July 28 Fights Part 2

These are from watching the YouTube videos on Battlebots channel. Apologies ahead of time for not making the links clickable. I have to write this on my iPad because my computer is currently being rudely upgraded to Windows 10 because no one listened to me when I said don't upgrade and now I have to upgrade mine so I can help them. Sorry for venting, on to the fights

https://youtu.be/kcJLThWUCDk
Icewave vs Nightmare: Once again the power of a vertical blade proves to be its own worst enemy. Both bots spin up their blades and make contact. I would have guessed with such a thin blade on Nightmare it would have broken into pieces. It did not but it did lose some other parts. It looked like the cover to its motor. Both blades strike each other again pushing the bots across the arena. Nightmare's blade stops and starts and then finally gives out. At first I thought Icewave was staying back waiting to see if Nightmare was done but it turns out that Icewave couldn't move. It's blade was still spinning but that was it. Nightmare was having problems keeping steady while its blade was spinning so I thought it finally gave out. But it could be they just turned it off after noticing Icewave was immobile. So something got knocked loose in Icewave when the bots made contact repeatedly. If you asked me which bot could take more hits I would put all my money on Icewave. I don't want to say I'm wrong but apparently I am. Nightmare was clearly damaged and one or two hits from being out but the wrong wire or something got knocked loose in Icewave and that's all it took. They should have aired this fight

https://youtu.be/ny9cvTYd--k
Brutus vs Lockjaw: Brutus got rid of its guns, no idea why. Yes they were useless but entertaining so if it doesn't affect your bots performance give the crowd some entertainment. Lockjaw added a wedge and no longer used its jaw. I'm going to give them the benefit of the doubt and assume that it took too much damage from its fight with Yeti and the wedge was the best they could do on short notice. But with the new rules it's going to be impossible to win with a wedge. Lockjaw's wedge was curved making it nearly impossible for Butus's spinner to make significant contact. Either through Lockjaw's superior driving, Brutus amateur driving or in my opinion a combination of both. Brutus could never get around Lockjaw's wedge. Neither bot had the power to push the other around but Lockjaw was slightly more powerful. Eventually Brutus started to smoke and its weapon stopped, the motor probably doesn't have the durability to spin indefinitely without wearing itself out. Lockjaw then turned around to use the jaw but the fight was over. So this was basically a pushing match. But because Brutus did have an offensive weapon and it did make damage regardless of how superficial it was, Brutus was the winner. Surprisingly it was a split decision. This was a boring match, they made the right choice in skipping this one.

https://youtu.be/1fkYU-FHsoo
Biteforce vs Ringmaster: Biteforce has replaced its useless flipper for an offensive weapon and wedge to provide some protection. Spinner bots were a great second generation bots years ago but they don't do too well now. Biteforce gets in two good hits and is able to absorb Ringmaster's spinning. After two hits Ringmaster could no longer spin and after some smoke Biteforce's weapon stops. After that it's just Biteforce pushing Ringmaster around. Eventually the fight ends and judges give unanimous decision to Biteforce. This didn't showcase any driving skills so it was even more boring than the last fight. Despite Ringmaster's poor showing, I would like to see spinners make a comeback.

https://youtu.be/49dCIgNSAB4
Cobalt vs Bombshell: They refer to Bombshell as the Swiss Army knife of bots because it can change its weapon depending on opponent. I think this is a great feature but could be problematic. They decide to go with a horizontal spinning blade to match Cobalt. Now Bombshell's blade was almost too high and barely could make contact with Cobalt. For whatever reason Cobalt decides to go in back first and use its wedge which considering the height of Bombshell's blade seems dumb. They should have taken their chances and charged straight in. Bombshell does chip away at Cobalt's wheels which after a while both wheels are useless and Cobalt can't move. It can wiggle a bit but no real control of movement. After a while Bombshell goes in for another hit and starts to crack open Cobalt's shell. But then Cobalt is counted out for not moving and Bombshell wins. As someone who never leaves home without his Swiss Army knife, I'm glad Bombshell won.

So we had two good short fights and two long boring ones. Still would have preferred this over ladybug fight.

Battlebots YouTube channel also posted what looks like an after show commentary with the teams for some of the bots. Haven't watched them yet but it could be interesting

All hail the mighty rake. Brusher of freshly cut grass, piler of fallen leaves, swatter of drones. We salute you!