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[[File:Gauntlet.jpg|thumb|One of the Series 2 Gauntlet combinations]]
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{{for|the toy of the same name|The Gauntlet Challenger Box}}
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{{Battle Event
{{quote|In the olden days, a gauntlet was a type of glove. Right, roboteers, I challenge you to be more interesting than that.|Jeremy Clarkson to [[The Blob]]}}
 
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|Battle_event=The Gauntlet
'''The Gauntlet''' was a challenge set in the first round of each heat in the first two series of ''[[Robot Wars]]''. The six robots would compete in an assualt course to get as far as possible in the time allowed with the robot that travelled the least distance (or completed the course in the slowest time) being eliminated. In Series 2, obstacles in the Gauntlet would alternate each week whereas in Series 1, the course would be largely the same each episode. This version brought some upsets, after the third seed [[Bodyhammer]] became a victim of the Ramrig and was placed last. The Gauntlet was scrapped after the second series of the show when the format was changed to a straight knock-out competition.
 
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|image=<gallery>
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Gauntlet.jpg|Series 2
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Series_1_gauntlet.jpg|Series 1
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</gallery>
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|caption=
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|robots=6 per episode
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|format=Assault course
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|Recurrences=20
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|series=1-2
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}}
 
{{quote|In the olden days, a gauntlet was a type of glove. Right, roboteers, I challenge you to be more interesting than that.|Jeremy Clarkson prior to [[The Blob|The Blob's]] Gauntlet run}}
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'''The Gauntlet''' was the first discipline featured in the first two series of ''[[Robot Wars]]''. Taking place in the heats and the Series 2 Semi-Finals, six robots per episode would attempt to complete an assault course featuring numerous obstacles and [[House Robots]], or to get as far into the course as possible within the time limit. The robot that travelled the least distance was eliminated. In the event that all six robots completed the Gauntlet, the robot that finished in the slowest time would be eliminated, although this never happened.
   
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The Gauntlet was intended to serve as a test of control and manoeuvrability for competitors, two factors which would become essential for succeeding in the later Arena stages. In Series 1, the Gauntlet course would remain largely the same throughout the series; in Series 2, however, the obstacles featured on the course would vary between episodes.
The basic idea of an assault course was used in ''Techno Games'', another show similar to ''Robot Wars'' and produced by the same makers.
 
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Throughout its run, The Gauntlet would offer several surprising moments during its run, most notably the elimination of the third seed [[Bodyhammer]] in Heat D of Series 2, and the Race-Off between [[Mace]] and [[Panic Attack]] in the first Semi-Final of the same series.
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Both the Gauntlet and Trial stages were retired after Series 2, with the show's format changing to an entirely combat-focused knockout tournament for Series 3 onwards. However, an assault course still formed part of the Series 3 [[Qualifiers|auditions]], where it was used to showcase potential competitors' control and mobility prior to their selection for the main series. The basic idea of an assault course was also later used in one of the events from the spin-off show, ''Techno Games''.
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<small>'''''Note: The route referred to as the left relates to the route on the left as seen on TV, NOT from the perspective of the robot.'''''</small>
   
 
==Series 1==
 
==Series 1==
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{{quote|Roboteers- be prepared to amuse and impress us. But be prepared also, to be humiliated!|Jeremy Clarkson}}
Each robot would start on a turntable and would then have three choices of which route to take.
 
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[[File:NemesisS1Gauntlet.jpg|thumb|left|Nemesis completes the Gauntlet]]
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Each robot would start its run on a rotating turntable, and upon driving off it would have a choice of three routes to take. The end zone was patrolled by one of the [[House Robots]], which had the freedom to block competitors from completing the course. A small spiked mace also swung back and forth across all three routes, although it merely served as an atmosphere feature.
   
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Of the 36 competitors to run the Gauntlet during Series 1, 16 successfully completed the course, almost half of the Series 1 entries.
The route on the left of the competitors was largely clear of obstacles except for a but was patrolled by the [[House Robots]], making it very difficult to get past. Skittles and tank traps also featured in this route as well as a grille near the beginning of the course. Choosing the middle route meant a robot had to climb over a seesaw ramp, negotiate the corkscrew lances and make its way over a second ramp that issued smoke from the middle. Robots with a low ground clearance struggled with this route, such as when [[Vector of Armageddon]] became stuck on the second ramp, placing it last in Heat D. The route on the right of the competitors started with a labyrinth maze, but was rarely chosen due to the fact that it required a large amount of driving skill and manourability on behalf of the robot. After the maze the route opened up to grilles, corkscrew lances, 'landmines' (large weights designed to slow robots down), spikes that would raise from the floor and spings that could lift a robot off of its wheels if they were put onto one like [[Killertron]]. A small spiked mace would swing back and forward over all three routes just in front of the end zone, but this had little effect, only slightly throwing robots off course in the worst circumstances, as happened to [[Nemesis]], mainly working for atmospheric value.
 
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===Left Route===
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[[File:Bodyhammer gauntlet.JPG|thumb|left|Bodyhammer attempts the maze]][[File:KillertronS1Gauntlet.jpg|thumb|Killertron is blocked by the springs after changing to the left-hand route]]
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The left-hand route began with a steel maze, a smaller version of that found in the [[Labyrinth]] trial. Robots were required to perform sharp turns as they negotiated through the maze, and avoid a grille at the end. Beyond the maze, the route offered a wide variety of obstacles, including corkscrew lances, two more grilles, large weights disguised as 'landmines', and springs attached to the floor, all designed to block and divert the robot's path.
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{{quote|You won't beat springs with a pickaxe, boys!|[[Jonathan Pearce]] as [[Killertron]] is blocked by the springs}}
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Once negotiated, robots had to drive past a [[House Robots|House Robot]] and over a set of floor spikes, before reaching the end zone. The left-hand route was particularly suited to robots with low turning circles and high top speeds, which made it a popular choice for lighter weight category robots (especially featherweights). However, its wide variety of obstacles, and the possibility of House Robots blocking the maze (as shown by [[Scrapper|Scrapper's]] run in Heat B), made it relatively less popular with larger competitors.
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===Centre Route===
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[[File:Vector of armageddon stuck.JPG|thumb|left|Vector of Armageddon beached on the second ramp]]
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[[File:Gauntlet_s1_drills.png|thumb|The drills protruding from the centre left island]]
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The middle route began with a seesaw ramp, before robots were required to negotiate past the corkscrew lances and drive over a second, static ramp that billowed smoke from the centre. At this point, the route merged with the left and right-hand routes, allowing robots to cross over to either of the other routes from the second ramp onwards. While offering robots the lowest chance of being intercepted by the House Robots, it was still possible for a House Robot from the right-hand route to cross over into the centre route and impede a competitor's progress from time to time. Additionally the route proved especially problematic for robots with low ground clearances, such as [[Vector of Armageddon]], which was unable to clear the second ramp during its run in Heat D.
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===Right Route===
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[[File:Robot the bruce dead metal shunt.JPG|thumb|left|Robot the Bruce rams the House Robots]]
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The right-hand route lacked any major obstacles, but was patrolled by two or three [[House Robots]], making it arguably the most difficult route to negotiate. Smaller obstacles such as spiked pyramids and skittles were also scattered along this route, as well as a grille which was located near the beginning of the route. The grille was particularly effective in stranding robots that drove over or were pushed onto them, such as [[Barry]] and [[Torque of the Devil]], and played a crucial part in the former's elimination from Heat A.
   
 
==Series 2==
 
==Series 2==
 
{{quote|It's fine when you watch someone else do it, but when you've got to do it, you just think "I want to go home".|Chris Weeks of Tantrum}}
 
{{quote|It's fine when you watch someone else do it, but when you've got to do it, you just think "I want to go home".|Chris Weeks of Tantrum}}
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In a change from the previous series, each robot would start in a three-sided pen instead of the turntable. Some robots, such as [[Spin Doctor (Series 2)|Spin Doctor]], were too large to fit inside the pen, so they started just outside it instead. As before, robots had a choice of three routes to negotiate, each with different hazards and obstacles to clear, which varied between each episode the Gauntlet was featured in.
Each robot would start in three-sided pen and had a choice of three routes to choose from.
 
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In the heats, 21 out of 72 robots completed the Gauntlet course. During the Semi-Finals, four out of the twelve Semi-Finalists completed the course.
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===Left Route===
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{{quote|If they've got the guts, or maybe stupidity, to take on Sir Killalot, they'll take the route on my left.|Philippa Forrester}}
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[[File:Obliviongauntlet.jpg|thumb|right|Oblivion becomes stranded on the edge of the pit while attempting the left-hand route]]
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The left-hand route was similar in nature to the right-hand route from the previous series, lacking any major obstacles aside from one or two pits and one or more of the House Robots (usually [[Sir Killalot]]) occupying the route. This marked the first usage of the [[Robot Wars Arena#Pit of Oblivion|Pit of Oblivion]], a hazard which would later become a staple of ''Robot Wars''.
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[[File:Roadblocks2gauntlet.png|thumb|left|Roadblock is pinned in by the Sentinel]]
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From [[Robot Wars: The Second Wars/Heat G|Heat G]] onwards, with the exception of [[Robot Wars: The Second Wars/Heat J|Heat J]], [[The Sentinel]] occupied this route with the help of another House Robot, usually [[Dead Metal]]. The introduction of The Sentinel and the reason for The Sentinel's appearance this late on was because the producers became frustrated with roboteers using the left route, finding it boring<ref>https://youtu.be/UXFIM1syNRA?t=356</ref>. The Sentinel was intended to block competitors, pin them against the wall or steer them into one of the pits, making the route considerably more hazardous in later episodes. In the Semi-Finals, The Sentinel received additional modifications which allowed its arm to perform extra movements, including the ability to swing a full 360 degrees. This enabled The Sentinel to occupy both the left-hand and centre routes at this stage.
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===Centre Route===
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[[File:Killalot piece de resistance.JPG|thumb|right|Sir Killalot lifts [[Piece de Resistance]] over the bricks]]
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The centre route was the most popular route in Series 2 and with perhaps the most changes across the whole series. Obstacles varied regularly between episodes, which included a wall of breezeblocks or barrels, sets of floor spikes, a Ramrig, a see-saw or static ramp, a large sphere and at least one House Robot. Competitors were required to knock down the wall of breezeblocks/barrels or negotiate the ramrig before driving over the see-saw, as well as resist the House Robots' attacks and negotiate past them on their way to the end zone.
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[[File:RaceOffS2GauntletSF.jpg|thumb|left|[[Mace]] is lifted by The Sentinel in the Semi-Final 1 'Race-Off']]
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For the Semi-Finals, the centre route underwent many significant changes, with both a see-saw and a static ramp being positioned on either side of a pit located in the centre. The static ramp was guarded by The Sentinel, which had the capacity to block and steer competitors into the pit from the raised platform. As before, the House Robots would usually attempt to impede competitors as they negotiated over the see-saw, often attacking or pitting them in the process. A wall of breezeblocks was re-added to the route for Semi-Final 2, joined by a large sphere which could be pushed into the pit.
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===Right Route===
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[[File:PanicAttackS2GauntletSF.jpg|thumb|left|Panic Attack gets wedged on the Ramrig. Note the sphere (right) that was added for Semi-Final 1]]
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[[File:Tendercaressgauntlet.jpg|thumb|The right-hand route with the swinging mace added]]
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The right-hand route was dominated by the Ramrig, which would push robots that attempted to drive through it into the angle grinders positioned on the opposite side. Robots with particularly poor control or low ground clearances had a higher tendency of getting stuck on the Ramrig, such as [[Bodyhammer]] in Heat D and [[Panic Attack]] in the [[Robot Wars: The Second Wars/Semi-Final 1|first Semi-Final]]. If the robot managed to clear the Ramrig, they would then have to drive past a House Robot, as well as avoid the [[Robot Wars Arena#Flame Pit|Flame Pit]] and spiked pyramids on their way to the end zone. In later episodes, the path immediately after the Ramrig was also blocked by a large spiked pendulum, while a sphere was also added for Semi-Final 1 only. Other than these alterations, the right-hand route remained largely unchanged throughout the series.
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==Appearances in Merchandise==
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*[[The Gauntlet Challenger Box]]
   
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==Trivia==
The route on the left consisted of the Ramrig which would ram a robot into many Angle Grinders positioned opposite, if the robot managed to get past this, they would then have to beat one of the House Robots excluding [[Sir Killalot]], as well as the Flame Pit and Tank Traps (most of the time). In later episodes a large spiked pendulum blocked the path after the Ramrig or the "Sphere of Doom". The centre route alternated between a breezeblock wall, floor spikes, a see-saw and a house robot. In some episodes the breezeblocks were replaced with another Ramrig or Barrels in its place. In the semi-finals two ramps were placed in the middle route with the Pit of Oblivion in the centre, one ramp was replaced by the "Sphere of Doom" in the second Semi-Final. The third route was a relatively clear route at the start of the series with only two Pits either side and usually [[Sir Killalot]], but in Heat G [[The Sentinel]] was added between the Pits and [[Dead Metal]] usually patrolled this route. Also during the semi-finals, The Sentinel had a full 360 degree range, thus allowing it to reach into the middle route. This cost [[Mace]] its place in the next round during its race-off with [[Panic Attack]], after both robots achieved exactly the same distance in their first run
 
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*Out of a total of 120 Gauntlet runs, 41 were completed, almost exactly a third of all runs and amounting to two per episode.
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*Four robots - [[Dreadnaut]], [[Roadblock]], [[Mortis]] and [[Nemesis]] - have completed the Gauntlet twice. Out of these four, only Mortis took the same route on both of its successful runs.
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*During the 20 episodes that the Gauntlet took place in, only two saw none of the competing robots successfully completing it.
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*The Gauntlet appears as one of the 'Trials' challenges in the game ''[[Robot Wars: Metal Mayhem]]'', despite that game being based on Series 3.
   
 
{{Robot Wars}}
 
{{Robot Wars}}
 
[[Category:UK Series]]
 
[[Category:UK Series]]
[[Category:The First Wars]]
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[[Category:Battle Events]]
[[Category:The Second Wars]]
 

Revision as of 06:55, 11 June 2020

For the toy of the same name, see The Gauntlet Challenger Box.

"In the olden days, a gauntlet was a type of glove. Right, roboteers, I challenge you to be more interesting than that."
— Jeremy Clarkson prior to The Blob's Gauntlet run

The Gauntlet was the first discipline featured in the first two series of Robot Wars. Taking place in the heats and the Series 2 Semi-Finals, six robots per episode would attempt to complete an assault course featuring numerous obstacles and House Robots, or to get as far into the course as possible within the time limit. The robot that travelled the least distance was eliminated. In the event that all six robots completed the Gauntlet, the robot that finished in the slowest time would be eliminated, although this never happened.

The Gauntlet was intended to serve as a test of control and manoeuvrability for competitors, two factors which would become essential for succeeding in the later Arena stages. In Series 1, the Gauntlet course would remain largely the same throughout the series; in Series 2, however, the obstacles featured on the course would vary between episodes.

Throughout its run, The Gauntlet would offer several surprising moments during its run, most notably the elimination of the third seed Bodyhammer in Heat D of Series 2, and the Race-Off between Mace and Panic Attack in the first Semi-Final of the same series.

Both the Gauntlet and Trial stages were retired after Series 2, with the show's format changing to an entirely combat-focused knockout tournament for Series 3 onwards. However, an assault course still formed part of the Series 3 auditions, where it was used to showcase potential competitors' control and mobility prior to their selection for the main series. The basic idea of an assault course was also later used in one of the events from the spin-off show, Techno Games.

Note: The route referred to as the left relates to the route on the left as seen on TV, NOT from the perspective of the robot.

Series 1

"Roboteers- be prepared to amuse and impress us. But be prepared also, to be humiliated!"
— Jeremy Clarkson
NemesisS1Gauntlet

Nemesis completes the Gauntlet

Each robot would start its run on a rotating turntable, and upon driving off it would have a choice of three routes to take. The end zone was patrolled by one of the House Robots, which had the freedom to block competitors from completing the course. A small spiked mace also swung back and forth across all three routes, although it merely served as an atmosphere feature.

Of the 36 competitors to run the Gauntlet during Series 1, 16 successfully completed the course, almost half of the Series 1 entries.

Left Route

Bodyhammer gauntlet

Bodyhammer attempts the maze

KillertronS1Gauntlet

Killertron is blocked by the springs after changing to the left-hand route

The left-hand route began with a steel maze, a smaller version of that found in the Labyrinth trial. Robots were required to perform sharp turns as they negotiated through the maze, and avoid a grille at the end. Beyond the maze, the route offered a wide variety of obstacles, including corkscrew lances, two more grilles, large weights disguised as 'landmines', and springs attached to the floor, all designed to block and divert the robot's path.

"You won't beat springs with a pickaxe, boys!"
Jonathan Pearce as Killertron is blocked by the springs

Once negotiated, robots had to drive past a House Robot and over a set of floor spikes, before reaching the end zone. The left-hand route was particularly suited to robots with low turning circles and high top speeds, which made it a popular choice for lighter weight category robots (especially featherweights). However, its wide variety of obstacles, and the possibility of House Robots blocking the maze (as shown by Scrapper's run in Heat B), made it relatively less popular with larger competitors.

Centre Route

Vector of armageddon stuck

Vector of Armageddon beached on the second ramp

Gauntlet s1 drills

The drills protruding from the centre left island

The middle route began with a seesaw ramp, before robots were required to negotiate past the corkscrew lances and drive over a second, static ramp that billowed smoke from the centre. At this point, the route merged with the left and right-hand routes, allowing robots to cross over to either of the other routes from the second ramp onwards. While offering robots the lowest chance of being intercepted by the House Robots, it was still possible for a House Robot from the right-hand route to cross over into the centre route and impede a competitor's progress from time to time. Additionally the route proved especially problematic for robots with low ground clearances, such as Vector of Armageddon, which was unable to clear the second ramp during its run in Heat D.

Right Route

Robot the bruce dead metal shunt

Robot the Bruce rams the House Robots

The right-hand route lacked any major obstacles, but was patrolled by two or three House Robots, making it arguably the most difficult route to negotiate. Smaller obstacles such as spiked pyramids and skittles were also scattered along this route, as well as a grille which was located near the beginning of the route. The grille was particularly effective in stranding robots that drove over or were pushed onto them, such as Barry and Torque of the Devil, and played a crucial part in the former's elimination from Heat A.

Series 2

"It's fine when you watch someone else do it, but when you've got to do it, you just think "I want to go home"."
— Chris Weeks of Tantrum

In a change from the previous series, each robot would start in a three-sided pen instead of the turntable. Some robots, such as Spin Doctor, were too large to fit inside the pen, so they started just outside it instead. As before, robots had a choice of three routes to negotiate, each with different hazards and obstacles to clear, which varied between each episode the Gauntlet was featured in.

In the heats, 21 out of 72 robots completed the Gauntlet course. During the Semi-Finals, four out of the twelve Semi-Finalists completed the course.

Left Route

"If they've got the guts, or maybe stupidity, to take on Sir Killalot, they'll take the route on my left."
— Philippa Forrester
Obliviongauntlet

Oblivion becomes stranded on the edge of the pit while attempting the left-hand route

The left-hand route was similar in nature to the right-hand route from the previous series, lacking any major obstacles aside from one or two pits and one or more of the House Robots (usually Sir Killalot) occupying the route. This marked the first usage of the Pit of Oblivion, a hazard which would later become a staple of Robot Wars.

Roadblocks2gauntlet

Roadblock is pinned in by the Sentinel

From Heat G onwards, with the exception of Heat J, The Sentinel occupied this route with the help of another House Robot, usually Dead Metal. The introduction of The Sentinel and the reason for The Sentinel's appearance this late on was because the producers became frustrated with roboteers using the left route, finding it boring[1]. The Sentinel was intended to block competitors, pin them against the wall or steer them into one of the pits, making the route considerably more hazardous in later episodes. In the Semi-Finals, The Sentinel received additional modifications which allowed its arm to perform extra movements, including the ability to swing a full 360 degrees. This enabled The Sentinel to occupy both the left-hand and centre routes at this stage.

Centre Route

Killalot piece de resistance

Sir Killalot lifts Piece de Resistance over the bricks

The centre route was the most popular route in Series 2 and with perhaps the most changes across the whole series. Obstacles varied regularly between episodes, which included a wall of breezeblocks or barrels, sets of floor spikes, a Ramrig, a see-saw or static ramp, a large sphere and at least one House Robot. Competitors were required to knock down the wall of breezeblocks/barrels or negotiate the ramrig before driving over the see-saw, as well as resist the House Robots' attacks and negotiate past them on their way to the end zone.

RaceOffS2GauntletSF

Mace is lifted by The Sentinel in the Semi-Final 1 'Race-Off'

For the Semi-Finals, the centre route underwent many significant changes, with both a see-saw and a static ramp being positioned on either side of a pit located in the centre. The static ramp was guarded by The Sentinel, which had the capacity to block and steer competitors into the pit from the raised platform. As before, the House Robots would usually attempt to impede competitors as they negotiated over the see-saw, often attacking or pitting them in the process. A wall of breezeblocks was re-added to the route for Semi-Final 2, joined by a large sphere which could be pushed into the pit.

Right Route

PanicAttackS2GauntletSF

Panic Attack gets wedged on the Ramrig. Note the sphere (right) that was added for Semi-Final 1

Tendercaressgauntlet

The right-hand route with the swinging mace added

The right-hand route was dominated by the Ramrig, which would push robots that attempted to drive through it into the angle grinders positioned on the opposite side. Robots with particularly poor control or low ground clearances had a higher tendency of getting stuck on the Ramrig, such as Bodyhammer in Heat D and Panic Attack in the first Semi-Final. If the robot managed to clear the Ramrig, they would then have to drive past a House Robot, as well as avoid the Flame Pit and spiked pyramids on their way to the end zone. In later episodes, the path immediately after the Ramrig was also blocked by a large spiked pendulum, while a sphere was also added for Semi-Final 1 only. Other than these alterations, the right-hand route remained largely unchanged throughout the series.

Appearances in Merchandise

Trivia

  • Out of a total of 120 Gauntlet runs, 41 were completed, almost exactly a third of all runs and amounting to two per episode.
  • Four robots - Dreadnaut, Roadblock, Mortis and Nemesis - have completed the Gauntlet twice. Out of these four, only Mortis took the same route on both of its successful runs.
  • During the 20 episodes that the Gauntlet took place in, only two saw none of the competing robots successfully completing it.
  • The Gauntlet appears as one of the 'Trials' challenges in the game Robot Wars: Metal Mayhem, despite that game being based on Series 3.