Active Weapon Rule?

[Marien]

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

... in the UK.

[PJ-27]

@Alex, thanks but that robot was all Dan's doing! It just uses the weapon system from BitzaWood.

I don't think there's anyway you can force everyone to make interesting machines (to make sure the spobby doesn't go stale) without alienating people already in the sport and people wishing to join.
Making the Champs some sort of elite event whereby you have to jump through hoops to get involved is a bad idea where what we really need is more people getting involved.

I very much get the impression that the RC guys would rather there were more people participating in the UK FW Champs, it's not like spaces are limited. More people leads to more designs.

[ady]

If people were concerned about redesigning their whole rammer bot for this new rule or not happy about it, it's pretty easy to get around. If you think about it, It has to be a active weapon not a effective weapon.

[daveimi]

I'm yet to enter an event, but I'm ready to now enter with an invert-able box. There are some good comments about different competitors being at different levels in the "spobby". It's like people have already said: the top-end machinery want blood and guts, and people like me just want to enter and not be marmalised. And so to attract new people you will need something hard-core to keep the top end happy, and something wrapped in cotton wool for someone like me to get started. This time last year I didn't even own a cordless drill...

Anyway, the point of my ramblings is that I quite like the idea of needing an active weapon to enter the big events, it gives me something to aim for. But at the same time, I really need the easy and more mellow events to give me that foothold and get some experience. I could now quite easily build a naff hammer, and I agree that watching the rammers on youtube gets boring, unless, as people have said they're La Machine spectacular.

[Mouldy]

... in the UK.

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

[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.