Hi5's Stocktacular Bots

[Hi5er]

Hi guys, I thought I would create a showcase page so I can show off some of my "comeback" creations if you will.

From my welcome page you will know that I haven't picked up the theoretical screwdriver since 2010... So let's see what the ol mouse clickers can muster up...

Project #1 (Utilizing a "Drum" Style Weapon) Complete

For my first project as this was a new start for me I wanted to build a robot focusing on a weapon I hadn't used before. I opted for a "drum" style spinner. The appeal was the sheer amount of weapons I could cram in and I like focusing on 'lesser used' ideas to see if I can create something a tad more unique.

I came up with two "semi-final" variations  before settling on a final design thanks to the influence of the renowned 'Neglected Waterbug', which helped keep the added benefit of stacking the Drum on a servo for the extra rpm while keeping the stability under control.

Firstly, "Drumbledore" - a very quick draft/prototype for testing stability etc

The much less refined version of the second bot featured below. Drumbledore was my first design (still very much a prototype) involving the drum weapon fixed to a Snapper II motor for increased speed at the cost of less razors. The result is mixed. When it works, the damage this thing generates is unbelievable. The problem is the bloody thing bounces around like a bucking broncho and flips itself over half the time. It's also not invertible and doesn't have a srimech, so this is a big issue.

Secondly, "Conundrum" - Semi Final Design

Much more refined than his baby brother and a whole lot more weaponry all in all. The weight of the drum and all its attachments is (I think) around the 330kg mark. The drum is anchored on base plates so the whole robot is much more stable, but at the cost of causing damage less quickly. There are a ton of razors on this thing and the decent wedge means its great at juggling a lot of opponents. But the sheer wrath of Drumbledore makes me want to perfect the Snapper II mounted Drum - any advice?

I am actually quite proud of Conundrum. I spent quite a lot of time on the chassis and making sure everything fit perfectly. Took my time stacking the base plates for the drive and managed to keep DSA armour on (Drumbledore has this too, but his chassis is huge and not tailored properly yet). I just wish he was more destructive quickly.

Finally, "Conundrum v2.0" - Final Design

Features:
- 2 Servo mounted HP ZTeks to house the drum.
- Drum features 16x Razors and 8 Maces for damage.
- Decently wedged with frontal ram plate armour as well as, maces, side mounted razors and a side ways blade to help protect the drum motors.
- 2 HP ZTeks mounted on a SnapperII for drive.
- Plough for holding bots in place.
- Powered by 1x Supervolt, enough for a 3 minute match (barely).

Noticeable drawbacks:
- Not invertible
- vulnerable from the side and the bottom - hit and miss against HS type bots
- Not very fast

I decided to go back to the drawing board with Conundrum. The damage potential was a bit too small by today's standards and I wanted to see if I could fix the stability issues I was having with Drumbledore so the drum could be mounted on a servo or snapper.

Gaining inspiration from Neglected Waterbug, I was able to come up with this...

Conundrum v2.0




He has the added benefit over his first iteration, by actually managing to get a KO on some of the Starcraft v4.0 bots haha! It's nice to get some wins I have to say... At least now I know i'm not completely useless!

Now also featuring, "Conundrum v6" - Tricycle Takedown entry

Features:
- 3x HP ZTek Drive (The gimmick of the tournie was to use robots with an odd number of wheels)
- 2x Stacked Supervolts for the power
- 8x Maces and 16x Razors mounted to two HP Ztek Motors for the Weaponry.

Noticeable drawbacks:
- Not invertible
- Vulnerable to side (and rear) attacks

This was a redesigned version of conundrum for Thrackerzod's Tricycle Takedown tournament. Entrants had to build a bot utilising an odd number of powered wheels. Conundrum actually went on to win the tournament coming up through the losers bracket after being defeated in the Semi-Finals by Redace.

The trapping plow on top proved to be incredibly effective, as did the wedges. The drum was also fantastic at breaking down other bot's wedges and eventually allowing Conundrum to roll right on underneath and gut rip to victory.



(With Plow removed to help show innards more clearly)

Failed Project Archive Ongoing

"Spank Tank v2" - Unused Tricycle Takedown entry

Features:
5x HP ZTek Drive (Consequently, this bot would have been the only entrant to not use 3 wheels... Pity!)
Top and Side armour
24x Iron Spikes and 4x Single Ice Pick's as ramming weapons
2x Stacked Supervolts for the power
Invertible

The thought process was: I assumed everyone would make a 3 wheel bot, hence if I made a bot with 5 wheels it would have the best drive in the tournament... That uses a lot of weight however. The most efficient weapon system in the game is a ram setup, so I thought, , why not.

The main problem with this guy is he span around in circles a lot. The opening charge when the match started was insanely strong but after that it can't seem to drive in a straight line very often. Very fun though and I really like the design, not sure why, think the side armour plates just appeal to me and it all seems to fold together nicely, when I rotated the snappers to adjust something in the centre it felt like I was taking it apart or "removing the hood" or something, whatever.

Any comments on the above would be greatly appreciated, I will certainly be looking to refine these designs further where I can.

Cheers,
~Hi5

[09090901]

The reason shiny hubs won't move your bot is because you have the sharp side of the ztek against the groubd. Rotate the zteks so that the flat side is parallel to the ground, and you'll be able to use them.

[Hi5er]

The reason shiny hubs won't move your bot is because you have the sharp side of the ztek against the groubd. Rotate the zteks so that the flat side is parallel to the ground, and you'll be able to use them.

Awesome, thanks.

For some reason the only place I can place the zteks is in their current position. Must be how I've placed the base plates... I'll have a fiddle around tomorrow.

[Sage]

Yeah - they are wider at the sides, so the reason the wheels don't touch the ground with you have them rotated them this way is the same reason as why they intersect with your chassis when you rotate them the other way

[kill343gs]

They look savage though. My favorite bot type by far.

[Hi5er]

Yeah - they are wider at the sides, so the reason the wheels don't touch the ground with you have them rotated them this way is the same reason as why they intersect with your chassis when you rotate them the other way

Thanks mighty Sage! From further testing I actually like the grannies as they allow for movement upside down and can be used to self right off a wall, on his side and sometimes when he's on his back.

They look savage though. My favorite bot type by far.

Really savage!

On Conundrum there's 2x Zteks with 2x Disc extenders. On each disk are 12 black 20cm extenders, each with 6 razors on them, giving each ZTek 24 Razors for a total of 48 Razors on the weaponry, due to weight limitations I think I had to remove like 4 or 5 to fit the ram plates on for some much needed protection... But it's still a beast and a great juggler!

[Mystic2000]

that thing sure looks frightening, i may have an idea for a more stable setup for DrumbleDore, but i first need to test it, i'll post it either here or in my showcase if it happens to be working, i'm wondering how Conundrum fares against HS tho...

[Hi5er]

that thing sure looks frightening, i may have an idea for a more stable setup for DrumbleDore, but i first need to test it, i'll post it either here or in my showcase if it happens to be working, i'm wondering how Conundrum fares against HS tho...

Let me know what you find out!

I just redownloaded the Starcore AI v1 pack and took on all the HS's I could find and came away successful!

I'm finding that VS's give it some grief though as the "Drum" is practically solid and if it gets hit it does knock the bot quite far up in the air and it's very open to this because you have to keep the bottom of the drum clear... Or do you... hmmm...

The best defense is a solid offense in this case tho as the sheer number of razors seem to rip most weapons apart at the moment... Maybe this won't be the case in some of the later editions... The testing continues.

[Badger]

Try starcore v4 and using the combat arena with hazards off (or the DSL tournament arena)

[09090901]

Try starcore v4 and using the combat arena with hazards off (or the DSL tournament arena)

Just to add on to this incase you're going to download it, make sure you the install V3 first. V4 lacks the UI files for the extra three AI bots per team and you won't be able to fight some of the more well known bots in V4.

[Hi5er]

Try starcore v4 and using the combat arena with hazards off (or the DSL tournament arena)

No worries, I'll give it a bash.

I always play with hazards turned off, but I dislike the camera angles quite a lot in this game, but I always seem to find one I like in the Octagon.

Try starcore v4 and using the combat arena with hazards off (or the DSL tournament arena)

Just to add on to this incase you're going to download it, make sure you the install V3 first. V4 lacks the UI files for the extra three AI bots per team and you won't be able to fight some of the more well known bots in V4.

Thanks for the heads up :)

EDIT:
I have yet to beat anything in Starcore 4 with either of my bots. Drumbledore causes a lot more damage but so far he's flipped himself over 100% of the time with his stupid glitchy drum haha.

Edit 2:
I'm clearly terrible at this haha... Still no win. The drum doesn't have enough protection and all the bots seem to have a really tiny chassis that I cant reach with the current weapon set up. May have to go for a rebuild, reduce the size of the drum and add more frontal protection.

[Scrap Daddy]

always cool to see someone get trashed by v4 and have to think of new ways to beat the ai. that's the beauty of stock. :')

[Hi5er]

always cool to see someone get trashed by v4 and have to think of new ways to beat the ai. that's the beauty of stock. :')

It's crazy how much some of the robots cram in with snapper loading and all the other glitches.

The HS's in Starcore are something else... I'm putting the drum project on hold while I try and come up with a way to beat HS's head on... The tiny chassis set ups mean they have protection from all sides which is annoying, a lot sport casters on the bottom too... But they all seem to have pretty exposed tops...

[Mystic2000]

you getting destroyed by SCV4 is exactly what happened when i tested my setup against ASAI (an even more dangerous pack than SCv4 made by MrAS), it IS pretty damaging, but jeez the thing is super unstable, i'm starting to think that snapper setups can't really be made stable with drums, i'll do one last try using servos, and if not i'll just try a static setup somehow, if you need frontal protection, then maybe you could use caster armor on the front, dunno really, i never built drums before

[Hi5er]

you getting destroyed by SCV4 is exactly what happened when i tested my setup against ASAI (an even more dangerous pack than SCv4 made by MrAS), it IS pretty damaging, but jeez the thing is super unstable, i'm starting to think that snapper setups can't really be made stable with drums, i'll do one last try using servos, and if not i'll just try a static setup somehow, if you need frontal protection, then maybe you could use caster armor on the front, dunno really, i never built drums before

Its pretty heartbreaking haha, now I know how IRL bots feel going up against Razor and Hypnodisc... You spend ages on a design and BAM, ripped to shreds lol.

Stability is a huge issue... Front protection is needed, but the weight of the drum is so substantial it hogs the limit. My next attempt would be to reduce the drum size to 2 extenders per disk.

At the moment the setup is:
Baseplate x2 (8)
ZTek x2 (60)
Disc x2 (30)
Extenders x24 (48)
Razor Blades x48 (366)
Total - 512

Maybe a setup of:
SnapperII x2 (26)
ZTek x2 (60)
Disc x2 (30)
Extenders x16 (32)
Razor Blades x32 (224)
Total - 372

would be better to allow more weight for protection. But the stability issue is still a concern... Maybe a longer, flatter design would help and moving the drum as close to the ground as possible without the razors scraping along the floor?

[Mystic2000]

honestly the biggest reason your static setup is heavier is because you have 16 more razors on it, if you reduce it to 32 razors, keep it static, and use the gained weight to buff the armor, that may work

[Hi5er]

honestly the biggest reason your static setup is heavier is because you have 16 more razors on it, if you reduce it to 32 razors, keep it static, and use the gained weight to buff the armor, that may work

It may work, I feel like it will be much less destructive though - what do you think?

[Mystic2000]

it certainly will lose part of it's punch, but the extra stability will most likely be worth it cause at least you won't bounce all over the place and be able to actually bring that drum into play.

[Hi5er]

it certainly will lose part of it's punch, but the extra stability will most likely be worth it cause at least you won't bounce all over the place and be able to actually bring that drum into play.

If it can only manage 32 Razors, surely a 36HS will outclass it in every way annoyingly? Thus little point using a drum in the first place in which case - damn I want this thing to work!!

[Squirrel_Monkey]

The idea is not to outweapon a 36HS, it's to keep your weapons alive and hit the tribars/motors to deweapon them.