BattleBots 2015 Discussion

[Natef]

I agree with Reier that bringing another bot isn't the same thing as using different attachments for a single bot. My three pound bot has four different attachments that can be used depending on who it's facing, and all I have to do is attach them onto the robot.

[Urjak]

I agree with Reier that bringing another bot isn't the same thing as using different attachments for a single bot. My three pound bot has four different attachments that can be used depending on who it's facing, and all I have to do is attach them onto the robot.

What I'm wondering is where the line gets drawn. What if you build a bare-bones frame and then bolt on a spinner or rammer attachment depending on which type of bot you face? That certainly isn't a small attachment.

[Bobyasianboy]

I don't have a problem interchangeable weaponry, it can usually lead to more interesting and varied fights. Changing your weaponry specifically to fight one robot seems scummy to me though, it just seems like a cop-out. I also think the fact the Ghost Raptor's blade broke because it was made of tin foil shouldn't make it entitled to add new weaponry. They didn't have any clear interchangeable weaponry before the series, so I think it's unfair that they got to create something new mid-series instead of actually just fixing the blade. (Shouldn't be that hard to fix it anyway, seems like it was stapled together in the first place)

[Reier]

I agree with Reier that bringing another bot isn't the same thing as using different attachments for a single bot. My three pound bot has four different attachments that can be used depending on who it's facing, and all I have to do is attach them onto the robot.

What I'm wondering is where the line gets drawn. What if you build a bare-bones frame and then bolt on a spinner or rammer attachment depending on which type of bot you face? That certainly isn't a small attachment.

i highly doubt your robot would be good if it was built like that

[MikeNCR]

Modular weapons can work well, but it takes a good bit of effort.

[Philippa]

Yeah, but you've already made those, you're not constructing one between fights that'll only work against one specific robot that you just so happen to be fighting next.

[MikeNCR]

Yeah, but you've already made those, you're not constructing one between fights that'll only work against one specific robot that you just so happen to be fighting next.

So long as it passes inspection, there's functionally no difference. Each one of those attachments have bots they're meant for on Nyx.

[Reier]

why is this a big deal

[MassimoV]

This has been going on since battlebots uno

[Natef]

why is this a big deal

Some people think that the fact that Bite Force was able to put on the wedge violated the active weapon rule.

[Resetti's Replicas]

I don't think they broke any rules, they got a W fair and square and didn't break any rules.  I'm just worried that everyone else will get on board with this; get some glamor shots with their weapon on, but when they actually get to the arena, take it off and make themselves a wedge.  If we want a season 2, we have to make the execs well-assured that they'll get weapon diversity

[Natef]

I don't think they broke any rules, they got a W fair and square and didn't break any rules.  I'm just worried that everyone else will get on board with this; get some glamor shots with their weapon on, but when they actually get to the arena, take it off and make themselves a wedge.  If we want a season 2, we have to make the execs well-assured that they'll get weapon diversity

If the bracket was different, Bite Force would have not been fighting spinners, and would be using its regular weapon.

[RedAce]

why is this a big deal

I think it's because of what Natef said and that the interchangeable weapons are only used for one robot. I agree the latter is extremely situational and kinda cheap, but I don't care since you can use interchangeable weaponry as this fancy thing you kids probably don't know well called Strategy. That's one of the things I love the most about this sport since your objective to win is very simple and your given a lot of options n how you can win. Interchangeable weapons are certainly no exception as it opens up a broad selection of options and tools for you to use making matches much more interesting. Tornado in Robot Wars had a wide selection of weapons that helped them since building bots is not just about brawn, but it's mainly about brains. As for the the moving weapon violation or weapons designed for one opponent, I feel this is an argument that really depends on the rulebook. There are tons of bots that have made weapons just for one match and no one gave a damn otherwise even if it was allowed or not. (i.e: Diesector vs. Final Destiny.)

I'm trying to say that interchangeable weapons can only break so many rules an opens up a lot of options for your robot. I only care otherwise if they are just asking for them to break rules. (looks at Complete Control vs. Ghost Raptor)

[/rant]

[Mr. AS]

hi guys

[AmericanKilljoy]

So, here's a question for anyone here.  Say you're fighting a robot like Tombstone and your robot is Bite Force.  Would you have done anything different if you were Bite Force?  (if you are worried about the moral use of interchangeable weapons)

I recently saw a fight between Last Rites (Tombstone) and another bot Sewer Snake (Stinger: TKB) for the 2011 Robogames Heavyweight Final and a similar outcome occurred with Sewer Snake taking plenty of damage, but still surviving the round.  Link here for anyone who hasn't seen the fight before.

However, I may side on the grounds that a set interchangeable weapons/wedges/etc. should probably be approved before the tournament even starts.  Perhaps that would eliminate this argument altogether because it seems like people are more upset about people doing what The Matador...*ahem*...excuse me...Bronco and Ghost Raptor did to prepare for some of their fights by "gerry-rigging" things onto their robots instead of robots who came prepared with interchangeable weapons like Bite Force and Stinger.

I'm sure ABC and BattleBots Productions will sit down and talk this over, since this appears to be an important conversation...as soon as Season 2 gets cleared for production.   

[wakkydude]

I found it kinda hilarious how poorly they were hiding the Bronco wedge in the garage. It's clearly a huge wedge, it's easy to see from the shape of the cover they hap-hazardly put on it. The de-icer was more of a surprise when it was revealed because they covered it up a little better.

It's not really a serious point of contention, I just found it fairly entertaining while watching the buildup to their battle.

[cephalopod]

I think interchangeable weapons are cool - as long as they're all premade and basically bought in with the entry. I get the 'you should try and evolve' thing but youknow, how different would things be if that was the dominant strategy. You'll end up with interchange bots making weapons to out interchange interchange bots etc etc.

[AmericanKilljoy]

You'll end up with interchange bots making weapons to out interchange interchange bots etc etc.

[Jonzu95]

Behind the scenes.

[RageTester]

Qualifying round was way too simple, and I have no idea how they ranked all bots after just 1 fight...what I can't understand is why those that lost their fights(wild cards) were no ranked 13th-16th, but somehow got higher ranking...My fav HyperShock(ranked 14th after winning) was about to stop our boring champion in 1/8 finals...lost due to electronics...
BiteForce main build failed, it couldn't lift anything, but himself