Chains as weapons

[daveimi]

Are there any rules that prohibit the use of chains and stuff dragging along behind your robot? I don't mean 8ft long, I mean like a foot and a half etc. I've read them but finding them hard to deciphyre.

[Garwulf]

I know from reading Gearheads and seeing some of the earlier footage (back before Robot Wars came to the UK) that chains were allowed, but ended up being banned. As far as I understand it, it used to be that robots could be immobilized by being "pinned." Once that was disallowed, chains and nets were disallowed as well.

(I think I've got that right.)

No idea of whether that prohibition is still in place, though.

[Max]

If the chains are supposed to entangle your opponent or get stuck up in their wheels etc. then I don't think it is allowed under the entanglement rule.
If it is just for decoration or to try to stop flippers getting under you then I imagine it would be fine but you may be at risk of losing a battle of you accidently entangle the opposition

[Liftoff]

Maybe chains could be used in a weapon similar to this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4aTNFxdY7K0

[psychostorm]

Wouldn't be illegal per se. However would need a safety tether running through the dragging chains & if combat was stopped because of your opponent getting entangled it counts against you in the judging.

Yeah, a flail is still viable. Mace had one. Qualifies as a spinner though.

[daveimi]

Yeah I was thinking about having weights on the end of chains so as the robot spins they crash into other people.