The Roaring Donkey mini-tournament

[joey_picus]

The Roaring Donkey mini-tournament

*more unnecessary CGI sequences, only Fight 1 is replaced with Fight 2*

FROM TORONTO, IN CANADA, MACDUFF THE SECOND!
Heavier by ten kilos and slightly the faster, this is a pure rammer driven from tank tracks and Lynch motors giving it virtually unstoppable power and traction, with side skirts to protect them and make it less vulnerable to flippers, and the Hardox 750 and Lexan armoured is built to withstand the most damaging weapons around today. It can run either way up and has interchangable front weaponry, of which Kody has gone for the front skirt.

FROM ENGLAND, RUPTURE!
A very compact and durable robot this, with lightning acceleration and alloy skirts all around that make it extremely difficult to get under from all sides. The wide electric lifting arm is reliable, quick and can self right the robot, and its design may have been influenced by nuclear fallout shelters - its constructed from a Hardox monocoque and has compact electrics and batteries, so it should be able to withstand anything and keep on going.

ROBOTEERS, STAND BY

Booth 1, left hand side: Kody Kunz
Booth 2, right hand side: Andrew Jackson

3
2
1
ACTIVATE

The battle gets off to a very fast start, both robots going straight at each other, but then Rupture turns to try and get in on the corner of Macduff - bad move, as Macduff slams into the side of Rupture, rising off the ground slightly but pushing it back towards the wall, and hitting it straight into the angle grinder as the sparks fly. Macduff backs away, coming back around for another ram, but Rupture is there already and manages to get alongside it...there is a slow dance as the robots move around, side by side, looking for an advantage...and its Ruptures advantage this time, as the lifter gets underneath the skirt of Macduff, and raises!
Macduff crashes over unharmed, but almost immediately finds itself on Ruptures arm again...it rolls over, the right way up, but finds itself caught on the wall! The tracks roll trying to get some grip, but the corner of the robot prevents the right hand one from getting any hold on the arena floor, and Kody is looking worried as Rupture comes around again, and raises the arm, trying to get its opponent out of the warzone...Macduffs front wedge is caught on the lifter, though, and no real progress is being made by either of these machines, indeed it would seem Macduff is just being held in the air. Andrew finally releases, both robots moving a bit as Macduff comes off the wall and turns to face Rupture. Rupture charges straight on, looking to get the advantage...it gets the lifter underneath the front skirt! And lifts...the skirt up in the air! It falls off the end of the lifter and returns to its proper place on Macduffs body, and now it has become a head on pushing match, tyres and treads are squealing...and Rupture is being pushed back by the Vulkalon tracks of its foe, slowly but surely, the squealing of the tyres audible by everyone. Macduff is winning this, it appears to be turning its foe towards the pit, as Ruptures struggling intensifies...there is a lot of tyre smoke...and suddenly MacDuff is going a lot faster, and there is no obvious resistance...its not just tyre smoke! Rupture has blown something, and Andrew hangs his head as his machine just falls off the wedge of MacDuff and into the warm embrace of the arena pit.

CEASE

It looked even at one point, but the winner is Kody Kunz and Macduff The Second!

UP NEXT:
Birdwatching for beginners, possibly followed by Envy vs. Darkestar.

Comments, tactics, thoughts, KFC?

[swanaldo]

The Roaring Donkey mini-tournament

humph. thought rupture would have had it but hey.

tactics for envy is simple really. steer clear of the triangular disc and aim for the rear and sides. having built a tracked robot (trax) gives me an advantage knowing tracked robot weaknesses. still should be difficult as Darkestar could drive up and over envy. steady as she goes i think.

[kodster]

The Roaring Donkey mini-tournament

w00t! Score a win (finally) for my Scottish bot! Awesome fight, Joey!

Envy vs. Darkestar

Hmm. I dont see anything either would be able to do to each other unless they went for each others sides/rear. Ill edge with Darkestar slightly winning a judges decision, based on damage.

[alex_holt]

The Roaring Donkey mini-tournament

Hmm.. quite a nice match up really, my invertability gives me a nice bonus but the hardox on the other does too... Im just going to have to try and keep the front to him as much as possible and get some nice hits in with the blade.

[pcbore]

The Roaring Donkey mini-tournament

Awsome fights! One question though. Why was The 6isc being bounced by its own attacks? If the flywheel is spinning in an upward direction, as all vertical disks should, the backlash should be going down, pressing the machine into the ground rather than bouncing it up.

[joey_picus]

The Roaring Donkey mini-tournament

I reasoned that it would bounce a bit on its own tyres, and being an axlebot the forces would affect it a bit more than normally, like Stinger. Spinners arent my strong point though, so Im probably wrong.

I will however take the opportunity to point out that it doesnt say in the stats what direction it spins in :wink:

[pcbore]

The Roaring Donkey mini-tournament

Sorry for thinking it was common sense and not worth mentioning to choose the only efficient way to run a vertical spinner:wink:

Yeah, I can see why you might think itd bounce on the tyres but I think its too hevay to bounce more than a MM or so. Its more likely to go backwards than up, I think.

[joey_picus]

The Roaring Donkey mini-tournament

Well it did go backwards, didnt it?

Thanks for the advice though, Ill take note of that in future competitions.

[joey_picus]

The Roaring Donkey mini-tournament

Here we are again...may get this finished quite quickly if things carry on like this.

Before I start, this was an absolute pain to write, I just couldnt see anyone having a clear advantage, and I actually had to double check everything because at one point it was headed for complete stalemate.

*more CGI, increased techno-ness*

FROM MABLETHORPE, ENVY!
Very simple, yet powerful, thoroughly menacing and not the sort of thing youd want to meet in a dark alley at 3AM - and thats just Shane. :P Apparently built in the depths of Mount Doom, this machine has a powerful front hinged pneumatic flipper, Hardox and aluminium bodywork and a very reliable Magmotor drive that wont let it down. It can self right, has a gyro for maximum control and is allegedly real and living on a beach somewhere.

FROM GEDDINGTON, DARKESTAR!
A very complex design, Darkestar sports a triangular vertical spinning weapon mounted on a freely rotating frame to allow it to function inverted, dual-layer titanium tracks with an unbreakable interlock mechanism and composite armour protecting the independent drive modules. It runs off 36v batteries driving the tracks and the weapon, which rotates at a respectable 1500rpm.

ROBOTEERS, STAND BY

Booth 1, left hand side: Shane Swan
Booth 2, right hand side: Alex Holt

3
2
1
ACTIVATE

Envy makes the first move, as it comes out towards the centre of the arena. Darkestar drives forward with its weapon beginning to spin up, but Envy has moved already, and is coming round the side of Darkestar, which turns into its foe, who comes around again as they appear to be circling each other in some sort of dance. Envy backs away, Darkestar turning around to face it, but its already gone in, and is round the back of Darkestar, wedging underneath!
FLIP! Darkestars flywheel hits the floor, bringing it to a halt and flicking the 110kg robot quite some way across the arena floor. Envy drives across again, trying to reach it before the weapon can spin up, but Darkestar tries to turn away, and rides its track up on the flipper...it drives over the top harmlessly though, before it can be thrown again. Envy tries to get out of the corner to line up another attack, but Darkestar turns, and catches the corner of it with the blade, messing up the paintwork a bit. Envy is away, turns to come back on the attack and face up with Darkestar, and the two robots charge at each other!
CRASH! And amidst the sparks, Darkestar is flipped again - its still facing Envy though, and its weapon has left a nasty looking dent in the flipper. Envy charges again, before Darkestar can spin up, but misjudges and rides up on the weapon support prongs, and now Darkestar pushes it across the arena, slamming it into the arena wall. Envy bounces a bit and lands near the corner, and Darkestar comes in as it tries to get away, and...
CRASH! Envy flies over on to its back, but almost immediately the flipper fires and it lands on its wheels - the left hand side of it is looking a bit battered now though. Darkestar comes in for another attack, but Envy is there first, driving underneath the track module and FLIP! Darkestar is over again, and tries to turn to get its weapon in, as Envy charges it straight on...and goes straight underneath the weapon support! One of the prongs on it is looking rather bent, and that allowed Envy to get in underneath, and...
FLIP! Envy snorts C02 again, as Darkestar jumps backwards and lands precariously near the pit! Shane spots the opportunity, and Envy charges...hits...and just pushes Darkestar to one side...and so nearly drives in itself! It reverses, just missing Darkestars weapon as it turns back on the attack, and goes in again, getting well underneath Darkestars right side and flipping!
FLIP! Darkestar is thrown almost into the air, lands on its side, and crashes back down. Envy is now attempting to get around the side of it, but Darkestar is having none of it this time...Alex holds his controls out in front of him as he turns straight into the oncoming wedge, and backs up slightly before charging itself!
CRASH! And both robots go flying! Envy lands right side up, but now sporting some more damage in its flipper, while Darkestar has been flipped yet again, and is trying to spin up...but is having problems! The spike on the weapon frame looks slightly split from the main support, and is scraping against the flywheel as it spins. Darkestar tries to ram Envy yet again, and manages to keep the side of Envy away with the frame, gently guiding Envys charge over the flame pit, which flares but has no visible effect. Envy gets free from the spike, and drives away for another attack, closely followed by Darkestar trying to ram it, both robots starting to look somewhat sluggish by now. Envy manages to wedge under Darkestars front, but fires the flipper too early and it just pushes Darkestar away. Darkestar moves back and turns, getting round the side of Envy as it comes in, trying to push it with the spikes - the flywheel is still going, but not as fast as before. Darkestar does manage to pin Envy up against the wall, though, and scrapes the side with the weapon a bit, but Envy reverses out and comes in on Darkestars track module again...the clock is beginning to tick down, it will most probably go to the judges, and Envy goes in under the track, firing the flipper, but it only lifts the side up, leaving Darkestar splayed with track in the air and the rest of the robot on the floor to one side. Alex tries to get Darkestar free, as the seconds slip away, but can only push Envy in a circle, until the flipper retracts and it can get traction again.

CEASE

Darkestar drives off the top of Envy, Alex looking somewhat relieved it is over, while Shane stares at the scene in front of him. Its been a long and at times exciting fight, and it will be a judges decision as to who goes through, ranked on style, control, aggression and damage.

JUDGES DECISION

DAMAGE (1-5 X 4): Darkestar caused more bodywork damage to Envy, but did have problems with its weapon caused by Envys flipping: Envy 2 (X 4= Darkestar 3 (X 4=12)
AGGRESSION (1-5 X 3): Both were almost equally aggressive, but Envy had more sustained aggression: Envy 3 (X 3=9) Darkestar 2 (X 3=6)
CONTROL (1-5 x 2): Darkestar did a lot of shoving, but Envy got underneath more and didnt let up, probably winning narrowly: Envy 3 (X 2=6) Darkestar 2 (X 2=4)
STYLE (1-5): Again very close, Darkestars weapon was good when it was involved, but Envy did some spectacular throwing and a self right, probably Envy wins: Envy 3, Darkestar 2

Envy: 26
Darkestar: 24

It was a very close and even match, but the winner is Shane Swan and Envy!

UP NEXT:
Resonance vs. Tri-Tainium

Comments, thoughts, predictions?

[paulc]

The Roaring Donkey mini-tournament

Awesome fights! Im impressed. They are WAY better than my fights. My heres my tactics for the next fight.

Resonance vs. Tri-Tainium: Ive had a look at Resonances stats, and I dont think he can damage me from the sides, as my side armour is 6mm Hardox compared to the 4mm on the front and rear, so he will HAVE to go for the front or rear, which is what I want him to do. If he hits my discs, then possibly one of our weapons will stop, if its his, then push in again and try to rip into the drum a bit. If its mine, push in, as I can be more aggressive than him.

But Im maintaining my original ploy of battering the weaker side-armour to hell. If I weaken a panel, and it falls off, just keep on using my speed and acceleration to tear into the insides. If it doesnt break, then just keep knocking it over, and get it towards the wall and ram it over.

Good luck Aaron, although you wont need it :wink:

[kodster]

The Roaring Donkey mini-tournament

Doh.

Resonance vs. Tri-Tainium

Hardox is only as strong as what holds it in place. :wink: Resonance, I think, to knock a few panels off of Tri-Tainium, take the insides out completely, and move on.

Awesome work thus far, Joey. Youre really looking good.

[swanaldo]

The Roaring Donkey mini-tournament

actually very good battle written there joey i read it with excitement. and a first win for a rookie and envy. (walks off tapping the robot with pride)

resonance to do tritanium over good and proper.

[pcbore]

The Roaring Donkey mini-tournament

Oh yeah, didnt get to reply to Paul earlier regarding Disc-erences (). 6isk is very similar to Disc 5, except better armoured, and the spinning axle being removed which never came into play anyway.

[joey_picus]

The Roaring Donkey mini-tournament

Just need Aarons tactics now, then I can get the final battle done and the second round draw up.

[joey_picus]

The Roaring Donkey mini-tournament

Im going to assume that Resonances tactics are along the lines of hit stuff as I want to get this moving.
*more CGI begins, until...*

*man bursts in*

STOP IT WITH THE EFFING CGI AND SHOW US THE-
FROM KILKIVAN, IN AUSTRALIA, RESONANCE!
Not dissimilar to The 6isc in design, this machine has an axlebot layout with a very large drum weapon, constructed from 5mm Hardox and driven to 3000rpm by a Lynch motor that deals some serous damage, and an innovative wheel pod design on either side featuring torsion sprung wedges to reduce ground clearance and protect the six wheels, which enable it to run any way up and reach a top speed of 14 miles an hour.

FROM ORPINGTON, TRI-TAINIUM!
A compact design that runs upside down, this robot has 18 horsepower to the wheels to ram opponents into submission, but with its three-part drum weapon weighing 27kgs, rotating at 3600rpm to transmit 165kj of force, Paulll be hoping he doesnt need to ram. It has titanium and Hardox armour for protection, a front scoop to get under opponents and is slightly the faster in this fight at 18mph.

ROBOTEERS, STAND BY

Booth 1, left hand side: Aaron Knight
Booth 2, right hand side: Paul Cuomo

3
2
1
ACTIVATE

There is a brief pause as both machines start spinning, before Resonance makes the first move, coming away from the pit to its left and trying to line up an attack on Tri-Tainium, meanwhile its adversary has turned towards it, both weapons at frightening speed, as they move around relatively slowly. Trying to line up a clear shot, Tri-Tainium moves in closer, heading for the side panel, but Resonance moves slightly, and its wedge goes underneath the ground clearance on Tri-Tainium, and the drum comes in...
CRASH! And Tri-Tainium is flipped up and over by the force of the hit, looking slightly dented on its right side panels...Aaron can see what he needs to do here, and moves in again...Tri-Tainium tries to turn into the weapon...
CRASH! And Tri-Tainium is up and over again! One of the discs on the front of the robot is skewed slightly, and doesnt appear to be spinning any more! Tri-Tainium wisely changes tactics, as it moves away over the flame pit, turning around in an arc to try and get an angle for a proper hit on Resonance, which is trying to stop that from happening, keeping its drum pointed at Tri-Tainiums weapon at all times...there is some sort of slow, spiralling dance going on, Resonance turning, Tri-Tainium moving ever closer, trying to get around the sides...Resonance tries to break the deadlock, suddenly darting and going straight at Tri-Tainium, but it makes a mistake...the wheels are now almost on Tri-Tainiums scoop, and Paul seizes his chance!
CRASH! What happened there? Tri-Tainium is on its back again, the front scoop bent at one side, but what has happened to Resonance? The wedgelet on the top right side is missing, and the wheels on that corner appear to be bent in towards the guards - only one of them is moving properly! That doesnt affect its mobility though, as it turns to come in on the attack, Tri-Tainium trying to get some sort of run-up, but they charge towards each other!
CRASH! And there goes the disc! One of the discs on Tri-Tainium has just flown away from the impact, and the front scoop is looking rather sorry now, but Resonance hasnt got away that easily - the drum is moving noticably slower and another one of the right side wedges has bent sideways from the frame. Tri-Tainium has now gone into full running away mode, as it moves with some speed away from Resonance, towards the top of the arena, with Resonance trying to follow with its drum facing towards the enemy. Tri-Tainium is now moving towards the pit, trying to get Resonance broadside on, while Aaron is maneuvering his machine to deflect any blows with the weapon...Tri-Tainium moves in...Resonanace turns...and Tri-Tainium jerks to the right and goes in!
CRASH! And its Resonances turn to be flipped up and over - and another of those wedgelets has come off! Tri-Tainium tries to retain the initiative, and moves in on the other side panel, but Aaron sees it coming and turns Resonance into the attack!
CRASH! And Tri-Tainium is getting a lot of airtime out there - its not enjoying it by the looks of it, the scoop is very visibly damaged now, but Resonance has lost another wedge from the shock! The floor is littered with bits of Resonances wedges, but its still moving, and its coming in on the attack, as Tri-Tainium...isnt doing much. In fact, it isnt doing anything, and Paul is holding his transmitter up in the air, but theres no obvious life in his machine, as Resonance comes in again...
CRASH! And theres why! Tri-Tainium has flipped up and over again, and there is a small red object where it used to be - the link. The link must have come out of Tri-Tainium in that second to last hit, and Aaron knows hes won, the weapon of Resonance is spinning down, wedgeless but victorious.

CEASE

Tri-Tainium fought relentlessly, but has eventually succumbed to Aaron Knight and Resonance!

And so, my friends, Round The First ends. Round The First has given up its throne in favour of a younger, more powerful round, and it is known as:

THE ROARING DONKEY MINI TOURNAMENT
ROUND THE SECOND

The 6isc vs. Envy
Resonance vs. Macduff The Second

Comments, tactics, thoughts, a kitchen sink?