Torque reaction

Torque reaction
Stinger slams its mace down on Fluffy
Weapon Category	Thwackbot
Robots
Pioneer(s)	Stinger
Notable Robots	Attila the Drum, Gabriel, Weeliwako

Torque reaction weapons are the second form of thwackbot, relying on the impact of a weapon (typically a maxe, axe or sword) when the robot brakes suddenly. The system was first used by Stinger and Weeliwako, with the former using the formula to great success in The Fourth, Fifth and Sixth 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, 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

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 having the worries of CO2 usage an axe user would have.

• 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

Poor driving sees Stinger drive into the pit in its fight against Mace 2

• Torque reaction robots require very precise driving; the nature of their weaponry makes it difficult to co-ordinate attacks and movement. This 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.
• Similar to sit-and-spin robots, torque reaction became ineligible for the Seventh Wars and onwards, which meant that Stinger could not enter. Controversy then struck when Chimera was able to enter Series 8 despite not having an active weapon (this controversy was not present with Gabriel's entry, as the body moves independently of the wheels, giving the robot an active weapon.)

List of Robots with Torque Reaction Weapons

Attila the Drum

Chimera2

Gabriel, equipped with its sword

Slamtilt

Stinger, the first and most successful torque reaction robot

Robots are listed alphabetically. Robots that are not heavyweights are listed with a green background.

Robot	Series Appearances with Torque Reaction weapons	Notes
Armour Geddon	Series 3
Attila the Drum	Series 4	Interchangeable mace and pickaxe. Finished 3rd in the Southern Annihilator of Series 4.
Chimera	Series 8-9	Qualified for the Series 8 despite its rule against robots with no active weaponry. Entered Series 9 as Chimera2, armed with torque-reaction axe and front wedge.
Dee	Series 9	Competed exclusively in Battle of the Stars.
Flip Flop Fly	Series 3	Third robot of said design to enter Robot Wars. First one to sustain damage to its exposed wheels.
Gabriel	Series 8	Body can move independently of the wheels. Features interchangeable blades including a sword, battleaxe, pickaxe, and sledgehammer.
Infernal Contraption	Series 6-8, Extreme 2	The team alleged that they intended to swing the drum over for extra damage.
Mjollnir	MTV Pilot
Slamtilt	Dutch Series 2
Stinger	UK Series 3-6, Extreme 1-2, US Season 1	First torque reaction weapon (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
Weeliwako	Series 3	Along with Stinger, the first torque reaction weapon to appear in Robot Wars. The first to win a battle.