Part II — V5RC Advanced · Chapter 20
Advanced Scouting & Game Analysis
Scouting happens in two layers: before the event, and during it.
Scouting happens in two layers, before the event and during it.
Before the event, check skills rankings and past results. VEX skills standings and each team's competition history are public. Look up a team before you meet them on the field, not after, so you already know if their skills score backs up how good they look in a match.
RobotEvents rankings
Public skills standings and event history, look a team up before you meet them on the field.
Apps built by other teams do this lookup for you. Teams have published free scouting apps that pull live rankings, skills standings, and match stats instead of you tracking it by hand, Robot Stats, VRC RoboScout, and GaelScout are examples on the App Store. Use one instead of building your own tracking system from scratch.
During the event, sync with your alliance partner before you're on the field, not during the queue. Find your partner 2-3 matches ahead. Enough time to actually plan instead of guessing at each other's robot mid-match.
Three things get decided in that conversation. Autonomous routines, so you don't collide or double up. General strategy, offense, defense, or split roles. Field side and which opposing team each of you presses, so you're not both chasing the same target.
One-line takeaway
Skills rankings and scouting apps tell you who's good before you arrive, the pre-match sync tells you how to play with your partner once you're there.