Active Weapon Rule?

[cavecrusher]

People seem to forget that robochallenge are the only EO capable of running fw full combat events...

... in the UK.

Be awkward holding a uk champs outside of the uk now wouldn't it.

Marien didn't mention the UK champs, just FW full combat events.

Which we do in both the Netherlands and Germany....

I once went to a FW Euro champs, in Liverpool UK, organised by the GERMAN robot association. Nothing awkward about that.

[Mouldy]

euro... most of this topic was talking about Robochallenge events / uk champs.

[leorcc]

Since FRA guidelines are also followed by DRG and GRA this is as much about them as it is about Robochallenge.

[Marien]

I wanted to stay out of this discussion but was tempted to react to the "only EO capable of running fw full combat events" remark. That was all I did.

The main discussion (Active weapon rule) is subject to the fundamental discussion (hobby, sport or show) that we used to have. The FRA has its opinion:
Aims (of FRA, see site):
Promotion and education of all things to do with robots, of all weights, shapes and sizes.
To provide consistency with regard to open event safety, arenas and robot build rules.
To centralise communications, in effect be a library of contacts and to promote the sport.
To encourage the set up of regional meeting clubs, that are either part of the FRA or affiliated to the FRA.
To endeavour to work with other countries associations for the betterment of our sport.
To represent roboteer interests in negotiations with other bodies.
To generally make the roboteers lot a better one.

So, sport. This cannot lead to an active weapon rule because it is the roboteer's choice what his tactics are against any of the possible opponents.


In the case of Event Organisers that sell their product (show) to non-roboteers (audience or an other organisation) and need to perform (value for money), it is good to have as much activity in the arena as possible. This could lead to "no wedges", "active weapons" or other rules but; it is better to have as many robots as possible in the event and then tweak the fights for optimal performance and fun, for audience and roboteers.

The results are the same: do not make it harder for the roboteers then needed for safety and equal playing field.

[ady]

i think wedges on wedges are boring but wedges on spinners are good. Maybe limit number of wedges that can enter? Or seeded get guaranteed entry? or wedges are all thrown in together and top 2 move into main competition.
To be fair I can see the issue with wedges from a EO point of view but their not all boring to watch,its an easier option for entry level roboteers so I think it will always be like that.
look at some of the roboteers that started with a wedge and compare that to what they have now.

[ady]

Nothing worse for a spinner owner to be drawn against a Hardox box but its entertaining to watch!

[Eventorizon]

Nothing worse for a spinner owner to be drawn against a Hardox box but its entertaining to watch!

Its not exactly bad. We were really looking forward to our fight with Binky against Cicatrix and Turisas as we knew that they would be flying and we wouldn't.

If someone has decided to build a spinner proof box there is nothing better for them than putting it to the test. That doesn't mean destroying it cos its a box, it means is their design good enough to take the hits. Most are, cos its easy, but against a vertical disc they don't usually last long... OOTA!

[james...venom]

Just noticed this thread.

Firstly - Our events next year will be the same rules as this year, there has never been a point where we have discussed doing our own thing with our own rules.

Secondly - Any proposals that we come up with for the FRA are entirely for the long term future of the sport. It is honestly not about our events but how we as roboteers feel the sport could evolve for its benefit. We did propose that non active weapon bots be given a lower weight limit to try and encourage teams to take a step up. In all honesty there are plenty of great ram bots its just the drill brick v drill brick battles that can be difficult.

Thirdly - Anything Mr Danby says regarding us, our clients, what we are planning to do, what we have done, what we have said or what we didnt say is automatically questionable. No we dont plan to ban bricks next year unless it was an FRA rule.