This year the game manual mentions a maximum of 8 Smart Motors and a pneumatic system. In previous years, use of pneumatics limited the motors to 6. Is that still the case or can we use pneumatics and then 8 more motors?
The Q&A is closed for the 2021-2022 season. Any rule changes or clarifications pertaining to the 2022 VEX Robotics World Championship will be included in the April 5 Game Manual Update. Teams attending VEX Worlds who wish to pre-submit questions for the driver's meeting should have received a contact form via email; if not, please contact your REC Foundation Team Engagement Manager for more information.
Official Q&A: VRC 2021-2022: Tipping Point
840: Motor Count with Pneumatics
Answered by committee
Please review the Q&A Usage Guidelines before posting, specifically point 3, "Quote the applicable rule from the latest version of the manual in your question". Often, you'll find that by quoting the rule, you'll answer your own question.
Per rule G22:
Previous Definitions, Rules and Rulings found in documents and Q&A’s from previous seasons do not apply to the current game.
Rule R18 reads as follows, with a portion bolded for emphasis:
<R18> Robots use one control system. Robots may use a V5 Robot Brain, up to eight (8) V5 Smart Motors, and a legal VRC pneumatic system.
a. V5 Smart Motors, connected to Smart Ports, are the only motors that may be used with a V5 Robot Brain. The 3-wire ports may not be used to control motors of any kind.
b. The 5.5W V5 Smart Motor, found in the V5 Workcell system, is not legal for use.
There is no rule which sets a different limit on the number of V5 Smart Motors that may be used alongside a pneumatic system.