Torque reaction weapons are one of two forms of thwackbot, relying on the impact of a free-swinging overhead weapon (typically a hammer, axe or sword) as the robot brakes suddenly.
The first robot to employ this system in any Robot Wars event was 1995 heavyweight Spirit of Frank, whose sledgehammer was also the first device to demonstrate self-righting capabilities of any kind.[1] 1995 US champion The Master would also utilise torque reaction in some of its interchangeable weapon modules, particularly the 'sword' weapon introduced at the UK Open Competition the same year.
In the televised UK Series, torque reaction was first introduced in Heat A of The Third Wars by competitors Stinger and Weeliwako. Stinger would go on to achieve major success with this system, its swinging mace allowing it to finish third overall in The Fourth Wars.
Definition[]
Torque Reaction is the term used to describe the subcategory of thwackbots that use their wheel axles to swing a weapon overhead. This is done by attaching an arm, similar to that of a sit-and-spin design, directly to the wheel axle of the robot. When the drive motors reverse sharply, the weapon swings overhead. Most known robots with torque reaction weapons are axlebots (although not all axlebots have torque reaction weaponry).
Advantages and Disadvantages[]
Stinger lands an overhead blow on the vulnerable top of Fluffy
For the purpose of clarity, advantages and disadvantages listed here are on basis of torque-reaction weaponry as opposed to axlebots.
Advantages
Gabriel was able to slam blow after blow on Pulsar, without the more complex mechanisms or limited gas supply affecting conventional axes and hammers
- The design functions similarly to an Overhead Weapon but without the need to install a separate weapon system. They can also immobilise opponents in a similar way, as best demonstrated in Gabriel's Head-to-Head against Beast.
- Torque Reaction designs often score highly on aggression points in Judges' decisions, as the very nature of their weapons allow them to launch rapid attacks. This was best shown in Stinger's battle against Panic Attack in the Semi-finals of Series 4, as despite being pushed around by the former champion, Stinger was able to land numerous blows with its mace, which allowed it to win the Judges' decision on aggression.
Disadvantages
The momentum of Stinger's last charge at Ming 2 resulted in it being deflected into the nearby pit, before it could strike with its disc
- Torque reaction robots require very precise driving; the nature of their weaponry makes it difficult to co-ordinate attacks and movement. A mistimed charge can result in the robot not dealing any damage, or being left vulnerable against opponents' weaponry or arena hazards. These factors cost robots like Stinger, Armour-Geddon and Dee in their fights against Mace 2, Onslaught, and Soldier Ant respectively.
- The weapon must be swung at a very high velocity in order to cause damage, which means by necessity, there is quite a bit of start up between attacks.
- From Series 7, all robots were required to demonstrate some form of active weaponry in order to be eligible for the series, with certain torque reaction robots technically not boasting powered weaponry. Nevertheless, static torque reaction robots such as Chimera still qualified after the introduction of the rule.
List of Robots with Torque Reaction Weapons[]
Robots are listed in alphabetical order.
DESKTOP MODE ONLY: Robots which fought in the original 1994-1997 US competitions are listed with a purple background.
| Robot | Series Appearances with Torque Reaction weapons | Notes | Image |
|---|---|---|---|
| Armour-Geddon | Series 3 | Could also use its side spikes for sit-and-spin tactics. | |
| Attila the Drum | Series 4 | Interchangeable mace and pickaxe. Finished 3rd in the Southern Annihilator of Series 4. | |
| Chimera | Series 8-9 | Entered Series 9 as Chimera2, armed with torque-reaction axe and front wedge. | |
| Dee | Series 9 | Competed exclusively in Battle of the Stars. Later repainted and rebranded Rabid M8. | |
| Flip Flop Fly | Series 3 | Third robot of this design to enter UK Robot Wars. First one to sustain damage to its exposed wheels. | |
| Frank | 1995-1996 US Championships | Swinging sledgehammer.[2] 1995 Heavyweight Melee Finalist and self-righting pioneer as Spirit of Frank.[1][3] | |
| Gabriel | Series 8, 10 | The robot's body can move independently from the wheels, enabling it to attack even when stationary. Features interchangeable blades including a sword, battleaxe, pickaxe, sledgehammer and mace with entanglement features. Competed in Series 10 as Gabriel 2. | |
| Infernal Contraption | Series 6-8, Extreme 2 | The team alleged that they intended to swing the drum over for extra damage. | |
| Kill-E-Crank-E | Series 8 | Could swing overturn itself to bring the robot's 500rpm cutting disc into robots for greater impact. | |
| Mjollnir | MTV Pilot | Attended filming for, but did not compete in, American Robot Wars 2000. Also competed in four BattleBots events. | |
| MONTE | Series 8 (pilot) | Completed only in the 2016 pilot under House Robot operator Paul Streeter. | |
| Rabid M8 | Series 10 | A loanerbot, appearing exclusively in the World Series, which previously competed as Dee. Effective at both sit-and-spin and torque reaction tactics. | |
| Slamtilt | Dutch Series 2 | ||
| Stinger | UK Series 3-6, Extreme 1-2, US Season 1 | First torque reaction weapon in the televised UK Series (along with Weeliwako) and the most successful. Featured a pizza cutter in Series 3 and a spiked mace in all subsequent appearances. UK Series 4 third place. | |
| Sumpthing | Series 3-6, Extreme 1-2 | Interchangeable weaponry between an axe and a pair of circular saws. | |
| The Mangulator | Series 4, MTV Pilot | Also appeared in the untelevised American Robot Wars 2000 pilot. | |
| The Master | 1995-1996 US Championships 1995 UK Open |
Beginning with the 1995 US competition, The Master utilised torque reaction principles in both its main saw weapon and a number of other interchangeable weapon modules. Weapons designed for thwacking included a 6ft Lexan 'whip' with bladed chains[3] and a large steel plate 'sword' first introduced at the 1995 UK Open.[4] For the latter event, the 'whip' adopted a twin-forked design. 1995 US Heavyweight Face-Off Co-Champion; 1995 and 1996 Heavyweight Melee Finalist. |   The Master thwacks The Mouse with its overhead sword, 1995 UK Open Competition |
| Weeliwako | Series 3 | Along with Stinger, the first torque reaction weapon to appear in UK Robot Wars. The first to win a battle. |
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