Eight heats down and 4 heats to go, and Robot Wars Series 2 is thundering along in style. Panic Attack and Bodyhammer have already made it into the second Semi-Final and we have plenty of robots still raring to go to fill those last four spots. Today, the bright pink pickaxe-wielding Killertron is our star turn, but someone bought the wrong paint and it's come up all orange! Oh dear, will the House Robots make them regret that decision? LET THE WARS BEGIN!
To make this a bit different to just a "seen it", I'm going to stipulate that each robot has had to have an untelevised practice run at the Gauntlet before they went on TV. That practice run is what we saw in Actual Series 2, so please make your votes read as if the roboteers have seen what they did there and changed tactics based on the results of it if necessary. Of course, the gauntlet kept changing configuration in Series 2, so that was the producers "trialling" a bunch of different obstacles before settling on the course you now see above for TV. Please use it where relevant.
G15. Having bashed Shunt in the practice, Killertron will get on with it, kink around Shunt and cross the line with absolute ease. Jimlaad43 20:27, 5 January 2022 (UTC)
F15. Agreed. Hogwild94 (talk) 21:55, 5 January 2022 (UTC)
G15: Just as long as Sir K doesnt pierce a tire while Killertron goes down the ramp then they should be alright. BizarroKing (talk) 22:22, 5 January 2022 (UTC)
G15 Through without issue. GT-341 04:06, 6 January 2022 (UTC)
H15. G.B.H. will absolutely want to get some vengeance on Shunt for Scrapper's loss in Series 1, so over the ramp and smashing past Shunt, pushing it back over the line to complete the run. Jimlaad43 20:27, 5 January 2022 (UTC)
I15. Again, agreed. Hogwild94 (talk) 21:56, 5 January 2022 (UTC)
J15: Yea sounds about right. BizarroKing (talk) 22:22, 5 January 2022 (UTC)
I15 Scrapper gets avenged. GT-341 04:06, 6 January 2022 (UTC)
O9. Oblivion won't want to risk the pit and Sentinel route again, so chooses the Ramrig. I can see them getting through the ramrig itself, but will ride up Matilda too easily and be forced into the wall and left there. Jimlaad43 20:27, 5 January 2022 (UTC)
M6. Yeah I can go along with that, but with its two wheel steering delaying it in the ramrig long enough that Matilda is able to come in and block. Hogwild94 (talk) 21:57, 5 January 2022 (UTC)
N8: Matilda halts Obliion from going any further. BizarroKing (talk) 22:22, 5 January 2022 (UTC)
M7 The House Robots will find the light Oblivion easy to pick on and holds it back. GT-341 04:06, 6 January 2022 (UTC)
M8 - Yeah I think Matilda will stop it here even though it may try to push forwards.Diotoir the son of nemesis (talk) 08:19, 6 January 2022 (UTC)
K12. Mega Hurts did well to complete the Gauntlet in its practice run, but I can see the House Robots just actually stopping it in its tracks this time close to the end. Jimlaad43 19:13, 7 January 2022 (UTC)
O15 - Honestly if it were capable os slipping passbefore I'm sure it should do so again, hugging the walls and all.Diotoir the son of nemesis (talk) 19:56, 7 January 2022 (UTC)
N15. Yeah, I think Mega Hurts can just about manage a repeat performance. Hogwild94 (talk) 22:10, 7 January 2022 (UTC)
M15: No argument here. BizarroKing (talk) 22:38, 7 January 2022 (UTC)
L12 After Mega Hurts' practice completion was assisted by generous House Robots, that won't be repeated here. GT-341 18:58, 8 January 2022 (UTC)
K12 - Yeah, kind House Robots last time really helped Mega Hurts', I'm seeing it get stopped a little earlier. Combatwombat555 (talk) 21:40, 8 January 2022 (UTC)
G3. After the poor driving sent Wizard into the pit, I can see them trying to go up the middle route but getting stuck trying to cross the bricks and either beached or turned over by Killalot. Jimlaad43 19:13, 7 January 2022 (UTC)
D4 - Poor driving and a large top heavy design means that all that needs to happen is The Sentinel to knock it over towards or in the pit.Diotoir the son of nemesis (talk) 19:37, 7 January 2022 (UTC)
D4. Yeah, Wizard isn't going to be much good at the other two routes, so it has to go for the Sentinel again, but gets stuck the same way as before. Hogwild94 (talk) 22:11, 7 January 2022 (UTC)
A5: Sorry Wizard, I love ya but....yeah. BizarroKing (talk) 22:38, 7 January 2022 (UTC)
M4 Wizard knows it can't take The Sentinel route. It tries the middle but fails miserably to get past the bricks. That leaves the ramrig, where the driving hurts it and gets itself stuck. GT-341 18:58, 8 January 2022 (UTC)
M6 - I agree Wizard will likely go for the ramrig and get wedged. Combatwombat555 (talk) 21:40, 8 January 2022 (UTC)
B15 Without being screwed by House Robots, I can see Robo Doc being able to complete via The Sentinel route. Jimlaad43 19:13, 7 January 2022 (UTC)
I15 - It should bash the wall down and track its way over, where it then should go towards Shunt which may cause some issue, but as long as it skirts around, it may be able to pass on through.Diotoir the son of nemesis (talk) 20:00, 7 January 2022 (UTC)
G15. Yeah, I can definitely see Robo Doc making it all the way this time with a more generous House Robot distribution. Hogwild94 (talk) 22:12, 7 January 2022 (UTC)
G13: For some reason I think Shunt will stop it JUST before it completes the Gauntlet. BizarroKing (talk) 22:38, 7 January 2022 (UTC)
G15 I'm sure Robo Doc can complete as long as it keeps its sides pointed away from the House Robots. GT-341 18:58, 8 January 2022 (UTC)
F15 - I'll back a completion. So long as it gets past Killalot without issue, it should be able to bully and/or climb its way past Shunt and into the endzone. Combatwombat555 (talk) 21:40, 8 January 2022 (UTC)
The Gauntlet is completed by so many robots we've stopped giving out medals! Oblivion and Wizard are the only ones to fail to complete, with Wizard being eliminated.
All 5 robots have to enter the Sumo ring one-by-one and survive 30 seconds against Shunt, who will do his best to push the robot off. Shunt isn't perfectly driven, but will be consistent in this tournament: If a robot seems pushable he will go for it, if it resists he will have to try different tactics. Which robot will survive the longest? Give me a vote of either a time below 30 seconds to two decimal places, or "Survived" or "Victorious".
Survived. Killertron doesn't have the Ground Clearance for me to think it can beat Shunt, and therefore I can't back it for victory here, but it has power and grip from the wheels and can be awkward enough that I can't see Shunt getting it off, especially if Killertron buries its axe in the top of Shunt. Jimlaad43 17:57, 9 January 2022 (UTC)
Survived - We know Killertron can survive this so there's no worries for them here.Diotoir the son of nemesis (talk) 18:15, 9 January 2022 (UTC)
Survived Repeat of S1, but it won't come that easily thanks to Killertron's GC. GT-341 18:57, 9 January 2022 (UTC)
Survived Agreed. Hogwild94 (talk) 19:23, 9 January 2022 (UTC)
Survived: Nothing to add really. BizarroKing (talk) 22:26, 9 January 2022 (UTC)
Victorious. G.B.H. is out for revenge from last series for Shunt screwing Scrapper over, and specifically requested a heat in which Shunt would be the House Robot to go against in the Trial for revenge. As such, I can see G.B.H. getting around the side of Shunt and hoisting it off. Jimlaad43 17:57, 9 January 2022 (UTC)
12.37 secs - G.B.H. has a ground clearance that is pretty high and honestly I can see it getting pushed off quite quickly, not as much as the others but quickly nonetheless.Diotoir the son of nemesis (talk) 18:34, 9 January 2022 (UTC)
19.28 secs GBH actually isn't that well suited to Sumo with all that GC, should be able to deal with Shunt for a little bit until it gets pushed away. GT-341 18:57, 9 January 2022 (UTC)
26.93s. Charges scoop to scoop and winning at first until Shunt readjusts. G.B.H. still manages to dodge around a few more times before Shunt finally finishes it off. Hogwild94 (talk) 19:25, 9 January 2022 (UTC)
21.75s: They'll put up a good fight but inevitably I see Shunt shoving them right off. BizarroKing (talk) 22:26, 9 January 2022 (UTC)
8.65s. Mega Hurts was easily pushed by the House Robots in the Gauntlet and has high ground clearance, so they're going off here. Jimlaad43 17:57, 9 January 2022 (UTC)
6.51 secs - Mega Hurts was shunted off at 22 seconds in real life after some dawdling however, Shunt is faster and more aggressive and should take no prisoner. There's a reason why Shunt is No. 2 of the House Robots. Diotoir the son of nemesis (talk) 18:20, 9 January 2022 (UTC)
5.74 secs With all that GC, substandard pushing power, and a weapon that will hardly help matters, Mega Hurts will be thrown off quickly. GT-341 18:57, 9 January 2022 (UTC)
8.78s. Gets round the side of Shunt like Nemesis at first, but can't push properly, and once Shunt gets his act together, a quick push off. Hogwild94 (talk) 19:27, 9 January 2022 (UTC)
10.10s: Gonna say around here...too pushable to fight back for long. BizarroKing (talk) 22:26, 9 January 2022 (UTC)
12.36s. Robo Doc will avoid being pushed off quickly, but following that I can see them being pushed off as soon as they go broadside. Jimlaad43 17:57, 9 January 2022 (UTC)
7.52 secs - It's large and easy to push off but its track-tion may allow it to survive for a bit...a little bit.Diotoir the son of nemesis (talk) 18:32, 9 January 2022 (UTC)
8.86 secs, and that's almost entirely due to the grip from the tracks keeping it on. There's so many vulnerable spots on Robo Doc to be exploited. GT-341 18:57, 9 January 2022 (UTC)
20.07s. Like with Matilda in the Joust, the initial attack sees it roll over, but it reverses into Shunt and digs in for a bit before eventually falling. Hogwild94 (talk) 19:29, 9 January 2022 (UTC)
13.34s: Too vulrnable to survive too long. BizarroKing (talk) 22:26, 9 January 2022 (UTC)
15.24s. The front wedge will hold Shunt back if they win the BotGC, so that gives them some time but honestly it's going to be a swift pushing once Shunt works out how to avoid the wedge. Jimlaad43 17:57, 9 January 2022 (UTC)
9.26 secs - A good charge but not a better pusher and Shunt will grind its way forwards to shove Oblivion off.Diotoir the son of nemesis (talk) 18:29, 9 January 2022 (UTC)
11.94 secs A good start, but Shunt turns around and pushes Oblivion... into oblivion. GT-341 18:57, 9 January 2022 (UTC)
4.81s. Are we forgetting Oblivion is nearly half Shunt's weight? This is gonna be easy street for the House Robot. Hogwild94 (talk) 19:31, 9 January 2022 (UTC)
8.64s: The wedge MAY give them a advantage for about 2 seconds. BizarroKing (talk) 22:26, 9 January 2022 (UTC)
86-14. Killertron has this in the bag, but Oblivion's wedge will cause Killertron a few problems, hence the 14 points I'm giving it. An Axe Pepper-potting though. Jimlaad43 19:40, 11 January 2022 (UTC)
85/15 - Not as extreme as Mortis as Oblivion can scoop under Killertron...however, that axe + a nice flat top = obvious win.Diotoir the son of nemesis (talk) 20:18, 11 January 2022 (UTC)
Killertron 95-5. Oblivion's only hope here is that Killertron's pin sheers on their first collision like with Panic Attack. Otherwise, this is an easy Killertron cakewalk. Hogwild94 (talk) 21:55, 11 January 2022 (UTC)
Killertron 90-10: The wedge gives Oblivion a slight advantage but the axe, in this era anyway, will inevitably bring Oblivion to...well, Oblivion. BizarroKing (talk) 22:30, 11 January 2022 (UTC)
Oblivion 95-5. Oh, this reminds me of the fond memory when Oblivion beat Cassius in Audited Series 2!! Ha, anyhow, I am once again strongly supporting a robot I have a soft spot for. Now, the problem with Killertron was that it was ineffective against wedges. The Roadblock battles illustrate this, as soon as Roadblock kept getting underneath, the axe shots landed nowhere. Oblivion is at least competent enough to continually get underneath and prevent Killertron from doing anything impactful. But, you may note, Oblivion lacks the attributes that made Roadblock a bulldozing brick. But there is one crucial attribute Oblivion shares with Panic Attack that wields and Roadblock lacks: Speed! Oblivion was insanely quick in the Joust trial, and if it does that to Killertron, it can easily jar its opponent enough for control issues to occur. In fact, control and reliability issues occurred in both of Killertron's final Series 2 battles, primarily because it really could not withstand the immense pressure Panic Attack and Roadblock delivered to it. As a hybrid of sorts, Oblivion has the wedge attribute harnessed by Roadblock, and Panic Attack's speed, and so can easily tackle its opponent, forcing a breakdown or just controlling it throughout. As for Oblivion's loss to Mortis? Well, Mortis wasn't going to die nearly as easily, and at least it could deliver powerful and constant hits on its foe, something Killertron won't. To me, Oblivion dominates this! SpaceManiac888(Talk) 22:41, 11 January 2022 (UTC)
Killertron 70-30. Agree with Space that KTn doesn't have everything fall its way, but not to that degree. Stray hits are a near guarantee and in these primitive days, they really did swing decisions. TOAST 10:27, 12 January 2022 (UTC)
Killertron range
Oblivion range
Winner:
G.B.H. vs Robo Doc
House Robots in PPZ: Matilda, Shunt, Sergeant Bash
76-24. G.B.H. isn't winning this fight in 22 seconds, but it should have Robo Doc in its grasp/scoop quite a bit, hence my vote for it to get more points. Jimlaad43 19:40, 11 January 2022 (UTC)
79/21 - I can see this similar to the King Buxton fight, one that will last quite a while but unlike the King Buxton fight, G.B.H. has the better weapons and will flip and scoop over Robo Doc, bulldozing it but Robo Doc should roll about and survive but not win.Diotoir the son of nemesis (talk) 20:24, 11 January 2022 (UTC)
G.B.H. 75-25. Reasonably good fight here, and Robo Doc certainly has a chance if it can catch G.B.H. side on near to the pit. However, I ultimately think G.B.H. will give a more controlled performance to just sneak a very close fight. Hogwild94 (talk) 21:57, 11 January 2022 (UTC)
G.B.H 70-30: While I agree this will be a fairly even match-up I can see G.B.H flipping Robo Doc onto their side and leave them pinned against the wall so they have the slight advantage. BizarroKing (talk) 22:36, 11 January 2022 (UTC)
Robo Doc 75-25. I like G.B.H., I really do. But it is such a situational machine. While deserving of a Semi-Final spot, the robots it beat were sluggish, had high ground clearances, and no real offence. In contrast, Robo Doc was relatively well-paced for a tracked machine, was plenty aggressive, had a decent ground clearance for Series 2, and was invertible. While G.B.H.'s lifts can hold Robo Doc back, the machine itself can be easily outpushed by its foe, and is honestly just as vulnerable to being tipped by Robo Doc as Talos and Ivanhoe were against it. Indeed, providing Robo Doc can hook onto its opponent's side, a tip-over should be possible. And if not, well, Robo Doc's far greater pushing power will outweigh any lifts G.B.H. achieves. SpaceManiac888(Talk) 22:41, 11 January 2022 (UTC)
Robo Doc 54/GBH 46 Looks like Space has convinced me. The sides may be Robo Doc's weak spot, but GBH's GC wasn't all that great, so it may have a hard time flipping over their opponent. Robo Doc is capable of getting some good lifts in on GBH with the lower lifter. Plus, if GBH does get a successful flip from the back, Robo Doc is invertible and will survive, and the invertibility just about takes it for me. (Definitely will need more time to think about Killertron vs Oblivion though) GT-341 02:18, 12 January 2022 (UTC)
Robo Doc 80-20. GBH is good in a Series 2 context where robots can't self right, but Robo Doc is immune to that. GBH is reeeeally slow and only KOed similarly slow machines, Robo Doc is just on another level. GBH to be pushed, prodded and outpaced. We wouldn't have GBH beat King Buxton, so why Robo Doc? TOAST 10:31, 12 January 2022 (UTC)
