Dominator 2

"Evil By Invention!"

- The Team's Motto

The Dominator series of robots appeared across four series of Robot Wars, with Dominator competing in Series 3's Pinball competition, while Dominator 2 competed in Series 4, 5 and 6 of Robot Wars and reached exactly the same stage in all three competitions - Round 2 of the Semi-Finals.

Dominator 2 also entered in both series of Extreme. Dominator 2 was due to enter Series 7, and was to be given the 4th seed placing (originally 5th when Razer was presumed to be returning), but it was forced to drop out before filming even began due to mechanical problems, thereby giving Ming Dienasty the seeding position in its place.

Dominator
The team entered the original Dominator in the Series 3 Pinball competition. It was a 79 kg box-shaped robot with a titanium tipped spike at the front, within a large cosmetic jaw, and a wedge at the rear. The eyes on top of the robot illuminated. It was very quick and controllable, contributing to its 160 point score, even if its armour proved thin.

Dominator II
Dominator 2, styled by the team as Dominator II, was a wedged double-V shaped robot with a strong aircraft-grade aluminium axe powered by a 150PSI pneumatic ram producing 1.5 tonnes (12 kg) of pressure from an acceleration linkage and 20 mph top speed propelled by two industrial 1HP motors. The axe was powerful enough to pierce most robots' shells and doubled as a self-righting mechanism with the spikes on the sides and an increased gas size, gas flow and more powerful regulators for Series 6. The robot was armoured with 1.8mm plasma nitride coated titanium (3.5mm around the sides and back and 7mm at the front in Series 5) which was painted gold with a red and yellow flame on each side, later to be repainted completely silver at 3.2mm thick (6.5mm at the front and back) using the same titanium as used on Russian nuclear submarines and a 12mm polycarbonate base. Its wheels were exposed for Series 4 and modified during the semi final for more grip and pushing power, but were enclosed in wheel guards in subsequent series after Pussycat almost managed to pull Dominator 2's armour off by attacking the wheels. The wheel guards were added after Wild Thing damaged the tyres in Dominator 2's first round fight in the All-Stars.

The axe meant that the target needed to be directly in front of the robot for it to be effective and so Dominator 2 was outclassed by more maneuverable robots such as Tornado.

Series 3
Dominator competed in the Pinball Competition of The Third Wars, it immediately went for the barrels after the start. It missed the see-saw and drove into Sergeant Bash. Sir Killalot trapped it under the see-saw, but it escaped. A loose barrel hit the multi-ball release. It escaped after being trapped by Sir Killalot and Dead Metal to hit Dead Metal's unguarded target. It could not push through the car door gate. Eventually it was trapped again, and was hit by Shunt's axe and Dead Metal's saw. Dominator scored a total of 160 points. This score remained unbeaten through the duration of nearly the whole series, with no true competition excluding Six-Pac, which scored 135 points. But in the penultimate heat, it was to lose its lead when Razer scored an incredibly impressive 210 points. Dominator finished second in the Pinball overall.

Series 4
Dominator 2 was a promising newcomer to the Fourth Wars. Its first appearance brought it up against the number 9 seeds 101 and Henry 2 in the first round of the heat. Dominator 2 used its axe immediately to attack the top of Henry 2, whilst it was being rammed by 101. But Henry 2 stopped moving straight away, so Dominator 2 moved away started to attack 101, but this was pointless as both of them had already qualified for the second round, as Henry 2 was soon declared immobilised and subsequently attacked by the house robots. In the second round of the heat, Dominator 2 fought the 25th seeds Shadow of Napalm. The newcomer dominated the battle, using its axe and pushing power well to crumple, buckle, and then completely break the chassis of the flimsy Shadow of Napalm. The bent chassis meant that the seeded machine soon became immobilised completely. As the Pit of Oblivion descended, Dominator 2 pushed Shadow of Napalm onto the pit and left it to be pitted by Sir Killalot and Matilda. This put Dominator 2 through to the heat final, where it fought the 9th seeds 101 once again. In this battle, the two machines dodged around each other at the start until Dominator 2 began to use its axe weapon. However, it got stuck in 101's armour. Now with the pushing advantage, the seeded 101 then pushed Dominator 2 into house robot Matilda's CPZ. Dominator 2 then managed to release its axe and it then escaped, but then Dominator 2 had some trouble aiming the axe weapon. It then pushed 101 into house robot Dead Metal's CPZ. 101 then drove up the wedge shape of Dominator 2, flipping itself over in the process. Dominator 2 then accidentally drove into the arena side wall, where it got stuck for a fairly long time on one of the spikes, until it was eventually freed by Dead Metal. The battle later went to a judges' decision, who went in favour of the newcomers Dominator 2, putting them through to the Series Semi-Finals. In the Series Semi-Finals, Dominator 2 met the number 5 seeds Firestorm 2 in the first round. According to the judges, this was one of the closest battles they had ever had to deliberate. Dominator 2 tried to use its axe, but was flipped over by Firestorm 2. Dominator 2 managed to right itself using the axe, and then put its axe through Firestorm 2's flipper. Dominator 2 was then flipped by Firestorm 2 again, but once again the newcomer was able to self-right. It then managed to trap Firestorm 2 underneath its fired axe. At the end of the battle, Firestorm 2 flipped Dominator 2 twice and rammed it against the arena side wall, but the judges' split decision surprisingly went in favour of Dominator 2, most likely on damage. Now a significant favourite, Dominator 2 moved on to meet the number 19 seeds Pussycat in the second round. Pussycat attacked Dominator 2's main weakness - its wheels. Dominator 2 then chased Pussycat, but its wheels were attacked again. Dominator 2 then fought back with its axe and pushed Pussycat into Matilda's CPZ. Pussycat then rammed into Dominator 2's side and Dominator 2's body shell started to come off towards the end of the fight. The battle then went to another judges' decision for Dominator 2, the decision went in favour of Pussycat, putting an end to a fantastic series for the newcomers. "And this has been a wonderful, wonderful series for Dominator 2, but I think it's come to an end right there."

- Jonathan Pearce Dominator 2 also entered in the Northern Annihilator, it was up against Chaos 2, Stinger, Spikasaurus, Killerhurtz and Suicidal Tendencies. In the first round, Dominator 2 threw a few axe blows on a constantly picked on Killerhurtz but then had Chaos 2 pinned in a corner after Team Chaos' machine attempted to flip Killerhurtz out of the arena. Dominator 2 and Killerhurtz then axed the annihilator favourites Chaos 2 into submission, this was a major shock for everyone for Chaos 2 to go out in the first round. In round two, Dominator 2 first tried to axe Spikasaurus, but missed, it then bashed Stinger for a while until Stinger was only spinning in circles. Dominator 2 did little else in this round other than consistently close down and axe Killerhurtz with an occasional hit on Suicidal Tendencies and Spikasaurus. Stinger was eliminated and Dominator 2 was through to round three.

Here, it still had an urge to attack Killerhurtz, Killerhurtz managed a few strikes with its axe on Dominator 2 but then Spikasaurus teamed up with Dominator 2 and held Killerhurtz over the flame pit. Killerhurtz then escaped the flame pit and got Dominator 2 into the CPZ where Matilda flipped it onto its side, however, it managed to self-right. All three still survived the round as Suicidal Tendencies had stopped outside the opposite CPZ long ago. In the next round, it was the end of the line for Killerhurtz; Dominator 2 axed it and Spikasaurus rammed the Oxford machine. Killerhurtz was slowed as Spikasaurus buried its spikes into Killerhurtz's shell. Sir Killalot crumpled Spikasaurus' shell but no internal damage was caused. Killerhurtz became immobilised on the opposite arena wall and Dominator 2 was through to the final with Spikasaurus.

In the Final, Dominator 2 was looked at as the favourite. Spikasaurus started as the livelier machine but Dominator 2 got it into the CPZ and one of Spikasaurus' spikes were spiking the wall and it was stuck. It broke free only to be axed by Dominator 2 and Shunt. But all of a sudden, Dominator 2 stopped all together, as a battered Spikasaurus scuttled away, Dominator 2 was shoved around the arena by Refbot and it was then finished off by the house robots. Cease was eventually called and Spikasaurus was declared the winner.

Extreme 1
Dominator 2 made two appearances in Robot Wars Extreme. It first fought Wild Thing in the first round of the All-Stars tournament. This battle featured a lot of pushing between the two, with both machines slamming each other into the arena side walls. Dominator 2 however failed to strike Wild Thing with a hard enough axe blow to cause damage as Wild Thing was easily able to drive away from the incoming swings. Wild Thing mostly tried targeting Dominator 2's wheels with its spinning disc, leaving them shredded towards the end of the fight. The battle eventually ended in a judges' decision, who went in favour of Wild Thing, eliminating Dominator 2 from the competition.

Also in the first series of Extreme, Dominator 2 fought in a Wild Card Warrior battle against newcomers to the wars, The Executioner. This battle was over fairly quickly, as The Executioner quickly tried to open the pit, but failed twice before actually managing to press the pit release button. Dominator 2 then lightly pushed The Executioner, who was then pushing back, but its attack made it bounce off the Series 4 Semi-Finalist, making it drive straight into the pit. Therefore, Dominator 2 won without doing anything. This was the first appearance of Dominator 2 with its wheel guards.

Series 5
"Last year we were Semi-Finalists, this year - we'll win."

- The team's high hopes for Series 5 For the Fifth Wars, Dominator 2 was seeded 11th for the main competition. In its first round battle of the heat, Dominator 2 was drawn against the newcomer Derek!. Dominator 2 was the more aggressive at the start, keeping Derek on the backward step, pushing it around and hammering it repeatedly. Dominator 2 tried to use its wedge to tip Derek over, but couldn't due its opponent's forks digging into the arena floor, so it settled for yet another punishing axe blow on it. Dominator 2 let its foe escape, pursued it, then caught it and rammed it against a side wall right next to Shunt's CPZ. This attack caused Derek to break down, therefore allowing Dominator 2 and the house robot pummel it with their axes. Shortly after, Refbot counted Derek out. In the second round, the seeded machine faced King B Powerworks, the fourth version of King Buxton. "Square box, square blows. We're gonna have 'em."

- Confidence from the team for their next battle Dominator 2 immediately charged at King B Powerworks and punctured its top armour, then proceeded to attack again but missed with the axe this time. Dominator 2 chased King B into an unoccupied CPZ, which it escaped from, and darted away from Dominator 2 in the process. Dominator 2 took a small amount of damage from King B's saw at its rear, but not before it could punch two holes into it. Dominator 2 pierced yet again into King B, then tried use its wedge to turn King B over, but failed to do so. It then made a great attack to ram its axe into the gap between the forks and the robot itself, meaning that it could effectively drag its foe around the arena. After letting it go, it again punctured the top of King B Powerworks and by this time it had really worn King B down, slowing its usual fast dashes into slow crawls. Dominator 2 landed one last blow before cease was called and the battle went to a judges' decision. "Dominator looked like it dominated that!"

- Craig Charles

The Judges put it through to the Heat Final, where it faced the Scottish newcomers Corkscrew. Dominator 2 chased Corkscrew around the arena, missing with the axe but was able get a few decent rams in before it forced its foe into a CPZ, where both Shunt and Sir Killalot attacked it. Corkscrew escaped, but was soon caught again by Dominator 2, who was in in hot pursuit. "It's cat and mouse, catch me if you can"

- Jonathan Pearce summarizes the battle Corkscrew hit the pit release button, darted away from danger, but was then turned over by Dominator 2's wedge. Dominator 2 was through to the Series Semi-Finals for a second time in succession. In the Semi-Finals, Dominator 2 faced the 10th seeds Wheely Big Cheese in the first round. Both robots avoided each at the start, before Wheely Big Cheese pressed the Pit Release Button, but Dominator 2 dashed away from the cheese to escape danger. Dominator 2 rammed into Wheely Big Cheese, hammered it with its axe, but then suffered the full force of the cheese's flipper. It was thrown about 8 ft in the air, before crashing down onto its side where it self-righted. Wheely Big Cheese flicked it over again, however this time it had trouble self-righting as it landed on its axe, but got back up eventually. It retaliated by hitting Wheely Big Cheese's flipper, unable to pierce it, but after much pursuit the cheese broke down. Its foe was counted out, and Dominator 2 was through to the second round of the semi-finals, again. Dominator 2 faced the mighty 3rd seeds Hypno-Disc there, and as it proved early on, it was the second best in the arena as Hypno-Disc tore a gash in its back. Dominator 2 hit it with its axe, but Hypno-Disc's armour was too hard for it to make any impact at all. Hypno-Disc again slashed into Dominator 2, spinning it away. Dominator 2 took yet another punishing blow from the flywheel, which destroyed its drive on one side, making the 11th seeds merely spin around in circles. Afterwards, Hypno-Disc just left Dominator 2 as they believed that they had already won and the Rose Family Team did not want to take any damage, despite only spinning around in circles, Dominator 2 was not counted out by the Refbot. Unsurprisingly, the crowd booed at the end of the fight as it went to a judges' decision. The judges, who described it as the most boring fight they'd ever observed, gave it to Hypno-Disc. Once again, Dominator 2 was out in the second round of the Semi-finals.

At the end of the series, Dominator 2 was nominated for the Best Engineered Robot Award but lost out to Derek, the first robot it knocked out of the competition.

Series 6
Dominator 2's first battle of Series 6 against Axe-C-Dent 2, Sumpthing and Hydra started very quickly with Hydra immediately flipping Axe-C-Dent 2 over. Hydra went on to flip Dominator 2 over, but unlike Axe-C-Dent, Dominator 2 self-righted. The three robots left then came together trying to use their axes, but Sumpthing drove into a CPZ and was axed by Shunt. Meanwhile Dominator 2 was being attacked by Hydra, as Hydra flipped Dominator 2 over again and then pushed it into a CPZ, but Dominator 2 escaped. Axe-C-Dent had been righted and was attacked by Hydra and Dominator 2's axes. It appeared that Hydra and Sumpthing were teaming up on Dominator 2 and it was pushed onto the flame pit, but then Sumpthing lost drive in one of its wheels and was counted out, putting Dominator 2 and Hydra into the second round. In the second round Dominator 2 came up against the experienced S.M.I.D.S.Y. machine, the battle started quickly with Dominator 2 trying to axe S.M.I.D.S.Y., but it used its greater agility to dodge the axe. Dominator 2 was then pushed into an arena wall by S.M.I.D.S.Y., but Dominator 2 escaped and almost punctured one of S.M.I.D.S.Y.'s tyres with its axe. More pushing ensued until Dominator 2 again put its axe very close to S.M.I.D.S.Y.'s tyre. S.M.I.D.S.Y. then used its flywheel, but it had little effect on Dominator 2. Both robots then entered a CPZ and Growler came smashing into both robots and attempted to pin S.M.I.D.S.Y.. Dominator 2 finally managed to puncture one of S.M.I.D.S.Y.'s tyres, but by this time S.M.I.D.S.Y. had slowed down and appeared to have lost drive on one side. It then caught fire from the flame pit just as cease was called and the judges chose the seeded Dominator 2 to go through to the Heat Final. After the fight it was revealed that Growler's onslaught on Dominator 2 had broken the polycarbonate base in half, but it was repaired in time for its battle where it went up against Hydra again in the Heat Final. Again Dominator 2's battle started quickly as both robots crashed into each other, but Hydra then flipped Dominator 2 over and pushed it towards the arena wall. The fight slowed down a bit with both robots circling each other until Hydra flipped Dominator 2 again. However Dominator 2 self-righted and went on the attack, peppering Hydra with many axe blows, Hydra then pressed the pit release button. Dominator 2's axe then got stuck and Hydra attempted to use its own axe, but it only bounced over Dominator 2's armour. Both robots became unstuck and Hydra seemed to slow right down to a crawl. The battle ended and the judges chose Dominator 2 to go through to the Semi-finals.

In the Series Semi-Finals, Dominator 2 came up against 2nd seeds Bigger Brother in the first round. The fight started quickly with Dominator 2 going on the offensive trying to hit Bigger Brother with its axe, but Bigger Brother then flipped Dominator 2 over. Dominator 2 then self-righted. It then got underneath Bigger Brother driving it into Sir Killalot, but Bigger Brother escaped and flipped Dominator 2 again. Dominator 2 self-righted and used its axe to hit Bigger Brother a few times. Bigger Brother attempted to flip Dominator 2, but it failed. Bigger Brother then drove near Sir Killalot, who picked it up and turned it over. It then self-righted, but then it appeared to lose drive on one side. Cease was called and for the third time in Series 6, Dominator 2 went through on a judges' decision.

In the next round, Dominator 2 faced the 12th seeds Tornado, which was equipped with its scoop weapon. Another Dominator 2 battle started fast with Tornado bashing into Dominator 2, which attempted to hit Tornado with its axe, but missed. Tornado then pushed Dominator 2 across the arena floor. Tornado then activated the pit release and almost pushed Dominator 2 into it. Then something spectacular happened. Matilda used her flywheel and made contact with both Dominator 2 and Tornado. Tornado flew away and almost landed in the pit, but Dominator 2 bounced off the flywheel and accidentally reversed into the pit, thus eliminating Dominator 2 from the series and for the third time in the second round of the Semi-finals.

Extreme 2
In Extreme Series 2, Dominator 2 singularly fought in the All-Stars tournament, it faced Hypno-Disc and Spawn Again in its first round battle. Like many Dominator 2 battles, it opened quickly, with Dominator 2 smashing into Hypno-Disc and almost turning it over. All three robots circled each other near the flame pit, then Spawn Again flipped Hypno-Disc right over itself, causing it to land on its wheels. It appeared that Dominator 2 and Spawn Again had teamed up against Hypno-Disc, with Spawn Again flipping it and Dominator 2 attempting to stop the disc with its axe. Hypno-Disc then bounced off Dominator 2's armour with its flywheel. Following this impact, Hypno-Disc seemed to break down and was pitted, putting Dominator 2 and Spawn Again through.

In the next round, Dominator 2 came up against 13 Black. Another fast start ensued with Dominator 2 bouncing off 13 Black's flywheels. It was then flipped over by Matilda after 13 Black had drawn it into a CPZ. Dominator 2 then couldn't self-right, but was helped back onto its wheels by Matilda. 13 Black then destroyed the pit release button and then Dominator 2 stuck its axe through one of 13 Blacks flywheels. Both robots remained stuck together for a while and both robots tried to push each other into the pit. Dominator 2 came unstuck, but seemed to lose drive on one side near the pit and 13 Black hit the pit release button again which rolled into the pit. By the end of the battle both robots had control problems, so it went to the judges, who chose 13 Black. This was Dominator 2's last televised appearance.

Results

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Wins/Losses

 * Wins: 18
 * Losses: 6

Series Record

 * Series 1-2: Did not enter
 * Series 3: Pinball only
 * Series 4: Semi-Finals, Round 2
 * Series 5: Semi-Finals, Round 2
 * Series 6: Semi-Finals, Round 2
 * Series 7: Withdrew
 * 2016 Series: Did not enter

Outside Robot Wars
Nowadays, Dominator 3, as it is now known, has lost its bi-wedge design, instead opting for a conventional wedge shape, much like Kat 3. However, it still maintains its deadly axe.

Appearances in Merchandise

 * Dominator 2/Minibot
 * Dominator 2/Robot Wars: Advanced Destruction
 * Dominator 2/Robot Wars: Extreme Destruction (PC/Xbox)
 * Dominator 2/Robot Wars: Extreme Destruction (GBA)

Trivia

 * Dominator 2 reached and went out in Round 2 of the Series Semi-Finals in all three of its appearances in the main competition.
 * Dominator 2 is one of only eight robots to fight in more than one UK Championship and never fail to reach the Semi-Finals.
 * Dominator 2 set the record for the quickest immobilisation in Robot Wars, when it immobilised Henry 2 within only two seconds in the first round of Series 4. This would never be beaten within Robot Wars history.
 * In the main competition, Dominator 2 always went up against at least one seed in every battle it fought in throughout the Fourth Wars. It shares this pattern with Knightmare, though Dominator 2 fought in more battles.
 * Dominator 2 is the most successful robot to have never won an award or tournament, having won 18 battles.
 * Dominator 2 defeated 9 Tag Team Terror competitors, more than any other robot that never fought in a Tag Team Terror itself.

Honours
Nominations
 * Best Engineered Award - Robot Wars: The Fifth Wars