FTC DECODE

In DECODE™ presented by RTX, 2 ALLIANCES of 2 teams compete to score purple and green ARTIFACTS in their GOAL, build PATTERNS based on a randomized MOTIF, and race back to their BASE before time runs out.

DECODE Field

Game Overview

DECODE is played on a 12' × 12' field with 2 ALLIANCES (Red and Blue) competing to score the most points. Each match consists of:

30-second AUTO period - Robots operate autonomously
2-minute TELEOP period - Drivers control robots manually
Last 20 seconds - Focus on returning to BASE

Game Elements

ARTIFACTS (Scoring Elements)

24 purple ARTIFACTS + 12 green ARTIFACTS
5" polypropylene balls (Gopher ResisDent™)
ALLIANCE neutral - either alliance can score any ARTIFACT

OBELISK

Triangular prism randomized before each match to display one of 3 MOTIFS:

GPP (Green-Purple-Purple)
PGP (Purple-Green-Purple)
PPG (Purple-Purple-Green)

The MOTIF defines what color PATTERN robots try to create on their RAMP.

GOAL & CLASSIFIER

GOAL: 3-sided structure with horizontal triangular opening at top
CLASSIFIER: Attached to GOAL with 3 components:
- SQUARE: Where ARTIFACTS are scored
- RAMP: Holds up to 9 CLASSIFIED ARTIFACTS
- GATE: Retains ARTIFACTS on RAMP (can be opened by robot)

Other Field Elements

LAUNCH ZONE: Triangular area where robots can LAUNCH ARTIFACTS
LOADING ZONE: Where DRIVE TEAM members can handle ARTIFACTS during TELEOP
BASE ZONE: 18"×18" area for endgame return
DEPOT: Area adjacent to GOAL where ARTIFACTS can be scored for 1 point each

Autonomous (30 seconds)

Scoring Options:

LEAVE (3 pts): Move robot off LAUNCH LINE
CLASSIFIED ARTIFACT (3 pts): Score through SQUARE → directly onto RAMP
OVERFLOW ARTIFACT (1 pt): Score through SQUARE but rolls over existing ARTIFACTS
PATTERN (2 pts/ARTIFACT): ARTIFACTS on RAMP matching MOTIF color at end of AUTO

Vision is Critical! Use AprilTags on the OBELISK to detect the MOTIF and program autonomous routines accordingly.

TeleOp (2 minutes)

Scoring Options:

CLASSIFIED ARTIFACT (3 pts): Score through SQUARE → directly onto RAMP
OVERFLOW ARTIFACT (1 pt): Score through SQUARE but rolls over existing ARTIFACTS
DEPOT ARTIFACT (1 pt): Place ARTIFACT over DEPOT area
PATTERN (2 pts/ARTIFACT): ARTIFACTS on RAMP matching MOTIF color at end of TELEOP

HUMAN PLAYER Actions:

During TELEOP, DRIVE TEAM members can handle ARTIFACTS in the LOADING ZONE
Load ARTIFACTS into robots, organize ARTIFACTS, retrieve ARTIFACTS from field
Maximum 6 ARTIFACTS out of play at once

GATE Mechanism:

Robots can open their GATE to release CLASSIFIED ARTIFACTS from RAMP back onto field
Strategic decision: keep PATTERN on RAMP vs. clear space for better scoring

Endgame (Last 20 seconds)

Return to BASE:

Partially returned (5 pts): Some robot support from BASE ZONE tile
Fully returned (10 pts): All robot support from BASE ZONE tile only
Both robots fully returned (+10 pt bonus): Extra bonus if both alliance partners fully return

Vertical Expansion Rule: Robots can only extend above 18" during the last 20 seconds when NOT in a LAUNCH ZONE (up to 38" max).

Ranking Points (RP)

Teams earn RANKING POINTS to improve qualification ranking:

RP Type	Requirement (Qualification)	Requirement (Other)
MOVEMENT RP	LEAVE + BASE points ≥ 21	≥ 16
GOAL RP	ARTIFACTS scored through SQUARE ≥ 42	≥ 36
PATTERN RP	PATTERN points ≥ 22	≥ 18
WIN	Win match	Win match
TIE	Tie match	Tie match

Strategy Tips

Early Season:

Reliable AUTO - Consistent LEAVE + a few CLASSIFIED ARTIFACTS wins matches
MOTIF Detection - Use AprilTags to detect OBELISK orientation
Basic PATTERN - Score 3-6 ARTIFACTS matching MOTIF for easy RP
Partial BASE - Even partial return (5pts) adds up

Mid Season:

Full BASE Return - 10 points is huge, aim for both robots (20+ pts total)
DEPOT Strategy - Quick 1-point scores add up when cycling fast
GATE Manipulation - Open gate strategically to clear bad PATTERNS
Fast Cycling - Maximize CLASSIFIED ARTIFACTS (3pts each)

Late Season:

PATTERN Optimization - Perfect 9-ARTIFACT PATTERN = 18 points
Alliance Coordination - Both robots fully returned = 10pt bonus
RP Focus - All 3 RPs (MOVEMENT, GOAL, PATTERN) in one match
Defensive Play - Protect your RAMP, contest opponent LOADING ZONE

Common Mechanisms

Intake Systems:

Over-the-Bumper Intake - Flexible rollers to grab ARTIFACTS from floor
Side Intake - Wheels/belts on side of robot for wall collection
Passive Funnel - Guide ARTIFACTS into collection area

Launcher/Scoring:

Flywheel Launcher - High-speed wheels to LAUNCH ARTIFACTS into GOAL
Catapult/Pusher - Mechanical launching for consistent trajectories
Direct Placement - Extend over GOAL and drop ARTIFACTS through SQUARE

GATE Mechanism:

Servo Arm - Push GATE lever down to open
Linear Slide - Extend to reach GATE from distance
Don't grab/pull - Rules prohibit grasping or pulling GATE

Endgame/BASE:

Low Center of Gravity - Stable design to stay fully on BASE ZONE
Alignment Guides - Visual markers to help drivers position accurately
Fast Return - Quick path from scoring area to BASE

Programming Considerations

Vision Processing:

// Detect OBELISK MOTIF using AprilTags
int motifID = detectAprilTag(); // Returns 21 (GPP), 22 (PGP), or 23 (PPG)

if (motifID == 21) { // GPP
    targetColors = new String[]{"G", "P", "P", "G", "P", "P", "G", "P", "P"};
} else if (motifID == 22) { // PGP
    targetColors = new String[]{"P", "G", "P", "P", "G", "P", "P", "G", "P"};
} else { // PPG
    targetColors = new String[]{"P", "P", "G", "P", "P", "G", "P", "P", "G"};
}

// Detect OBELISK MOTIF using AprilTags
val motifID = detectAprilTag() // Returns 21 (GPP), 22 (PGP), or 23 (PPG)

val targetColors = when (motifID) {
    21 -> arrayOf("G", "P", "P", "G", "P", "P", "G", "P", "P") // GPP
    22 -> arrayOf("P", "G", "P", "P", "G", "P", "P", "G", "P") // PGP
    else -> arrayOf("P", "P", "G", "P", "P", "G", "P", "P", "G") // PPG
}

Autonomous Routines:

Detect MOTIF - Use AprilTag vision to identify OBELISK orientation
LEAVE Launch Line - Move off starting position (3 pts)
Score Pre-loaded ARTIFACTS - Start with up to 3 ARTIFACTS
Build PATTERN - Score ARTIFACTS matching MOTIF colors
Collect Additional ARTIFACTS - From spike marks or other positions

TeleOp Features:

MOTIF Display - Show drivers current MOTIF on Driver Station
ARTIFACT Counter - Track how many CLASSIFIED vs OVERFLOW scored
Endgame Timer - Alert drivers at 20 seconds for BASE return

Game Manual Resources

For complete rules, refer to the Official Game Manual. This guide is a summary.

Key Resources:

Game Animation - Watch DECODE reveal
Field Tour - Detailed walkthrough
Game Manual - Complete rules

Next Steps

Ready to build your DECODE robot? Check out:

Vision Documentation - AprilTag detection for MOTIF
Control Systems - Flywheel PID for launcher consistency
Libraries - FTCLib, RoadRunner for advanced control

Good luck this season! 🚀

FTC DECODE

DECODE Field

Game Overview

DECODE is played on a 12' × 12' field with 2 ALLIANCES (Red and Blue) competing to score the most points. Each match consists of:

30-second AUTO period - Robots operate autonomously
2-minute TELEOP period - Drivers control robots manually
Last 20 seconds - Focus on returning to BASE

Game Elements

ARTIFACTS (Scoring Elements)

24 purple ARTIFACTS + 12 green ARTIFACTS
5" polypropylene balls (Gopher ResisDent™)
ALLIANCE neutral - either alliance can score any ARTIFACT

OBELISK

Triangular prism randomized before each match to display one of 3 MOTIFS:

GPP (Green-Purple-Purple)
PGP (Purple-Green-Purple)
PPG (Purple-Purple-Green)

The MOTIF defines what color PATTERN robots try to create on their RAMP.

GOAL & CLASSIFIER

GOAL: 3-sided structure with horizontal triangular opening at top
CLASSIFIER: Attached to GOAL with 3 components:
- SQUARE: Where ARTIFACTS are scored
- RAMP: Holds up to 9 CLASSIFIED ARTIFACTS
- GATE: Retains ARTIFACTS on RAMP (can be opened by robot)

Other Field Elements

LAUNCH ZONE: Triangular area where robots can LAUNCH ARTIFACTS
LOADING ZONE: Where DRIVE TEAM members can handle ARTIFACTS during TELEOP
BASE ZONE: 18"×18" area for endgame return
DEPOT: Area adjacent to GOAL where ARTIFACTS can be scored for 1 point each

Autonomous (30 seconds)

Scoring Options:

LEAVE (3 pts): Move robot off LAUNCH LINE
CLASSIFIED ARTIFACT (3 pts): Score through SQUARE → directly onto RAMP
OVERFLOW ARTIFACT (1 pt): Score through SQUARE but rolls over existing ARTIFACTS
PATTERN (2 pts/ARTIFACT): ARTIFACTS on RAMP matching MOTIF color at end of AUTO

Vision is Critical! Use AprilTags on the OBELISK to detect the MOTIF and program autonomous routines accordingly.

TeleOp (2 minutes)

Scoring Options:

CLASSIFIED ARTIFACT (3 pts): Score through SQUARE → directly onto RAMP
OVERFLOW ARTIFACT (1 pt): Score through SQUARE but rolls over existing ARTIFACTS
DEPOT ARTIFACT (1 pt): Place ARTIFACT over DEPOT area
PATTERN (2 pts/ARTIFACT): ARTIFACTS on RAMP matching MOTIF color at end of TELEOP

HUMAN PLAYER Actions:

During TELEOP, DRIVE TEAM members can handle ARTIFACTS in the LOADING ZONE
Load ARTIFACTS into robots, organize ARTIFACTS, retrieve ARTIFACTS from field
Maximum 6 ARTIFACTS out of play at once

GATE Mechanism:

Robots can open their GATE to release CLASSIFIED ARTIFACTS from RAMP back onto field
Strategic decision: keep PATTERN on RAMP vs. clear space for better scoring

Endgame (Last 20 seconds)

Return to BASE:

Partially returned (5 pts): Some robot support from BASE ZONE tile
Fully returned (10 pts): All robot support from BASE ZONE tile only
Both robots fully returned (+10 pt bonus): Extra bonus if both alliance partners fully return

Vertical Expansion Rule: Robots can only extend above 18" during the last 20 seconds when NOT in a LAUNCH ZONE (up to 38" max).

Ranking Points (RP)

Teams earn RANKING POINTS to improve qualification ranking:

RP Type	Requirement (Qualification)	Requirement (Other)
MOVEMENT RP	LEAVE + BASE points ≥ 21	≥ 16
GOAL RP	ARTIFACTS scored through SQUARE ≥ 42	≥ 36
PATTERN RP	PATTERN points ≥ 22	≥ 18
WIN	Win match	Win match
TIE	Tie match	Tie match

Strategy Tips

Early Season:

Reliable AUTO - Consistent LEAVE + a few CLASSIFIED ARTIFACTS wins matches
MOTIF Detection - Use AprilTags to detect OBELISK orientation
Basic PATTERN - Score 3-6 ARTIFACTS matching MOTIF for easy RP
Partial BASE - Even partial return (5pts) adds up

Mid Season:

Full BASE Return - 10 points is huge, aim for both robots (20+ pts total)
DEPOT Strategy - Quick 1-point scores add up when cycling fast
GATE Manipulation - Open gate strategically to clear bad PATTERNS
Fast Cycling - Maximize CLASSIFIED ARTIFACTS (3pts each)

Late Season:

PATTERN Optimization - Perfect 9-ARTIFACT PATTERN = 18 points
Alliance Coordination - Both robots fully returned = 10pt bonus
RP Focus - All 3 RPs (MOVEMENT, GOAL, PATTERN) in one match
Defensive Play - Protect your RAMP, contest opponent LOADING ZONE

Common Mechanisms

Intake Systems:

Over-the-Bumper Intake - Flexible rollers to grab ARTIFACTS from floor
Side Intake - Wheels/belts on side of robot for wall collection
Passive Funnel - Guide ARTIFACTS into collection area

Launcher/Scoring:

Flywheel Launcher - High-speed wheels to LAUNCH ARTIFACTS into GOAL
Catapult/Pusher - Mechanical launching for consistent trajectories
Direct Placement - Extend over GOAL and drop ARTIFACTS through SQUARE

GATE Mechanism:

Servo Arm - Push GATE lever down to open
Linear Slide - Extend to reach GATE from distance
Don't grab/pull - Rules prohibit grasping or pulling GATE

Endgame/BASE:

Low Center of Gravity - Stable design to stay fully on BASE ZONE
Alignment Guides - Visual markers to help drivers position accurately
Fast Return - Quick path from scoring area to BASE

Programming Considerations

Vision Processing:

// Detect OBELISK MOTIF using AprilTags
int motifID = detectAprilTag(); // Returns 21 (GPP), 22 (PGP), or 23 (PPG)

if (motifID == 21) { // GPP
    targetColors = new String[]{"G", "P", "P", "G", "P", "P", "G", "P", "P"};
} else if (motifID == 22) { // PGP
    targetColors = new String[]{"P", "G", "P", "P", "G", "P", "P", "G", "P"};
} else { // PPG
    targetColors = new String[]{"P", "P", "G", "P", "P", "G", "P", "P", "G"};
}

// Detect OBELISK MOTIF using AprilTags
val motifID = detectAprilTag() // Returns 21 (GPP), 22 (PGP), or 23 (PPG)

val targetColors = when (motifID) {
    21 -> arrayOf("G", "P", "P", "G", "P", "P", "G", "P", "P") // GPP
    22 -> arrayOf("P", "G", "P", "P", "G", "P", "P", "G", "P") // PGP
    else -> arrayOf("P", "P", "G", "P", "P", "G", "P", "P", "G") // PPG
}

Autonomous Routines:

Detect MOTIF - Use AprilTag vision to identify OBELISK orientation
LEAVE Launch Line - Move off starting position (3 pts)
Score Pre-loaded ARTIFACTS - Start with up to 3 ARTIFACTS
Build PATTERN - Score ARTIFACTS matching MOTIF colors
Collect Additional ARTIFACTS - From spike marks or other positions

TeleOp Features:

MOTIF Display - Show drivers current MOTIF on Driver Station
ARTIFACT Counter - Track how many CLASSIFIED vs OVERFLOW scored
Endgame Timer - Alert drivers at 20 seconds for BASE return

Game Manual Resources

For complete rules, refer to the Official Game Manual. This guide is a summary.

Key Resources:

Game Animation - Watch DECODE reveal
Field Tour - Detailed walkthrough
Game Manual - Complete rules

Next Steps

Ready to build your DECODE robot? Check out:

Vision Documentation - AprilTag detection for MOTIF
Control Systems - Flywheel PID for launcher consistency
Libraries - FTCLib, RoadRunner for advanced control

Good luck this season! 🚀

Season Breakdown

On this page

Season Breakdown

On this page