Overkill was a machine that competed in Series 3 and Series 4 of Robot Wars. Overkill was eliminated by 101 in its only fight during Series 3, despite coming close to achieving a win by knockout. The upgraded Overkill GTI also performed well in a melee with Panic Attack and S.M.I.D.S.Y. but still lost the Judges' decision, falling in the first round again.
Versions of Overkill[]
Both versions of Overkill were triangular wedge-shaped designs that ran on caravan winch motors, overrun to give top speeds of 15 mph.
Overkill[]
Overkill in Series 3
The first model, which appeared in Series 3, was powered by a petrol engine, and its main weapon was a 3-horsepower petrol chainsaw embedded in its front wedge. This was complemented by a "ramming fire axe" and air springs at the front and was built over two months for £2,000.
Overkill GTI[]
Overkill GTI in Series 4
In Series 4, the robot was known as Overkill GTI and maintained the triangular shape, but was otherwise almost completely changed from its predecessor. It was geared down from 15 mph to 10 mph to be more controllable, and received new weaponry in the form of two front-mounted pneumatic flippers which could fire with a combined force of 7500 Newtons. Overkill GTI was now armoured in bulletproof polycarbonate and aluminium armour, similar to other robots at the time, but was also protected by the same fireproof material used in racing driver overalls, nuclear power stations and space travel. An image of the Looney Tunes character Road Runner could be seen on one of the sides of the robot.
Robot History[]
Series 3[]
- "Bright and garish. Two caravan motors and a petrol engine provide the power. A ramming fire axe and front-mounted chainsaw the weaponry. Cost two months and two thousand pounds to build."
- — Jonathan Pearce summarises Overkill
Overkill competed in Heat J of the Third Wars, where it faced 101, the successor to Robo Doc from the previous series.
101 survives Overkill's attempt to pit it
Overkill gets itself into trouble with Dead Metal
101 bulldozes the immobile Overkill
Overkill is trampled by Sir Killalot
Overkill started strongly, getting underneath it and nearly flipping it. Both robots drove around each other. Overkill got underneath 101 and nearly pitted it, but 101 escaped just in time. Overkill was driven into Dead Metal's CPZ and took damage, but escaped after 101 pursued it in. Again Overkill pushed 101 towards the pit, but it steered out of the way and both robots nearly fell in. Overkill then got underneath 101 and pushed it towards Sir Killalot, but was attacked itself and immobilised, eventually being flipped and driven over by Sir Killalot. 101 went through, and Overkill was eliminated in the first round.
Series 4[]
In Series 4, Overkill GTI returned in the penultimate Heat. Its first battle was against S.M.I.D.S.Y. and the fourth seed and Series 2 champion Panic Attack.
- "Goes into overdrive with the power from caravan winch motors protected with the same installations used in race drivers' overalls so the same spectres nuclear power stations and space travel!"
- — Jonathan Pearce describing Overkill GTI
Overkill GTI uproots part of the arena floor while being pushed by S.M.I.D.S.Y.
Overkill GTI being lifted by Panic Attack
Overkill GTI was immediately rammed and slightly lifted by Panic Attack before escaping, then was attacked by S.M.I.D.S.Y, who shoved it onto the flame pit, damaging the arena floor in the process. It chased S.M.I.D.S.Y across the arena floor, eventually catching and flipping it. Panic Attack slammed it into a side wall, almost lifting it over. It was dropped on top of a spike on the arena wall, unable to get down. Overkill GTI was then caught in a shower of sparks generated by an angle grinder and was freed by Matilda, but then Panic Attack lifted it again, coming even closer to turning it on its back this time. It was carried across the arena but was freed by a slam from S.M.I.D.S.Y. Overkill GTI flipped it over again, but S.M.I.D.S.Y retaliated by pushing it a small distance across the arena. Panic Attack lifted it again, this time flipping it against a side wall. Panic Attack tried to lever it out of the arena, but instead inadvertently righted it. S.M.I.D.S.Y rammed it again, this time with its rear spikes. S.M.I.D.S.Y pushed it into Dead Metal's CPZ, who grabbed it and sliced into it. Overkill GTI was released, and then it rammed Panic Attack head-on, the two then separated by a slam from S.M.I.D.S.Y. Overkill GTI seemed to be limping on a single wheel, as it was forced against an arena wall by both Panic Attack and S.M.I.D.S.Y. It slowly moved away from the side wall, attacked by Panic Attack as it reached the centre of the arena. Panic Attack smashed it head-first into a side wall, then it moved away to battle S.M.I.D.S.Y. In the final ten seconds, it was lifted by both of its opponents, but cease was called soon after. The Judges unsurprisingly voted out Overkill GTI, putting it out of the Fourth Wars.
- "Well, the judgement's in and it's over and out for Overkill."
- — Craig Charles
Results[]
| OVERKILL - RESULTS | ||
| Series 3 | ||
| The Third Wars - UK Championship Heats, Round 1 | ||
| Heat J, Round 1 | vs. 101 | Lost |
| OVERKILL GTI - RESULTS | ||
| Series 4 | ||
| The Fourth Wars - UK Championship Heats, Round 1 | ||
| Heat O, Round 1 | vs. Panic Attack (4), S.M.I.D.S.Y. | Eliminated |
Wins/Losses[]
- Wins: 0
- Losses: 2
Series Record[]
| Series | Overkill Series Record |
|---|---|
| The First Wars | Did not enter |
| The Second Wars | Did not enter |
| The Third Wars | Heat, Round 1 |
| The Fourth Wars | Heat, Round 1 |
| The Fifth Wars | Did not enter |
| The Sixth Wars | Did not enter |
| The Seventh Wars | Did not enter |
| Series 8 | Did not enter |
| Series 9 | Did not enter |
| Series 10 | Did not enter |
Gallery[]
Outside Robot Wars[]
Overkill with a different paint scheme at Robots@War 2001
Overkill made a brief appearance at the Robots@War live event in 2001, sporting a black colour scheme.
Trivia[]
- Both of Overkill's losses involved a robot that reached the second round of the semi-finals in that war - 101 and Panic Attack, respectively.
- Both of those robots fought each other in The First World Championship.
- The Series 3 version of the robot went into overdrive during testing and threw team member Lawrence Burke Jr off the back.
- Overkill was one of the few robots in Robot Wars to have two team members with the same name.
- In both of Overkill's appearances, captain Lawrence Burke was not present in the control pod. Being in a wheelchair, he watched from the side of the arena, and only Lawrence Burke Jr. and James Yule were in the control pod.
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