- "There’s always been a couple of things putting me off of contact sports: the word contact, and the word sport. You see, I’m not the fittest of fellas. I once told a mate of mine I couldn’t jump the hurdles in his back lawn. And then he said they were croquet hoops. Which is why, here on Robot Wars, we let the robots do all the running round for us. And contact: they can’t get enough of it!"
- — Craig Charles' introduction
Heat N of Robot Wars: The Fourth Wars was the fourteenth of sixteen heats which determined the semi-finalists of Robot Wars: The Fourth Wars. The episode featuring Heat N was originally broadcast on January 12, 2001 on BBC Two. The broadcast managed to attract 4.78 million viewers, an increase of 680,000 viewers when compared with the previous episode. According to BARB, this meant it ranked second in the top thirty highest rated BBC 2 broadcasts during 8-14 January 2001, behind only Top of the Pops 2.
Competing Robots
Newcomers
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|---|---|---|
| Arnold, Arnold Terminegger | ||
| Weight | 73.3kg | |
| Dimensions | 0.60 x 0.45 x 0.80m | |
| Clearance | 0.02m | |
| Power | 2 x 750W industrial motors | |
| Weapons | Lifter | |
| Notes | Built from boat parts | |
| From: High Wycombe | ||
| Team Members: Ian Inglis, William Inglis & Holly Inglis | ||
 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Millennium Bug | ||
| Weight | 160kg | |
| Dimensions | 0.72 x 0.65 x 0.45m | |
| Clearance | 0.25m | |
| Power | 2 Scooter motors | |
| Weapons | 2000 RPM Spinning disc | |
| Notes | Legs are scaffold pipes | |
| From: Norwich | ||
| Team Members: Rory Williams, Thomas Williams & Andrew Walker | ||
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|---|---|---|
| Rambot | ||
| Weight | 79kg | |
| Dimensions | 0.25 x 1.20 x 0.66m | |
| Clearance | 0.10m | |
| Power | 2 Wheelchair motors | |
| Weapons | 4 x Steel spikes | |
| Notes | Took 7 months to build | |
| From: Potters Bar | ||
| Team Members: David Johnson, Mahunthan Thangeswaran & Tim Denyer | ||
Veterans
 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Behemoth (seeded 6th) | ||
| Weight | 80kg | |
| Dimensions | 0.75 x 1.10 x 0.62m | |
| Clearance | 0.03m | |
| Power | 2 Wheelchair motors | |
| Weapons | Pneumatic scoop | |
| Notes | Titanium shell | |
| From: Hemel Hempstead | ||
| Team Members: Anthony Pritchard, Michael Pritchard & Kane Aston | ||
 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Judge Shred 2 | ||
| Weight | 80kg | |
| Dimensions | 0.20 x 0.90 x 0.75m | |
| Clearance | 0.01m | |
| Power | 4 x Wheelchair motors | |
| Weapons | Pneumatic axe & wedge | |
| Notes | Polycarbonate & alloy shell | |
| From: Coalville in Leicestershire | ||
| Team Members: Alan Blakeman, Paul Blakeman & Dave Cluley | ||
 | ||
|---|---|---|
| X-Terminator 2 (seeded 22nd) | ||
| Weight | 80.1kg | |
| Dimensions | 0.50 x 0.80 x 0.60m | |
| Clearance | 0.01m | |
| Power | 2 x 750W industrial motors | |
| Weapons | Scoop bucket and axe or lifting arm | |
| Notes | Shell is aluminium | |
| From: Hereford | ||
| Team Members: Marlon Pritchard, Simon Baldwin & Paul Lewis | ||
Eliminators
- "Well, we've seen X-Terminator 2 before, seeded 22. We've seen Judge Shred 2 before. Millennium Bug are newcomers. So are Rambot. Arnold, Arnold Terminegger against the seeded Behemoth at number 6."
- — Jonathan Pearce reviewing the "masters of mechanical mayhem" in the heat
Behemoth (6) vs Rambot vs Arnold, Arnold Terminegger
Behemoth is lifted by Arnold, Arnold Terminegger
Arnold, Arnold Terminegger sped out to ram Behemoth's front scoop, then was pursued by the World Championship Runner-Up. Behemoth attempted a flip, but missed, then Arnold rammed it side-on and lifted the seeded machine up.
- "Can Arnold complete the task here? Behemoth in real trouble."
- — Jonathan Pearce as Arnold, Arnold Terminegger lifts Behemoth
Behemoth flips Arnold, Arnold Terminegger over
Behemoth fired the scoop to shake it loose, but to no avail. Arnold spun Behemoth around, trying to turn it over, when Rambot rammed the two. Still stuck on Arnold's lifter, Behemoth was momentarily scorched over a flame jet and then finally Arnold let it down. Rambot sped over the scoop of Behemoth, so quick that Behemoth missed with its lifter. Rambot reversed into the back of Behemoth, while the yellow and black robot turned Arnold on its side. Arnold bounced back down, but Behemoth was quick to flip it again. with some help from Rambot, Arnold was soon back on its wheels, but the former pushed it towards the CPZ, Behemoth followed eagerly. Arnold escaped from the wedge of Rambot, therefore Rambot drove into the CPZ itself. It escaped, but then spun madly and drove back in. Rambot escaped easily, slipping underneath Sgt. Bash. Rambot began shovelling Arnold again, when Behemoth flipped the latter on its side again. Arnold used the self-righting wings to get back up, when Rambot was attacked by Behemoth.
- "This is a great battle!"
- — Jonathan Pearce as blows continue to be exchanged
Rambot drives underneath Arnold, Arnold Terminegger
Behemoth turned Rambot over, but being invertible, Rambot had nothing to worry about. Behemoth flipped it back the right way up, then Rambot spun away. Behemoth flipped Arnold yet again, Arnold self-righted using the wings. Behemoth pursued Rambot, then pushed Arnold back into the clutches of Dead Metal, but the latter escaped before he could close the claws. Rambot buffeted Arnold again, then Behemoth tried to flip it against the side wall, but couldn't as Rambot slammed into the two. Behemoth then lifted Rambot and Arnold at the same time, dropping them after a while.
- "Just see the winking, blinking eyes of Arnold Terminegger. Will those eyes be shut in defeat?"
- — Jonathan Pearce
Behemoth lifts Rambot
Rambot's spikes puncture Behemoth
Rambot chased Behemoth, only to be turned on its back again. Rambot pushed Behemoth side-on, then powered Arnold into the side wall. Rambot appeared to be pinned for a short while, then spun away. Behemoth lifted Arnold up, but couldn't get it over this time. Arnold again lifted Behemoth up, but Behemoth fell off the lifter this time. In the dying seconds, Rambot spun aimlessly as cease was called.
- "The judges will decide a very, very close battle, this one. One of the closest we've ever had, I think."
- — Jonathan Pearce
The judges decided to eliminate Rambot, putting Behemoth and Arnold, Arnold Terminegger through.
Qualified: Behemoth & Arnold, Arnold Terminegger
X-Terminator 2 (22) vs Judge Shred 2 vs Millennium Bug
Judge Shred 2 flicks a piece of metal off Millennium Bug
X-Terminator 2 attacked Judge Shred 2 immediately, but failed to land a blow. It then rammed and axed Judge Shred 2, causing no damage though. X-Terminator 2 pursued the judge, who used its own axe to defend itself. X-Terminator 2 rammed Judge Shred 2 into the side wall, then went on to nudge Millennium Bug. X-Terminator 2 retreated, then Judge Shred 2 lifted some unattached protection off one of the bug's legs. X-Terminator 2 then hacked another protection off with its axe, then retracted and dragged another one off.
X-Terminator 2 chops off one of Millennium Bug's leg supports
- "The thighs on those legs are being exposed."
- — Jonathan Pearce as X-Terminator 2 knocks another piece of protection off of Millennium Bug
Judge Shred 2 hit a leg on Millennium Bug with its axe, then was axed itself by X-Terminator 2. X-Terminator 2 backed away from Judge Shred 2, then darted over a flame jet and buffeted Judge Shred 2, then the two rammed each other. X-Terminator 2 hammered Judge Shred 2 twice, both blows doing no damage at all. Judge Shred 2 hacked at X-Terminator 2 with its axe, while the latter pounded it into a side wall. X-Terminator 2 backed away from Judge Shred to knock off another unattached leg panel.
- "And it will not be going to the ugly bug ball tonight."
- — Jonathan Pearce on Millennium Bug
X-Terminator 2 axes Judge Shred 2
After this, Millennium Bug began smoking, then Judge Shred 2 nudged the walker from behind. X-Terminator 2 battered into Millennium Bug at full speed, the impact shaking off another leg panel. X-Terminator 2 rammed it again, doing no visible damage this time. At this point the spinner on the back of Millennium Bug stopped, as X-Terminator 2 rammed and axed it again. Judge Shred 2 put the bug finally out of its misery as it lifted it up onto its back end. Millennium bug's legs flailed aimlessly as Dead Metal closed in.
- "It's like a beetle, when turned topsy-turvy."
- — Jonathan Pearce as Millennium Bug squirms on its back
Judge Shred 2 flips Millennium Bug over
Meanwhile, X-Terminator 2 and Judge Shred 2 battled each other over a flame jet, as the judge got its lifter at the front to work. Dead Metal sliced into one of the squirming legs of the bug, causing sparks to fly. Millennium Bug was dropped on its back, then sliced again by Dead Metal. It was placed on the floor flipper, thrown, landed the right way up but bounced off its legs and onto its back again. Millennium Bug was sawed by Dead Metal again, as cease was called. The bitter rivals were through.
Qualified: X-Terminator 2 & Judge Shred 2
Semi-Finals
- "Our two seeds survive. X-Terminator 2 face Arnold, Arnold Terminegger. And up against those great sports Judge Shred 2, Behemoth."
- — Jonathan Pearce recapping the heat semi-finals
Behemoth (6) vs Judge Shred 2
Behemoth flips Judge Shred 2
Judge Shred 2 angled around the back of Behemoth, which was edging close to the CPZ. Judge Shred 2 gave Behemoth a nudge, before Behemoth slipped into Dead Metal's grasp. Behemoth lifted Dead Metal by one of its pincers and managed to wriggle free, before lifting Judge Shred 2 slightly, over a flame jet. Behemoth came in on another attack and tipped Judge Shred 2 over. Judge Shred 2 tried to get back onto its wheels, but its axe was lacking in power, and it was unable to right itself.
- "Well, they promised they had a srimech, and I don't think it's an effective one!"
- — Jonathan Pearce
The House Robots carry out the Death Sentence for Judge Shred
The House Robots came across, with Sgt. Bash crumpling down into Judge Shred 2, damaging it, while Dead Metal sawed Judge Shred 2 as Sir Killalot held it. Sir Killalot then spun around with it on the spot before dropping it. Shunt came in and axed into Judge Shred 2, before Dead Metal ended its torture and shoved it into the pit.
- "The judicial system of Robot Wars see's the scales of justice weighing heavily - against the judges!"
- — Jonathan Pearce
Winner: Behemoth
X-Terminator 2 (22) vs Arnold, Arnold Terminegger
X-Terminator 2 drives Arnold, Arnold Terminegger into the arena wall
Straight from the start, X-Terminator 2 attacked Arnold, Arnold Terminegger with its axe - which caused little damage - and forced it over the flames. Arnold tried to position itself, but X-Terminator 2 drove it across the arena and into the arena wall. Dead Metal tried to attack Arnold, and grabbed hold of it, but it escaped.
- "And all the aggression early on from X-Terminator."
- — Jonathan Pearce
X-Terminator 2 is turned over by Arnold, Arnold Terminegger
X-Terminator 2 shoved its opponent into the arena wall again while axing it, before it was caught broadside on by Arnold A. Terminegger, which toppled it onto its side before X-Terminator 2 self-righted. X-Terminator 2 came in with another strong drive and rammed Arnold into the wall. X-Terminator 2 then shot into Sir Killalot's CPZ but escaped. X-Terminator 2 drove Arnold A. Terminegger around the arena while axing it, before moving away as Arnold A. Terminegger hung over the flame pit.
- "The axe, to me, doesn't look greatly powerful..."
- — Jonathan Pearce comments on the effectiveness of X-Terminator 2's weapon
Dead Metal tries to attack Arnold, Arnold Terminegger
Arnold A. Terminegger forced X-Terminator 2 backwards, before X-Terminator 2 pushed back and forced it into Sir Killalot. X-Terminator 2 then brought its axe down and held it there, dragging Arnold A. into the arena wall, before X-Terminator 2 was attacked by Sgt. Bash. X-Terminator 2 axed Arnold. Arnold Terminegger once more, just before cease was called, and won the judges' decision.
Winner: X-Terminator 2
Final
Behemoth (6) vs X-Terminator 2 (22)
- "Just one thing stands between our two robots now and the series semi-finals. And that's each other. It's the third and final round."
- — Craig Charles
For this fight, X-Terminator 2's weapon was changed from the axe to the lifting arm. After some early sizing up, Behemoth got underneath one of X-Terminator 2's side skirts and flipped it over.
- "Both these machines reaching a heat final for the second series running. Let's see if the X-Terminator flipper is working. Behemoth immediately turns them up and over!"
- — Jonathan Pearce
X-Terminator 2 self-rights
It self-righted, but showed little movement until it spun back onto Behemoth's scoop, which lifted and toppled it. X-Terminator 2 self-righted quickly, and had to again, as Behemoth turned them over once more.
- "Behemoth is the bigger of the two robots, slightly the heavier, and certainly the more aggressive!"
- — Jonathan Pearce as Behemoth continues to roll X-Terminator 2 over
X-Terminator 2 then drove at Behemoth broadside on and used its lifting arm, but could only flick Behemoth up slightly. X-Terminator 2 lifted Behemoth again, this time holding it and forcing it towards the CPZ. Behemoth moved away, before both robots crashed into each other head-on. X-Terminator 2 continued to flick away with its lifting arm, before eventually lifting the front of Behemoth up.
- "Behemoth started the stronger; X-Terminator has come back very well."
- — Jonathan Pearce
X-Terminator 2 lifts Behemoth
X-Terminator 2 then drove itself underneath Behemoth and held it up against the arena wall, before Behemoth came back down onto its wheels. Behemoth then retreated for a small period, in which in nearly went into Dead Metal's pincers. It got away from the House Robot, but X-Terminator 2 was able to attack and held the rear end of Behemoth in the air temporarily.
- "Very much now, X-Terminator are on top and on the attack."
- — Jonathan Pearce
X-Terminator 2 managed to use its lifting arm twice more as Behemoth began to lose power. X-Terminator was given the win by the judges.
- "The judges have made their decision. Remember lads, it's based on style, control, damage and aggression. Behemoth, the sixth seeds are out! It's X-Terminator!"
- — Craig Charles announcing the winner of the battle
Heat Winner: X-Terminator 2
- "It’s the show that Alice Cooper ignores; he can’t do heavy metal like Robot Wars!"
- — Craig Charles' sign-off
Trials
Firestorm knocks the 75 point target
During the Fourth Wars, alongside the main competition, a Pinball Warrior Tournament and Sumo Basho Competition were also held. Unlike the similar competitions of the Third Wars, these trials featured successful qualifiers for Series 4. In between the first and second rounds of each heat, a Pinball run took place, and two sumo attempts took place in between Round 2 and the Heat Final in each of the first eight heats. For Heat N, the Pinball featured Firestorm 2.
Pinball Warrior Tournament - Firestorm 2
Score: 135 points
Trivia
- Heat N was the third of only four times that a lower seed won the heat, the other occasions being Heat B of Series 4, Heat J of Series 4, and Heat G of Series 5.
- Along with Heat B, Heat N was one of the few to feature the two seeds meeting in the heat final, with the lower seed prevailing.
- This heat was the début of Team EyeEye in the main competition with a heavyweight non-walker.
- The second eliminator was a potential grudge match between X-Terminator and Judge Shred from the previous series, although both machines qualified.
- For unknown reasons when the episode was repeated on H2 the heat final was skipped, and when it returned from the advert break, it went straight to Craig announcing the judges' decision.
- In the heat final, two members of ICU were in the audience, brandishing signs and wearing shirts in support of Team X-Terminator.
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