Satan's Revenge was a middleweight robot which competed exclusively in the 1997 US Robot Wars competition. A 'last-minute entry' by Ken Swenson, it was eliminated in the opening rounds of the Middleweight Face-Off upon losing its battles against Hyena and Vicious-1 respectively.[3][4][5][6][7] Satan's Revenge enjoyed marginally better results in the Middleweight Melee tournament, reaching the final round, but losing overall to Turtle Roadkiller on an audience vote.[8][9]
Design[]
Satan's Revenge was an invertible box-shaped robot propelled by two 'large' rubber wheels, a 12V 7Ah battery and two car wiper motors. While providing high torque, the motors themselves had a 'slow' top speed, making Satan's Revenge especially sluggish across the arena. The robot's construction incorporated a steel alarm system box for its main shell, complete with a 'keylock' to hold both sections together. Wooden sections were also utilized for 'structural parts' and rectangular bumpers on the sides and back; the latter to prevent Satan's Revenge from getting stranded in those positions.[2][3]
As its weapon, Satan's Revenge was equipped with a centrally-mounted chainsaw, powered by an internal combustion engine. The 'second-hand' weapon was positioned to cut opponents from the front, but was otherwise ineffective, liable to getting bent, and had a tendency to lose its chain upon making contact with stronger armor materials. On occasions, reliability issues forced Satan's Revenge to fight without an operating chainsaw, leaving it with only ramming capabilities as its means of attack.[2][3][6][10][11]
Robot History[]
1997 US Championship[]
Satan's Revenge began its 1997 run in the Middleweight Face-Off championship, where it faced Hyena in the opening round. Fifteen minutes before the fight was due to start, Ken Swenson encountered difficulties getting the chainsaw to work. After 'about 500' attempts to start it, Swenson requested that the battle be postponed, but was warned by the organizers that Satan's Revenge would have to forfeit if it was not ready in time.[12]
- "The other guy from Norfolk and I were up first in the Middle Weight class right after the lunch break (some how I doubt that was a random pick.) About 15 minutes before we were to go, I decided to warm up the chain saw so it would start easily in the arena. Pulled that damn thing about 500 times, but it just wouldn't start. I requested that we go last in the middle weight class to give me some time to work on it, but they said "go now or forfeit.""
- — Ken Swenson, on the problems affecting Satan's Revenge's chainsaw[12]
With no other options available, Swenson decided to enter Satan's Revenge without a working weapon.[6][12]
Satan's Revenge would quickly be rammed and pushed into one of the wall bumpers by the much larger and faster Hyena. Its ground clearance would also be breached while Hyena repeated its strategy a few times. Satan's Revenge survived as Morgan Dunbar's entry broke one of its own abrasive saws, rendering it useless. This did not prevent it, however, from being pushed into the lower-right corner, and subsequently being pushed under the lower spike trap and lower-left flipper. Satan's Revenge would continuously be pushed until time ran out, with Hyena ending the match by shoving it against the left side wall. The resulting Judges' decision ruled Hyena the winner on points. Ken Swenson, however, recollects that Satan's Revenge was erroneously announced as the winner of this match.[6][7][12]
- "I went out and bought some starting fluid and it started right up with one or two pulls. I noticed air bubbles in the clear plastic fuel line and immediately realized what the problem was. They want you to carry no more fuel than necessary, I didn't know how much to add so I just put in a little bit ... it wasn't enough (stupid!) They're big on safety, but I over played the safety thing. The general advice is to "TEST EVERYTHING - THOROUGHLY!" It's good advice, I just didn't follow it. I should have known how much fuel it needed before I got there! ... I went out and bought a funnel to add gas, and filled the tank.(Sept 14, 1997 : In retrospect, I think I DID add enough fuel. I think I just used it all up pulling so many times with the choke on.)"
- — Ken Swenson[12]
Now consigned to the Loser's Bracket, Satan's Revenge fought fellow newcomer Vicious-1 for a chance to progress and stay in the Face-Off. Ahead of this battle, Ken Swenson realized that the chainsaw was fully functional upon injecting it with starter fluid, drawing to the conclusion that it ran out of fuel prior to fighting Hyena. Starter fluid was also used by Swenson while preparing Satan's Revenge in the arena; in this instance, the chainsaw would function as intended.[5][12]
Both robots tentatively approached each other, with Satan's Revenge's chainsaw billowing blue smoke as they met in the center. The initial collision dislodged the chainsaw chain, rendering the weapon useless. Satan's Revenge took a few hits to the front from Vicious-1's larger spinner, but briefly got underneath Mike Regan's machine from the left-hand side. This, in turn, briefly causes it to tip forwards, and be pushed back by Vicious-1. During this exchange, Vicious-1 bent and tore off the chainsaw chain entirely. The same hit loosened a wire connected to Satan's Revenge's radio receiver, immobilizing it instantly. Satan's Revenge was pushed backwards a short distance before it was deemed to have lost. As a result, it was eliminated from the Middleweight Face-Off.[4][5][12]
Satan's Revenge later returned for the Middleweight Melee tournament. In the first round, it was drawn to fight alongside Anubis, Satoru Special IV, The Bishop and Turtle Roadkiller.
- "First melee. For some reason, I was the most nervous about this run. I was in there with four other robots. I entered with the can of starting fluid again, this time I needed it. Pulled five or six times, it wouldn't start. I called out that I'd be a minute. The announcer said something to the effect "It's hard enough to get your lawnmower started on a Saturday morning ... try doing that with 3000 people looking over your shoulder!" Everyone had a good laugh. Got it started and everyone cheered."
- — Ken Swenson, revealing a further problem with starting Satan's Revenge's chainsaw[12]

Anubis flips Satan's Revenge
The early moments saw Satan's Revenge being generally reluctant to get involved, until it attempted to damage The Bishop's armor with its chainsaw. These caused little damage, and the chain to jump again, while Turtle Roadkiller also joined the scuffle. Repeated collisions with The Bishop caused the weapon's outer chain to break, again leaving Satan's Revenge without its primary means of offense. An especially tentative phase by all five robots would follow - complicated by various radio interference issues - though Satan's Revenge persisted in duelling with The Bishop without much effect.[10][11][12]
As Anubis also got involved in the scrap, Satan's Revenge would end up getting collected by Alexander Ko's machine momentarily. Four of the five competitors gathered together once more, with Satan's Revenge getting rammed and pushed into the left-most wall by Turtle Roadkiller. Following a further push by Turtle Roadkiller, it was flipped over by Anubis' lifting arm, and flicked a second time as it tried to drive over the latter's weapon. Satan's Revenge eventually separated from Anubis, before engaging in a tentative pushing match with Satoru Special IV.[10][11]
Another ram from Turtle Roadkiller separated the pair, with The Bishop also driving front-first into the three machines. Satan's Revenge was unaffected by Satoru Special IV's attempted axe swings, but soon found itself being pinned, rammed then lifted alongside The Bishop by Turtle Roadkiller. A further drive by Turtle Roadkiller resulted in Satan's Revenge being flicked a short distance within the upper-left perimeter. During the final thirty seconds, Satan's Revenge and Satoru Special IV ganged up on The Bishop yet again, which was followed by further rams from Turtle Roadkiller. Satan's Revenge would begin pushing The Bishop back, the two machines separating just before the end bell rang. All robots were still mobile, with Satan's Revenge being one of four to reappear in the Melee Final.[10][11]
At the end of the initial Melee, Ken Swenson encountered difficulties with disabling Satan's Revenge's chainsaw:[12]
- "From running up side down, the key hole was filled with the grime from the floor and I couldn't open the case to stop the engine. It was safe because the chain was off the track, but I wasn't sure how the safety inspectors would feel about carrying a running chain saw out of the ring. We finally carried it out side and I was able to open the lock (this was an alarm system box and I was just using the built-in key lock to hold the case closed.)"
- — Ken Swenson, on attempting to shut down Satan's Revenge's chainsaw after its first Melee[12]
For the 1997 Middleweight Melee title, Satan's Revenge and its fellow Round 1 qualifiers faced Pokey, along with the newly-crowned Face-Off champion Vicious-1. Likely as a result of its recurring 'jumping' issues, Swenson opted not to reattach the chainsaw's outer chain.[12]
- "Second melee. I ran the motor just to make noise (didn't bother to remount the chain.) I figured I'd just pull it up to four or five times, if it started fine, if it didn't I wasn't going to waste everyone's time working on a motor with no chain connected. It started first pull. I had a pair of pliers with me in case the lock jammed again (it didn't.)"
- — Ken Swenson[12]
Another slow start left Satan's Revenge vulnerable to further pressure from Turtle Roadkiller, which pushed it into the lower-right flipper. As it closed in on another multi-robot scrap moments later, it would then come under attack from The Bishop, Turtle Roadkiller and Satoru Special IV, with Turtle Roadkiller flicking it upwards. Satan’s Revenge was next pushed against the lower wall 'curb' by Pokey, before both robots ended up getting pinned against the wall while Vicious-1 pushed Satoru Special IV into them. Another ram by Turtle Roadkiller left it stuck in place directly under the spike hazard, though Turtle Roadkiller would also get stuck and cause the match to be paused.[8][9]
Satan's Revenge, having been driven into by Satoru Special IV just before the intervention, continued to be attacked by Turtle Roadkiller once the Melee Final restarted. It would be rammed, then pushed into the lower-right flipper, before the two robots became involved in another multi-robot pile-up. Satan's Revenge would take damage from Vicious-1's spinner in the process, before Pokey pushed it and Satoru Special IV forwards. It would spend the remainder of the battle in the corner, while getting rammed by Pokey once more during the final seconds. Nevertheless, Satan's Revenge survived to the audience vote, though it would receive a muted response once Michael Meehan announced its name to the crowd. It would ultimately lose the vote - and the 1997 Middleweight Melee championship – to Turtle Roadkiller.[8][9]
According to Ken Swenson, Satan's Revenge was also intended to compete in at least two 'Grudge Matches' - one against Hyena, the other against an autonomous robot with a chainsaw, possibly Gladiator Rodney II. Though Swenson agreed to take part in both battles, neither would end up taking place.[12]
- "This robot was not designed, so much as build from easily available, inexpensive parts that could be easily assembled. Next year I'll order catalogs and really design it - then order parts, and build it."
- — Ken Swenson, reflecting on Satan's Revenge's build process[12]
Results[]
SATAN'S REVENGE - RESULTS | ||
1997 US Championship | ||
Middleweight Face-Off Round 1; eliminated in Loser's Bracket, Round 1 | ||
Round 1 | vs. Hyena | Lost |
Loser's Bracket, Round 1 | vs. Vicious-1 | Lost |
Middleweight Melee Final | ||
Melee | vs. Anubis, Satoru Special IV, The Bishop, Turtle Roadkiller | Qualified |
Melee Final | vs. Pokey, Satoru Special IV, The Bishop, Turtle Roadkiller, Vicious-1 | Lost |
Wins/Losses[]
- Wins: 1
- Losses: 3
Series Record[]
Events | Satan's Revenge Event Record |
---|---|
1994 | Did not enter |
1995 | Did not enter |
1996 | Did not enter |
1997 | Middleweight Face-Off, Round 1 Middleweight Melee, Final |
Outside Robot Wars[]
Satan's Revenge was immediately retired following its 1997 run. For the proposed 1998 competition, Ken Swenson began planning and design work on an autonomous robot, to be armed with a chain-driven axe. The axe was to be capable of manual, 'Semi-Automatic' and 'Fully Automatic' functions, and intended by Swenson to be more powerful than the equivalent on frenZy.[13] Upon learning of the legal dispute between Marc Thorpe and Profile Records in early 1998, Swenson stopped working on the project entirely. According to updates on his website, he also expressed uncertainty surrounding the possible timeframes for the 1998 event, which he felt prevented him from being able to complete the robot to an 'acceptable' standard.[14]
With Robot Wars 1998 not going ahead, Ken Swenson collaborated with Hyena's Morgan Dunbar to prepare a middleweight - Ill Intent - for the also-proposed Robotica event. A wedge-shaped robot with a linear-actuated weapon, Ill Intent was to have also competed in the Autonomous class, through a 'bolt on' attachment developed by Swenson himself. Ultimately, Robotica would end up getting canceled as well.[15][16] Ill Intent would not debut until the BattleBots Long Beach event on August 14-15 1999, where it was intended to compete in the Megabot (middleweight) division. According to footage from the BattleBots Beginnings video release, it was listed on whiteboards to fight Spaz in the opening round, but would end up forfeiting the match.[17]
See Also[]
References[]
- ↑ 'Contestants: Middleweight Class', 4th Annual Robot Wars (1997) souvenir programme, p.3
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 'Satan's Revenge' [description], Ken Swenson website (archived)
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 'SATAN'S REVENGE', Team Spike website (archived)
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 'Robot Wars 1997 Middleweight match: Satan's Revenge versus Vicious-1', Andrew Lindsey (YouTube), uploaded May 3 2021
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 'MATCH: VICIOUS 1 VS SATAN'S REVENGE', Team Spike website (archived)
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 'MATCH: HYENA VS SATAN"S REVENGE', Team Spike website (archived)
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 'Robot Wars 1997 Middleweight match: Hyena versus Satan's Revenge', Andrew Lindsey (YouTube), uploaded April 17 2021
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 'Robot Wars 1997 Final Middleweight Melee', Andrew Lindsey (YouTube), uploaded May 11 2021
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 'MIDDLEWEIGHT MELEE ROUND 3', Team Spike website (archived)
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 'Robot Wars 1997 Middleweight Melee 2', Andrew Lindsey (YouTube), uploaded May 11 2021
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 11.3 'MIDDLEWEIGHT MELEE ROUND 2', Team Spike website (archived)
- ↑ 12.00 12.01 12.02 12.03 12.04 12.05 12.06 12.07 12.08 12.09 12.10 12.11 12.12 12.13 12.14 'Satan's Revenge' [1997 diary], Ken Swenson website (archived December 11 2001)
- ↑ 'Satan's Revenge' [Plans 98], Ken Swenson website (archived)
- ↑ 'Satan's Revenge', Ken Swenson website (archived)
- ↑ 'ILL INTENT!', Ken Swenson website (archived)
- ↑ 'ILL INTENT!' [Autonomous Class], Ken Swenson website (archived)
- ↑ Screenshot from BattleBots Beginnings, confirming the Spaz vs Ill Intent match draw
External Links[]
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