We have the three highest-ranking returnees from last series: champions Carbide, runners-up Eruption, and fourth-placed Aftershock. We have the two-time FRA champions Big Nipper, and the 2016 FRA champions Gabriel, both returning after sitting out Series 9 as reserves. Finally, we have Crackers 'n' Smash, one of the most impressive newcomers from last year, but going into this heat as massive underdogs. There's a higher proportion of Grand Final-worthy bots here than in any other heat I can remember, but only one is guaranteed to make it...
AFTERSHOCK
Aftershock's run last year was jaw-dropping from start to finish. Will and Ian Thomas' machine forced the £25,000 Rapid to withdraw, eviscerated Sabretooth, hurled Terrorhurtz about ten feet into the air, and then eliminated reigning champions Apollo. It took Carbide throwing bits of Aftershock through the goddamn arena wall to finally stop this thing. It's back, and the fragile Lexan top panels have been replaced with much stronger Hardox, while the interchangeable weapons now include a Cobalt-style asymmetrical bar.
Team Shock have been knocked out by Carbide in each of the last two series, so I imagine they won't be too thrilled at being in the same heat as them. I feel like this series is an all-or-nothing affair for Aftershock: if they can win this heat, they can go on to win the whole series. If they fall in the group stage for the first time, then I'm afraid I don't fancy their chances in the 10-robot rumble. Glass cannons don't tend to fare well in such battles.
My prediction: Aftershock are definitely in contention for a third consecutive heat win, but it won't be an easy task for them.
BIG NIPPER
After having to sit out Series 9, the intricately-crafted Swiss-army bot and former two-time FRA champion returns, reverting to its old grey colour scheme after going black-and-orange in Series 8. Its new single-toothed disc provides a welcome splash of colour, while the traction issues that plagued it in its last appearance have been sorted out. The new wheels are apparently made from hockey pucks, which aren't something you would normally associate with high friction, but there you are.
Big Nipper is an extremely well-designed machine, but I feel like it may be a little out of its depth here. Its flat sides will look very inviting to both Aftershock and Carbide, and the team admit they have a high ground clearance, which Eruption will be perfectly willing to exploit. I've also noticed in the past - and correct me if I'm wrong - that Big Nipper's claws are so thin and low to the ground that other robots tend to just drive straight over them, preventing Big Nipper from getting a good grip. It's a good machine, but likely to struggle.
My prediction: In a weaker heat, Big Nipper might have a good chance, but here it sadly looks set to crash out early on.
CARBIDE
"...and I looked, and behold a pale horse, and his name that sat on him was Death..." The BBC's Carbide-focused trailer made no bones about how feared the reigning champions are. The question of whether Dave Moulds' vicious bar spinner can be stopped has been asked so many times that it's become a cliché. Carbide is not invincible - no robot is - but it sure did look it as it romped its way to the Series 9 title.
Mentorn have tried to address Carbide's dominance by legalising entanglement weapons, and removing the group stages so that robots don't end up hopelessly crippled for the rest of their heat. I can't help feeling that putting Carbide into the Heat of Death is also an attempt at keeping it in check. Nonetheless, the champions are firm favourites for the heat - but I expect they'll have a tougher time than last year.
My prediction: The favourites for both the heat and the title, but they'll need to watch their backs: every robot in the field will be out to get them.
CRACKERS 'N' SMASH
Crackers 'n' Smash were, for me, one of the most impressive newcomers last series. Despite being half the size of the other competitors, they were the only robots to go into the arena with Carbide and leave in working condition - and they did that twice. They're once again in Carbide's heat, and with thicker armour and no repeat matches, they hopefully won't be forced to pull the "go-into-the-arena-weaponless-and-contravene-the-rules" stunt from last year.
I'd hoped to see Crackers 'n' Smash again this series, but I'd also hoped it wouldn't be quite like this. In a heat with more pedigree than a pet store, Crackers 'n' Smash are the minnows in every sense of the word, outclassed and outgunned by every other competitor. If last year is anything to go by, then they'll put up a brave fight, but it's just not going to be enough. I'll be rooting for them, though.
My prediction: Extremely unfortunate to have ended up in such a brutal heat, and sadly unlikely to make it very far.
ERUPTION
This time, it's personal. Not only are Eruption up against Carbide, the robot that denied it the title last series, it's also up against Gabriel, the robot that took its FRA crown in 2016. Michael and Adrian Oates have ditched the gimmicky claw and drum from its previous outings, and used the extra weight to bulk up the front armour, giving it even more protection against the likes of Carbide.
This isn't the first time Eruption have found themselves in a Group of Death - they were there in Series 8, and were just edged out in the group stage, but not before defeating eventual champions Apollo. Last year they cruised to the Grand Final with four consecutive ring-outs, but needless to say they're going to have a much harder time this year. My feeling is that if Carbide doesn't win the heat, Eruption will.
My prediction: The two-time FRA champions are up against some tough opposition, but should at least make the heat final.
GABRIEL 2
Gabriel could have made the Grand Final when it debuted in Series 8, but narrowly lost out to Pulsar. It made up for that disappointment by winning the 2016 FRA championship, and now the colossal thwackbot returns for a second shot at the Robot Wars crown. Its speed has been upgraded to around 20mph, and the interchangeable weapons now include a mace with various flailing ropes attached, to try and entangle spinning weapons.
The great white axlebot is actually a dark horse for the heat. Looking back at its fight against Ironside 3, even Carbide might struggle to do more than shred its tire treads. Aftershock poses a more direct threat, as its half-metre vertical flywheel has enough reach to strike Gabriel's central body. The rest of the field may struggle to hit it, though... and Gabriel will have no problems hitting them with that mighty five-foot sword.
My prediction: An unlikely heat winner, but it's not out of the realm of possibility. Expect it to put on a good show.
No comments:
Post a Comment