Bot Blast was a ton of fun as usual. Nocturne was not finished in time to compete, but FireArrow was ready to go so we packed it and our tools and set out for Pennsylvania. We arrived, passed safety, and got ready for our first fight with no issue at all. This year, my spot in the pits was in between Kyle, who was running the 3lb Ripto, and Jake from team Orbital Activity, who I met at Pennbots, with his new antweight drum Empire. Matches started on time and FireArrow managed to get a bye to the second round.
Match 1: FireArrow vs Don't Ask
Don't Ask was a last-minute 4-hour ant build by Tim, the builder of Scrambles the Death Dealer. It was a UHMW box with an undercutting sawblade that reminded me all too much of DDT in its first match. My plan was to wait for his gyro forces to expose his rear end and then go in for the kill.
As the match started, his unpredictability got the better of me and left some good scratches on my wedge, dealing some slight damage as I pushed him around and sending him flying whenever he got a good hit. Eventually, a good hit from his blade flipped me onto my back, and I spent a lot more time than I should have trying to right myself. I knew it could, but apparently the floor had less traction than my driveway so I
had issues trying to right. A good charge into Don't Ask's blade flipped me right side up again, so I was able to push him around and stuff. Near the end of the fight one of FireArrow's silver spark gearboxes let go so I only had one-wheel drive for the last 10 seconds or so of the match. Based on this damage I lost the match on a split judge's decision.
Match 2: FireArrow vs Nuff Said
Nuff Said was exactly how I saw it on Youtube: A long, 2WD box with two low titanium wedge forks at the front. We had replaced the broken gearbox from the battle from Don't Ask but we unfortunately didn't realize that it had claimed the other gearbox too. After a few rams into the wall the other gearbox fell apart leaving us with 1.5 wheel drive for the rest of the match. However, Nuff Said had bigger issues than that, they had some massive radio reception problems that allowed me to win the match on a judge's decision.
Match 3: FireArrow vs Slice
The team that brought 3 antweights to their first event was a family from New Jersey, and the drivers were bright young kids who showed a lot of promise. Slice was their first robot and as so wasn't very strong, its weapon had very little force and couldn't right itself. I pushed it around for a while, it got stuck on its side a few times (I was nice and knocked them onto their wheels again) but eventually it got flipped onto its back and counted out.
Match 4: FireArrow vs Velociraptor
Velociraptor came all the way from Washington with a vertical sawblade and an excellent driver. Nate and Slim Pickens had already defeated Velociraptor, so I was going to try to use the same strategy he did and charge into him from the side. This was a basic "slam-him-around-the-box-until-the-match-ends" fight with Velociraptor only gaining the upper hand once or twice, getting to my steel back end and sending some sparks flying. Their titanium wedge was a non-issue, I was able to get under it easily. Despite more paint scratches it was a fairly easy match, with FireArrow taking another judge's decision.
Match 5: FireArrow vs Hercules
I saw Hercules fight last year, it was a promising little lifter bot with a pretty big weakness to spinners. It had managed to make it to the final four with me and I had to take it down to take home a trophy. The first charge proved his wedge was lower than mine, so I had to go around the wedge to get him into the walls. A few times I was able to wedge myself in between the lifter and the chassis, and I used this opportunity to shove him around. FireArrow won once again by judge's decision.
Match 6: FireArrow vs Antelope
Antelope's newest incarnation was a 4WD wedge bot. It looked pretty tough to drive around so I knew I was going to have to outwedge it. They were using their solid wedge attachment for this match, after their finger wedges lost to Slim Pickens in the winner's bracket final. Holy crap I could not get under that thing. He was always able to get under me, drive me around and flip me over. I knew I wasn't going to win, but with 30 seconds left in the match I got incredibly lucky: I got to his side and was able to somehow stick his wedge into a seam between the wall and floor. Antelope got counted out and I was moving on to the finals!
Match 7: FireArrow vs Slim Pickens
This was it. The finals. I was up against Nate, who had made it to the finals going 4-0 and undefeated. I knew this was going to be close. The match started with both of us getting under each other several times, with me getting the first big slam of the match. We were both trying to outmaneuver each other. Not much else to say, it was a wedge final. However, one good slam got Slim Pickens stuck on its wedge horns, and since it couldn't move from that position Nate tapped out. FireArrow takes home the antweight title with a 6-1 record!!!
FireArrow's overall record for its first full year of competition is 15-3, and to be honest that's outstanding. I can't wait for my next event, whatever it may be, and hopefully we'll be there with two robots, as Nocturne creeps ever closer to completion.
Sunday, July 20, 2014
Tuesday, July 8, 2014
Bot Blast 2014: Thoughts on the Opposition
Bot Blast is less than two weeks away! I thought I'd pass the time by checking out the competition (posted on BuildersDB.com) and writing my thoughts on the two classes I'm fighting in, the antweight and beetleweight classes.
ANTWEIGHTS
Antelope
Team Sandman
Weapon: Hinged Wedges/Plow
Notes: Bot Blast 2012 Best Driver, getting totally redesigned for this competition
Antelope is currently one of two 4WD antweights signed up and currently looks awesome. Its front plow is going to be an absolute pain for spinners to fight, but I think I'll have little issue getting under it with FireArrow. However, the matchup between two skilled drivers will be very interesting to watch...
Fear Rating: 3/5
Cannon
Slammers
Weapon: Vertical Eggbeater
Notes: Moto 2013 runner-up
I've never fought an eggbeater before so this'll be interesting. Hopefully it'll be similar to the vertical spinners I fought last year. If it is it shouldn't be too hard. Still, it'll have more throwing power and that makes me nervous.
Fear Rating: 5/5
Cutting Edge
Revelation Robotics
Weapon: Wedge
Notes: New robot and team
Brand new team, they've entered 3 antweights in their first event. I think they'll be overwhelmed, especially if one of them gets thrashed by a spinner. The low build quality on two of them interests me, reminds me of old style antweights. I think I can get under or out-drive it for an easy win.
Fear Rating: 1/5
Empire
Orbital Activity
Weapon: Drum
Notes: Built Mr. Smiley at Pennbots, promising young builder despite his bots being low-tech
Another likely low-quality robot that'll be defined as one of the scrappiest bots here. Despite using a saucepan and servos, Mr. Smiley was a decent bot, so hopefully we'll see similar quality here. That is, if it can get through safety... Against FireArrow, it shouldn't have much trouble, as drumbots normally don't cause much trouble.
Fear Rating: 2/5
Gyroscopic
Team Gyroscopic
Weapon: Vertical Eggbeater
Notes: Incredibly powerful, Bot Blast 2012 Runner-up
Similarly to Cannon, this thing scares me. However, like Cannon, if I can use its KE to my advantage, I could pull off a win. Gyroscopic lost two years ago to a solid brick when its wheel fell off after a large hit, if something like that happens again I should be golden.
Fear Rating: 5/5
Hercules
Conn Bots
Weapon: Servo Lifter
Notes: Competed last year, went 2-2
Hercules is a pretty well-built robot, and it has the lifter to distance itself from wedge bots. I'm not sure which one of us is lower, but if it's me I should have no issues.
Fear Rating: 3/5
Hungry Like the Wolf
Team Kapbotiks
Weapon: Overhead Spinning Bar
Notes: New robot from old team
If we meet up, it'll be my first time facing a horizontal spinner. Depending on how stable it is and if it can self-right, we'll see how well I do. All I can predict is that I won't be leaving the arena unscathed.
Fear Rating: 4/5
Nuff Said
Don's Robots
Weapon: Wedge Forks
Notes: last competed 2 years ago
If it's the same as it was 2 years ago, it'll be a low robot built by an experienced team. I'll have to avoid the forks and hope he doesn't out-drive me.
Fear Rating: 3/5
Sky Rocket
Revelation Robotics
Weapon: Servo Lifter
Notes: Kit robot, new team and robot
The kitbot entry from this team interests me. Again, this is going to depend on the competence of the team (running 3 bots at your first event is going to be a MAJOR hassle) and which one of us is the better driver.
Fear Rating: 2/5
Slice
Revelation Robotics
Weapon: Angled Spinning Bar
Notes: Probably the lowest-tech robot here
This was once really bad looking but has since been updated, and now the bar looks like it at least some power now. It still is on an odd angle and I don't think it'll do very well, but it's better than before. It might deal some minor damage to my wedge but that's about it.
Fear Rating: 2/5
Slim Pickens
Mutually Assured Destruction
Weapon: Wedge
Notes: Completely rebuilt from last year, Moto 14 3rd Place
Alex and Nate have assembled an awesome antweight wedge that I hope I get matched up with. Me and Nate are pretty equal in terms of driving skill, so it'll be a great fight either way.
Fear Rating: 3/5
Spinzilla
Team Headbangers
Weapon: Horizontal sawblade or metal bar
Notes: previously known as Antamantium Rage
If it still has the sawblade, I'm sure it'll be a fairly easy match. If it has the bar, it'll be tougher but I think I can tough it out. Not sure how strong Brandon's spinner will be or even if it'll be working in time for Bot Blast, but I'm confident I can take it down.
Fear Rating: 2/5
Uber-Saw
BeaverBotics
Weapon: Vertical Sawblade
Notes: Went 0-2 at its first competition last year
I like Uber-Saw because it's TF2 themed and it's got a cool color scheme, but like with other vertical sawblades I can't see it doing much damage. Its saw has pretty large teeth though so I can see it throwing other bots pretty far. I think I might get knocked around a bit in this fight, but it'll go down similarly to my fight with Guildenstern where for most of the match he's beached on my wedge.
Fear Rating: 3/5
Velociraptor
Team DinoBots
Weapon: Vertical Sawblade
Notes: Western team comes to Pennsylvania to play. I believe this robot has made numerous event finals.
Veliociraptor reminds me of Guildenstern in that it's a mainly UHMW vertical spinner with an experienced builder at the helm. However, it uses a sawblade instead of an offset bar, meaning it probably won't have the damage output Guildenstern did. I'm not gonna count this one out just yet though, knowing its capabilities.
Fear Rating: 4/5
Viciously Circular
Mutually Assured Destruction
Weapon: Wedge and Vertical Spinning Bar
Notes: Previously known as Endgame, this robot won the Robogames Junior Ant class under a different owner
A vicious new robot under Nate's ownership. It's got a powerful weapon, but I don't know how good its wedge is. I don't have a good track record against wedged spinners so I'm scared of this thing either way.
Fear Rating: 5/5
Wedge Bot
Joe's Robots
Weapon: Wedge
Notes: New robot
I've never seen this thing before, but apparently it has a wedge. Can't base much off of that but its builder is very experienced.
Fear Rating: 3/5
BEETLEWEIGHTS
Allosaurus
Team DinoBots
Weapon: Vertical Drum
Notes: Numerous event finals, one of the few robots to beat a 2-time world champion
Holy crap. I did design Nocturne's new bar to beat Wetas but this is like if Weta took steroids and then ingested 300 pounds of manliness. It scares me.
Fear Rating: 5/5
Black Raspberry
Joe's Robots
Weapon: Vertical Drum
Notes: New robot
Again, can't base much off this, but once again the builder is very experienced so I can expect the best from him.
Fear Rating: 4/5
Casbah
Team Kapbotiks
Weapon: Wedge
Notes: New bot from old team
From the preview pic, it looks like it'll be a solid rammer. Since I have a horizontal spinner my only hopes are that I can deal some fatal damage quick.
Fear Rating: 3/5
Counter Shock
Don's Robots
Weapon: Vertical Eggbeater
Notes: First time this robot has competed in 2 years
Counter Shock did pretty well last time it went out even though its weapon wasn't working for half the event, so if its weapon is working this time it'll be even harder to beat. Experienced driver, builder and a solid robot here.
Fear Rating: 5/5
Dumb Post Motorama Idea #1 (Titanium Edition)
Team Cookin' With Gas
Weapon: Wedge
Notes: Super fast
I lost to this bot twice at Pennbots. There aren't pits at Bot Blast, but he can still ram me all over the arena. Aiming for those exposed wheels is my best bet.
Fear Rating: 3/5
Gemini
Team AstroBots
Weapon: Finger Wedges
Notes: New team and new robot, 3d printed frame
One of the big things I picked up from last year's Bot Blast is that 3D printed frames don't hold up well. This gives me hope that I'll escape another solid wedge whooping by the damage I'll cause, but we'll see. Despite being a new team the builders have competed before, so they aren't exactly green to the sport either.
Fear Rating: 3/5
Mondo Bizarro
Team Headbangers
Weapon: Vertical Eggbeater
Notes: Reigning champion
Like I said, I designed Nocturne to take on Weta kits, but they're still scary. I'm incredibly nervous that I'm gonna get torn apart.
Fear Rating: 3/5
One Fierce Javelin
Fierce Robots
Weapon: Wedge
Notes: New robot from Gene, did well at USATL
Gene always brings some insane robots to events. Here's another wedge with insane speed, too. Just like with DPMI, I'm going to have to take out those wheels fast or I don't think I'm going to have much of a chance.
Fear Rating: 4/5
Pizza Party
Team Cookin' With Gas
Weapon: ???
Notes: New robot, new builder, supposedly a joke bot?
I have no clue what this thing is, but it's supposedly going to be an entertaining beetleweight built by Alex's friend. With that in mind I think I got this.
Fear Rating: 1/5
Play 'n Krazy
Bone Dead Robotics
Weapon: Vertical Eggbeater
Notes: Came third last year and won the Highest Hit award
Nocturne was designed to take on Wetas, and this one should be no exception. PK is a little bit weaker than Mondo, and its driver is less experienced, so it should be a slightly easier fight.
Fear Rating: 2/5
Purple Boxer
Kelley PA
Weapon: Wedge
Notes: Slow but torquey
I saw Purple Boxer at Pennbots and it looked incredibly resilient to attack. Mondo Bizarro hit it and despite sparks flying it didn't take much damage. If it's as tough as USS Monitor was (I lost to it at Pennbots after hitting it once) I don't think I'll win by KO. My best bet is going to be to outspeed it and aim for the wheels.
Fear Rating: 2/5
Raptor 2.2
Team DinoBots
Weapon: Wedge
Notes: 2-time RoboGames champion
This thing is the definition of beetleweight brick. It's a 2-time world champion and scares the hell out of me. I think if I can get to its back I can leave some scars, but I ain't winning this fight in a million years.
Fear Rating: 6/5 (yes you read that right)
Ripto 3.0
Twisted Sick Robotics
Weapon: Vertical Disc
Notes: Bot Blast 2012 champion
I fought the antweight version of this last year and lost to it. Hexxus, a similar design to Nocturne, fought this thing and lost to it 3 years back. Horizontal vs vertical usually ends with the HS winning but Ripto scares me so much.
Fear Rating: 5/5
Scrambles the Death Dealer
Asylum Robotics
Weapon: Horizontal Bar
Notes: Bot Blast 2013 Rumble winner
This'll be a fun match. Scrambles inspired a lot of aspects of the current incarnation of Nocturne, and two similarly-designed horizontal spinners would be an entertaining match. Plus, Tim would probably be yelling references for half the match, so basically this would be the best fight ever. The redesign of his robot is looking pretty scary too. It'll have more range and I think more power, so I'm not sure I'll win.
Fear Rating: 3/5
Slugger
Conn Bots
Weapon: Undercutting Bar
Notes: Came 4th last year
Slugger's a cool bot but it only won one actual fight last year despite it coming fourth. It's also made entirely of UHMW, which my bar is designed to damage. As long as I can get around his bar I feel confident that I can win this.
Fear Rating: 2/5
Suplexor
Team Cookin' With Gas
Weapon: Suplex Lifter
Notes: Brand new beetleweight
Inspired by Kyle's Jukid, Suplexor looks like it'll be an entertaining addition to the beetle class this year. However, it has weak front armor that I think will be easy to tear into, and the design as a whole looks kinda weak to spinners.
Fear Rating: 1/5
The Subtle Destroyer
Team Sandman
Weapon: Undercutting Blade
Notes: Incredibly powerful friction-driven weapon
Another undercutter that scares me. If it lands a hit on my bottom frame that could be it for Nocturne's weapon. However, last time it fought it was rather slow so we'll see.
Fear Rating: 3/5
For the mantis class all seven robots look like they'll be tough contenders. My predictions for the class are that it'll be very entertaining no matter who wins.
Can't wait to be there on the 19th! Nocturne is coming along well and over the next 3 days the frame should be completely assembled. FireArrow is still waiting on the ESCs and switch but they'll be here any day now.
ANTWEIGHTS
Antelope
Team Sandman
Weapon: Hinged Wedges/Plow
Notes: Bot Blast 2012 Best Driver, getting totally redesigned for this competition
Antelope is currently one of two 4WD antweights signed up and currently looks awesome. Its front plow is going to be an absolute pain for spinners to fight, but I think I'll have little issue getting under it with FireArrow. However, the matchup between two skilled drivers will be very interesting to watch...
Fear Rating: 3/5
Cannon
Slammers
Weapon: Vertical Eggbeater
Notes: Moto 2013 runner-up
I've never fought an eggbeater before so this'll be interesting. Hopefully it'll be similar to the vertical spinners I fought last year. If it is it shouldn't be too hard. Still, it'll have more throwing power and that makes me nervous.
Fear Rating: 5/5
Cutting Edge
Revelation Robotics
Weapon: Wedge
Notes: New robot and team
Brand new team, they've entered 3 antweights in their first event. I think they'll be overwhelmed, especially if one of them gets thrashed by a spinner. The low build quality on two of them interests me, reminds me of old style antweights. I think I can get under or out-drive it for an easy win.
Fear Rating: 1/5
Empire
Orbital Activity
Weapon: Drum
Notes: Built Mr. Smiley at Pennbots, promising young builder despite his bots being low-tech
Another likely low-quality robot that'll be defined as one of the scrappiest bots here. Despite using a saucepan and servos, Mr. Smiley was a decent bot, so hopefully we'll see similar quality here. That is, if it can get through safety... Against FireArrow, it shouldn't have much trouble, as drumbots normally don't cause much trouble.
Fear Rating: 2/5
Gyroscopic
Team Gyroscopic
Weapon: Vertical Eggbeater
Notes: Incredibly powerful, Bot Blast 2012 Runner-up
Similarly to Cannon, this thing scares me. However, like Cannon, if I can use its KE to my advantage, I could pull off a win. Gyroscopic lost two years ago to a solid brick when its wheel fell off after a large hit, if something like that happens again I should be golden.
Fear Rating: 5/5
Hercules
Conn Bots
Weapon: Servo Lifter
Notes: Competed last year, went 2-2
Hercules is a pretty well-built robot, and it has the lifter to distance itself from wedge bots. I'm not sure which one of us is lower, but if it's me I should have no issues.
Fear Rating: 3/5
Hungry Like the Wolf
Team Kapbotiks
Weapon: Overhead Spinning Bar
Notes: New robot from old team
If we meet up, it'll be my first time facing a horizontal spinner. Depending on how stable it is and if it can self-right, we'll see how well I do. All I can predict is that I won't be leaving the arena unscathed.
Fear Rating: 4/5
Nuff Said
Don's Robots
Weapon: Wedge Forks
Notes: last competed 2 years ago
If it's the same as it was 2 years ago, it'll be a low robot built by an experienced team. I'll have to avoid the forks and hope he doesn't out-drive me.
Fear Rating: 3/5
Sky Rocket
Revelation Robotics
Weapon: Servo Lifter
Notes: Kit robot, new team and robot
The kitbot entry from this team interests me. Again, this is going to depend on the competence of the team (running 3 bots at your first event is going to be a MAJOR hassle) and which one of us is the better driver.
Fear Rating: 2/5
Slice
Revelation Robotics
Weapon: Angled Spinning Bar
Notes: Probably the lowest-tech robot here
This was once really bad looking but has since been updated, and now the bar looks like it at least some power now. It still is on an odd angle and I don't think it'll do very well, but it's better than before. It might deal some minor damage to my wedge but that's about it.
Fear Rating: 2/5
Slim Pickens
Mutually Assured Destruction
Weapon: Wedge
Notes: Completely rebuilt from last year, Moto 14 3rd Place
Alex and Nate have assembled an awesome antweight wedge that I hope I get matched up with. Me and Nate are pretty equal in terms of driving skill, so it'll be a great fight either way.
Fear Rating: 3/5
Spinzilla
Team Headbangers
Weapon: Horizontal sawblade or metal bar
Notes: previously known as Antamantium Rage
If it still has the sawblade, I'm sure it'll be a fairly easy match. If it has the bar, it'll be tougher but I think I can tough it out. Not sure how strong Brandon's spinner will be or even if it'll be working in time for Bot Blast, but I'm confident I can take it down.
Fear Rating: 2/5
Uber-Saw
BeaverBotics
Weapon: Vertical Sawblade
Notes: Went 0-2 at its first competition last year
I like Uber-Saw because it's TF2 themed and it's got a cool color scheme, but like with other vertical sawblades I can't see it doing much damage. Its saw has pretty large teeth though so I can see it throwing other bots pretty far. I think I might get knocked around a bit in this fight, but it'll go down similarly to my fight with Guildenstern where for most of the match he's beached on my wedge.
Fear Rating: 3/5
Velociraptor
Team DinoBots
Weapon: Vertical Sawblade
Notes: Western team comes to Pennsylvania to play. I believe this robot has made numerous event finals.
Veliociraptor reminds me of Guildenstern in that it's a mainly UHMW vertical spinner with an experienced builder at the helm. However, it uses a sawblade instead of an offset bar, meaning it probably won't have the damage output Guildenstern did. I'm not gonna count this one out just yet though, knowing its capabilities.
Fear Rating: 4/5
Viciously Circular
Mutually Assured Destruction
Weapon: Wedge and Vertical Spinning Bar
Notes: Previously known as Endgame, this robot won the Robogames Junior Ant class under a different owner
A vicious new robot under Nate's ownership. It's got a powerful weapon, but I don't know how good its wedge is. I don't have a good track record against wedged spinners so I'm scared of this thing either way.
Fear Rating: 5/5
Wedge Bot
Joe's Robots
Weapon: Wedge
Notes: New robot
I've never seen this thing before, but apparently it has a wedge. Can't base much off of that but its builder is very experienced.
Fear Rating: 3/5
BEETLEWEIGHTS
Allosaurus
Team DinoBots
Weapon: Vertical Drum
Notes: Numerous event finals, one of the few robots to beat a 2-time world champion
Holy crap. I did design Nocturne's new bar to beat Wetas but this is like if Weta took steroids and then ingested 300 pounds of manliness. It scares me.
Fear Rating: 5/5
Black Raspberry
Joe's Robots
Weapon: Vertical Drum
Notes: New robot
Again, can't base much off this, but once again the builder is very experienced so I can expect the best from him.
Fear Rating: 4/5
Casbah
Team Kapbotiks
Weapon: Wedge
Notes: New bot from old team
From the preview pic, it looks like it'll be a solid rammer. Since I have a horizontal spinner my only hopes are that I can deal some fatal damage quick.
Fear Rating: 3/5
Counter Shock
Don's Robots
Weapon: Vertical Eggbeater
Notes: First time this robot has competed in 2 years
Counter Shock did pretty well last time it went out even though its weapon wasn't working for half the event, so if its weapon is working this time it'll be even harder to beat. Experienced driver, builder and a solid robot here.
Fear Rating: 5/5
Dumb Post Motorama Idea #1 (Titanium Edition)
Team Cookin' With Gas
Weapon: Wedge
Notes: Super fast
I lost to this bot twice at Pennbots. There aren't pits at Bot Blast, but he can still ram me all over the arena. Aiming for those exposed wheels is my best bet.
Fear Rating: 3/5
Gemini
Team AstroBots
Weapon: Finger Wedges
Notes: New team and new robot, 3d printed frame
One of the big things I picked up from last year's Bot Blast is that 3D printed frames don't hold up well. This gives me hope that I'll escape another solid wedge whooping by the damage I'll cause, but we'll see. Despite being a new team the builders have competed before, so they aren't exactly green to the sport either.
Fear Rating: 3/5
Mondo Bizarro
Team Headbangers
Weapon: Vertical Eggbeater
Notes: Reigning champion
Like I said, I designed Nocturne to take on Weta kits, but they're still scary. I'm incredibly nervous that I'm gonna get torn apart.
Fear Rating: 3/5
One Fierce Javelin
Fierce Robots
Weapon: Wedge
Notes: New robot from Gene, did well at USATL
Gene always brings some insane robots to events. Here's another wedge with insane speed, too. Just like with DPMI, I'm going to have to take out those wheels fast or I don't think I'm going to have much of a chance.
Fear Rating: 4/5
Pizza Party
Team Cookin' With Gas
Weapon: ???
Notes: New robot, new builder, supposedly a joke bot?
I have no clue what this thing is, but it's supposedly going to be an entertaining beetleweight built by Alex's friend. With that in mind I think I got this.
Fear Rating: 1/5
Play 'n Krazy
Bone Dead Robotics
Weapon: Vertical Eggbeater
Notes: Came third last year and won the Highest Hit award
Nocturne was designed to take on Wetas, and this one should be no exception. PK is a little bit weaker than Mondo, and its driver is less experienced, so it should be a slightly easier fight.
Fear Rating: 2/5
Purple Boxer
Kelley PA
Weapon: Wedge
Notes: Slow but torquey
I saw Purple Boxer at Pennbots and it looked incredibly resilient to attack. Mondo Bizarro hit it and despite sparks flying it didn't take much damage. If it's as tough as USS Monitor was (I lost to it at Pennbots after hitting it once) I don't think I'll win by KO. My best bet is going to be to outspeed it and aim for the wheels.
Fear Rating: 2/5
Raptor 2.2
Team DinoBots
Weapon: Wedge
Notes: 2-time RoboGames champion
This thing is the definition of beetleweight brick. It's a 2-time world champion and scares the hell out of me. I think if I can get to its back I can leave some scars, but I ain't winning this fight in a million years.
Fear Rating: 6/5 (yes you read that right)
Ripto 3.0
Twisted Sick Robotics
Weapon: Vertical Disc
Notes: Bot Blast 2012 champion
I fought the antweight version of this last year and lost to it. Hexxus, a similar design to Nocturne, fought this thing and lost to it 3 years back. Horizontal vs vertical usually ends with the HS winning but Ripto scares me so much.
Fear Rating: 5/5
Scrambles the Death Dealer
Asylum Robotics
Weapon: Horizontal Bar
Notes: Bot Blast 2013 Rumble winner
This'll be a fun match. Scrambles inspired a lot of aspects of the current incarnation of Nocturne, and two similarly-designed horizontal spinners would be an entertaining match. Plus, Tim would probably be yelling references for half the match, so basically this would be the best fight ever. The redesign of his robot is looking pretty scary too. It'll have more range and I think more power, so I'm not sure I'll win.
Fear Rating: 3/5
Slugger
Conn Bots
Weapon: Undercutting Bar
Notes: Came 4th last year
Slugger's a cool bot but it only won one actual fight last year despite it coming fourth. It's also made entirely of UHMW, which my bar is designed to damage. As long as I can get around his bar I feel confident that I can win this.
Fear Rating: 2/5
Suplexor
Team Cookin' With Gas
Weapon: Suplex Lifter
Notes: Brand new beetleweight
Inspired by Kyle's Jukid, Suplexor looks like it'll be an entertaining addition to the beetle class this year. However, it has weak front armor that I think will be easy to tear into, and the design as a whole looks kinda weak to spinners.
Fear Rating: 1/5
The Subtle Destroyer
Team Sandman
Weapon: Undercutting Blade
Notes: Incredibly powerful friction-driven weapon
Another undercutter that scares me. If it lands a hit on my bottom frame that could be it for Nocturne's weapon. However, last time it fought it was rather slow so we'll see.
Fear Rating: 3/5
For the mantis class all seven robots look like they'll be tough contenders. My predictions for the class are that it'll be very entertaining no matter who wins.
Can't wait to be there on the 19th! Nocturne is coming along well and over the next 3 days the frame should be completely assembled. FireArrow is still waiting on the ESCs and switch but they'll be here any day now.
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