User blog:NJGW/Series 10, Heat A - Predictions

We're back for another series of Robot Wars - the tenth in fact, and we've been given a rather fascinating looking Heat to kick the series off with. Let's have a closer look, shall we?

Note: These predictions are done completely blind - that includes trailers, as I have not watched them.

6th. Apocalypse
In the reboot, only Thor and Terrorhurtz have even threatened to do beyond poorly for axe bots. Glitterbomb, Trolley Rage, and TMHWK were all disposed of with little sweat, and little will probably change with Apocalypse. The throwback to Splinter with the inclusion of side arms is a nice feature, and this design could maybe have worked out in other Heat, but with the particular designs and shapes of robots it has to face in this lineup, an Apocalypse is the only chance this machine will have of doing well.

5th. Donald Thump
We all know about Donald Thump by now, but how will it perform in battle? Well, just like the person its themed after - who the hell knows? The bar looks genuinely powerful, will definitely trouble opponents if given the chance, and I'd even back it to beat Sabretooth one on one. However, I have a bad feeling that Donald Thump will either immobilise itself or will get knocked out in a hilarious way against The Swarm in the Redemption Round. This is a machine that could easily place between 3rd-5th.

4th. The Swarm
A very interesting, and likely entertaining concept no matter what happens, and it's great to see teams still trying to work out the optimal way to make clusterbots viable. I expect it to be messy, and it'll probably be completely outclassed when it finally looses, but I think these guys may well provide a minor upset before going out, as hinted above. A range of weaponry through different machines is likely to cause problems for certain opponents, and I can see Ian Watt's having a very positive campaign after the short-lived appearance of Or Te in Series 8.

3rd. Apollo
Apollo looks frightening this series, but for some reason, I'm betting against it. I hope I'm wrong, and I have absolutely no reason to predict it to not win this Heat in terms of sheer power and robot quality, but I just have a feeling it'll be bettered by Sabretooth. We'll find out, I guess.

2nd. Sabretooth
As I say, the placing of Donald Thump is very, very flexible, and Sabretooth's is just as much. If Donald Thump makes it to the final four and ends up facing Sabretooth in the Third Place Play-Off, then I think Team Legion are in trouble. However, if Sabretooth draws Apollo in the Heat Semi-Finals, I think it could beat it, as Apollo's right and left front panels are nice to drive against and potentially damage. I can't see Sabretooth winning the Heat in any case, however, because I think it's guaranteed a loss against Behemoth.

1st. Behemoth
Yep, I've been sucked in. For the first time ever, I've been sucked into the Behemoth hope train. It's a complete guess based on the draw, but if Behemoth avoids Apollo, and Sabretooth does infact beat Apollo itself, then I think it's finally Behemoth's time for a Grand Final appearance. Behemoth's design is just suitable against most opponents in this Heat. It can tip over Donald Thump nicely; use its bulky and closed in design to outmanoeuvre and bully Sabretooth; can just continuously drive into The Swarm and knock them around; and Apocalypse is dismissed in any case, sadly. Will this be Behemoth's series to get in with the elite? It shouldn't be, really, but I'll give it a cautious vote of confidence.