BattleBots - IT'S ROBOT FIGHTING TIME (probably spoilers)

[Polyboros2]

That was probably the best episode this season, definitely had the first fight that I felt like it wasn't a sure thing what the result was going to be.(Blacksmith vs Shatter)

Has there been any discussion about limiting the direction vertical spinners can spin? Do they do no damage, or are more of a threat to the bot wielding them, when spinning down. I feel like it would help limit their domination if they can't send bots flying like that.

Uppercut seems to have the best vertical lift weapon I've seen so far, what it did to Uppercut was absolutely brutal.

Also, since I didn't comment on the previous episode, Huge vs Tombstone was complete bullshit, I've definitely seen bots with less movement fend off a KO from the refs. I'm new starting this season, but it seems like Tombstone was a established contender and it made me feel like it got preferential treatment.

 

[ShoFuKan]

Has there been any discussion about limiting the direction vertical spinners can spin? Do they do no damage, or are more of a threat to the bot wielding them, when spinning down. I feel like it would help limit their domination if they can't send bots flying like that.

Not really. They are the meta because it is such an effective design for a small package. Bots in general have to stick to Da Rulez and other guidelines about not damaging the box but are generally free with how they build them. Having the drum spinning anti-clockwise is what gives them such a massive hit, if you're going clockwise, you put downforce on your opponent instead of upforce you want in that hit. Like I said, the fact that Sawblaze and Huge are so effective vs vert spinners means there's an anti-spinner meta growing that teams like Witch Doctor have to account for.

Uppercut seems to have the best vertical lift weapon I've seen so far, what it did to Uppercut was absolutely brutal.

Uppercut is mid to top tier for me. It has that potential to do so much damage but because of the centripetal force of it's weapon, it makes it hard to control. Same for Valkyrie.

Also, since I didn't comment on the previous episode, Huge vs Tombstone was complete bullshit, I've definitely seen bots with less movement fend off a KO from the refs. I'm new starting this season, but it seems like Tombstone was a established contender and it made me feel like it got preferential treatment.

A little bit. It's more the creative editing from the producers to make it look like a double KO. What happened was commented on by Mammoth's builder a page back. The producers wanted it to be extremely unclear when it was sent to the judges to make the decision for Tombstone more impactful but Mammoth was counted out first originally. It's something the producers do and both builders were not happy about it.

 

[whatever I feel like]

Has there been any discussion about limiting the direction vertical spinners can spin? Do they do no damage, or are more of a threat to the bot wielding them, when spinning down. I feel like it would help limit their domination if they can't send bots flying like that.

Not publicly and almost certainly not privately. One of the two co-owners of Battlebots, at the end of season 5, discussed on a podcast that they have historically found that inserting overly specific limits on creativity in order to solve competitiveness problems have not worked for robot competitions and that the game changes significantly over time, in ways that you cannot guess ahead of time, as technology and our understanding of the meta does. Rather than being about weapon types, fwiw, this was in regards to a question about banning the overly long forks that, for example, End Game and Whiplash used in their round of 8/4 fights. They did also note that the hazards on the floor (killsaws and the slightly uneven floor panels) do their part to punish teams that go too low or too long. Anyways, hits that send bots upwards are great for television and nobody with a vested interest in the show's success wants them gone.

As to spinning down, teams choose to do it sometimes. Hammersaw bots or bots that hit from above, like Huge, sometimes choose to swing downward in order to dig into their opponents armor. And I think other teams sometimes try it if they want to go weapon to weapon or have some other plan. Spinning down is definitely a thing.

Also, since I didn't comment on the previous episode, Huge vs Tombstone was complete bullshit, I've definitely seen bots with less movement fend off a KO from the refs. I'm new starting this season, but it seems like Tombstone was a established contender and it made me feel like it got preferential treatment.

There was another one this episode with Uppercut and Free Shipping. I think this was a little more innocent, Free Shipping was visibly hung up on the edge of the arena while you couldn't be quite sure about Uppercut lacking controlled movement for the first few seconds. I think the result should have been a simultaneous KO with Uppercut taking the win on how it all went, rather than them taking an outright KO win. And an extremely technical reading of the rules, combined with a replay, would/should actually result Free Shipping winning the fight as they only lost controlled movement when they got caught up on the wall, fractions of a second after the hit which broke Uppercut's wheel (I think it was actually a speed controller blowing up?)

 

[whatever I feel like]

Here's your fight card. I've seen some spoilery images, this is gonna be a good one.

Just to whet your whistle:

Spoiler

Is some robots gonna die?

 

[ShoFuKan]

Right, finally found time for Battlebots.

Rotator vs Black Dragon
Both bots are 1 - 0, a loss here will make it slightly harder for the round of 32. I think both will end up in the bracket this season however, they've put on some good shows and the producers have fed them easy wins, Minotaur with Kraken and Dragon with Icewave.
Rotator gets under Dragon, scores a hit. They try to get angles and Dragon gets Rotator on the side. And Dragon burns out their weapon motors. It forces Rotator on the side. Dragon loses it's weapon and smokes up the box, leaving them to try and hit Rotator face on. They trade blows and decision goes to judges, They give it to Rotator. They're 2 - 0 now.

Lucky vs Blade
Unlucky vs Blade, both are 0 - 1 and need to win in order to survive for the round of 32.
Is it racist to put subs over the Korean guy speaking passable english but has a mask on?

Holey sheet, Blade gets smacked into the side of the battlebox by Lucky and snaps it's blade in half, It then wobbles so badly. Lucky then flips it onto the area besides the screws and Blade can't get down. Blade off to 0 - 2 this season and Lucky somehow actually gets a win to 1 - 1.
Ah, Blade's bar is made of Aluminum, a light but relatively weak metal. Not surprised it broke. Comparison I'm pretty sure Ray with Tombstone uses solid steel bars.


Dragon Slayer vs Minotaur
>Daniel of Team Minotaur lost his mother and grandmother due to chinese coof.
Aww. Señoritas in a better place now.
Anyway, Dragon Slayer 1 - 0 with a win over duck and Minotaur 0 - 1 with a loss to Sawblaze.
Slayer and Minotaur go weapon on weapon. Minotaur easily gets under Slayer and tips it over. Slayer's weapon is already dead so it's up to Minotaur now. He's underneath Slayer again and is constantly pushing it around. Minotaur pushes Slayer into the wall and it can't move. Taur gets the KO. Finally 1 - 1.
MINO-TAUR MINO-TAUR MINO-TAUR

Pain Train vs Yeti
Yeti is 0 - 1 with a loss to Madcatter and Pain Train is 0 - 1 with a loss to Deep Six. The driver of Pain Train got his bot in beetle weight hall of fame. Huh.
Pain Train is all over the place, Yeti is finding it hard to attack. Some weapon impacts with Yeti chewing Train's tires. Yeti finally charges forward and flips Train over, removing it's covering. It's right drives dies amd Yeti flips it again, revealing internals. It's eventually counted out, 1 - 1 Yeti, 0 - 2 Pain Train.


Hijinx vs Kraken
>Multicolored shaved side hair.
>Still has a beer gut.

So Hijinx is 0 - 1 with losing to the mobile swing set of Mammoth. Kraken is also 0 - 1 after getting shredded to Rotator. Please win and spare us of you going 0 - 2 against this freakbot.
Kraken goes straight for Hijinx and is a big hit early. Manages to flip them. Hijinx isn't moving but Kraken keeps going after them. Kraken goes for a count but they can move, so it bites down and results in a huge hit. Hijinx ends up in the screws and ends up on the upper deck, but still manages to spin it's weapon and move. The left drive of Kraken isn't moving so it has to crab walk a bit. Kraken loses teeth and Hijinx can still move. It goes to the judges. Hijinx wins, Kraken is 0 - 2.
>tfw you do all the work for 4/5ths of the match but the judges award the win to the other team for "Damage" even when they couldn't move.

Judges gave is 6 - 5 for Hijinx.

Defender vs Riptide
Riptide is 1 - 0 after an impressive win against Huge, that spinner is no joke. Defender is 0 - 1 after losing to Ribbot.
Defender rushes and knocks over Riptide. But it hits Riptide so hard it ends up on it's back. It can't move. It manages to self right. Riptide hits the wall in an attempt to self right and ends up on it's side. Defender flips em over, instead of taking the win. Huge hit from Riptide as it bounces skyward in an attempt to self right, but it does so. Riptide's weapon has gone out and it becomes a pushing match.
Riptide launched itself 15 feet in the air, as high as a Bronco flip. Defender gets the win, going 1 - 1. Riptide is also 1 - 1. It seems like they'll do decent next match, considering what they did to self right like that.

Hypershock vs Lock-Jaw
Hypershock is 1 - 0 with knocking out Slamo, Lockjaw is 0 - 1 with a loss to Copperhead..

They lock up, smash weapons into each other and one of Hypershock's wheels gets chewed up. One good hit to LockJaw and it flips over. Hypershock loses a wheel then hits it into the rafters, Lock Jaw looks unsteady and also loses a wheel. Hypershock gets Lockjaw on it's side, then one good hit and Lock Jaw is out of the arena.
The reason Will Bales looks shocked is it was the first out of the arena for the season.

Hypershock is 2 - 0, great start this season. Lockjaw is 0 - 2.

Extra: Deep Six vs Smeeeee
Normally I wouldn't cover the fights that don't get aired but it's Deep Six. I have to.

This is Smeeee's first fight this season, Deep Six is 1 - 0 after a win against Pain Train,
Smee goes slow at first, allowing Six to spin up. It's awkward in they don't manage to land a hit yet make contact. Deep Six's bar is simply too high. But. One of Deep Six's prongs, gets stuck in the kill saws slots. And he's counted out. I can see why this one got cut.
According to the driver of Smeeee, the Deep Six team didn't know the slots for the Killsaws had gotten wider from last season. Ray also complained about this as Tombstone got stick in a similar situation with it's fight against Mammoth.

 

[whatever I feel like]

Its funny, the killsaw slots serve a valuable purpose in forcing robots to not engage in a ground-scraping war (because that is bad for tv, see: Hydra and Fusion attempting to plow forward and "randomly" stopping on floor seams last season) but the only two robots to have been fucked by them this season don't use traditional feeder forks/wedges at all. The problem should go away next year though, as teams now know whats up.

 

[ShoFuKan]

Its funny, the killsaw slots serve a valuable purpose in forcing robots to not engage in a ground-scraping war (because that is bad for tv, see: Hydra and Fusion attempting to plow forward and "randomly" stopping on floor seams last season) but the only two robots to have been fucked by them this season don't use traditional feeder forks/wedges at all. The problem should go away next year though, as teams now know whats up.

It's a deliberate design choice by the battlebox builders to leave slots in for the killsaws, even if the saws themselves don't fire often and are usually ineffective. Many bots will try to get low ground clearance as that's an easy way to get underneath an opponant bot but the slots in the battlebox floor as well as it being slightly uneven throws off bots that hog low ground clearance. It's a good trade off in my opinion as you can go low but you risk bumping into the floor if you use forks like that.

 

[BONE_Buddy]

@ShoFuKan Thanks for the Recaps my man. You doing these caused me to fall down a rabbit-hole and I would now like to recommend to everyone the Narwalk Havoc Robot League youtube channel. They do the smaller weight class stuff, no superheavys unfortunately, but they seem to have a lot of material there and honestly the small stuff seems just as exciting.

Just a word fo warning about them, they are tainted with a bad case of east-coast bugmen, and the presenters are dweebs. But nevertheless the channel is entertaining.

Here's the finals from last year:

 

[whatever I feel like]

Here's your early fight card. Sorry it took so long, forums were down.

 

[ShoFuKan]

Here's your early fight card. Sorry it took so long, forums were down.

Can't decide if it was the monthly tranny attack or a technical attack by the Canadian government to stop people talking about them declaring "Emergency Powers".
Few good hitters this week, should be a good show.

 

[Polyboros2]

Kraken has had two amazing fights, both starting out strong for them. In the first fight they dominated, but got stuck, and after a dislodge loss the advantage. This second fight however was complete and under bullshit. No way should Hijinx of won that one what? A tooth knocked out and maybe a little superficial damage? It got pushed around like a bitch and only got damage from Kraken's aggressiveness.

Hypershock versus Lockjaw was an amazing fight, probably the best I've seen(having restarted this season), both putting up a good show, some amazing action, Hypershock moving so well short a tire was fantastic.

Smeeeeeee vs Deep Six was sad to be a non-fight. However, it does point out something I really respect. When one of the bots gets stuck and would be an easy win for the other side, and they dislodge them to keep it going, I have give props to that and like any team that does so.

 

[whatever I feel like]

Kraken has had two amazing fights, both starting out strong for them. In the first fight they dominated, but got stuck, and after a dislodge loss the advantage. This second fight however was complete and under bullshit. No way should Hijinx of won that one what? A tooth knocked out and maybe a little superficial damage? It got pushed around like a bitch and only got damage from Kraken's aggressiveness.

Superficial damage? Kraken lost partial drive (one of their wheels was fucked) and lost the ability to use their weapon (either towards the end when their head popped open, dislodging the airbag they use to move their mouth, or perhaps even earlier on because while the eyes were lighting up the mouth didn't look to be closing after the first few hits.) I think either robot could have been judged the winner but the only judging controversy, at all, was Lisa giving HiJinx 2 Aggression points. Bullshit, it deserved 1 at most.

Personally I would have scored it 6-5, with HiJinx winning damage 3-2 while Kraken won both Aggression and Control by 2-1.

 

[whatever I feel like]

View attachment 2956002

I used to like this guy, but this has become unbearable at this point. Can we start an over/under on the timeframe before he troons out at this point?

EDIT: Thank you @Coelacanth for pointing out my broken link, also here's a bonus: Syko is aware of KF, wouldn't be overly surprised if he read the thread and decided to do this to try and "get back at the trolls".

View attachment 2956003

So, I decided to finally take the time and find the vids of him in a dress. Turns out I remembered it wrong...

Spoiler: Here he is in his bikini.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m_1BKRoL0rE

 

[marjoram]

I love Battlebots. I dislike Lockjaw.

 

[mr.moon1488]

Here's your early fight card. Sorry it took so long, forums were down.

View attachment 2987248

My picks to win though with my luck they'll be all wrong.

 

[whatever I feel like]

Nice fight card, now what do you make of next week's?

 

[ShoFuKan]

Once again, real life makes me a day late. Anyway here's the episode, S06E07:

Thought I had till tomorrow before the preview was posted. Anyway, this episode's fights:

Bloodsport vs Subzero
Bloodsport 0 - 1 losting to Whiplash, Subzero is also 0 - 1 with a loss to Shatter.
Zero starts out facing straight at Bloodsport. Few more shots from Bloodsport and Zero can't time a good flip but finally manages to lad one after 5 misses. Bloodsport knicks something inside and that's when Zero is in trouble. A good hit to it's right knocks something off. Another hit and Zero is dead. Zero starts smoking. Bloodsport gets another hit in and a tire hits the box where Chris and Kenny are.

Subzero gets counted out, 0 - 2. Bloodsport now 1 - 1 and seems a good shot for round of 32.

Cobalt vs Ghost Raptor
Cobalt is 0 - 1 after a loss to Fusion. Same as Ghost Raptor with it's loss to Glitch.
Early lockup, Cobalt is in control though. It's foward forks allowing it to scoop into Raptor. But it gets itself stuck in the screws. Raptor doesn't capitalize, allowing Cobalt to go free and wreck it into the wall. It cuts Raptor in half.

Needless to say after this, Ghost Raptor is 0 - 2, Cobalt 1 - 1.

Icewave vs Deadlift
Another 0 - 1 fight, Deadlift lost to Jackpot in an unaired fight, Icewave also lost to Black Dragon going 0 - 1.
Icewave has switched in V1 of their bot instead of the one that lost to Black Dragon.
Deadlift misses it's boxrush. Icewave spins up and gets a few good hits in. One hit immobilizes Deadlift. And it's over. Icewave 1 - 1, Deadlift 0 - 2.

Blip vs Overhaul
Blip is the trebuchet like flipper bot at 1 - 0 with a win over our homeboy Rusty. Overhaul is 0 - 1 with a loss to Ribbot.
Both bots lock up and Overhaul flips Blip over early. Blip gets back up and under Overhaul. On one flip, Overhaul loses a tire. Blip is just constantly under Overhaul but can't seem to flip it until it does. Overhaul still in, Blip gets landed on during one flip which seems to wreck something, as it starts to struggle a little bit, flipping itself over but managing to right itself. It flips Overhaul on the side and it's not moving.
Blip gets the KO, moves to 2 - 0. Overhaul is 0 - 2.

Huge vs Retrograde
Huge is 0 - 1 after a loss to Riptide, Retrograde is a new bot that is 1 - 0 after a win over Rampage in another unaired fight. Huge is using Tigris alloy Wheels, which are darker. Tigris is a metal that more rigid than the plastic like wheels that Huge usually uses but still has some flexibility.
Retrograde tries to get around Huge but it's wheels keep him away, allowing Huge to spin up. Retrograde is disengaging but Huge stays in the center. Retrograde tries to lift but one turn from Huge and it's on it's back. One hit later, the front of Retrograde is flying off and they're on fire. Another hit and they're not moving.

They get the win. Both bots now 1 - 1.

Copperhead vs Fusion
Both bots at 1 - 0. Fusion won over Cobalt and Copperhead won with a judges decision over Lockjaw.
Copperhead goes in early with a solid hit. Fusion's vertical spinner is dead already, big weapon on weapon hit. Copperhead charging that horizontal spinner on Fusion. More hits from Copper, with Fusion trying to put up a defense. More hits from Copperhead and both of Fusion's weapons are shut down. Fusion is flipped over and smoking a bit and not moving. Copperhead loses their drum right at the end.
Copperhead gets the KO. 2 - 0 for Copperhead, 1 - 1 for Fusion.

Whiplash vs Skorpios
They're doing the glowing eye thing.

Whiplash is 1 - 0 with a win over Bloodsport. Skorpios is also 1 - 0 with a win over Blade. Should be noted both bots are running extra long forks this fight.
Let's salute to a good fight.

Skorpios rushes early, it's long forks get stuck with Whiplash. Whiplash gets the ground clearance and shoves Skorpios into the screws. The screws reverse but Whiplash is there to push the bot back. Skorpios manages to escape. Charges are traded. Because Skorpios's forks are so long, it's actually keeping Whiplash away from it's weapon. Whiplash flips Skoprios again. Skorpios gets Whiplash from behind but the saw on it dies out. Something is wrong with Whiplash, as it's drive seems to have reduce output. It's essentially a push match this time, goes to the judges. Split decision. Lisa for Skorpios, Derek for Whiplash, Jason for Whiplash.
Could hear some say "C'mon" in the pause Faruq was taking. Whiplash 2 - 0, Skorpios 1 - 1.
Phew, that's all this or rather last week. New ep in a few days. Main fight was a bit of a disappointment this week. Hpefully End Game vs Sawblaze fixes that.

My picks to win though with my luck they'll be all wrong.

Pretty good this episode, all solid picks.

Nice fight card, now what do you make of next week's?

View attachment 3005391

End Game and Sawblaze is going to be an interesting match up. Having one of the Capts fights go unaired though means it was pretty boring which is a shame after his win over Tombstone. I'm still hoping he makes round of 32.

 

[mr.moon1488]

Nice fight card, now what do you make of next week's?

View attachment 3005391

I put an * on the Glitch v Hydra fight because I feel like that one could go either way.

 

[ShoFuKan]

Bit distracted today but have found time for this. S06E08:

Malice vs Blacksmith
Blacksmith is 1 - 1 with win against Free Shipping and a loss to Shatter. Malice is 0 - 2 with losses to Tantrum and Jackpot.
Malice moves around early. Knocks Blacksmith back but that front armor is absorbing everything. Self-rights. Blacksmith isn't firing it's hammer much. Manages to flip Malice over on a glance hit. One hit from Malice decapitates Blacksmith's hammerhead.

And Blacksmith is now in flames. Again. Alot of flames. Blacksmith charges with the wedge hoping to break the weapon of Malice. More lock ups and side shaves but Blacksmith still drives. Another hit and Malice self rights. Blacksmith makes the full 3 minutes. Malice gets the win. Both teams 1 - 2.

Black Dragon vs Claw Viper
Dragon in 1 - 1 with a loss to Rotator and a win over Icewave. Claw Viper is 1 - 0 after winning over Pardon my French in an televised fight.
Claw Viper is straight out of the gate, grabs Dragons and flips him over. Dragon manages to get back up and lock up. Viper is trying to lift Dragon but he's too heavy. After a nasty hit it looks like Claw Viper's right motor is dead.
Claw Viper gets counted out after smoking while crabwalking. Black Dragon 2 - 1, Claw Viper 1 - 1

Gigabyte vs Smeeeeeeeee
Gigabyte is 1 - 1 after a loss to Uppercut and a win over Captain Shrederator. Smeeeeeee is 1 - 0 after it's win over Deep Six.
Smee allows Gigabyte to spin up, some early hits knocks Smee back but it's so wide and it middle section is flexible bits of metal, meaning almost no actual damage. Hitting an outer section seems to work though. Gigabyte is unusually cautious and not ramming Smee as it should. Gigabyte is staying in the middle however and doing damage. One good hit to one of the sides and Smee flips over. A hit to Smee sends Gigabyte into the corner, knocking it around. Another hit knocks a tire off of Smee. And it's counted out.
Gigabyte 2 - 1, Smee 1 - 1.

Glitch vs Hydra
Hydra is 1 - 1 with a loss to Endgame and a win over Gruff. Glitch is 1 - 0 with a win over Ghost Raptor.
Early flip from Hydra sends Glitch up high.

Message from Jake Ewert post match says Glitch got thrown up 13 feet, almost touching the 15 foot roof.
After that flip, Hydra has drive issues and starts smoking. One hit from Glitch that seems to be using it's weapon to move and Hydra is flipped over. Tries to right itself but Glitch hits and Hydra is thrown away.
Hydra gets counted out. Hydra 1 - 2, Glitch 2 - 0.

Tombstone vs Free Shipping
Tombstone is 1 - 1 with a loss to Captain Shrederator and a win against Mammoth. Free Shipping is 0 - 2 with losses to Uppercut and Blacksmith, both fights were entertaining though.

Worth the cost of Battlebots I think.
Free Shipping goes on in first, Tombstone gets around the side and knocks off Shipping's front right wheel. Trying to get around to the other one and does, front left gone. And back right. Tombstone's blade isn't working however. After about a minute of pushing, Tombstone feeds Shipping to the screws. And it goes to the judges. Tombstone gets judges decision. He's 2 - 1, Free Shipping 0 - 3.

Ribbot vs P1
Ribbot is 2 - 0 with wins over Overhaul and Defender. P1 is also 2 - 0 with wins over Valkyrie and Jaeger.
P1 circles Ribbot who's gone with a vertical spinner. P1 gets cornered near the screws. But P1 pushes Ribbot away. Vertical spinner finally catches one of P1's forks and he gets flipped. Ribbot's spinner rips a piece of P1 off. One good hit from Ribbot sends P1 flying to the upperdeck but can't do anything but spin. Manages to get the KO.


Endgame vs Sawblaze
Endgame is 2 - 0 with wins over Hydra and Witch Doctor. Sawblaze is 2 - 0 with wins over Madcatter and Minotaur.
One hit. The exact same corner he KO Hydra at, shoved Sawblaze over there because his prongs got caught on the ground and as a result, flipped out of bounds. 7 second KO. 3 - 0 Endgame, 2 - 1 Sawblaze.

>Whiplash, Skorpios, and Endgames’ forks

That's all for this week. 2 more episodes before round of 32. See ya next week.

I put an * on the Glitch v Hydra fight because I feel like that one could go either way.
View attachment 3007905

That Hydra one really could have gone either way.

 

[whatever I feel like]

It's nuts how big bots really are when compared to humans. Like I always know they are that size yet end up being shocked when I see the comparison. Long-bois like Lucky and Free Shipping are probably actually human shaped.