.

Also, splitting your question into multiple posts will help with readability and searching.

With all of these answers, remember that it is impossible to issue a blanket ruling on hypothetical scenarios. The highly interactive nature of the Center Platform means that many situations will result in judgment calls based on the context of the match and the specifics of the interaction.

1) Can teams design intentionally destructive/defensive/entangling subsystems for use against opponents or to aid teammates who are Center Parked?

  • R3 still applies to all Robots, regardless of their Center Parked status or not. See this similar Q&A post.

2) If a robot is attempting to utilize the center platform but still has a single wheel, or even a single wire contacting the alliance platform, is it protected under "Note 2" of <G12> until they stop touching their own alliance platform?

  • No. "Utilizing the Center Platform" takes precedence over being technically Alliance Parked. The August manual update will include a revision to Note 2 that will clarify this.

3) Can Blue team tip a Red robot that is Center Parked onto the other Red robot that is "Alliance parked"?

  • Since both Blue and Red Robots are attempting to utilize the Center Platform, these interactions may result in robots being pushed off the Center Platform onto the field or Alliance Platforms. Teams should be aware of the risks that may result from this interaction.

4) Can a Blue Alliance Parked robot grapple and secure a Blue robot that is Center Parked, making it harder to push the Center Parked robot off of the center platform?

  • There are no rules against Entanglement with robots on the same alliance.

5) Can a Blue robot driving on the foam tiles use a cap to ram a Red robot that is Center Parked off of the center platform?

  • Yes, this is legal. It is worth noting that the Cap in this question is irrelevant - this would be legal even if the blue Robot was not holding a Cap. Engaging in Center Parking waives the protection offered by G12 against destructive interactions, as explained by Note 1 of G12.

6) Can a robot grab and tug on the wires or VexNet Key of a Center Parked Opponent?

  • No. Note 1 specifically refers to the risk of "incidental tipping or damage". Intentionally pulling out an opponent's wiring goes far beyond a simple pushing match and would result in a G12 violation. The Center Platform may result in some scuffles, but it is not a full-out combat robotics zone.