User blog:Rammingspeed/Robot Wars Rebooted: Episode 4 Predictions

I'm still trying to spare my blushes from last week after I made a "you can't win anything with kids"-sized error. It's what I get for trying to be too clever, I suppose. I'd come up with excuses, but hey - that's what criminals do. And the only thing you can convict me of is sticking to what I believe. Christ, I sound like a terrorist.

Anyway, let's hope for an improvement this week, shall we?

Group Battles
Terror Turtle vs Storm 2 vs Eruption vs Sabretooth

Oh, Terror Turtle, how I am glad I am not your driver in this one. Can I just write it off now to spare myself some time?

The drum spinner on the back of Sabretooth looks very menacing, but I'm not sure about that claw - it doesn't look anywhere near big enough to grapple anything, and that wedge doesn't help it either with how steep it is. Furthermore - does it have a scrimech? I'm not so sure it does to be honest. In a battle with Eruption, without a scrimech, it's plain and simple really - you aren't progressing.

Perhaps Sabretooth does have a scrimech and I'm wrong - but nevertheless, I still feel it's the weakest of the three remaining robots. Storm 2 seems to have aged well, and Eruption is possibly the best robot the UK has to offer as of now. Sabretooth and Terror Turtle both to be flipped.

Storm 2 and Eruption progress

Sweeney Todd vs PP3D vs Kan-Opener vs Apollo

Oh, Sweeney Todd, how I am glad I am not your driver in this one. Can I just write it off now to spare myself some time?

No, but seriously, 45kgs? It's more of a lightweight than me as a 16 year old. Even though it's a middleweight. Doesn't change the fact that I wasn't a particularly good drinker back then, unfortunately.

PP3D looks potent. In addition I can't ignore its remaining two opponents weaknesses to it. I've read about Apollo's front end, how if it is buckled it affects the drive - but that won't be as crippling as Kan Opener losing a wheel. It's a shame, and it might hat a chance to cause some damage on Sweeney Todd beforehand, but in the chaos of a group battle I can't see it protecting those wheels from Typhoon 2's spiritual successor for long.

Kan Opener to grab hold of Sweeney Todd, then PP3D to move in with a side-on assault and shear a wheel clean off, rendering it immobile. ST to then be thrown around by Apollo until dead.

Apollo and PP3D progress

Head-to-Head Battles
Storm 2 vs PP3D

That's right, I'm tackling the biggest one first. The rematch of that fabled clash that book-ended the last series of Robot Wars. The new, unknown quantity of PP3D against the grizzled veteran, Storm 2. I should be a promoter.

Many say Storm 2 should've won - and I think it will here, providing it doesn't use the flywheel. I think the aforementioned weapon is far heavier than the lifting arm, and it needs to be agile to win this one. If it can get a few good charges in on that blade using its front wedge, it could very easily disable or even damage it externally - it does look somewhat fragile. Nevertheless, the one is Storm 2's. Redemption at last for Ed Hoppit, as PP3D's weapon is rendered inactive and its holder is shoved into the pit.

Winner by KO: Storm 2

Apollo vs Eruption

Ah, the live events. It's hard not to become unsettled by how many flippers it has - all of which with strikingly similar designs. One is bound to break after being flipped too many times, a theme that has ran throughout the reboot.

I'm going to make a bold prediction (because of the success of my last one) and say it'll be Eruption that breaks first. That new added claw on top just looks unwieldy, and I have reasons to believe Apollo's front is lower. Controversial, but I'll give Apollo the nod.

Winner by KO: Apollo

Apollo vs PP3D

Apollo's luck does not continue into this match. I've previously touched upon how the team mentions if its front is buckled it will hinder its mobility - and the only way i t will remain un-buckled here is if PP3D's spinner isn't working or present. That is a possibility, but I'll give it the benefit of the doubt. Apollo ends up like Apollo 13 - though Tom Hanks will be nowhere to be seen.

Winner by KO: PP3D

Eruption vs PP3D

Very, very hard to choose. Harder than a dinner lady's face. But, I'm going to give Eruption the nod. It doesn't have the issue Apollo does and its armour is incredibly tough. Will it take a KO? Probably not, I think PP3D can last the distance, but Eruption should take a Judges' Decision.

Winner by Judges' Decision: Eruption

Storm 2 vs Apollo

Apollo's low front will once again come into play, this time in its favour. Am I right in saying Kronic (what Apollo once was) defeated Storm 2 previously? I'm not sure, but whatever weapon Storm uses, I think Apollo takes a Judges' vote after repeated flips, unless the former world champs can do what they did to Firestorm (please come back) many moons prior.

Winner by Judges' Desicion: Apollo

Storm 2 vs Eruption

The final battle of Round 2 leaves us with this, and for me, Storm takes it. Eruption's front isn't quite as low as Apollo's, and will struggle to get under its opponent. It'll be a great fight, but Storm 2 will take it - regardless of what weapon it chooses.

Winner by Judges' Decision Storm 2

And with that, we have the final table:

Storm 2: 5 Apollo: 5 PP3D: 3 Eruption: 2

Wow, I was not expecting to see Eruption rooted to the bottom like that. The final is of course Apollo and Storm 2, but this time 'll reverse my earlier decision - PP3D plays a massive role in this fight despite not being directly involved (like me when I split a long term relationship up in college - actually happened, sorry, I'm a terrible person but so were they). The damage sustained by Apollo will really show here, allowing the relatively unharmed Storm 2 to run rings around it - and eventually pitting its foe. The first veteran from the classic series progresses, through the heat of death no less.

EPISODE 4 WINNER: STORM 2