BattleBots: The Quarterfinals
July 20, 2015 6:46 AM - Season 1, Episode 5 - Subscribe

Two bots enter, one bot leaves.
posted by drezdn (15 comments total) 1 user marked this as a favorite
 
Really disappointed by the ending of Tombstone vs. Witchdoctor.
posted by drezdn at 7:06 AM on July 20, 2015


It seems like a design flaw to have a section of the wall with enough room to fit a robot in.
posted by drezdn at 7:11 AM on July 20, 2015 [1 favorite]


At least it was a close fight. One bot out, the other badly damaged. So many have been very lopsided.

Surprised Witchdoctor has no recovery for being flipped.
posted by French Fry at 7:45 AM on July 20, 2015 [1 favorite]


Interesting to see that Tombstone is not as unstoppable as I thought, but of the possible opponents it could face in the final, who could beat it now that Icewave is gone?
posted by briank at 8:00 AM on July 20, 2015


Bronco might be able to. If Bronco can flip it at an angle, Tombstone would probably wreck itself.
posted by drezdn at 8:05 AM on July 20, 2015


This show would be more enjoyable if they replaced the annoying human commentators with robots.
posted by homunculus at 9:53 AM on July 20, 2015 [2 favorites]


named Tom and Crow
posted by French Fry at 9:59 AM on July 20, 2015 [3 favorites]


This show would be more enjoyable if they replaced the annoying human commentators with robots.
I do worry about the female talent trotting around the arena and pits in their high heels. To say nothing of the judge kneeling down on the arena floor in her cocktail frock. Wonder what their worker's comp is like?
Tombstone vs. Witchdoctor was amazing. Looking forward to see what he does about the broken blade...
posted by The Ardship of Cambry at 10:35 AM on July 20, 2015


You'd think he'd just have an extra one, but then again, Ghost Raptor didn't so who knows.
posted by drezdn at 1:35 PM on July 20, 2015


I do worry about the female talent trotting around the arena and pits in their high heels

I only watch the "fights only" version ... are there ring girls? please say no.
posted by French Fry at 1:39 PM on July 20, 2015


I know everybody complains about the extra content "padding," but if that's what it takes to get this show on network TV, it's fine by me. If everyone just goes on Reddit and watches the edited versions, it's not going to last long. (It probably won't anyway, but I'd like to at least give it a chance.)

If I were building a robot for the show, I think the first thing I'd do is design a way for it to flip itself back over if it ends up on its back. Being flipped is such a common occurrence that I don't understand why people don't make that a priority.
posted by primethyme at 3:54 PM on July 20, 2015 [1 favorite]


If I were building a robot for the show, I think the first thing I'd do is design a way for it to flip itself back over if it ends up on its back. Being flipped is such a common occurrence that I don't understand why people don't make that a priority.

I think under normal conditions Witch Doctor wouldn't have been stuck on its back, but the addition of the plow changed its height and weight.
posted by drezdn at 5:21 PM on July 20, 2015


are there ring girls? please say no.
There's a sort of hostess who chats with the two male commentators, and a woman who interviews contestants in the pits and pre-and post-match. NASA's Bobak Ferdowski showed up briefly in the first episode but hasn't turned up again.
posted by The Ardship of Cambry at 4:26 PM on July 21, 2015


The interviewer is Alison Haislip, the hostess is Molly McGrath (Fox Sports college football sideline reporter), and there's also Jessica Chobot as a judge. None of them are ring-girl-eye-candy, and they're all treated as seriously in their roles as the men. It's kinda refreshing.
posted by Etrigan at 2:36 PM on July 24, 2015 [1 favorite]


I only tuned in recently, and am starting from here.

BRONCO v. STINGER
They both look pretty similar: "flipper" type bots with a lot of power. I think this one is going to come down to driving skill. Bronco has some armor on the wheels, that may be the advantage.
I didn't know Stinger has the ability to switch out - the flamethrower looks cool, but I've never seen it be effective.
Bronco's longer tongue on the flipper proved to be decisive.

TOMBSTONE v. WITCH DOCTOR
Tombstone is the bot to beat. Witch Doctor's ability with the mini bot seems more like a gimmick,and without it will probably mess up their gameplan. Changing plans seems like a bad idea.
Wow! They destroyed Tombstone's primary weapon. But were unable to right themselves. That's an important part.

BITE FORCE v. OVERHAUL
Bite Force is another flipper, Overhaul has an indeterminate weapon? The armored tracks seems like a good idea. I think the announcers are right - driving will play a big part. Oh, Overhaul has a flipper with some kind of overhanging fang.
Looks like Bite Force has some more power, but Overhaul gets that good handling in the end. This is the closest match yet!
I wasn't sure which way it'd go. I think Bite Force won on earlier performance. Some more time and Overhaul would take it.

ICE WAVE v. GHOST RAPTOR
Ice Wave has a serious spinner, Ghost Raptor had a spinner and a plow - but now has an arm. Ice Wave appears to be gas powered (complete with exhaust stack) which makes me wonder what the preferred power sources are.
IceWave gets knocked out! No self-righting seems like a serious risk!
posted by the man of twists and turns at 10:58 PM on August 7, 2015 [1 favorite]


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