The Vapourbot Grand Prix 2010

[steven_mcg]

Re: The Vapourbot Grand Prix 2010

ZOMG update! :shock:

Well, Formula One's on back again and my writing is no longer blocked. Let's get going!

THE VAPOURBOT GRAND PRIX 2010
ROUND 2/10: THE DUTCH GRAND PRIX
ARENA - Port PulverizeR
HOUSE ROBOTS- N/A

For this fight, Slammer VI will be using the grabbing pincers again.

Roboteers, stand by...
3...2...1...
ACTIVATE!

The second Grand Prix is underway and, once more, everyone's off to a tentative start.
CLAAANG!
Ooh, everyone except for Killobite, who's just gone and dropped the Crane of Pain! Nobody was on the cross at the time, although the patch of arena floor it's drawn on looks a little more cracked than usual. Trust me, guys, you don't want that thing coming down on your noggin.
Killobite hovers near the right-hand Crane button, biding its time. Indeed, only Dan and Alex seem to be the only drivers with specific robots in mind to torment right now. Richter charges at Flick of the Wrist, while Slammer heads for Delirium Tremors. Alex halts Matt's revving drum and attempts to grab hold with its deadly snippers. The drum appears to be just a tad too big for Slammer to swallow, though, so Alex fires the flippers. This is no problem for Delirium Tremors, however, as it rolls out the way and trundles behind a crate to rev up.
CRRRASH!
Ooh, watch out, Matt! O.I.D. has gotten into the spirit of things and begun trashing the place! Woodchips and sawdust scatters across the warzone as Jack begins slicing the crates around him to ribbons! Delirium Tremors emerges from behind its crate, just before O.I.D. carves it into a coffee table! The two spinners come together...
CRRRASH!
Oh dear! O.I.D. goes flying, taking a few nasty scars from the collision! I'd say they're a small price to pay, given how close Matt came to hitting the disc there! Injured and annoyed, O.I.D. spies Axeon and Eye of Ran engaged in a scuffle nearby, with Killobite tempted to join in the fun. Jack feels like doing Joey a good turn following their early exits last time and dives into the fray!
CRRRASH!
Killobite takes the blow this time, being spun aside as Eye of Ran tries to fend off Axeon. Joey's blade hasn't had much chance to reach full speed thus far, but now it's humming like a dream. Axeon decides not to risk losing its hammer and goes passive, but Eye of Ran dodges like an expert bull-fighter, clipping the side of Andy's machine for good measure! Joey runs off for some space...
CLAAANG!
Ooh, and very nearly gets squashed by the Crane of Pain! That crafty Killobite! Watch your step next time, Joe!
Eye of Ran trundles to the top end of the warzone, where Martijn and Dan have been at each other's throats since the beginning. Flick of the Wrist and Richter seem fairly evenly matched at the moment. Every time Flick tries to skewer Richter, Dan dodges. Every time Richter tries to batter Flick, Martijn dodges. Now here comes Joey to try and break the stalemate! Eye of Ran swoops between the two, blade whirring wildly, and comes into contact with them!
CRRRASH!
The low-slung T-bot knocks Richter aside, but not without taking a blow from the 'eggbeater'! Flick's taken a clipping too and exacts revenge by trying to slam Eye of Ran into the nearest wall! Richter, meanwhile, spies Killobite still floating near the Crane button with O.I.D. and attacks! Kody turns in time for the Welsh entry to hit the wedge with an almighty clatter! Killobite tries to get hold of Richter, but Dan's doing his best to avoid the claw, as well as a rather peeved O.I.D. The Canadian crusher spins and...
CLAAANG!
Another miss! Careful with that thing, Kody!
As Killobite fends off the two spinners, Delirium Tremors is engaged in an unusual shoving match with Slammer. Neither robot was built with great traction in mind and their odd designs give the appearance of octopus-wrestling. Slammer seems to be gaining the edge, however, as it pushes Delirium Tremors across the middle of the arena...
CLAAANG!
Steee-rike! Killobite's poaching pays off as the Crane of Pane comes down on Delirium Tremors! Matt's machine is left dazed and confused, allowing Slammer to push it over to Eye of Ran and Flick of the Wrist! Delirium Tremors tries to escape, but Flick switches target and effortlessly shoves the drum-weilding destroyer up the ring, onto the train tracks and into Dinsdale the Diesel Shunter! Poor Matt barely has time to wave goodbye as Delirium Tremors is shunted down the line and out of the Grand Prix!
Flick of the Wrist turns its attention back to Eye of Ran and Slammer, who are dancing near the left-hand Crane button.
CLAAANG!
Come on, Joey, be careful with that thing!
Eye of Ran has the blade up to speed, but Slammer is proving elusive, easily outmanouevering its wider adversary and avoiding the spinner. Flick of the Wrist takes a more direct approach, i.e. tackling Eye of Ran side-on with tremendous speed!
CRRRASH!
The blade halts in a shower of sparks, giving Flick a perfect oppertunity to scrape under the T-shaped terror and push it right the way down the arena into the harbour waters at the bottom! Joey, at this point, is near frantic - the waters may seem deep to our other competitors, but the low, low Eye of Ran is all but submerged completely! Joey desperately tries to get back to dry land, but his controls are growing more unresponsive by the second and the bay's slippery floor isn't helping matters! After a couple failed attempts to climb the ramp, Eye of Ran is barely moving at all! With great reluctance, Joey pulls down his aerial as the electronic timer counts him out...
1...2...3...4...5...6...7...8...9...10!
With our second challenger out, let's check in on Axeon, who is currently engaged in a four-way free-for-all with Killobite, O.I.D. and Richter. Axeon has been fairly quiet throughout this Grand Prix so far, but seeks to correct this with a broadside attack on Richter and a hammer blow! Richter escapes, but not without some ugly scratches as souveniers. Almost immediately, Axeon swings around to tackle O.I.D. instead, currently trying to nibble away at Killobite's sides. O.I.D. has scored a few good glancing blows on the Canadian entry thus far, but is prevented from scoring another by Axeon's axe! The hammerbot begins dragging O.I.D. away from the others and down towards the harbour waters! Jack tries to resist, quickly managing to wriggle free and return to the fray!
CLAAANG!
Ooh, meanwhile, the Crane of Pain's been launched again as Richter slams Killobite into the right-hand button! Killobite's taken a lot of knocks in this match so far and it's beginning to show; the Canadian doesn't seem quite as nimble as before. Nonetheless, Kody's still determined, avoiding another ram from Richter and successfully ploughing underneath! The claw merely scrapes the Welsh entry as it wriggles and writhes on its wedge, so Kody pushes his victim into O.I.D's oncoming disc instead!
CRRRASH!
That's a nasty blow! Richter is sent spinning off Killobite's wedge, but at a cost for Jack - not only has Axeon caught up to him, but now he's on top of Killobite's wedge! O.I.D. is caught between a rock and a hard place - or, more accurately, an axe and a crusher!
Oh, and breaking news in the clash between Flick of the Wrist and Slammer! Alex has been giving the Dutch contestant the runaround for a while now, rolling and jumping out of harm's way, which has been frustrating the rammer no end! Now, as Richter speeds over to join the fun, it looks as though Flick has gotten the upper hand! As the duo dance near the train tracks in the top left-hand corner, Flick gets its prongs underneath Slammer and thrusts the long-running robot onto the rails - just in time for Dinsdale to sweep it out of the contest!
Back with O.I.D, and things are looking grim! Axeon's axe and Killobite's crusher have been going to town on the lid of Jack's machine! With its triangular shape, it's starting to resemble a slice of Swiss cheese! The most devestating blow, however, may have just been delivered, as Killobite's claw slices into O.I.D's right wheel-arch, Axeon's hammer pounding away all the while! How badly will that affect steering? We're about to find out, because here come Flick of the Wrist and Richter...
CRRRASH!
All five remaining robots come together with a hideous din! Flick rams Axeon into a nearby crate, while Richter gives Killobite a powerful blow at the rear with its 'eggbeater'! All this gives O.I.D. a chance to escape Andy and Kody's wrath and get back into the game - but it can't! The right wheel isn't turning and the spinner's going around in circles! At least Jack can be proud of something as the official timer counts him out; he's finally gotten his hands on some valuable points.
1...2...3...4...5...6...7...8...9...10!
CRRRASH!
Oh my, Richter's really going all out on Killobite as we head towards the end of the fight! The Welsh robot is hounding Kody's creation, relentlessly battering the crusher's side before it can catch a break! Axeon isn't faring much better, as Flick of the Wrist continually pounds it against the eastern wall, much to Andy's concern and frustration!
10...9...8...7...
CRRRASH!
Another blow from Richter sees the sparks fly from Killobite! What on earth is powering that 'eggbeater'? Plutonium?
6...5...4...
Axeon tries to keep Flick of the Wrist at bay with the axe, but the Dutch bot just won't leave it alone. Can Axeon get away?
3...2...1...

CEASE!

No, it can't! The Dutch Grand Prix ends with one last slam by Flick of the Wrist! Four robots have survived till the end, so we'll need to ask the Judge to decide who will sail to victory.

AXEON 4.0
DAMAGE = (3/5) * 3 = 9 (Some good attacks throughout, especially the assaults on O.I.D.)
AGGRESSION = (3/5) * 2.5 = 7.5 (Slow to start, though grew more aggressive as the battle wore on.)
STRATEGY = (3/5) * 2 = 6 (Straightforward clamp-n-dump. Plenty of clamping, not much dumping.)
CONTROL = (4/5) * 1.5 = 6 (Mostly steady and on target throughout.)
STYLE = (3/5) * 1 = 3 (Some good twirls here and there, though it's hard to make bludgeoning look classy.)
TOTAL = 31.5 / 50

FLICK OF THE WRIST
DAMAGE = (5/5) * 3 = 15 (Three KOs? Top marks, for certain.)
AGGRESSION = (5/5) * 2.5 = 12.5 (Barely stopped to breathe throughout.)
STRATEGY = (4/5) * 2 = 8 (No set targets, but used Dinsdale and harbour waters to their fullest.)
CONTROL = (4/5) * 1.5 = 6 (Excellent driving to see off its three kills.)
STYLE = (1/5) * 1 = 1 (Again, not what you'd call a subtle performance.)
TOTAL = 42.5 / 50

KILLOBITE SIGMA
DAMAGE = (4/5) * 3 = 12 (KOed O.I.D. and put holes in a good many others.)
AGGRESSION = (3/5) * 2.5 = 7.5 (Some good attacks throughout, but slowed towards the end. Also had a tendency to poach by the buttons.)
STRATEGY = (4/5) * 2 = 8 (Said poaching did pay off, however, as did the clinical takedown of O.I.D.)
CONTROL = (4/5) * 1.5 = 6 (Good stuff throughout, especially the attack on O.I.D's wheels.)
STYLE = (3/5) * 1 = 3 (Solid, nice turns and claw action.)
TOTAL = 36.5 / 50

9.9 ON THE RICHTER SCALE
DAMAGE = (4/5) * 3 = 12 (Scratched and sliced several bots, as well as several boxes.)
AGGRESSION = (4/5) * 2.5 = 10 (Regularly on the attack till the end.)
STRATEGY = (3/5) * 2 = 6 (No KOs or crane fun, though Dan did fulfil his promise to knock Killobite around.)
CONTROL = (4/5) * 1.5 = 6 (Steady enough, with only one or two minor slips.)
STYLE = (3/5) * 1 = 3 (Some nice dodges and some nice 'eggbeater' action.)
TOTAL = 37 / 50

FLICK OF THE WRIST WINS THE DUTCH GRAND PRIX 2010!

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DUTCH GRAND PRIX 2010 RESULTS:
1. FLICK OF THE WRIST = 10 points
2. 9.9 ON THE RICHTER SCALE = 8 points
3. KILLOBITE SIGMA = 6 points
4. AXEON 4.0 = 4 points
5. O.I.D. = 3 points
6. SLAMMER VI = 2 points
7. EYE OF RAN II = 1 point
8. DELIRIUM TREMORS = 0 points

Congratulations to Martijn Benschop, Daniel Stickler and Kody Kunz!

-------------------------------------------------

Here's how the points look after our second grand prix:

TOTAL RESULTS (2/10):
1. FLICK OF THE WRIST = 18 points
2. KILLOBITE SIGMA = 16 points
3. 9.9 ON THE RICHTER SCALE = 14 points
4. AXEON 4.0 = 8 points
5. SLAMMER VI = 5 points
6. O.I.D. = 3 points
7. DELIRIUM TREMORS = 2 points
=. EYE OF RAN II = 2 points

And since you've been waiting so long, let's get going with Round 3!

-------------------------------------------------

THE VAPOURBOT GRAND PRIX 2010
ROUND 3/10: THE GERMAN GRAND PRIX
ARENA: Black Hole Labs

Welcome to Black Hole Labs, the most advanced robotic combat research institute in Europe. Weapons, traps and even robots themselves are put through their paces here, all in the name of SCIENCE! Our next Grand Prix takes place in this pentagonal arena, used for testing blade resistance. The entire combat zone is sealed off, for your protection and ours!
The primary obstacles in this arena are, naturally, cutting blades. Four of the corners host powerful horizontal spinning discs, accompanied by a trio of vertical discs on the bottom wall. To add insult to injury, the corner discs are accompanied by a pair of Kill Saws beneath them.
The biggest hazards, however, lie in the Corner Patrol Zone at the very top of the warzone. Hidden away at the back is a golden button, guarded by our special guest House Robot, Ansgar 3, a local expert on cutting things to ribbons. Expect a great reward if you can outsmart the hulking walker and hit the golden button. They don't call it Black Hole Labs for nothing...

Poor Paint plan ahoy:


You guys get your tactics caps on and I'll see you next time.

[kodster]

Re: The Vapourbot Grand Prix 2010

Same general tactics as the first fight...but this time, focus most attacks on Flick of the Wrist and Richter since they beat me in the last challenge. Especially Richter because he tried to go after me.

Viva la McGregor!

[team_orr]

Re: The Vapourbot Grand Prix 2010

yay points

im going to lay low for this one, attack when the chance appears but generaly keep out of harms way. im also going to focus my attention on the golden button of doooom wait until the house robot is busy and then go in a sneakily press

[andrewj]

Re: The Vapourbot Grand Prix 2010

I think it would be sensible to stay away from the middle of the arena, so my basic plan will be to stick to the sides. I can use my wedge shape and pushing ability to feed the opponents into the various saws. I can also clamp them with the axe and drag them over the killsaws. Although I€™m not going to underestimate them, the saws should also find it difficult to cut into my angled panels should I get into any difficulty. As with the previous battles, stay busy and attack when I need to.

If all else fails, chase Eye of Ran II about.

[joey_picus]

Re: The Vapourbot Grand Prix 2010

Erm...stay close to the house robot zone but far enough away from the house robot itself to avoid it, don't go on the centre bit unless it turns out to not open up and reveal a huge pit, and otherwise same general battle tactics as before please.

Good luck everyone

[steven_mcg]

Re: The Vapourbot Grand Prix 2010

Helloo!

First of all, I'd like to apologise for the major lack of updates these past couple months. This has mostly been due to a combination of unemployment-induced apathy, a very busy household and the juggling of variour projects on my other regular forums. Fortunately I've been feeling rather more active and creative the last month or so and thanks to some great nostalgic banter and ye olde forum-trekking, I've finally gotten off my bum and written the next round.

Thanks for being so patient with me and here's hoping this was worth the wait. Here we go again!

THE VAPOURBOT GRAND PRIX 2010
ROUND 3/10: THE GERMAN GRAND PRIX
ARENA - Black Hole Labs
HOUSE ROBOTS- Ansgar 3

For this fight, Slammer VI will be using the anti-spinner 'mask'. This is spinner country, after all.

Roboteers, stand by...
3...2...1...
ACTIVATE!

Flick of the Wrist and Killobite are first off the mark, clashing head-on. As Flick begins pushing Killobite away, our four spinners are making themselves right at home by starting up their weapons. Axeon is tentative to attack, while Slammer leaps into the fray (quite literally) and charges Delirium Tremors...
CRRRASH!
Slammer flies away as Matt's giant drum is brought to a halt. He's only just started spinning it up again when O.I.D. darts forward...
CRRRASH!
Oh dear, is that a slice in Delirium Tremors' drum, I see? Matt tries not to look too concerned and deftly dodges another charge by O.I.D. to get the mighty spinner going again. A well-timed turn allows Delirium Tremors to avoid another Slammer charge, itself being pursued by Richter. Alex fires a flipper to hop away, but Richter just manages to clip his machine with that horrid 'eggbeater'!
CRRRASH!
Woo, look at that Slammer go! Alex barely has time to regain control when Richter rockets towards him again!
CRRRASH!
By an odd stroke of luck, the latest blow sends Slammer tumbling far away from Richter and towards Axeon, who is currently engaged in a battle of wits with Eye of Ran. The two robots hover near the north-east Kill Saws, unsure how to attack each other. Joey finally gets the ball rolling as he spins Eye of Ran around and manages to clip Axeon's side with his large spinning blade. Axeon in turn takes advantage of the blade's sudden slowing to try and grapple Eye of Ran. The axe misses its mark, but Andy simply ploughs into the axlebot and slams it into the nearest disc in the wall! Ooh, look at all the pretty sparks!
CRRRASH!
Oops, no time for that! Here comes Flick of the Wrist, who slams Killobite into Axeon's rear! It seems that Kody's creation has been given the runaround by Martijn since the battle began, but now he's able to escape and have a nibble on Eye of Ran! Joey sweeps the crusher aside before too much damage can be done, but the Canadian's still managed to leave a nice scar in the bodywork.
CRRRASH!
Blimey! Watch for low-flying Slammers! The oldest competitor in the VGP is being tossed like salad by Richter's 'eggbeater'! It's a credit to Alex's design that it's holding so well against this much punishment - and here comes Delirium Tremors to join in the mad cluster!
CRRRASH!
This is starting to resemble a pile-up in a demolition derby! Delirium Tremors clips Richter and Axeon, just as Killobite darts in and tries to bite a wheel off! Oh no, and here comes Flick of the Wrist for a ram-raid!
CRRRASH!
Delirium Tremors takes a terrible blow and winds up pinned against the wall, while Killobite nudges Richter onto the nearby Kill Saws! Danny drives off in a flash! Looks like the tyres held up well, then. No time to rest up, though, as here comes Slammer tumbling his way! Richter dodges and gets in a quick blow, while Axeon and Eye of Ran resume their tense tango.
Now, I know what you're thinking - where's O.I.D. in all this? Glad you asked, because if you'll look to the top-most corner of the arena, you'll see Jack's spinner tentatively attacking Ansgar 3. Jack's trying to press the golden button, but the House Robot isn't budging an inch. O.I.D's already taken a couple of nasty-looking bumps and blows from Ansgar's spinning axe, but Jack is determinated to find out what that button does!
CRRRASH!
Ooh, and this could be the chance he's looking for! A ragged-looking Slammer has just been slammed into Ansgar by Flick of the Wrist, who promptly darts off to attack someone else! The House Robot smacks the veteran with its spinner and pushes it away from the CPZ - giving O.I.D. ample time to sneak behind Ansgar and hit the button!
Meanwhile the multi-robot pile-up has started to break up - and what a time to do it! No sooner are the robots starting to spread out again than a familiar air-raid siren echoes acros the arena. The teams look in horror as the huge circular pattern in the middle of the floor begins to open. Now you know why they call it 'Black Hole Labs'...
Slammer, the closest to the hole, tries to get away, but is cut off by Delirium Tremors...
CRRRASH!
The flippers fire in frustration as our oldest competitor tumbles into the Black Hole! Matt quickly backs Delirium Tremors away, but seems to have some trouble doing so, no doubt thanks to the lab's patented suction technology used in the Hole's construction. The remaining robots have all retreated to the sides of the arena. Nobody wants to go near the Black Hole - nobody except the Dutch Grand Prix champion! Flick of the Wrist is caught with Eye of Ran and Axeon near the eastern walls, and has just managed to snag hold of Joey's axlebot! Martijn drags Eye of Ran away (taking a blow from Axeon in the process) and dumps the low, low spinner into the Black Hole! Flick backs off...
And falls into the Hole itself! Axeon's crept up on Martijn and dumped him down! What a shocker - and it doesn't look like the only one! Delirium Tremors is being ganged up on by Killobite and Richter near the western wall, when Richter gets nipped by the Kill Saws while revving for a ram. Killobite takes the oppertunity to charge underneath and have a nibble at Richter's wheels. Kody misses the tyres, but gets a tight grip on the Welsh spinner's bodywork! Killobite tries to drag Richter towards the Black Hole, but Dan is proving incredibly stubborn, resisting against Kody's hard tugs! To make matters worse, here comes Delirium Tremors, all revved up and nowhere to go...
CRRRASH!
The two robots remain locked together, though now with a few more scars and dents than before! Back at the CPZ, meanwhile, Ansgar has had enough of O.I.D's camping-out and shoves the spinner back into the arena, just as Axeon carefully makes its way over. O.I.D. clips the hammerbot, but Axeon holds up, ploughing under Jack's machine and pushing him towards the spinning disc on the eastern walls...
CRRRASH!
Ohhh, and there goes Delirium Tremors again! Killobite and Richter are still at loggerheads and seem to be paying the price for it! Kody finally relents, loosening the claw's grip to try and reposition itself. This, however, is all Dan needs. Richter bumps Killobite, followed by a smack of the not-yet-fully-revved 'eggbeater'. Killobite nudges back, allowing another attack from Delirium Tremors!
CRRRASH!
Killobite is knocked towards the Black Hole, one last charge from Richter sending it over the edge! Dan barely manages to avoid going down with it, but finds itself backing straight towards Delirium Tremors!
CRRRASH!
Now it's Richter's turn to face near-defeat!
CRRRASH!
Oh right. Better make that just defeat, then.
Delirium Tremors spins with delight as Richter plummets to its doom, but it's not out of the woods yet. O.I.D. has escaped Axeon's grasp, though not without taking a couple of slices from the arena disc, and charges straight into Delirium Tremor's side!
CRRRASH!
The drumbot goes spinning, barely having time to recover before Axeon barges it into the arena wall! Andy's having a hard time grappling it with the axe, so he decides to give Delirium Tremors some wriggle room. Matt begins to escape, but the drum has hardly started moving again when Axeon is back on its case. One little boost of speed and Delirium Tremors is on its way to meet Richter at the bottom of the Black Hole!
Two robots remain, but for how much longer? Not much more, it seems, as Axeon and O.I.D. grapple mere feet away from the Hole. Both robots are starting to seem a little bit tired. Andy isn't using the axe as often as before and O.I.D's flywheel appears a little slower. Nonetheless both are still very much active, with O.I.D. getting a couple good clips on Axeon's armour. As Jack repositions himself to rev the disc up, Andy scrapes under its side and fires Axeon's titular weapon. The hammer head seems to have a firm grip, as Andy spins Axeon around and puts on a burst of speed. O.I.D. tumbles into the abyss...
And Axeon follows right behind.

CEASE!

AXEON 4.0 WINS THE GERMAN GRAND PRIX 2010!

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GERMAN GRAND PRIX 2010 RESULTS:
1. AXEON 4.0 = 10 points
2. O.I.D. = 8 points
3. DELIRIUM TREMORS = 6 points
4. 9.9 ON THE RICHTER SCALE = 4 points
5. KILLOBITE SIGMA = 3 points
6. FLICK OF THE WRIST = 2 points
7. EYE OF RAN II = 1 point
8. SLAMMER VI = 0 points

Congratulations to Andrew Jackson, Jack Orr and Matthew Fowler!

-------------------------------------------------

Three grand prixs in, here's the points table:

TOTAL RESULTS (3/10):
1. FLICK OF THE WRIST = 20 points
2. KILLOBITE SIGMA = 19 points
3. AXEON 4.0 = 18 points
=. 9/9 ON THE RICHTER SCALE = 18 points
5. O.I.D. = 11 points
6. DELIRIUM TREMORS = 8 points
7. SLAMMER VI = 5 points
8. EYE OF RAN II = 3 points

It's still a very close race for the top spot, so let's move on to Round 4!

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THE VAPOURBOT GRAND PRIX 2010
ROUND 4/10: THE SWISS GRAND PRIX
ARENA: Clockwork Valley

Tick-tock, tick-tock...
It's 'time' to move on again, specifically to Zurich's largest disused cuckoo clock factory. Clockwork Valley is named for the large dip in the middle of this fully-enclosed arena, creating an unusual two-storey design. The 'raised' sections on either side each contain the same hazards - a single open pit, a large spinning drum and a 'Silly Spring'. Picture the Floor Flipper in the UK arena, but firing vertically whenever something drives over it.
The titular valley is no safer, mainly because hanging around there too long will activate the trap door covering most of the floor! To make matters worse the valley is also home to Clockwork Valley's resident House Robots - the Clock King (a golden pocketwatch-on-wheels with Splinter-esque grabbing arms and axe) and his loyal bodyguard the Swiss Army Knight (a wide silver box with sloped top and four different kinds of hammer)!

The starting positions of the robots have been determined based on their current points standings:
LEFT SECTION: Flick of the Wrist, Axeon 4.0, O.I.D, Slammer VI
RIGHT SECTION: Killobite Sigma, 9.9 on the Richter Scale, Delirium Tremors, Eye of Ran II

Crap Paint image ahoy:


Get thinking 'bout your tactics, thanks again for being so very patient and I'll see you next time.

[joey_picus]

Re: The Vapourbot Grand Prix 2010

Well done Andy, Jack and Matty, and to Steve for a w00ty fight ^^

Tac, tic, tac, tic, tac, tic, tac, tics: I fear I might be falling somewhat behind here - the robot's not really suited for this sort of combat and it has had some rotten luck, so my tactics will be a lot more proactive and consist of going after Flick Of The Wrist, 9.9 On The Richter Scale and Delirium Tremors - the boxes and vertical spinners - and trying to do as much damage to them as I can. I'll try and limit myself to the raised areas though, preferably one of them (i.e. start in it and remain in it all fight).
If that fails, I shall do exactly what Andy happens to be doing at that time.

Good luck everyone!

[majinb]

Re: The Vapourbot Grand Prix 2010

great fight, and I effing love the Swiss arena xD congrats to the winners and I will in fact inspect the swiss arena well and come up with a way to beat all of you

[kodster]

Re: The Vapourbot Grand Prix 2010

w00t! update! Lovely battle as ever Steven!

...

Oh christ, all the bloody spinners. :P

That may not be so bad, to be honest, but I gotta be very careful here, Killobite doesn't like spinners. Going after Eye of Ran II in a melee is a bad idea, but Delirium Tremors is just as bad because of its shape. I'm going to go after 9.9 on the Richter Scale here, try and clamp it, and drive it into the other two spinners until they die. Pitting Richter sounds tempting but I'll only do that if he seems to be getting loose, then I'll go to the other side of the arena and cause some mayhem. :twisted:

If I'm being bested, try going across the arena a few times to disorient my opponents, then grapple'n'pit while they're discombumbulated.

[team_orr]

Re: The Vapourbot Grand Prix 2010

awesome stuff ^^
right, i will stick to my area and try and imobilise any dangers there, spin up and dip in occasionaly to take a couple of chunks out of the opppnents, whilst avoiding the hazards
in the likely circumstance that this fails, run away (very fast if going over the trap door..thing) and see if theres any easier targets/space to run around whilst avoiding hazards/robots/house bots/hobnobs
good luck guys n' gals!
Jack

[andrewj]

Re: The Vapourbot Grand Prix 2010

Yay! Another great battle, nicely written.

Tactics:

I plan to stay in my starting section for as long as possible, as I do not really want to risk falling through the trap door. If I do end up in the valley, I will try to drive back up into either of the raised sections, if possible. The usual tactics apply - just try to keep busy and get involved in the action. Again, my wedge shape and clamp & push ability will be useful to drive my opponents into the hazards. I will try to push the others into one of the pits or into the spinning drums. I think Delirium Tremors could potentially find it difficult to climb back up from the valley, so at some point I could try to push it down there and let the house robots take care of it. Other than that, I don€™t really have any particular targets, just make sure I€™m the last one standing again!

[majinb]

Re: The Vapourbot Grand Prix 2010

An important factor will be the ramps and especially the trap door between them, some robots just take a ramp better than others. On my half, Flick should do fairly fine, given the 6WD and the Tornadoesque rear that gives the rear wheels more freedom. Due to its design Slammer should do PARTICULARY fine, but OID and Axeon have no real way of tackling them well... I think I will concentrate on pushing OID and Axeon around, get under, lift, and get them into the valley, or on the spring, or near the drum, or in the pit. My prefered hazards will be the pit and the valley though. Both seem to have their weapon on their front, so both should be vulnerable if I attack their rear or side. Likewise I wouldnt avoid pushing Slammer if given a good oppurtunity.

When at any point I'm done at my own half or for whatever other reason Im forced to cross the valley, do so with my rear-wheels first, aka in reverse, to make use of Flick's well designed rear. Cross the trap door ASAP and when I arrive at the other end, apply the same tactics really, avoid weapons, and lift and push robots.

NOW, what Im also seeing, is how robots driving up the ramp are weak to robots already on the highlands. If ANY opponent from the other side of the arena wishes to ride up the ramp towards me, wait for them on the top of the hill. This I would also advice to my fellow robots Axeon, OID and Slammer... if anyone wishes to mess with OUR half of the arena, send them back, asap

AND, per Steven's request, here is another picture of what the arena actually looks like:

[steven_mcg]

Re: The Vapourbot Grand Prix 2010

Huh, the arena layout magically reappeared again. Thanks for posting it again anyways, Marti, but you'd better hurry off. We've another round to get through!

THE VAPOURBOT GRAND PRIX 2010
ROUND 4/10: THE SWISS GRAND PRIX
ARENA - Clockwork Valley
HOUSE ROBOTS- Clock King and the Swiss Army Knight

For this fight, Slammer VI will be using the claw.

Roboteers, stand by...
3...2...1...
ACTIVATE!

This round is quite literally a game of two halves, with our competitors separated by the arena's titular Valley. We turn our attention to the left platform, where Flick of the Wrist has already pinned O.I.D. against the arena wall! Jack attempts an escape, but Martijn is pounding the spinner into the barrier! Axeon joins in the fun, managing to land a blow on O.I.D, while Slammer nuzzles Flick, trying to grab hold of the angled rear. Flick simply reverses, pushing Slammer down into the Valley, but Alex bounces back onto the platform with a lovely flip! I can tell Mr Holt is going to have a lot of fun this round.
CRRRASH!
Meanwhile, on the other side of the arena, Delirium Tremors and Eye of Ran have come head-to-head! Joey's low, low machine escapes any real damage, while Matt's wheels have taken only a slight chewing. Killobite and Richter, meanwhile, have been playing a rousing game of Tag. Kody is intent on feeding Richter to the spinners, but Dan doesn't seem keen on the idea. In fact, he's running rings around the crusher just to get away...
BOING!
Whoops! Mind the Silly Spring, Danny Boy! Richter tumbles to earth a few feet away, unscathed but dazed. This gives Killobite ample time to catch up and drive underneath. The claw has barely begun lowering, however, when Richter wriggles free and darts away to rejoin Joey and Matt's scuffle. Keen to draw first blood, Dan aims for Delirium Tremors's side and charges!
CRRRASH!
The great drum-on-wheels is sent tumbling towards the ramp! Wasting no time, Richter shoots forwards again and pushes Delirium Tremors down into the Valley! Matt tries desperately to climb back up, but Tremors' unusual shape and low traction are making it very difficult...
CRRRASH!
Ooh, meanwhile, O.I.D. has wriggled free of its earlier onslaught and managed to land a glancing blow on Flick of the Wrist! Flick turns to retaliate, but is distracted as Slammer bounces by! This gives Axeon time to barge into the Dutch machine and attempt a pitting! Flick reverses and shoves Axeon back, sending it straight into the wall! O.I.D. swoops back over, landing another quick blow on Flick! Slammer tumbles in to try and grab Flick again, but Marti simply pushes it aside and shunts Axeon once more! Andy fires the axe, but doesn't to much to damage the Dutch rammer's shell.
CRRRASH!
Oooh, that's a nasty blow from Eye of Ran on Killobite on the other platform! The spinning blade has hit Killobite's side and left an unpleasant scar. Even worse, here comes Richter to add some scars of its own! Kody narrowly avoids the charge, however, and instead goes after Eye of Ran for a little payback!
Sandwiched between the chaos, of course, is Delirium Tremors, who's still struggling to escape the Valley. Can Matt do it?
DOOONG!
No, he can't! There goes the bell and there goes the trap door! Auf Wiedersehen, Delirium Tremors!
BOING!
Uh-oh, seems Flick of the Wrist has stumbled onto the Silly Spring as the trap doors close themselves again! The Dutch entry lands just shy of the spinning drum and is promptly assaulted by Axeon, who in turn gets a quick slash from O.I.D! Andy fires his axe and gets a hold of Flick, drawing the duo into a tug-of-war. Back and forth, they pull and push, while O.I.D. tries to gets its teeth into the bouncing, bounding Slammer.
CRRRASH!
Ooh, and there he goes! A well-timed blow from Jack there, as O.I.D's disc makes contact and sends Slammer flying into the Valley! No problem to Alex, though, as his interchangeable marvel easily drives across to the other side of the arena. This couldn't have come soon enough for Eye of Ran, who's been pinched by Killobite and is violently resisting the crusher's jerks and tugs. Too bad Richter got to Slammer first.
CRRRASH!
Slammer goes flying back into the valley, and retreats to its starting point!
CRRRASH!
O.I.D. has welcomed Slammer back with another violent blow, almost sending it back into the valley again! This grand prix is turning into a game of Robot Tennis, and Slammer is the ball! Well, what did you expect, really? This is Roger Federer's homeland after all.
No time for tennis metaphors, however, as Axeon and Flick are finally breaking up and first on Flick's hit-list seems to be O.I.D! The Dutch machine ploughs into O.I.D's side and smacks it into the wall! Jack tries to bring the disc into play, but Martijn has other plans. With one great shove, Flick pushes O.I.D. across the arena and down into the nearby pit! Two down, six remain!
CRRRASH!
Or do they? Richter has left some very bad marks on Killobite's rear and now the Canadian crusher is starting to look a little worn. Kody doesn't seem to feel it, however, as he easily drags Eye of Ran over to the spinning drum.
CRRRASH!
The sparks fly as Joey's low-slung spinner gets scuffed up a treat!
CRRRASH!
And now Killobite's gone in courtesy of a blow from Richter! Growing tired of Dan's antics, Kody regains control of Killobite and promptly dumps Eye of Ran into the Valley - specifically, into the Clock King's domain! Joey attempts an escape, but the King's claws have already grappled the T-shaped machine and down comes His Highness' axe onto Eye of Ran's bonce! Off with his head, indeed!
Killobite still has unfinished business, however. Quickly dodging an onslaught from Richter, Kody briefly dances with the Welsh wonder until a little skillful driving gives Killobite the chance of a broadside attack! Kody takes the gambit and winds up shoving Richter into the wall! Dan tries to wriggle free, but the claw is already clamping down tightly on Richter's lid!
Meanwhile, Flick, Axeon and Slammer are locked in what can only be described as a playground wrestling match. Flick and Axeon are pushing each other all over the shop, with Slammer almost literally bouncing off the wall! Alex regains control just long enough, however, to take a charge at Flick! The rammer is currently beating Axeon against the wall and has its back end exposed. Alex seizes the opportunity and successfully grabs hold of Flick's angled rear! Slammer fires its flippers and virtually body-slams Flick of the Wrist down into the Valley! Martijn seems too unconcerned however - he simply throws his machine into reverse and climbs back onto the platform with ease! Shame the same can't be said for Eye of Ran, whose eyes are still being gouged by the Clock King's axe!
DOOONG!
Oops, there go the trap doors! The Clock King thanks you for your visit, Joey, but His Majesty will show Eye of Ran the way out!
Three are down and it looks like it's about to be four! Richter is well and truly pinned down by Killobite and Kody is taking full advantage! Keeping a firm grip on the spinner, Killobite makes its way carefully over towards the pit. Dan is doing everything with his controls to try and escape, but it's no use - Kody raises the claw and sends Richter tumbling out of the fight with one good nudge.
Now Killobite is all alone on its side of the field, but not for long. A hop and a bounce and here comes Slammer again, flying across the arena to have some fun with Kody! As Killobite tries to pin down the mechanical jumping bean, Flick seems to finally have the upper hand on Axeon! Managing another broadside attack, Flick scrapes its forks underneath the axebot and pushes it down the ramp and onto its back - right into the Swiss Army Knight's territory! Andy has barely self-righted when the Clock King's protector sets to work!
BANG!
Down comes the hammer!
BANG!
There goes the pick-axe!
BANG!
That's the mace at work!
BANG!
And that's the battleaxe blade! How do you feel about your own hammer now, eh, Andy?
With no-one left on his side, Marti reverses Flick across the valley and up the ramp to join Killobite and Slammer. Slammer is starting to feel tired, it seems, as the veteran isn't as bouncy as it was before. Kody is quick to act on this and has been trying to get a hold of Alex's unusual entry for a while now. Good thing for Kody that Flick's here to pile on the pressure! The Dutch Grand Prix champion lands a glancing blow on Slammer as it flees Killobite, knocking it into the wall. Killobite pounces, pinning Slammer again the barrier and bringing down the claw! Alex attempts to jump away, but the claw has done its magic!
DOOONG!
And so too, now, will the trap doors! One sweep from the Swiss Army Knight and Axeon plummets out of the contest!
Three robots remain with time running out, but it'll soon be two if Kody has anything to say about it. Killobite now has complete control of Slammer and quickly aims for the pit. The Canadian entry retracts its claw, dumps Slammer into the darkness - and falls down immediately after it! A well-timed - and very cheeky - final attack from Flick there, if I may say so!

CEASE!

FLICK OF THE WRIST WINS THE SWISS GRAND PRIX 2010!

-------------------------------------------------

SWISS GRAND PRIX 2010 RESULTS:
1. FLICK OF THE WRIST = 10 points
2. KILLOBITE SIGMA = 8 points
3. SLAMMER VI = 6 points
4. AXEON 4.0 = 4 points
5. 9.9 ON THE RICHTER SCALE = 3 points
6. EYE OF RAN II = 2 points
7. O.I.D. = 1 point
8. DELIRIUM TREMORS = 0 points

Congratulations to Martijn Benschop, Kody Kunz and Alex Holt!

-------------------------------------------------

Four grand prixs down and here's the points:

TOTAL RESULTS (4/10):
1. FLICK OF THE WRIST = 30 points
2. KILLOBITE SIGMA = 27 points
3. AXEON 4.0 = 22 points
4. 9.9 ON THE RICHTER SCALE = 21 points
5. O.I.D. = 12 points
6. SLAMMER VI = 11 points
7. DELIRIUM TREMORS = 8 points
8. EYE OF RAN II = 5 points

The gaps have begun to widen slightly, but there's still everything to play for as we enter Round 5!

-------------------------------------------------

THE VAPOURBOT GRAND PRIX 2010
ROUND 5/10: THE MONACO GRAND PRIX
ARENA: Monty Carlo's Fighting Casino

IT'S...Monty Carlo's Fighting Casino, the most expensive (and most gaudy) robot fighting arena in the world! Mr Carlo has spared no cost in making this billionnaires battlefield the most entertaining arena money can buy! The floor is a giant roulette wheel, surrounded by neon lights and baying crowds. In the centre is a spinning totem with four long blades. Best avoid them if you don't want your assets cut.
At the north and south of the arena are a pair of giant Slot Machines. Best avoid these too, as their handles are actually hefty pneumatic maces. They won't give you money, but they will give you a headache! The golden buttons on the green squares are also worth avoiding, unless you're up for a spin. Depending which one you press, the entire arena floor will begin spinning either clockwise or anticlockwise for a few seconds. Wheee!
If that wasn't bad enough, Mr Carlo has spent so much money on the aforementioned hazards and decor that there wasn't enough left over to build any walls or barriers. The sides are completely unprotected, so do try and keep your balance - or you'll end up plunging into points bankrupcy!

Your Paint pic, monsiours:


That's all for now. See you next time and stay lucky.

[joey_picus]

Re: The Vapourbot Grand Prix 2010

Tactics:

erm...how on earth do I fight in an arena like this? :P My tactics will consist of the same as usual, use the corners to protect the weapon until I can spin up and then go after people, but I will try and stay on the side of the slot machines that don't have the handles on, away from the edge and the hazards, and really just desperately try to stay on the arena and avoid any three or more bot melees - unless it's a rammer or crusher I shall limit myself solely to robots that are away from the pack and not doing much, and make sure my own reaction force from the blade hit doesn't throw me over the edge or into the blades. Move around if necessary to avoid that happening.

Best of luck people...and somebody please lose badly so I don't get the wooden spoon? pretty please?

[kodster]

Re: The Vapourbot Grand Prix 2010

Curse that Dutch rammer in that battle format I love so much! Hmm...tactics...

As much as I want my revenge on Flick of the Wrist, this arena is tricky. I'd be a fool to not stay in the middle between the edges and the totem. Let's see...hit a spinny button, stay near the button so I can't exactly be pushed off the edge (easily, anyway), and watch for any incoming robots. Lift-and-clamp the fool that dare comes near and dump him out, rinse/repeat. Try to turn immediately after dumping a robot out so I'm aware of any threats; admiring my handiwork is a bad idea here.

Fantastical tournament thus far!