Dual-Wheel 'Dumper' Robots: Simplicity Wins
You don't need a shooter. How a simple 'Dumper' design can outperform complex shooters in the Low Goal game.
Dual-Wheel “Dumper” Robots
Shooters are sexy. Dumpers are reliable. In DECODE, there is often a “Low Goal” or a specific zone where you can just place artifacts.
The Mechanism
Instead of a high-speed flywheel, you have two compliant wheels spinning slowly (e.g., 300 RPM) at the top of an elevator or arm.
- Action: The elevator lifts. The wheels “spit” the artifact out gently.
- Physics: Zero backspin. Zero trajectory. It just falls.
The “Touch It, Own It” Advantage
A Dumper robot never misses.
- A Shooter has to calculate distance, arc, and speed.
- A Dumper drives up to the goal, touches it, and deposits the point. 100% Accuracy.
When to Build a Dumper
- Rookie Teams: Do not build a shooter. Build a god-tier Dumper. You will beat teams with bad shooters.
- Support Bots: In a top alliance, one robot shoots High Goal. The partner robot cycles Low Goal/Amp points incredibly fast with a Dumper.
Conclusion
Don’t let your ego build a mechanism your code can’t handle. A working Dumper wins Blue Banners. A broken Shooter goes home early.