Active Weapon Rule?

**grant_ploughbot** · 25th July 2013, 08:28

As I said, we are not changing any rules for next years champs so you have nothing to worry about

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Ceri, I think your completely missing the point of the whole idea behind our proposal! Were not trying to upset everything to improve our shows at all. It will have a lot more benefit to HW events than it will to our's - however it's all about improving and progressing the sport as a whole and not just 2 events a year.

**PJ-27** · 25th July 2013, 08:30

Few things to consider:

The FW UK champs is not for crowd entertainment, it's unique from the other EOs in that sense.

We want to get as many people as possible involved in the sport, the more that attend the champs the better. Forcing an active weapon rule may alienate new comers, and even vets (like Tiny Toon, Satanix, Bonx etc)

On the other hand, allowing people to build Ubür defensive boxes that'll usurp highly engineered aggressive robots will alienate event vets and they may stop attending.

At the end of the day there's a decent diversity in robot design in the FWs, and if an Ubür box can defeat a monster spinner then maybe it's time to look at the spinner design.
As spinners have become more and more powerful/effective, they've become more popular. Conversely people see this, either build their own, or try to design something that can beat it. It's the natural evolution of things, and it's true in any competition.

I don't think EVERYONE building boxes is an issue we're going to have.

**maddox10** · 25th July 2013, 09:00

Even the most armored box is flippable/OOTAble.

**PJ-27** · 25th July 2013, 09:41

There already are qualifying rounds for the UK champs, passing some sort of scrutineering? No thanks.

**Eventorizon** · 25th July 2013, 10:57

Originally Posted by PJ-27

There already are qualifying rounds for the UK champs, passing some sort of scrutineering? No thanks.

Your machine looked good in the video you put up PJ, you don't have anything to worry about. And your new machine looks cool and is fitted with an electromagnet! That would make the pass if it came down to qualifying.

There are many who seem to believe that building a spinner is difficult... it isn't. Conker was my first machine and that was happily tossing 4-4 Toon through the air and was still able to fend off Inertial XL with its plastic armour. Yes Conker 2 took a step up but underneath the electronics and internals were identical; just a different chassis and armour.

Tormanta and Tormanta 2 are also great examples of what looks like a push-but but is armed with some potent weaponry. A bit of tweaking and T2 could easily be made spinner proof (well for 3 minutes anyway).

Several people have built axe's this time too with drill motors with some good results. Again just refine them until they are a potent weapon. And if you gear one of those down further you suddenly have a lifting arm.

Having an active weapon doesn't mean you have to match something like LS4 or Beauty or 720 on your first attempt... that comes with experience and you will only get that experience if you have a go and build one. I started with a spinner in my first year and now the maths says Conker 3 will hit 30% harder than 720 did this year, and have better engagement.

Have a go and you will be pleasantly surprised about how little you need to keep out a spinner.

**grant_ploughbot** · 25th July 2013, 09:50

The fact is - there is no change from how we have always done it......

**cliveb** · 25th July 2013, 11:41

Originally Posted by grant_ploughbot

The fact is - there is no change from how we have always done it......

This sums up why this discussion in my opinion is pointless. That and the fact that it was discussed by the members and voted on,along with a reduction back to 12 kg, by the members of the FRA at the AGM. It was if my memory serves me correctly passed unanimously.

**Mouldy** · 25th July 2013, 10:38

Id probably suggest an application type entry... put in your application with a picture etc, if your robots good enough to be entered into a uk championships, then good... but if you turn up with a hardox box with drill motors every year, expect to be turned down eventually.

Thats how most other sports run... you get into a big championship by building yourself a reputation and impressing people and working your way up... just because you own a tennis racket doesnt mean you can expect to enter wimbledon...

People seem to forget that robochallenge are the only EO capable of running fw full combat events... And if the show isnt good enough to watch, it might not happen the next year.