User blog:NJGW/Series 9, Heat B rundown

Behemoth vs. Eruption vs. Cobra vs. Hobgoblin
An interesting looking lineup, and hopefully another entertaining Group Battle. Eruption and Behemoth should progress with ease, but I'm not sure they'll both immobilise the other two machines. Also, it depends if the Eruption and Behemoth teams are in the same booth, because Eruption could easily get the upper hand on Behemoth if it wants to. One I am ruling out for sure is Hobgoblin - which can supposedly run upside down, but I'm not all that convinced and neither was anybody on SamElliott64's Robot Wars Series 9 Ultimate Preview. I can see Behemoth bullying it into submission pretty comfortably. Cobra is invertible for sure, but its weapon is significantlly reduced in effectiveness upside down. Still, I can see it just buzzing around without doing all that much offensively. Behemoth and Eruption to progress after a Judges' decision.

Qualified: Behemoth and Eruption

PP3D vs. Push to Exit vs. Cherub vs. Draven
This is a really interesting one. PP3D could potentially ruin any of these, especially Draven, but we'll see how easily it gets up to speed. Push to Exit could also find itself vulnerable to a PP3D attack while it drives at a robot itself. Draven will probably suffer notable enough damage to immobilise it, but I'm not sure out of Cherub and Push to Exit who will progress, because I really do think that Push to Exit will leave itself exposed in a Group Battle environment. I'll give it the benefit of the doubt, but this is one Group Battle I'm not fully sure on.

Qualified: Push to Exit and PP3D

PP3D vs. Eruption
Pfft, who actually knows? I have a really bad feeling about PP3D's reliability for this heat though, and I think Eruption will have more luck in surviving hits this time around. We'll see though.

Winner: Eruption via KO (3 points)

Push to Exit vs. Behemoth
Again, I'm not convinced on any of these Push to Exit battles yet, but I think Behemoth will be quick enough and clever enough to avoid most attacks while Push to Exit's long shape will hurt it again. Judges' decision this time.

Winner: Behemoth via Judges' decision (2 points)

Push to Exit vs. Eruption
With Push to Exit's long shape and Eruption's ability to flick quickly without needing something to ride up it, Eruption should be able to come in with quicker flips and do it more consistently. Push to Exit will only get in one or two good flips, and I think there'll be a moment where it fails to self-right.

Winner: Eruption via KO (3 points)

Behemoth vs. PP3D
I'm really looking forward to this. Logic suggests that the edges of Behemoth's scoop will let it down again against a modern spinner, but if PP3D starts with its disc to the ground - which I assume it will/has to - then the curved lower part of Behemoth's front could really be useful. Behemoth will suffer damage to its front, but I'm still not convinced in PP3D's manoeuvrability, as it tends to just shuffle along, and I think Behemoth can really keep on top of it and edge this battle.

Winner: Behemoth via KO (3 points)

Push to Exit vs. PP3D
I may not be sure on how it will do against fellow flippers, but I can't see Push to Exit's armour resisting spinners at all. Even if Push to Exit slides underneath PP3D it'll probably suffer damage still. PP3D to win after a couple of large blows to Push to Exit's side.

Winner: PP3D via KO (3 points)

Eruption vs. Behemoth
I always feel Behemoth has the ingredients for this battle, and it can flick Eruption over if it comes in with swift lifts to the front side of Eruption. However, Eruption just feels that bit more of a precision engine, especially in this instance, and I can't be convinced in Behemoth's ability to right itself quickly enough to win a battle against a rear-hinged flipper. Eruption to dominate most of the battle, but Behemoth will take away the potential of 3 points.

Winner: Eruption via Judges' decision (2 points)

Eruption vs. Behemoth
Behemoth will make this a bit more of a contest than in the Head-to-Head, but will still find this battle too much of a challenge.

Episode Winner: Eruption

Conclusion
This really is a great looking lineup. I'm putting faith in another really good Behemoth run to prove that it's still a competitive machine these days, but this time it'll do things in a more impressive and convincing way. Sadly for Behemoth, Eruption stands in the way, and I really have it down as the strong favourite. As for PP3D, it could easily get to the Heat Final, but I'm not yet fully convinced in its ability to last battles, although I'd love nothing more than for Gary Cairns' upgrades to work wonders. As always, the order of the battles in the Head-to-Heads will really shape things, and one of PP3D's opponents could easily come out limping for future rounds, but we'll see. I'm really looking forward to this heat.