Q&A

Respondido por committee

The September 3 game manual update revised the boundaries of the Floor Goal.

The Bean Bag in your example is fully within the updated boundaries of the Floor Goal and meets all other criteria in <SC3>, so this Bean Bag would be considered scored.

Respondido por committee

The Pins in your photos appear to be fully nested and Connected to the Beam as a result of the Beam resting on the Standoff Goal. Per <SC3> clause D, a Stack that is resting on any part of the Standoff Goal in a way that is more "up and down" than sideways should generally be considered as roughly vertical.

Points awarded for this scenario:

• Connected Pin [4 x 1 point] = 4 points
• Connected Beam [1 x 10 points] = 10 points
• Three-Color Stack [2 x 15 points] = 30 points
• Matching Goal Bonus (Stacks Connected to a Beam) [2 x 10 points] = 20 points

Total = 64 points

Respondido por committee

1. If the bottom pin is fully against the wall, and thus the beam is making contact with the top of the field perimeter, should this be considered roughly vertical? Which stacks should be allowed or not and what would the score be?

Because the Beam is in contact with the top of the Field Perimeter, the Scoring Objects are considered supported by the Field Perimeter, should not be considered roughly vertical, and should not count as Connected or Stacks.

2. If the bottom pin is not fully against the wall such that the beam is touching but not resting on the field perimeter, should this be considered roughly vertical? Which stacks should be allowed or not and what would the score be?

If all Scoring Objects in the Stack are fully nested, and structure is in contact with---but not leaning on or supported by---a Scoring Object that is not part of the Stack / multi-Stack structure or a Field Element that isn't listed in clause D of <SC3>, the Scoring Objects may still count as Connected if they meet all requirements of <SC3>.

Respondido por committee

<SC3> clause E applies to both the blue+yellow and red+yellow Stacks. These Stacks are not fully nested with the Beam, so these Stacks are leaning on/supported by a Scoring Object that is not part of the Stack. Therefore, they are not considered roughly vertical and do not count as Connected or as a Stack.

The red Pin on bottom appears to be fully nested in the Beam, and the resulting Stack (red Pin + Beam) that's supported by the Standoff Goal is considered roughly vertical under <SC3> clause D. This counts as a two-color Stack, and the Stack earns a Matching Goal bonus for being Connected to a Beam. However, the red Pin on bottom is not fully nested (not Connected) to the Standoff Goal, so this Stack does not count as Placed on the Standoff Goal.

Points awarded for this scenario:

• Connected Pin [1 x 1 point] = 1 point
• Connected Beam [1 x 10 points] = 10 points
• Two-Color Stack [1 x 5 points] = 5 points
• Matching Goal Bonus for the Stack Connected to the Beam [1 x 10 points] = 10 points

Total = 26 points

Respondido por committee

We believe our answer to scenario 2 in Q&A 2716 addresses the first part of your question.

There is currently no way for a Team to protest or raise concerns about a score from a Match that they didn’t participate in, and we acknowledge that implementing a process to allow it would be helpful to all teams. The GDC is working with multiple events and Head Referees to evaluate potential solutions.

Respondido por committee

Clause D of rule <SC3> will be revised in January 29, 2026, game manual update to reflect that a nested Stack that meets the requirements of the other clauses in this rule and is resting on any part of the Standoff Goal should be considered roughly vertical. This change is effective immediately, and related Q&A answers will be revised accordingly today.

This scenario consists of a multi-Stack structure in which all Scoring Objects are nested. The multi-Stack structure does not meet the requirements in <SC5> and is not Connected to the Standoff Goal. As a result, it is scored as follows, for a total of 91 points:

• Six Connected Pins (1 point each = 6)
• One Connected Beam (10 points)
• Three 3-color Stacks (15 points each = 45)
• Three Matching Goal bonuses for being Connected to a Beam (10 points each = 30)
• Zero Stacks Placed on the Standoff Goal (0 points)

Respondido por committee

The red and orange Pins in your example are supported by a Field Object (the structure of a Triangle Goal) that is not part of or Connected to the Stack, and which is not listed as an exception in clause D of <SC3>.

As as result, as described in clause E of <SC3> the Pins in this example do not count as Connected or a Stack, and the score for this example would be 0 points.

Respondido por committee

The logic from Q&A 2881 applies in this scenario.

When a Beam is balanced on the IQ piece that defines a Load Zone, with Pins in one or more of the holes in its top face as shown in your example:

• Per Q&A 2830, a Scoring Object can be resting on a Load Zone, the lower portion of the Standoff Goal, or the IQ pieces on the Floor around a Square Goal and still count as Connected & Stacked if the Scoring Objects are fully nested.
• Because the Beam isn’t flat on the Floor, the Pins may be able to drop into a fully nested position.

Respondido por committee

Thanks for your question, Team 727H.

This scenario (and others in which multiple objects within a single Stack are simultaneously in contact with the Floor) is not considered roughly vertical. The objects should not be scored as Connected or a Stack.

The score for this example would be 0.

Respondido por committee

Note: Our answer for Scenario D in this question was revised on January 22, 2026. We apologize for the confusion this topic has generated, and we will attempt to further clarify this topic in the January 29 game manual update.

Thanks for these questions, Steven!

You are correct, and most of these scenarios include one or more sets of Scoring Objects that no longer represent valid Stacks under the revised guidance for 'roughly vertical.'

Your examples from existing Q&As and the game manual will be updated to reflect the following changes. These changes are effective immediately.

• Scenario A: The blue & orange Pins that sit on top of the Beam are supported by a Scoring Object that is not part of the Stack, and do not qualify as Connected or a Stack. Those two Pins are worth 0 points.
• Scenario B: Pins D & E are worth 0 points, through the same logic as scenario A.
• Scenario C: The December 4 game manual update will reflect that Robot contact with one Stack in a multi-Stack structure has no impact on the other Stacks in that structure for the purposes of 'roughly vertical.' The two Stacks in this multi-Stack structure that are not in contact with a Robot still count as 'roughly vertical' and scoring for this example will not change.
• Scenario D: The guidance for this scenario in Q&A 2716 is correct based on the change made in Q&A 3009, which expands clause D of rule <SC3> to count a nested Stack that is resting on any part of the Standoff Goal in a way that is more “up and down” than sideways to count as roughly vertical. Scoring for this example will not change.
• Scenario E: The December 4 game manual will specify that contact with the Floor does not negate a Stack's 'roughly vertical' status.

Respondido por committee

Thanks for your question!

This example is worth 0 points. A single Pin on the Standoff Goal will not receive points for being Connected, and because it is not a Stack will not receive points for a Stack Placed on the Standoff Goal.

Respondido por committee

Thanks for your question, Team 17705A!

We addressed similar scoring scenarios in Q&A 2830. Because we continue to get this question, we'll provide some additional details here and consider ways to clarify this scenario in the next game manual update.

When a Beam is balanced on the IQ piece that defines a Load Zone, with Pins in one or more of the holes in its top face as shown in your example:

• Per Q&A 2830, a Scoring Object can be resting on a Load Zone, the lower portion of the Standoff Goal, or the IQ pieces on the Floor around a Square Goal and still count as Connected & Stacked if the Scoring Objects are fully nested.
• Because the Beam isn’t flat on the Floor, the Pins are able to drop into a fully nested position.

This example is worth a total of 42 points for the following:

• Two Connected Pins at 1 point each = 2 points
• One Connected Beam at 10 points = 10 points
• Two 2-color Stacks at 5 points = 10 points
• Two Matching Goal bonuses (for Stacks connected to Beams) at 10 points = 20 points

Respondido por committee

We've addressed similar scoring scenarios in other Q&As, which we'll link at the end of this answer. Because we continue to get this question, we'll provide some additional details here and consider ways to clarify this scenario in the next game manual update.

The objects in your scenario are worth 0 points, for reasons that are described in Q&A 2830 and detailed below.

When a Beam is flat on the Floor with Pins in one or more of the holes in its top face, as shown in the following images:

• The Pins get pushed up and aren’t fully nested.
• Because the Pins are supported by a Scoring Object that isn’t part of the Stack, the Pins don’t count as Connected or as Stacks.

Also see these related Q&As

• 2830: "Roughly Vertical" scoring clarification
• 2664: Clarification on SC3 and SG4

Respondido por committee

Hello, ST, and thanks for these questions.

The next game manual update will clarify the meaning of "roughly vertical" for the purposes of the Mix & Match rules. The clarifications and changes below are effective immediately. Our answers for Q&A 2800, scenario 3 in Q&A 2664, and scenario 3 in Q&A 2669 will be revised to match this new guidance. The next game manual update may also include new figures to illustrate our intent.

1. A Stack that is resting on one of the following Field Objects in a way that is more "up and down" than sideways should generally be considered as roughly vertical unless it is leaning on / supported by another Field Element or a Scoring Object that is not part of the Stack:

• Load Zone
• The lower portion of the base of the Standoff Goal (as illustrated in Q&A 2800)
• The VEX IQ pieces that are attached to the Floor around a Square Goal

2. A Stack that is leaning on / supported by a Scoring Object that is not part of the Stack or a Field Element other than those listed above should not be considered roughly vertical and should not count as Connected or a Stack.

We'll answer your questions based on these revised criteria for "roughly vertical."

Q1a. Only for a Stack that is supported by one of the three Field Objects listed in #1 above. Q1b. The stack in Q&A 2664 scenario 8 still doesn't qualify as roughly vertical. Q2. Because the Stack in this scenario is supported by a Scoring Object that is not part of that Stack, it does not count as roughly vertical. Q3. Because the Stack in this scenario is supported by a Field Objects that isn't listed in #1 above, it does not count as roughly vertical.

Respondido por committee

Thanks for your questions, Laevatein Scarlet!

The Pins in your example appear to be fully nested and are roughly vertical (more "up and down" than sideways), and qualify as Connected if they're not in contact with a Robot.

Because the Stack in your example is entirely within the center outline that defines the Floor Goal, it also meets the criteria of clause C of rule <SC5> and qualifies as being Placed in the Floor Goal.

Don't forget that Teams can't earn points for more than 4 Stacks Placed in the Floor Goal---even if more will fit because some are partially on the base of the Standoff Goal!

Respondido por committee

In your example, it appears that both Robots meet all <SC4> criteria, and both Robots would be considered Parked.

Respondido por committee

If the Robot is contacting only the Pins in one of the Stacks (not the Beam), just like the scenario in <SE9> the Pins in that Stack do not qualify as Connected to each other or to the Beam. Only the one Stack in contact with the Robot is "invalidated." This scenario is scored as 2 Connected Pins, 1 Connected Beam, 2 two-color Stacks, 2 Matching Goal Bonuses, and 1 Robot in contact with Scoring Objects at the end of the Match, worth 44 points in total.

If the Robot is contacting the Beam, just like the scenario in <SE10> none of the Scoring Objects in this configuration count as Connected. Because the Beam is considered part of all three Stacks, all three Stacks are "invalidated." This scenario is scored as 1 Robot in contact with Scoring Objects at the end of the Match, worth 2 points in total.

Respondido por committee

Thank you for your questions. Our answers to each of your questions/scenarios center on clauses B and C of rule <SC3>, which read,

b. A Pin is Connected if it is fully nested with another Scoring Object and neither the Pin nor the resulting Stack is touching a Robot. c. A Beam is Connected if it is fully nested to one or more Connected Pins and/or the Standoff Goal and is not touching a Robot.

Each of your scenarios includes one or more Scoring Objects that is not nested to the others, which has to be considered before it is considered part of that Stack.

In your scenario 1, the Beam is not fully nested to the Standoff Goal, so does not count as Connected to the Standoff Goal. The Pins do appear to be fully nested to each other and to the Beam, and in our opinion could be considered "roughly vertical." We'd score that scenario as:

• 3 Connected Pins
• 1 Connected Beam
• 1 three-color Stack
• 1 Matching Goal bonus (for being Connected to the Beam)

In scenarios 2 & 4, the bottom orange Pin and the Beam do not appear to be fully nested with any Pins or the Standoff Goal. The red and blue Pins do appear to be nested to each other, but because they don't meet the requirements of <SC3> clause A, they're not considered Connected. Both of these examples would receive a score of 0.

Scenario 3 does not include any nested or Connected objects, and would receive a score of 0.

Respondido por committee

<SC3> Clause A applies in this scenario, which is a failed scoring attempt. The first half of our response to Q&A 2203 explains what should happen after a failed scoring attempt, and it sounds like the situation was handled correctly at your event by requiring the Robot to retrieve the Ball.

Respondido por committee

Per clause A of rule <SC3>, to be considered Scored on a Stake a Ring must (among other criteria) be "encircling" a Stake. That clause also states that, "In this context, “encircling” means that any part of the Stake is at least partially within the volume defined by the inner edges of the Ring."

The game manual defines "Stake" as, "A vertical ½” (12.7 mm) Schedule 40 PVC pipe (gray, red, or blue) with a compliant barb at the top."

In the above picture, the Stake (which by the definition includes the barb) is within the volume of the inner edge of the Ring. Thus, this would count as Scored, and a Top Ring.