Cracking the RP System: Targeting Ranking Points

In FTC, you can win every single match and still be Rank 5. Why? Because the Ranking Point (RP) system rewards specific tasks, not just high scores.

If you want to be the Captain of the #1 Alliance, you need to treat RPs like gold.

The RP Breakdown

In the DECODE season, RPs are awarded for:

1. Winning: 2 RP. (Obvious).
2. Tying: 1 RP.
3. Auto Bonus: 1 RP for completing the “Motif” in Auto. (This is huge).
4. Endgame Bonus: 1 RP for a Double Hang.

This means a customized, optimized winning match yields 4 Ranking Points.

Strategy: The “RP Hunter”

Many teams build a robot to score points. The smart teams build a robot to score RPs.

The Auto Bonus Priority

If the Auto Bonus RP requires placing 1 Purple and 1 Green artifact, drop everything else. If you score 50 points in Auto but miss the Motif, you get 0 RPs. If you score 20 points in Auto and hit the Motif, you get 1 RP. The 1 RP is worth more than the points.

The “Double Hang” Coordination

The Endgame RP often requires two robots to hang. This means you need to be a Leader.

• In the queue, ask your partner: “Can you hang?”
• If they say no, ask: “Can we help you hang?” or “Can you park while we hang?”
• Don’t just play your game; manage the alliance to secure that RP.

TieBreaker Points (TBP)

What happens when 5 teams all have a 4.0 RP Average? It goes to TieBreaker Points (TBP). Usually, TBP is your Alliance’s Total Score or your Auto Score.

Implication: You can’t just win; you have to run up the score. Every single point matters for your TBP average.

[!TIP] Global Trends: Use FTC Secrets to see what the average RP score is in your region. If the top teams are averaging 3.5 RP, you know you need to hit at least one Bonus RP per match to be competitive.

Conclusion

Don’t play for points. Play for Rank. Analyze the rulebook. Find the RPs. And build your robot to grab them every single time.