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For the Dutch Series 1 competitor, see Rat.

The Rat was a featherweight robot entered by Robert "Bob" Orr into the 1997 US Robot Wars competition. Replacing his previous class entry Nezumi, it reached the second round of that year's Featherweight Face-Off, despite suffering from major control issues during its first fight against TKO.[4][5] The problems were severe enough for The Rat to withdraw from the championship at that point, though they would later be rectified in time for it to compete in the Featherweight Melee tournament.[3] In the latter, The Rat would be eliminated in the preliminary rounds, after being left with further mobility issues following attacks by Spike II.[6][7]

On the Team Sinister website, Robert Orr attributed The Rat's performances to a separately-named machine named Nezumi II. Parallels between Orr's match descriptions and The Rat's own competitive record suggest that "Nezumi II" was potentially an early name for the robot, connecting it to his 1996 featherweight entry. However, this cannot be fully determined.[2]

Design[]

Rat97internals

The internals of The Rat

Based on a small RC truck, The Rat was a four-wheeled robot with an aluminum channel chassis, car-like steering and a powered rear axle. It was fitted with a box-wedge shaped aluminum shell, painted dark gray, which provided its only method of attack. The Rat was noted by Andrew Lindsey as having 'good speed and power' courtesy of its RC-based drivetrain, at the expense of a large turning circle. Furthermore, it suffered from severe control issues throughout its appearances, to the point of being 'completely undriveable' in its debut battle.[3]

Robot History[]

1997 US Championship[]

In the first round of the 1997 Featherweight Face-Off, The Rat faced TKO, which was a part of a 'Dual Match' when Bot Will Eat Itself and Bayou Bengle battled at the same time.

The Rat had mobility issues from the start and accidentally interfered with the other featherweight match as it struggled to drive around the arena. It charged and slammed into a wall bumper on the other side, while TKO also had severe drive problems of its own. For the whole match, neither robot interacted with each other as The Rat sped around the arena and smacked into objects and TKO was partially immobile from the start. The battle went to the Judges and The Rat was granted the win as it moved unlike TKO. However, the severity of its control problems lead to it being withdrawn before it could progress any further.[4][5]

The Rat would return for the Featherweight Melee, where it faced Spike II, Bob Smith, The Grinch, No Love and Destructomatic in its first round.

Spike vs therat

Spike II lifts and rams The Rat

From the start, Spike II was able to slip under The Rat and lift it, spearing through the top armour and carrying The Rat across the arena. It turned out Spike II was unable to let The Rat go, but continued to bash The Rat across the arena and into objects. Because both Spike II and The Rat were stuck to each other, the judges called the match to pause as the two were separated. Once the battle continued, the damage to The Rat was enough for it to be immobile and unable to battle further. Spike II, No Love and Bob Smith would ultimately qualify for the Semi-Final stages.[6][7]

Results[]

THE RAT - RESULTS
1997 US Championship
Featherweight Face-Off
Round 1
Round 1 vs. TKO Won
NOTE: The Rat withdrew after the first round due to severe control issues.
Featherweight Melee
Round 1
Melee, Round 1 vs. Bob Smith, Destructomatic, No Love, Spike II, The Grinch Lost

Wins/Losses[]

  • Wins: 1
  • Losses: 1

Series Record[]

Events The Rat Event Record
1994 Entered with The Master (Mark Setrakian)
1995 Entered with The Master (Mark Setrakian)
Entered with Gigan (Peter Abrahamson)
1996 Entered with The Master (Mark Setrakian)
Entered with Gigan (Peter Abrahamson)
Entered with Nezumi (Robert Orr)
1997 Featherweight Face-Off, withdrew before Round 2
Featherweight Melee, Round 1
Entered with Snake (Mark Setrakian)

References[]

Navigation[]

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