- "Over the weeks on Robot Wars, we've seen the trials and tribulations; the highs and lows; the glory - and disaster - of contenders desperate for victory. And now, here on Robot Wars Revealed, the pace steps up a gear, as we go behind the scenes of the Series Semi-Finals! With exclusive action from The Pits, video diary footage and the best of the battles, we find out just what makes these roboteers tick. Six teams start, only two go through to the Robot Wars Grand Final. Let's meet them on the road to the Semis!"
- — Philippa Forrester's introduction
Episode 13 of Robot Wars Revealed was originally aired on BBC Choice as the third-to-last episode of the spin-off series. The episode focused on the first Semi-Final of Robot Wars: The Second Wars, beginning with recaps of the first six competitors to reach that stage of the main competition. Behind-the-scenes footage of the Semi-Final itself followed, including highlights and interviews relating to the episode's Gauntlet, Pinball Trial and Arena battle events.
As in earlier episodes, Mat Irvine provided technical insights into all four competitors reaching the Arena stage (Panic Attack, Mortis, Killertron and Behemoth). These were in turn the same segments repurposed from the episodes covering each robot's respective Heat.
Robots Featured[]
Newcomers[]
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|---|---|---|
| Mace (winner of Heat B) | ||
| Weight | 79.4kg | |
| Dimensions | 1.3 x 0.8 x 0.4m | |
| Speed | 6mph | |
| Turning Circle | 0m | |
| Ground Clearance | 15mm | |
| Power | 2 x 12V batteries | |
| Weapons | 2000rpm flail and lifting arm | |
| Notes | Can lift over 115kg | |
| From: St. Leonards-on-Sea | ||
| Team Members: Shane Howard & Brian Fountain | ||
 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Behemoth (winner of Heat D) | ||
| Weight | 67.7kg | |
| Dimensions | 0.95 x 0.5 x 0.55m | |
| Speed | 5mph | |
| Turning Circle | 0m | |
| Ground Clearance | 15mm | |
| Power | 2 x 12V batteries | |
| Weapons | 1000kg front lifting shovel | |
| Notes | Weapon powered by 'sodastream' CO2 cylinder | |
| From: Hemel Hempstead | ||
| Team Members: Anthony Pritchard, Michael Pritchard & Edward Pritchard | ||
 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Panic Attack (winner of Heat F) | ||
| Weight | 81.8kg | |
| Dimensions | 1.25 x 0.7 x 0.2m | |
| Speed | 9mph | |
| Turning Circle | 0m | |
| Ground Clearance | 25mm | |
| Power | 2 x 12V batteries | |
| Weapons | Electric lifting spikes | |
| Notes | Spider graphics by a Year 7 pupil | |
| From: Cwmbran, Wales | ||
| Team Members: Kim Davies, Kevin Pritchard & Lee Wicombe | ||
Veterans[]
 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Mortis (seeded 2nd, winner of Heat C) | ||
| Weight | 78.3kg | |
| Dimensions | 1.3 x 0.75 x 0.39m | |
| Speed | 9mph | |
| Turning Circle | 0m | |
| Ground Clearance | 50mm | |
| Power | 8 x 12V batteries (high discharge) | |
| Weapons | Tempered tanto blade | |
| Notes | Welded alloy chassis with kevlar/titanium laminated shell | |
| From: Cambridge | ||
| Team Members: Rob Knight, Arthur Chilcott & Ben Impey | ||
 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Killertron (seeded 4th, winner of Heat E) | ||
| Weight | 75.0kg | |
| Dimensions | 1.45 x 0.7 x 0.6m | |
| Speed | 15mph | |
| Turning Circle | 0m | |
| Ground Clearance | 100mm | |
| Power | 2 x 12V batteries | |
| Weapons | Pick axe | |
| Notes | A veteran of Robot Wars - but no longer tickled pink! | |
| From: Bromley in Kent | ||
| Team Members: Richard Broad, Abdul Degia & Ian Degia | ||
 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Napalm (winner of Heat A) | ||
| Weight | 84.1kg | |
| Dimensions | 2.00 x 1.00 x 1.25m | |
| Speed | 15mph | |
| Turning Circle | 0m | |
| Ground Clearance | 5mm | |
| Power | 2 x 12V Batteries | |
| Weapons | Stainless Steel Rear Mandibles & 16" Chainsaw | |
| Notes | Previously Entered Robot Wars with Detonator | |
| From: Dartford Girls Grammar School | ||
| Team Members: David Crosby, Claire Greenaway, Rebecca Glenn | ||
Content[]
Competitor Recaps[]
Napalm[]
Highlights from Napalm's Heat A campaign (previously shown in Episode 1) included clips of its Gauntlet and Skittles runs, alongside the segment where David Crosby recollected Detonator's appearance on Blue Peter. Both of its Arena victories against Panda Monium and Demolition Demon were also covered, as was Crosby's report on the circuit board damage inflicted by the House Robots following Napalm's controversial Judges' decision in the latter.
Behemoth[]
Recycled clips from Episode 4 included Team Make Robotics' introduction and highlights of Behemoth's highly successful Gauntlet and Football runs. This success was carried over into the Arena stages where Behemoth won convincingly against Elvis and Inquisitor; Anthony Pritchard also collecting a souvenir shard of Dead Metal's saw which broke off during its Heat Final.
Killertron[]
Mixed feelings from the Killertron team prefaced a combative performance in The Gauntlet against Shunt and Dead Metal, as previously highlighted in Episode 5. Killertron maintained this display against the House Robot duo in King of the Castle, despite encountering technical issues before it was required to compete. Its axe proved equally effective against Orac in the Arena Semi Finals. The subsequent Heat Final against Technophobic lead to Killertron pushing the former down the pit, the first robot to do so in combat.
Mace[]
Mace's recap (using clips from Episode 2) began with Shane Howard removing the robot's top panel to show its wheelchair speed controllers and drive motors. This was followed by highlights of its Gauntlet and Tug of War runs, showcasing Mace's strong drive power against the obstacles and House Robots, and its Arena Semi Final against Leighviathan, where Mace also used its lifting arm and flails to good effect. Though Howard and Brian Fountain were left 'hyped up' after their first fight, Mace would prevail against Chaos by lifting and pushing it into Matilda. The House Robot turned Chaos over, a move ultimately leaving George Francis' machine stranded on its back.
Panic Attack[]
Interviews of Team Panic Attack from Episode 6 were accompanied by clips from both of its video diaries from the same episode, the latter taken during a test in an empty car park in Cwmbran. These were interspersed with highlights of Panic Attack's spectacular Gauntlet run – where it launched off the top of the see-saw ramp onto Dead Metal – and its subsequent victory against Shunt in the Sumo, in retaliation to the axe blows sustained from the latter's axe.
In the Arena Semi Finals, Panic Attack overpowered Whirling Dervish by pushing and turning it over, before using its drive power to forcibly dislodge Sergeant Bash's rear saw. This was followed by an equally dominant Heat Final performance against Disruptor, which saw Panic Attack push the former into the pit.
Mortis[]
As shown in Episode 3, Rob Knight's modest claims about Mortis' vulnerability, misfortune and lack of testing were swiftly dispelled with an imperious Gauntlet run against Matilda and Shunt. Despite receiving constant tweaks to its design - including the promise of a 'turbo switch' suggested by Ben Impey – Random Violence Technologies became increasingly confident about their machine's chances the further it progressed into the main competition. Mortis' victories over Rameses II and Oblivion reinforced their assertions as it entered the Semi-Finals. Nevertheless, Knight immediately told Philippa Forrester that it needed 'more power', hinting towards the adoption of a 5hp chainsaw motor in place of its existing electric drive.
Interviews[]
- "The Robot Wars Series Semi-Finals! We've seen how the teams got here; let's see where they go next..."
- — Philippa Forrester
One of Mortis' rubber-padded tracks, created specially for the Semi Finals
David Crosby first presented the chainsaw removed from Napalm during its Heat A Gauntlet run, confirming Dartford Girls Grammar's intention to reuse it at some point during this and later stages of the competition. Napalm itself had been 'totally retrofitted' over the preceding weekend. Kevin Pritchard promised a 'fast and furious' strategy for Panic Attack's second Gauntlet attempt, while Arthur Chilcott explained the process of making and fitting new rubber tracks for Mortis to drive over the recently-repainted arena floor. When asked by Philippa Forrester about whether Team Mace had made any upgrades to their machine, Shane Howard confirmed that Mace had been left unchanged from its Heat B state. Richard Broad hoped that Killertron's speed and axe weapon would still be effective against its forthcoming opponents.
- Philippa Forrester: "Now, Behemoth team, it's been a slow but sure route to victory so far, and I say 'so far' because now the fight starts for real. How do you feel?"
- Anthony Pritchard: "Ah, not too bad. I'm hoping to play it like we've done before. Take our time, tactics, and try and flip 'em."
- — Anthony Prichard aims to continue Behemoth's steady approach into the Semis
While Anthony Pritchard maintained a similar approach to Behemoth's Heat run, Rob Knight's primary tactics were to practice driving the newly-modified Mortis and continue to 'smash things up' with its axe. Unable to decide tactics of his own ahead of the newly-updated Gauntlet configuration (which he referred to as the 'super Gauntlet') David Crosby briefly summarised a number of its hazards including The Sentinel, the ramps and pit on the centre route and the sphere, based on descriptions he had heard elsewhere.
Gauntlet[]
A sample of Philippa Forrester's introduction from the main Semi-Final 1 was quickly followed by highlights of all competitors' runs. Notable clips included Mace being blocked by The Sentinel, Mortis launching off the see-saw onto the side rails past Shunt, and Panic Attack getting itself caught on the angle grinders on the right-hand route. Napalm, Killertron and Mortis were the only two Semi-Finalists to reach the end zone, though the former was jointly turned on its side by Matilda and Shunt in the process.
As they had both achieved the same distance, Mace and Panic Attack were required to run The Gauntlet again in the subsequent 'Race-Off', to Shane Howard's unease. A coin toss by Derek Foxwell - also aired in the main episode - determined that Mace would have free choice of where to start. Highlights of the 'Race-Off' itself followed. Panic Attack and Mace both chose the centre route, but fell foul of Shunt and The Sentinel respectively as they attempted to negotiate the ramps on either side. Ultimately, Panic Attack achieved the furthest distance of the two machines, with Mace being lifted upwards by The Sentinel's arm and eventually eliminated after toppling into the pit.
- Philippa Forrester: "Did you enjoy yourselves?"
- Shane Howard: "Yeah, brilliant! Good laugh. It was good to have another go, actually. It was quiet different!"
- Philippa Forrester: "An added bonus?"
- Shane Howard: "Yeah, added bonus!"
- Brian Fountain: "Yeah, it was definitely a chance, an extra chance. And the better team won, so, we'll be back next year anyway to have another go."
- — Team Mace reflect on Mace's run in the Gauntlet Race-Off
Trial (Pinball)[]
- "With Mace eliminated, the five remaining robots line up to face the Pinball. And yes, you've guessed it – the object is to knock over and hit as many points as you can!"
- — Philippa Forrester
An illuminated 50-point tyre from the Pinball configuration
The segment opened with a montage of the brand-new Pinball arena configuration being assembled, with particular clips focusing on the brick and barrel stacks along with a flashing 50-point target. David Crosby weighed his thoughts on the 'dangerous' course, while Edward Pritchard and Richard Broad shared a similar tactic to knock as many objects down as possible.
A portion of Craig Charles' introduction from Semi-Final 1 was followed by highlights of all five runs televised in the main episode. Notably, no mention was made of the circumstances leading to Mortis controversially being given a re-run by the producers, after it became immobilised by an arena spike during its first attempt. Rather, a clip where Stephen Carsey and Derek Foxwell were seen speaking with Clare Greenaway was shown, while Philippa Forrester reiterated that Napalm would be eliminated at this stage.
- "For Napalm, all the months of dedication and hard work are over. Time to pack up the bits and pieces, head for home, and make plans for the next War."
- — Philippa Forrester's voiceover as Napalm is eliminated
Arena[]
Arthur Chilcott and Ben Impey, in the process of turning Mortis back upright during maintenance
Team Panic Attack make adjustments to their machine
Mortis is extracted from the pit following its surprise loss to Panic Attack
Craig Charles' introduction was followed by clips of Mortis and Panic Attack being worked on in The Pits prior to the first of the Arena battles. Mat Irvine's technical segments on each competitor – previously aired in Episodes 3 and 6 respectively – lead to highlights from the battle itself. Panic Attack emerged victorious upon pitting Mortis with Matilda's assistance, to the amusement of Random Violence Technologies. Ben Impey – who drove Mortis in place of Rob Knight – joked about his streak of bad luck up to this point. Meanwhile a 'quietly confident' Kevin Pritchard commented that Panic Attack would likely need its batteries changing ahead of its guaranteed place in the Grand Final, with Kim Davies also revealing that Mortis was one of his 'favourites' to win outright.
- "Think it's all down to luck... because I crashed the car last week, crashed the motorbike last week, and I got a speeding ticket last week. So, haven't got any luck at all!"
- — Ben Impey, Mortis' driver, comments on his misfortune going into its Semi Final Arena fight
Coverage of Killertron vs Behemoth began with Irvine's technical segments from Episodes 5 and 4. Behemoth started the battle strongly by lifting and pushing Killertron back towards the top-right corner, only for Killertron to strike and eventually pull it onto its side with multiple blows from the pickaxe.
- "I'm glad that we got this far. Didn't think we'd get this far at all, but... shame we went out, but, I'm glad we went out of the way. It's getting a bit dangerous now!"
- — Anthony Pritchard, following Behemoth's elimination at the hands of Killertron
Team Trojan attempt to bend Killertron's axe back into shape
Though Killertron emerged victorious, it was suggested that its axe shaft had again bent, the clip of Ian Degia noticing the issue actually being reused from Episode 5. Abdul Degia and Richard Broad were next seen straightening the shaft using a bench clamp, with Ian preparing to spray paint Killertron's shell once more for its Grand Final assault.
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