User blog:Rammingspeed/Robot Wars Series 10 Episode 1 Predictions - Rammingspeed

So essentially for this I'll be doing a run down of every possible head to head combination in this heat - seeing as we don't have the official line ups, this seems like the way to do it.

Apollo vs Behemoth

Let's start with the two biggest names of the episode.

The thing with Behemoth is that it really does struggle fighting the now conventional wedge design, with which it's impossible to lift them from the front and take their wheels off the ground because they're so far back.

The only way to effectively attack one of these designs from the front with a flipping weapon is to completely throw them over - which Behemoth won't manage. I've seen these two fight before on the live circuit; so long as Apollo doesn't d anything stupid it can easily throw Behemoth out.

WINNER: Apollo

Donald Thump vs Apocalypse

I thought about this one a bit. Thump has better weaponry, but Apocalypse has the wedge in its favour.

Thump's spinner is designed in such a way that it will struggle to hit wedges, being vertically mounted. If it can, it'll win for sure.

It don't really see what Apocalypse can do in retaliation - I don't fancy its axes to cause damage. If anything, it risks losing its overhead axe if it hits Thump's spinning bar. I'll give this one to the Donald, 16kg spinning at 5000rpm is seriously dangerous, a few solid hits will leave Apocalypse immobilised.

WINNER: Donald Thump

The Swarm vs Sabretooth

I already love The Swarm, I want it to to do so well, but it's facing perhaps the worst matchup imaginable here.

Sabretooth will charge through the clusters, sending them flying through the air with its drum and there's little they can do to reply. Its best hope is for Skye to entangle the drum, but in that time we could see Pinza and Blenda destroyed - they're the ones I'd fear for the most.

The Swarm need to avoid that drum to stand any chance, which I just don't see happening due to how wide Sabretooth's attack range is.

WINNER: Sabretooth

Apollo vs Apocalypse

Simple stuff really, Apocalypse is really good shape to be thrown around and can't really do much in response unless its axe gets a lucky hit. The side axes will probably just slide off as they try to grapple Apollo as well.

WINNER: Apollo

Behemoth vs The Swarm

Behemoth is another robot The Swarm will struggle to deal with. Blenda may be theoretically be able to damage "even heavyweights" (I should hope so because they're the only things it's fighting) but Behemoth is a league above most in terms of armour.

Duck could flip Behemoth, allowing Blenda to come in and damage the underbelly, but I reckon Ant will use his near 20-year experience and target one of these two robots first. I can't see a knockout, but I can see a convincing win on points for Behemoth.

WINNER: Behemoth

Donald Thump vs Apollo

I don't see Donald Thump being able to self-right. In an arena like this that's enough of a weakness on its own, but against Apollo it's a death sentence.

WINNER: Apollo

Sabretooth vs Behemoth

Behemoth has the power advantage, but if Sabretooth connects with the drum (which it is likely to do at some stage) Behemoth's in trouble.

This one is so close, Behemoth could control Sabretooth with the scoop yet one error and it'll suffer. I'm gonna bet that it happens at some stage, as it always does with Behemoth.

WINNER: Sabretooth

The Swarm vs Apocalypse

An axe isn't ideal to be taking on such small, nimble targets. I can see The Swarm just being too much for Apocalypse here; it could fend the clusters off with its sheer brute force but overall it's The Swarm that poses more threat as it can actually effectively utilise its weapons.

WINNER: The Swarm

Apollo vs Sabretooth

Sabretooth will really struggle to gain any sort of purchase with its drum.

There's a possibility that it could sneak around the back of Apollo and hit its wheels like it did to Terrorhurtz, but that's its only chance. On the balance of probabilities I'm giving this to Apollo.

WINNER: Apollo

Behemoth vs Donald Thump

Same gig as Thump's match with Apollo, one flip and that's it.

WINNER: Behemoth

Apollo vs The Swarm

It might take a while, but if Apollo catches one of the clusters it's not staying in the arena. It'll probably go over the raised wall.

WINNER: Apollo

Behemoth vs Apocalypse

I've said before that Behemoth was tailor made to fight mediocre axebots, and what is it facing here? I'm also unsure as to whether Apocalypse can self right reliably.

WINNER: Behemoth

Sabretooth vs Donald Thump

I'm stumped with this one. Sabretooth's sides look very easy for DT to hit, but then Sabretooth looks a lot more solidly constructed.

In a head on collision I'd back Sabretooth, but it's all about who can get round to the sides. I'll back Gabe here; with his superior driving skills.

WINNER: Sabretooth

Sabretooth vs Apocalpyse

Apocalypse may find some luck early on, but like with Behemoth one slip up and it's game over. I really don't trust Apocalypse's limited manoeuvrability either.

WINNER: Sabretooth

Donald Thump vs The Swarm

DT may take out one of the clusters - but once again, one flip from Rubber Duck and that's it.

WINNER: The Swarm

Apollo: 5/5 Sabretooth: 4/5 Behemoth: 3/5 The Swarm: 2/5 Donald Thump: 1/5 Apocalypse: 0/5