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{{Weapon
[[File:Razer milly-ann bug.JPG|thumb|Razer pierces Milly-Ann Bug]]
 
  +
|title1=Vertical crushers
'''Vertical crushers''' are one of the most prominent forms of [[gripping weapons]] found in ''[[Robot Wars]]''. The pioneer of this type of weapon, and by far the most successful, was double World Champion and UK [[Series 5]] champion [[Razer]]. Other robots to enjoy success with vertical crushers include Extreme 2 [[University Challenge]] champion [[Tiberius|Tiberius 3]].
 
  +
|image1=File:Androne 4000 concussion locked together.jpg
  +
|caption1=[[Androne 4000]] crushing into [[Concussion]]
  +
|category_of_weapon=[[Gripping weapons]]
  +
|pioneer=[[Razer]]
  +
|notable_robots=[[Tiberius]], [[Ming|Ming 3]], [[Suicidal Tendencies]]
  +
}}
  +
'''Vertical crushers''' are one of the most prominent forms of [[gripping weapons]] found in ''[[Robot Wars]]''.
   
  +
The pioneer of this type of weapon, and by far the most successful, was double World Champion and UK [[Series 5]] champion [[Razer]]. The weapon is so closely identified with its pioneer that most vertical crushers are instantly compared with Razer; [[Jonathan Pearce|Jonathan Pearce]] made the comparison frequently during his commentaries.
==Definition==
 
*A '''vertical crusher''' is meant to attack the top of a robot, usually with a spike or crushing claw. To maximise attacking potential, these were almost always hydraulically powered, often allowing the crushing arm to deliver several tonnes of pressure.
 
   
  +
Despite Razer's enormous success with its weapon, few others replicated the level of success, and none reached the semi-finals. Other robots to enjoy some success with vertical crushers include Extreme 2 [[University Challenge]] champion [[Tiberius|Tiberius 3]] and [[Nickelodeon Robot Wars]] [[Nickelodeon Robot Wars/International Tag Team|International Tag Team]] champion [[Ming|Ming 3]].
Following [[Razer|Razer's]] debut in Series 2, crushers made thereafter have often been compared with the former's weapon. This extends into derogatory remarks labeling a majority of crusher-wielding robots, such as [[Ming|Ming 3]], as 'a poor-man's Razer', as well as [[Jonathan Pearce|Jonathan Pearce's]] frequent descriptions of the weapons themselves as 'Razer-esque'. This is in spite of the various designs and purposes of each crusher, and the general respect paid among roboteering communities towards the engineering challenges faced when designing, building and operating them.
 
  +
 
==Definition==
 
A '''vertical crusher''', as the name suggests, is designed to attack the top of a robot, usually with a spike or crushing claw. To maximise attacking potential, they are almost always hydraulically powered, often allowing the crushing arm to deliver several tonnes of pressure.
   
 
==Advantages and Disadvantages==
 
==Advantages and Disadvantages==
 
'''Advantages'''
 
'''Advantages'''
  +
[[File:Razer_vs_Terrorhurtz.JPG|thumb|Razer cuts into Terrorhurtz]]
 
[[File:Roobarb vs Tiberius 3.JPG|thumb|right|Tiberius 3 lifts Roobarb into the air]]
 
[[File:Roobarb vs Tiberius 3.JPG|thumb|right|Tiberius 3 lifts Roobarb into the air]]
 
[[File:Razer_vs_Chaos_2.jpg|thumb|Razer punctures Chaos 2's gas canister during the First World Championship]]
 
[[File:Razer_vs_Chaos_2.jpg|thumb|Razer punctures Chaos 2's gas canister during the First World Championship]]
[[File:Mantis_vs_jabber.JPG|thumb|Mantis lifts Jabber with its hybrid crusher-lifter]]
 
 
*Vertical crushers are very effective at trapping and piercing through opponents, and are even capable of lifting robots off the ground without the need for additional lifting weapons. Both [[Razer]] and [[Tiberius|Tiberius 3]] demonstrated these qualities on several occasions.
 
*Vertical crushers are very effective at trapping and piercing through opponents, and are even capable of lifting robots off the ground without the need for additional lifting weapons. Both [[Razer]] and [[Tiberius|Tiberius 3]] demonstrated these qualities on several occasions.
 
*They can often immobilise a competing robot in a single attack, by piercing through armour and damaging vital components such as motors, wheels or batteries. Many of Razer's victories involved it biting down on such components, such as the wheels of [[Tornado]] and [[Milly-Ann Bug]], and the CO<sub>2</sub> canister of [[Chaos 2]].
 
*They can often immobilise a competing robot in a single attack, by piercing through armour and damaging vital components such as motors, wheels or batteries. Many of Razer's victories involved it biting down on such components, such as the wheels of [[Tornado]] and [[Milly-Ann Bug]], and the CO<sub>2</sub> canister of [[Chaos 2]].
 
*They could offer a very effective weapons synergy when combined with a wedge or a lifting weapon. Razer enjoyed considerable success in using its wedge to get underneath opponents before grabbing them, while other robots such as [[Mantis]] and the Series 5-6 versions of [[Tetanus]] combined crushers with lifters, giving them the potential to lift and crush simultaneously as well as possibly dump competitors out of the arena.
 
*They could offer a very effective weapons synergy when combined with a wedge or a lifting weapon. Razer enjoyed considerable success in using its wedge to get underneath opponents before grabbing them, while other robots such as [[Mantis]] and the Series 5-6 versions of [[Tetanus]] combined crushers with lifters, giving them the potential to lift and crush simultaneously as well as possibly dump competitors out of the arena.
  +
*When a robot has gripped another robot, it can control opponents by pushing it around the arena with precise control.
  +
*Although grabbing attacks are limited to a maximum of 30 seconds, this can be circumvented by releasing the weapon and swerving in place, a tactic often used by Razer. Robots with crushers are also forgiven when the release of an opponent proves to be impossible, such as Tiberius 3's extended grabs on Roobarb and M2.
   
 
'''Disadvantages'''
 
'''Disadvantages'''
 
[[File:Crusher_crunch_up.JPG|thumb|R.O.C.S. exhibits its vulnerability as Pinser and Mantis try to attack its exposed internals]]
 
[[File:Crusher_crunch_up.JPG|thumb|R.O.C.S. exhibits its vulnerability as Pinser and Mantis try to attack its exposed internals]]
 
[[File:ChaosRazer13Black1.jpg|thumb|Razer has one of its self-righting wings ripped off by 13 Black]]
 
[[File:ChaosRazer13Black1.jpg|thumb|Razer has one of its self-righting wings ripped off by 13 Black]]
[[File:Supernova_vs_Ming_3.jpg|thumb|Supernova tears through Ming 3's self-righting mechanism]]
+
[[File:Soldier_ant_vs_kadeena_machina_2.jpg|thumb|Soldier Ant's crusher is ripped apart by Kadeena Machina]]
[[File:Tiberius_crushes_Supernova.jpg|thumb|Tiberius 3 (left) grabs Supernova with its bent crusher]]
+
[[File:Aggrobot_vs_Razer.JPG|thumb|Razer was initially unable to damage Aggrobot's steep sides]]
*The weapons systems of hydraulic crushers take up a significant amount of the robot's weight, resulting in it having to feature minimal armour or have numerous holes drilled into the robot in order to keep it within the weight limit. The distinctive designs of most crushers, such as those of [[Razer]], [[Tiberius|Tiberius 3]] and [[Snake Bite (Switzerland)|Snake Bite]], were a direct result of this limitation.
+
*The weapons systems of hydraulic crushers take up a significant amount of the robot's weight, resulting in it having to feature minimal armour or have numerous holes drilled into the robot in order to keep it within the weight limit. The distinctive designs of most crushers, such as those of [[Razer]], [[Tiberius|Tiberius 3]] and [[Snake Bite (Swiss)|Snake Bite]], were a direct result of this limitation.
 
**As a result, many robots with hydraulic crushers had very little or no armour at all. With its electronics completely exposed, [[R.O.C.S.]] was especially vulnerable to attacks from fellow crusher [[Pinser]], while Razer was protected by a very thin layer of armour prior to the weight limit increase, which was easily damaged by [[Pussycat]] in Series 4.
 
**As a result, many robots with hydraulic crushers had very little or no armour at all. With its electronics completely exposed, [[R.O.C.S.]] was especially vulnerable to attacks from fellow crusher [[Pinser]], while Razer was protected by a very thin layer of armour prior to the weight limit increase, which was easily damaged by [[Pussycat]] in Series 4.
 
*Vertical crushers often have slow, inefficient, or non-existent self-righting mechanisms. Mechanisms usually include arms or 'wings' connected to the crusher (e.g. Razer, [[Ming|Ming 3]]), and can be easily damaged, as Razer's encounters with [[Big Nipper]] and [[13 Black]] demonstrate.
 
*Vertical crushers often have slow, inefficient, or non-existent self-righting mechanisms. Mechanisms usually include arms or 'wings' connected to the crusher (e.g. Razer, [[Ming|Ming 3]]), and can be easily damaged, as Razer's encounters with [[Big Nipper]] and [[13 Black]] demonstrate.
 
**Additionally, these mechanisms could be rendered ineffective if a robot was flipped into a certain position. Razer's wings were not designed to right it when it was flipped onto its back, for example.
 
**Additionally, these mechanisms could be rendered ineffective if a robot was flipped into a certain position. Razer's wings were not designed to right it when it was flipped onto its back, for example.
 
*These crushers are also difficult to incorporate into an invertible design without leaving a high ground clearance. The Series 5 version of [[Suicidal Tendencies]] is a notable exception.
 
*These crushers are also difficult to incorporate into an invertible design without leaving a high ground clearance. The Series 5 version of [[Suicidal Tendencies]] is a notable exception.
*As crushers are normally powered by hydraulics, the weapon is necessarily slow, so requires a skillful driver or secondary weapon in order to trap the opponent in place long enough to pierce it. While being generally successful in trapping and piercing its opponents, Razer was notably unable to attack the fast-moving [[Onslaught]] in the fourth round of the [[Southern Annihilator]].
+
*As crushers are normally powered by hydraulics, the weapon is necessarily slow, so requires a skilful driver or secondary weapon in order to trap the opponent in place long enough to pierce it. While being generally successful in trapping and piercing its opponents, Razer was notably unable to attack the fast-moving [[Onslaught]] in the fourth round of the [[Southern Annihilator]].
*Crushers are often vulnerable to being damaged, especially from rotating or overhead weapons such as flywheels and axes. Ming 3's losses to [[Terrorhurtz]] and [[Supernova]] especially demonstrate this fragility, as does Tiberius 3's defeat in Series 6, where its crusher became bent following an attack on Supernova.
+
*Crushers are often vulnerable to being damaged, especially from rotating or overhead weapons such as flywheels and axes. Ming 3's losses to [[Terrorhurtz]] and [[Supernova]] especially demonstrate this fragility, as does [[Soldier Ant]]'s defeat in Battle of the Stars, where its crusher was ripped apart following an attack by [[Kadeena Machina]].
 
*A crusher may not be able to reach tall opponents. Because of this, Razer was unable to pierce [[Attila the Drum]] at all during the Southern Annihilator, and initially had difficulty crushing through [[Aggrobot]] in Series 3.
 
*A crusher may not be able to reach tall opponents. Because of this, Razer was unable to pierce [[Attila the Drum]] at all during the Southern Annihilator, and initially had difficulty crushing through [[Aggrobot]] in Series 3.
 
*A competitor featuring smooth, slanted sides may be extremely resistant to vertical crushers. Razer was unable to pierce [[Backstabber]], and struggled to damage Aggrobot and [[Cyrax]] during its battles against them.
 
*A competitor featuring smooth, slanted sides may be extremely resistant to vertical crushers. Razer was unable to pierce [[Backstabber]], and struggled to damage Aggrobot and [[Cyrax]] during its battles against them.
   
 
==List of Robots with Vertical Crushers==
 
==List of Robots with Vertical Crushers==
 
Robots are listed alphabetically. Robots which are not heavyweight entries are listed with a green background.
[[File:Cronos.jpg|thumb|Cronos]]
 
 
{| class="wikitable"
[[File:Mantis.png|thumb|Mantis]]
 
[[File:Ming 3.gif|thumb|Ming 3]]
 
[[File:Plunderbird5.jpg|thumb|Plunderbird 5]]
 
[[File:Razer 2016.jpg|thumb|Razer]]
 
[[File:R.O.C.S..jpg|thumb|R.O.C.S.]]
 
[[File:SuicidalTendenciesS5.jpg|thumb|The Series 5 version of Suicidal Tendencies]]
 
[[File:Tiberius.jpg|thumb|The original Tiberius used a spike, rather than a claw]]
 
[[File:Tiberius 3.jpg|thumb|Tiberius 2 and 3 used larger claw-like crushers]]
 
Robots are listed alphabetically. Robots that are not heavyweight are listed with a green background.
 
{|class="wikitable"
 
 
!Robot
 
!Robot
 
!Series Appearances with Vertical Crushers
 
!Series Appearances with Vertical Crushers
 
!Notes
 
!Notes
  +
!Image
|-bgcolor="#BFFF00"
 
 
|-
|[[Close Shave]]
 
  +
|[[Androne 4000]]
|Extreme 1
 
 
|Series 10
|Withdrew from the Antweight Championship.
 
  +
|Consists of a vertical piercing spike on a pivoted arm, driven by hydraulic and electric systems and capable of doubling as a [[Self-righting mechanism|self-righting mechanism]]. Crusher has a force of 8 tonnes using a 4,000psi ram.
  +
|[[File:Androne-4000.png|thumb|150px]]
 
|-
  +
|[[Cobra (Belgian)|Cobra]]
  +
|Series 9-10
  +
|Small gripping weapon in the design of a cobra's head.
  +
|[[File:Cobra S10.png|thumb|150px]]
 
|-
 
|[[Coyote]]
  +
|Series 9-10
  +
|Worked in conjunction with two lifters to grip and lift robots. The weaponry weighed roughly 50kg in total, half the weight of the full robot. Used in conjunction with a [[Chainsaws|chainsaw]].
  +
|[[File:Coyote_10.png|thumb|150px]]
 
|-
 
|-
 
|[[Cronos]]
 
|[[Cronos]]
 
|Series 4
 
|Series 4
 
|The crusher was combined with a flipper in one mechanism.
 
|The crusher was combined with a flipper in one mechanism.
 
|[[File:Cronos.png|thumb|150px]]
 
|-
 
|-
 
|[[Crusher]]
 
|[[Crusher]]
 
|Series 3
 
|Series 3
  +
|Caused notable damage to [[Beast of Bodmin]] in Round 1.
|
 
 
|[[File:Crusher.jpg|thumb|150px]]
|-bgcolor="#BFFF00"
 
 
|-
  +
|[[Eruption]]
  +
|Series 8-10
  +
|Intended to hold robots on Eruption's flipper. Interchangeable with another top-mounted weapon. Not used in battle during Series 10.
  +
|[[File:Eruption 2016.png|thumb|150px]]
 
|- bgcolor="#BFFF00"
 
|[[Lower]]
 
|[[Lower]]
 
|Extreme 2
 
|Extreme 2
  +
|Antweight finalist in Extreme 2.
|
 
  +
|[[File:Lower.png|thumb|150px]]
 
|-
 
|-
 
|[[Mantis]]
 
|[[Mantis]]
 
|Series 7
 
|Series 7
|Combined a large vertical gripping claw with a lifter, giving it the capability to lift and potentially dump robots out of the arena.
+
|Combined a large vertical gripping claw with a lifter, giving it the capability to lift and hold robots aloft.
 
|[[File:Mantis.png|thumb|150px]]
 
|-
 
|-
 
|[[Metalis]]
 
|[[Metalis]]
 
|Series 7
 
|Series 7
 
|Coupled with a lifter and a self-righting mechanism that failed to work.
 
|Coupled with a lifter and a self-righting mechanism that failed to work.
  +
|[[File:Metalis.jpg|thumb|150px]]
 
|-
 
|-
 
|[[Ming|Ming 3]]
 
|[[Ming|Ming 3]]
 
|UK Series 5-6, Extreme 1, Nickelodeon
 
|UK Series 5-6, Extreme 1, Nickelodeon
 
|Equipped with a vertical crusher and two side arms that extended when the crusher lowered. Nickelodeon Tag Team Terror champion with [[Rick]].
 
|Equipped with a vertical crusher and two side arms that extended when the crusher lowered. Nickelodeon Tag Team Terror champion with [[Rick]].
 
|[[File:Ming 3.png|thumb|150px]]
 
|-
 
|-
|[[Namazu]]
+
|[[NAMAZU]]
 
|Dutch Series 2
 
|Dutch Series 2
 
|Walkerbot
 
|Walkerbot
  +
|[[File:Namazu.JPG|thumb|150px]]
 
|-
 
|-
 
|[[Philipper|Philipper 2]]
 
|[[Philipper|Philipper 2]]
|Dutch Series 2, Extreme 2
+
|Dutch Series 2, Extreme 2, German Series
|Replaced the rear lifter/flipper.
+
|Runner-up of Dutch Series 2. Crusher replaced the rear lifter/flipper of the original Philipper.
  +
|[[File:Philiper 2.jpg|thumb|150px]]
 
|-
 
|-
 
|[[Pinser]]
 
|[[Pinser]]
 
|Series 7
 
|Series 7
  +
|One of the two strongest horizontal crusher weapons in the Seventh Wars.
|Prone to breaking down after piercing a robot.
 
  +
|[[File:Pinser.png|thumb|150px]]
 
|-
 
|-
 
|[[Plunderbird]]
 
|[[Plunderbird]]
 
|UK Series 4-5, Extreme 1, US Season 1
 
|UK Series 4-5, Extreme 1, US Season 1
 
|Described as a "slicer-dicer", in Series 4 ('''Plunderbird 4'''), and a "Plunderthocker" in Extreme 1 and Series 5 ('''Plunderbird 5''').
 
|Described as a "slicer-dicer", in Series 4 ('''Plunderbird 4'''), and a "Plunderthocker" in Extreme 1 and Series 5 ('''Plunderbird 5''').
  +
|[[File:Plunderbird5Crop.png|thumb|150px]]
|-
 
|[[R.O.C.S.]]
 
|Series 6-7
 
|
 
 
|-
 
|-
 
|[[Razer]]
 
|[[Razer]]
|UK Series 2-6, 2016, Extreme 1-2, US Season 1-2
+
|UK Series 2-6, 8, Extreme 1-2, US Season 1-2
 
|First competitor to feature a crushing 'beak', and the most successful. Double World Champion, Series 5 Champion and Series 6 runner-up. Two cable-powered self-righting 'wings' added in Series 3, each one on either side of the 'beak'.
 
|First competitor to feature a crushing 'beak', and the most successful. Double World Champion, Series 5 Champion and Series 6 runner-up. Two cable-powered self-righting 'wings' added in Series 3, each one on either side of the 'beak'.
 
|[[File:Razer 2016.png|thumb|150px]]
|-bgcolor="#BFFF00"
 
 
|- bgcolor="#BFFF00"
 
|[[Razzler]]
 
|[[Razzler]]
 
|Extreme 1
 
|Extreme 1
|The first non-heavyweight robot to have a crusher
+
|The first non-heavyweight robot to have a crusher. Made from a [[Razer/Pullback|pullback Razer toy]].
  +
|[[File:Ian Lewis and Razzler.JPG|thumb|150px]]
 
|-
 
|[[R.O.C.S.]]
  +
|Series 6-7
  +
|Originally competed in Series 2 and side events of Series 3 without a crusher, before using the weapon in later series.
 
|[[File:R.O.C.S..jpg|thumb|150px]]
 
|- bgcolor="#BFFF00"
  +
|[[Serpant]]
 
|Extreme 2
  +
|Worked in conjunction with a lifter.
  +
|[[File:Serpent.jpg|thumb|150px]]
 
|-
 
|[[Snake Bite (Swiss)|Snake Bite]]
  +
|German Series, Extreme 2, UK Series 7
  +
|Competed in the European Championship and the Third World Championship, representing Switzerland.
  +
|[[File:SnakeBite.jpg|thumb|150px]]
 
|-
 
|-
  +
|[[Soldier Ant]]
|[[Snake Bite (Switzerland)|Snake Bite]]
 
|Extreme 2, Series 7
+
|Series 9
  +
|Competed exclusively in [[Robot Wars: Battle of the Stars|Battle of the Stars]].
|
 
  +
|[[File:Soldier Ant.png|thumb|150px]]
 
|-
 
|-
 
|[[Spike (MTV)|Spike]]
 
|[[Spike (MTV)|Spike]]
 
|MTV Pilot
 
|MTV Pilot
  +
|Did not compete on televised ''Robot Wars'', appearing only in the [[MTV Pilot]].
|
 
  +
|[[File:SpikeMTV.jpg|thumb|150px]]
 
|-
 
|-
 
|[[Suicidal Tendencies]]
 
|[[Suicidal Tendencies]]
 
|Series 5, Extreme 1
 
|Series 5, Extreme 1
|Added a small hydraulic crusher which worked in tandem with a front lifting scoop.
+
|Used a small hydraulic crusher which worked in tandem with a front lifting scoop. Previously competed in Series 3-4 without a crushing weapon.
  +
|[[File:Suicidal Tendencies.png|thumb|150px]]
 
|-
 
|-
 
|[[Tetanus]]
 
|[[Tetanus]]
 
|Series 5-6
 
|Series 5-6
 
|Twin (Series 5) or single (Series 6) crushers combined with lifting forks intended to lift and crush simultaneously. Removed from '''Tetanus 2''' for Extreme 2.
 
|Twin (Series 5) or single (Series 6) crushers combined with lifting forks intended to lift and crush simultaneously. Removed from '''Tetanus 2''' for Extreme 2.
  +
|[[File:Tetanus II.png|thumb|150px]]
 
|-
 
|-
 
|[[The Executioner]]
 
|[[The Executioner]]
 
|Series 5, Extreme 1
 
|Series 5, Extreme 1
 
|Redesigned without the crusher for Series 7.
 
|Redesigned without the crusher for Series 7.
  +
|[[File:Executioner5.JPG|thumb|150px]]
 
|-
 
|-
 
|[[The Kraken]]
 
|[[The Kraken]]
 
|Series 7
 
|Series 7
 
|Featured dual gripping weapons, a pneumatic crusher for grabbing and a hydraulic crusher for piercing opponents.
 
|Featured dual gripping weapons, a pneumatic crusher for grabbing and a hydraulic crusher for piercing opponents.
  +
|[[File:The kraken.JPG|thumb|150px]]
|-bgcolor="#BFFF00"
 
|[[The Serpent]]
 
|Extreme 2
 
|
 
 
|-
 
|-
 
|[[Tiberius]]
 
|[[Tiberius]]
 
|Series 4-7, Extreme 2
 
|Series 4-7, Extreme 2
 
|Originally a grabbing spike in Series 4, replaced with a claw-like weapon for Series 5 onwards. Series 7 Heat Finalist and Extreme 2 University Challenge champion.
 
|Originally a grabbing spike in Series 4, replaced with a claw-like weapon for Series 5 onwards. Series 7 Heat Finalist and Extreme 2 University Challenge champion.
  +
|[[File:Tiberius3.png|thumb|150px]]
 
|-
  +
|[[Track-tion]]
  +
|Series 10
  +
|Front crushing/gripping arm is capable of exerting a force of 600kg.
  +
|[[File:Track-tion.png|thumb|150px]]
 
|-
 
|-
 
|[[TX-108]]
 
|[[TX-108]]
 
|Extreme 1
 
|Extreme 1
|Not seen on television, its only battle went unaired and failed to qualify for any series. One of two robots with a crusher where the claw was pulled down instead of being pushed down, the other being the Series 4 version of Tiberius. Intended to act as a [[Srimech]] on its own.
+
|Not seen on television, its only battle went unaired and the robot failed to qualify for any series. One of two robots with a crusher where the claw was pulled down instead of being pushed down, the other being the Series 4 version of Tiberius. Intended to self-right on its own.
  +
|[[File:TX-108.jpeg|thumb|150px]]
|-
 
|[[Wraith]]
 
|2016 Series (pilot only)
 
|Combined with harpoons, crushed against the surface of the arena.
 
 
|}
 
|}
  +
  +
==Trivia==
  +
[[File:PacifieR.png|thumb|PacifieR before Series 9]]
  +
*Dutch robot [[PacifieR]] (successor to [[PulverizeR]]) was also slated to compete in Series 9, but withdrew from its battle at the last moment due to a circuitry issue, and it did not compete on ''Robot Wars''. PacifieR did, however, lead to the successful ''BattleBots'' competitor [https://battlebots.fandom.com/wiki/Petunia Petunia].
  +
**[[Wraith]] also withdrew from the [[Robot Wars: Series 8/Pilot|pilot episode]] filmed before Series 8, where it would have used harpoons to crush against the surface of the arena floor.
   
 
{{Weapon Types}}
 
{{Weapon Types}}
 
[[Category:Weapon Types]]
 
[[Category:Weapon Types]]
[[Category:Robots with Vertical Crushers| ]]
+
[[Category:Robots with Vertical Crushers]]

Revision as of 15:34, 28 May 2020

Vertical crushers are one of the most prominent forms of gripping weapons found in Robot Wars.

The pioneer of this type of weapon, and by far the most successful, was double World Champion and UK Series 5 champion Razer. The weapon is so closely identified with its pioneer that most vertical crushers are instantly compared with Razer; Jonathan Pearce made the comparison frequently during his commentaries.

Despite Razer's enormous success with its weapon, few others replicated the level of success, and none reached the semi-finals. Other robots to enjoy some success with vertical crushers include Extreme 2 University Challenge champion Tiberius 3 and Nickelodeon Robot Wars International Tag Team champion Ming 3.

Definition

A vertical crusher, as the name suggests, is designed to attack the top of a robot, usually with a spike or crushing claw. To maximise attacking potential, they are almost always hydraulically powered, often allowing the crushing arm to deliver several tonnes of pressure.

Advantages and Disadvantages

Advantages

Razer vs Terrorhurtz

Razer cuts into Terrorhurtz

Roobarb vs Tiberius 3

Tiberius 3 lifts Roobarb into the air

Razer vs Chaos 2

Razer punctures Chaos 2's gas canister during the First World Championship

  • Vertical crushers are very effective at trapping and piercing through opponents, and are even capable of lifting robots off the ground without the need for additional lifting weapons. Both Razer and Tiberius 3 demonstrated these qualities on several occasions.
  • They can often immobilise a competing robot in a single attack, by piercing through armour and damaging vital components such as motors, wheels or batteries. Many of Razer's victories involved it biting down on such components, such as the wheels of Tornado and Milly-Ann Bug, and the CO2 canister of Chaos 2.
  • They could offer a very effective weapons synergy when combined with a wedge or a lifting weapon. Razer enjoyed considerable success in using its wedge to get underneath opponents before grabbing them, while other robots such as Mantis and the Series 5-6 versions of Tetanus combined crushers with lifters, giving them the potential to lift and crush simultaneously as well as possibly dump competitors out of the arena.
  • When a robot has gripped another robot, it can control opponents by pushing it around the arena with precise control.
  • Although grabbing attacks are limited to a maximum of 30 seconds, this can be circumvented by releasing the weapon and swerving in place, a tactic often used by Razer. Robots with crushers are also forgiven when the release of an opponent proves to be impossible, such as Tiberius 3's extended grabs on Roobarb and M2.

Disadvantages

Crusher crunch up

R.O.C.S. exhibits its vulnerability as Pinser and Mantis try to attack its exposed internals

ChaosRazer13Black1

Razer has one of its self-righting wings ripped off by 13 Black

Soldier ant vs kadeena machina 2

Soldier Ant's crusher is ripped apart by Kadeena Machina

Aggrobot vs Razer

Razer was initially unable to damage Aggrobot's steep sides

  • The weapons systems of hydraulic crushers take up a significant amount of the robot's weight, resulting in it having to feature minimal armour or have numerous holes drilled into the robot in order to keep it within the weight limit. The distinctive designs of most crushers, such as those of Razer, Tiberius 3 and Snake Bite, were a direct result of this limitation.
    • As a result, many robots with hydraulic crushers had very little or no armour at all. With its electronics completely exposed, R.O.C.S. was especially vulnerable to attacks from fellow crusher Pinser, while Razer was protected by a very thin layer of armour prior to the weight limit increase, which was easily damaged by Pussycat in Series 4.
  • Vertical crushers often have slow, inefficient, or non-existent self-righting mechanisms. Mechanisms usually include arms or 'wings' connected to the crusher (e.g. Razer, Ming 3), and can be easily damaged, as Razer's encounters with Big Nipper and 13 Black demonstrate.
    • Additionally, these mechanisms could be rendered ineffective if a robot was flipped into a certain position. Razer's wings were not designed to right it when it was flipped onto its back, for example.
  • These crushers are also difficult to incorporate into an invertible design without leaving a high ground clearance. The Series 5 version of Suicidal Tendencies is a notable exception.
  • As crushers are normally powered by hydraulics, the weapon is necessarily slow, so requires a skilful driver or secondary weapon in order to trap the opponent in place long enough to pierce it. While being generally successful in trapping and piercing its opponents, Razer was notably unable to attack the fast-moving Onslaught in the fourth round of the Southern Annihilator.
  • Crushers are often vulnerable to being damaged, especially from rotating or overhead weapons such as flywheels and axes. Ming 3's losses to Terrorhurtz and Supernova especially demonstrate this fragility, as does Soldier Ant's defeat in Battle of the Stars, where its crusher was ripped apart following an attack by Kadeena Machina.
  • A crusher may not be able to reach tall opponents. Because of this, Razer was unable to pierce Attila the Drum at all during the Southern Annihilator, and initially had difficulty crushing through Aggrobot in Series 3.
  • A competitor featuring smooth, slanted sides may be extremely resistant to vertical crushers. Razer was unable to pierce Backstabber, and struggled to damage Aggrobot and Cyrax during its battles against them.

List of Robots with Vertical Crushers

Robots are listed alphabetically. Robots which are not heavyweight entries are listed with a green background.

Robot Series Appearances with Vertical Crushers Notes Image
Androne 4000 Series 10 Consists of a vertical piercing spike on a pivoted arm, driven by hydraulic and electric systems and capable of doubling as a self-righting mechanism. Crusher has a force of 8 tonnes using a 4,000psi ram.
Androne-4000
Cobra Series 9-10 Small gripping weapon in the design of a cobra's head.
Cobra S10
Coyote Series 9-10 Worked in conjunction with two lifters to grip and lift robots. The weaponry weighed roughly 50kg in total, half the weight of the full robot. Used in conjunction with a chainsaw.
Coyote 10
Cronos Series 4 The crusher was combined with a flipper in one mechanism.
Cronos
Crusher Series 3 Caused notable damage to Beast of Bodmin in Round 1.
Crusher
Eruption Series 8-10 Intended to hold robots on Eruption's flipper. Interchangeable with another top-mounted weapon. Not used in battle during Series 10.
Eruption 2016
Lower Extreme 2 Antweight finalist in Extreme 2.
Lower
Mantis Series 7 Combined a large vertical gripping claw with a lifter, giving it the capability to lift and hold robots aloft.
Mantis
Metalis Series 7 Coupled with a lifter and a self-righting mechanism that failed to work.
Metalis
Ming 3 UK Series 5-6, Extreme 1, Nickelodeon Equipped with a vertical crusher and two side arms that extended when the crusher lowered. Nickelodeon Tag Team Terror champion with Rick.
Ming 3
NAMAZU Dutch Series 2 Walkerbot
Namazu
Philipper 2 Dutch Series 2, Extreme 2, German Series Runner-up of Dutch Series 2. Crusher replaced the rear lifter/flipper of the original Philipper.
Philiper 2
Pinser Series 7 One of the two strongest horizontal crusher weapons in the Seventh Wars.
Pinser
Plunderbird UK Series 4-5, Extreme 1, US Season 1 Described as a "slicer-dicer", in Series 4 (Plunderbird 4), and a "Plunderthocker" in Extreme 1 and Series 5 (Plunderbird 5).
Plunderbird5Crop
Razer UK Series 2-6, 8, Extreme 1-2, US Season 1-2 First competitor to feature a crushing 'beak', and the most successful. Double World Champion, Series 5 Champion and Series 6 runner-up. Two cable-powered self-righting 'wings' added in Series 3, each one on either side of the 'beak'.
Razer 2016
Razzler Extreme 1 The first non-heavyweight robot to have a crusher. Made from a pullback Razer toy.
Ian Lewis and Razzler
R.O.C.S. Series 6-7 Originally competed in Series 2 and side events of Series 3 without a crusher, before using the weapon in later series.
R.O.C.S.
Serpant Extreme 2 Worked in conjunction with a lifter.
Serpent
Snake Bite German Series, Extreme 2, UK Series 7 Competed in the European Championship and the Third World Championship, representing Switzerland.
SnakeBite
Soldier Ant Series 9 Competed exclusively in Battle of the Stars.
Soldier Ant
Spike MTV Pilot Did not compete on televised Robot Wars, appearing only in the MTV Pilot.
SpikeMTV
Suicidal Tendencies Series 5, Extreme 1 Used a small hydraulic crusher which worked in tandem with a front lifting scoop. Previously competed in Series 3-4 without a crushing weapon.
Suicidal Tendencies
Tetanus Series 5-6 Twin (Series 5) or single (Series 6) crushers combined with lifting forks intended to lift and crush simultaneously. Removed from Tetanus 2 for Extreme 2.
Tetanus II
The Executioner Series 5, Extreme 1 Redesigned without the crusher for Series 7.
Executioner5
The Kraken Series 7 Featured dual gripping weapons, a pneumatic crusher for grabbing and a hydraulic crusher for piercing opponents.
The kraken
Tiberius Series 4-7, Extreme 2 Originally a grabbing spike in Series 4, replaced with a claw-like weapon for Series 5 onwards. Series 7 Heat Finalist and Extreme 2 University Challenge champion.
Tiberius3
Track-tion Series 10 Front crushing/gripping arm is capable of exerting a force of 600kg.
Track-tion
TX-108 Extreme 1 Not seen on television, its only battle went unaired and the robot failed to qualify for any series. One of two robots with a crusher where the claw was pulled down instead of being pushed down, the other being the Series 4 version of Tiberius. Intended to self-right on its own.
TX-108

Trivia

PacifieR

PacifieR before Series 9

  • Dutch robot PacifieR (successor to PulverizeR) was also slated to compete in Series 9, but withdrew from its battle at the last moment due to a circuitry issue, and it did not compete on Robot Wars. PacifieR did, however, lead to the successful BattleBots competitor Petunia.
    • Wraith also withdrew from the pilot episode filmed before Series 8, where it would have used harpoons to crush against the surface of the arena floor.