CHARGED UP℠ presented by Haas, FIRST’s 2023 FRC challenge is here! This year’s challenge is all about energy. Various parts of the game represent alliances bringing energy to their community by retrieving game pieces from substations and scoring them into the grid. Through this post, we will explain different modes of gameplay, different methods of scoring, and how we determine who will move on to the final elimination matches.

FRC tournaments are structured differently from many other sports games. In the first round of the tournament, there are preliminary or qualification matches where teams compete against each other. Our WildStang Robotics Program teams (FRC 111 WildStang and FRC 112 Plus One) will each be in an alliance with two other teams for each match. Each alliance consists of three different FRC teams working together to score points. These alliances are randomized and change throughout the qualification matches. Individual team scoring does not matter; what matters is what tasks the alliance completes during the match, and the points total at the end of a match determines a win (2 Ranking Points), a tie (1 Ranking point), or a loss (0 Ranking Points). All teams are ranked via ranking points at the end of qualifications, and the top 8 teams become alliance captains for the elimination round. Points will matter for both qualification and elimination matches, but ranking points will only matter in qualifications where they will determine participation and seed teams in the elimination round. Ranking points are also gained throughout the match by completing specific tasks.

There are many parts to the field. The game pieces this year are cones and cubes. The cones are similar to small yellow traffic cones, while the cubes are purple inflated cubes with rounded corners. As always with past years, there are two player areas. The alliance stations are the same as always, two on each side, split into three sections, one for each team. The human player stations, or Loading Zones, are used to introduce game pieces onto the field and form a right angle around the two far corners of the field. There is a substation and a double substation in each loading zone as shown in the image above.

There are two areas where points can be scored. The main area are the grids. Each alliance has three grids assigned to them. As pictured above they are spilt into two outer grids and a center, coopertition (co-op) grid, each are divided into three sections, top, middle, and bottom. Within each grid, game pieces can be placed on nine Nodes, with two Nodes reserved for Cubes and four Nodes reserved for Cones. The remaining three Nodes, called hybrid nodes, can accept either game piece. Alliances earn points for placing game pieces on the Nodes, with more points awarded for pieces scored on Nodes in the top and middle rows of their grid. Alliances can also earn points by placing game pieces on three adjacent Nodes in the same row, which is known as a Link. If five Links are created, the alliance earns the Sustainability Bonus ranking point (RP). This threshold can be lowered to four Links if both alliances score at least three game pieces on their respective co-op grid under the co-op bonus. The other area of the field where points can be scored is called the Charging Station. The Charging Stations can be driven onto and balanced by robots in order to earn points in both the auto and tele-op periods. In both periods, points can be earned if a robot Docks or Engages with their alliance’s station. Below is the scoring chart.

New this year, rather than a single elimination, FRC is implementing a double elimination system for the finals. This year, spectators will be allowed! We hope that you make it to one of our events, or join us on live stream! We will publish live stream links closer to our events. Midwest Regional: March 8-11th, in Chicago, and Seven Rivers Regional: March 29 – April 1 in La Crosse, Wisconsin.