Robot combat thread
A thread for discussion about and videos of robot combat! Think Robot Wars, BattleBots, Robotica etc.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robot_combat
Sadly, there isn't much going on TV-wise at the moment, but that doesn't stop me going back and watching many of the best series, episodes and battles from across the years. And if a robot reboot does get announced, I'll be sure to post about it here!
There are still a few live shows going on around the UK as well:
https://www.extremerobots.co.uk/
https://www.robotsliveshow.com/
Whether it's video clips, news about events, memories of watching, building or even competing in robot combat events, anything goes~
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robot_combat
Sadly, there isn't much going on TV-wise at the moment, but that doesn't stop me going back and watching many of the best series, episodes and battles from across the years. And if a robot reboot does get announced, I'll be sure to post about it here!
There are still a few live shows going on around the UK as well:
https://www.extremerobots.co.uk/
https://www.robotsliveshow.com/
Whether it's video clips, news about events, memories of watching, building or even competing in robot combat events, anything goes~
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I'll start things off with some classic one-sided destruction, the first effective horizontal spinner weapon: Hypno-Disc 
(source: Robot Wars official YouTube channel)
(source: Robot Wars official YouTube channel)One of the most chaotic battles from BattleBots World Championship VII, which aired in 2023! RIPperoni vs. Gruff (Source: BattleBots official YouTube channel)
Melee time! Got to love the 10 Robot Rumble from RW Series 10, even if half the competitors did take themselves out by driving into the pit. 
(source: Robot Wars official YouTube channel)
(source: Robot Wars official YouTube channel)
Today, I'm in the mood for fire. 
This clip is from the Chinese series King of Bots, but features a UK entry in the form of the dangerous Spectre. 
(source: Robot Wars official YouTube channel)
This clip is from the Chinese series King of Bots, but features a UK entry in the form of the dangerous Spectre. (source: Robot Wars official YouTube channel)
Hehe I remember watching robot wars after school when I was younger!
Original post
by artful_loungerHehe I remember watching robot wars after school when I was younger!
Same! I managed to watch series 1 despite my parents saying I wasn't allowed because it 'sounded too violent'.
Instantly hooked.Original post
by AngryJellyfishSame! I managed to watch series 1 despite my parents saying I wasn't allowed because it 'sounded too violent'. Instantly hooked.
Instantly hooked.Yeah, something about seeing one robot getting blended by another makes very compelling television
Original post
by artful_loungerYeah, something about seeing one robot getting blended by another makes very compelling television
One particular battle springs to mind.
(source: Robot Wars official YouTube channel)
Original post
by AngryJellyfishOne particular battle springs to mind.
(source: Robot Wars official YouTube channel)
(source: Robot Wars official YouTube channel)
Haha that was pretty brutal yeah
Well it seems we may have big robot combat news a lot sooner than I anticipated! 
Am a bit iffy on the sponsor... all I hope is that they won't be pushing the AI onto the robots themselves that much, I enjoy the human element of the builders and drivers as much as the metallic mayhem.
Am a bit iffy on the sponsor... all I hope is that they won't be pushing the AI onto the robots themselves that much, I enjoy the human element of the builders and drivers as much as the metallic mayhem.
As we wait for further news on the 26th, here's another great fight from the last time BattleBots was on TV!
Posting this one because Jellyfish 
BattleBots LIVES!
And not long to wait, it's airing in June!! What's more, it will be broadcast worldwide over YouTube, so you bet I'll be providing links here. The lineup of 24 robots is in the video above; less than half the lineup of World Championship VII. Some notable absences include reigning world champion Sawblaze, any of the Whyachi clan (Hydra, Fusion etc), hammerbots Beta and Shatter, veterans Rotator (certainly a name that springs to mind they're claiming these are the 'most destructive'), and the controversial team but always entertaining bot that was Riptide. Too early to know why they're not included, of course, and hopefully I'm right in understanding that a 'league' means that the worst performing bots will be relegated, and other teams will be invited to take their place for any future series to come. *Hopefully* the combination of Kenny Florian in this video + Chris Rose's voice in the earlier pre-announcement means that familiar duo will be providing commentary. Either way, so excited for this!
Looking at the lineup for BattleBots' Pro League, it becomes apparent that 23 out of the 24 robots use spinner weapons... they did say they wanted the most destructive bots! That's not to say there isn't a massive amount of difference in the designs of all the spinners here, but IMO robotic combat is at its best when there are good control bots, hammers, flippers, crushers, and other more experimental designs included, otherwise there's a danger it just becomes a race to see who has the best reach and lowest ground clearance.
That does leave us with one non-spinner in the lineup: Claw Viper, whose weapon is speed (and also a grabber / lifter thingy) - here they are battling fellow Pro League team Ribbot. Judge for yourself whether this kind of design can be entertaining to watch!
That does leave us with one non-spinner in the lineup: Claw Viper, whose weapon is speed (and also a grabber / lifter thingy) - here they are battling fellow Pro League team Ribbot. Judge for yourself whether this kind of design can be entertaining to watch!
Another past BattleBots fight featuring two bots who will be featuring in the upcoming Pro League. Proof of what I said in my previous post, there's plenty of variation among robots classed as 'spinners'!Ooh, new BattleBots Faceoffs episode airing on YouTube at some point today! The lineup includes new Pro League team Manta, a bot that I've never seen fight before, but that I hear is TERRIFYING. Plus whatever Traves T. is, looks like two spirit levels strapped to a candle - can't wait to see that in action as well! Rusty we know and love, hopefully it works this time. Hellfire I believe is a new bot from a disgruntled former member of Tombstone's team, certainly looks competent enough to be a threat.
These were all filmed quite a while ago now as pre-qualifiers for a potential World Championship VIII, while the BattleBots owners looked for new sponsors, and are VERY slowly getting released to the public (months go by between eps, no schedule, very little advance warning). Playlist of previous episodes here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLrpqCP1_qdKj3nnaS5bX4oltxGA-1BOcu
The lineup includes new Pro League team Manta, a bot that I've never seen fight before, but that I hear is TERRIFYING. Plus whatever Traves T. is, looks like two spirit levels strapped to a candle - can't wait to see that in action as well! Rusty we know and love, hopefully it works this time. Hellfire I believe is a new bot from a disgruntled former member of Tombstone's team, certainly looks competent enough to be a threat.These were all filmed quite a while ago now as pre-qualifiers for a potential World Championship VIII, while the BattleBots owners looked for new sponsors, and are VERY slowly getting released to the public (months go by between eps, no schedule, very little advance warning). Playlist of previous episodes here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLrpqCP1_qdKj3nnaS5bX4oltxGA-1BOcu
FaceOffs episode 5 is here! 
FaceOffs episode 5 (video above) spoilers:
Spoiler
BattleBots Pro League Group A revealed! Along with an explanation of what the groups mean: 4 robots per group, each fights the others in its group, and only one proceeds to the next stage.
Manta has a lot of hype around it, and plenty of experience outside of BattleBots. Skorpios and Valkyrie are decent machines, wouldn't be surprised if either of them were to win. And then we've got Terrortops, which I believe is the sole UK representative since Cobalt traded hands - they did very well in the WC7 reserve fights, granted their opponents weren't anywhere near the caliber of the three they're facing here, so I'll be cheering for them as the likely underdogs.
More group reveals to come soon, with filming starting later this month, and streaming on YouTube in June!
Manta has a lot of hype around it, and plenty of experience outside of BattleBots. Skorpios and Valkyrie are decent machines, wouldn't be surprised if either of them were to win. And then we've got Terrortops, which I believe is the sole UK representative since Cobalt traded hands - they did very well in the WC7 reserve fights, granted their opponents weren't anywhere near the caliber of the three they're facing here, so I'll be cheering for them as the likely underdogs.
More group reveals to come soon, with filming starting later this month, and streaming on YouTube in June!
(edited 1 week ago)
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