Third time's the charm.

THE REAL ROBOT RUMBLE
ELIMINATOR 3
BIOHAZARD Vs FIRESTORM 5 Vs FLUFFY Vs PANIC ATTACK 24K Vs TOUGH AS NAILS Vs VLAD THE IMPALER II

FROM BELMONT, IN CALIFORNIA, BIOHAZARD!
GUEST DRIVER: Philip Bergman
There's nothing toxic about this robot's reputation. With four Battlebots titles under its belt, it's one of the most successful machines in all robotic combat. It's also one of the lowest, with a floor-hugging box frame housing a lifting arm that can both flip and push. The skirting and thick armour have made Biohazard nigh-on impenetrable in the past, but more recent spinners have shown the Battlebots champ's age and those skirts actually prevent it from self-righting properly. Does Biohazard still have that special chemistry?

FROM DURHAM, FIRESTORM 5!
GUEST DRIVER: Alex Valentine
Always the bridesmaid, never the bride! This nimble wedge has three Robot Wars bronze medals to its name, but aims to go for gold in the Rumble. The forward-hinged flipper may not seem powerful, but tell that to the robots it's rolled right over the arena fence! Firestorm also has some of the tightest handling in the warzone and the front blade can get under almost anything. It's not the best in a pushing match, though, and with armour smashed by everyone from Razer to Hypno Disc, Firestorm's hopes could turn to ashes.

FROM ENFIELD, IN MIDDLESEX, FLUFFY!
GUEST DRIVER: Dylan McCarthy
A rogue by any other name...would kick as much bot! Despite limited success in UK wars, Fluffy remains a fast and fearsome foe whose horizontal spinning axes capable of speeds up to 2000rpm. The polycarbonate and steel armour may not be soft to the touch, but they are very strong and the heptagonal frame can run either way up. This does leave the wheels exposed, however, and with a history of reliability problems behind it, Fluffy's future could look pretty fuzzy.

FROM CWMBRAN, IN GWENT, PANIC ATTACK 24K!
GUEST DRIVER: Alex Holt
Don't panic! This former British champion may squash you like a spider, but at least it won't pull your legs off first! Panic Attack is famed for its great pushing power and lifting forks and this particular version has even bigger fangs, an even lower frame, six wheel drive and skirting on all sides. It's especially strong in shoving matches, but it's also rather sluggish and with no self-righting mechanism on this model, one good flip could leave the Welsh warrior in a right panic!

FROM HAARLEM, IN THE NETHERLANDS, TOUGH AS NAILS!
GUEST DRIVER: Andrew Jackson
A confident boast, and not an unwarranted one. This pair of pliers on wheels has seen great success in both Dutch and British contests and is hoping to TAN a few more hides here in the Rumble. The horizontal arms can clamp and crush opponents with ease, while the Hardox armour plating is tough as, well, nails. The huge wheels give Tough as Nails good traction and can let the bot run upside-down too, but they're completed unprotected from the elements and let's just see how tough it is once the CO2 for the jaws runs out...

FROM OAKLAND, IN CALIFORNIA, VLAD THE IMPALER II!
GUEST DRIVER: Josh Noel
The two-time Battlebots champ is back - and he vonts to suck your battery fluid! Blah! While somewhat flatter than before, Vlad II is still a bulky box with a flipping plate, both of which can now run either way up. It's also swift as a bat with almost supernatural top speeds and has enough torque to bulldoze entire armies with ease. Vlad is a warlord through and through, but it can be a bit too fast for its own good and a well-aimed stake through the wheels could send things from Vlad Tepes to Vlad tepid!

HOUSE ROBOTS: Matilda & Sgt. Bash

Roboteers, stand by...
3...2...1...
ACTIVATE!

And immediately Vlad the Impaler II is on the run and slams straight into Firestorm 5, knocking the wedge clear aside! Alex V doesn't feel keen taking on Vlad this early in the procedings, however, and turns his attention to Panic Attack 24K, who is attempting to sneak its way underneath Biohazard. The two compact cuboids size each other up, looking rather like the Marx Brothers in a "fake mirror" skit. Biohazard soon takes a proper jab at Panic Attack and nearly tipples the Brit bot over with a flip on a skirt corner. Alex H stays upright this time and repays Phil in kind by charging Biohazard's own skirt corners. Panic Attack can't quite get the forks in underneath yet, but it can still engage the American in a sumo match and nobody does sumo quite like Panic Attack - just ask Shunt!
CRRRASH!
Ooh, never mind Shunt! Here comes Fluffy with a side-on slash on Panic Attack! The spinning axes have buckled one of the side-skirts almost immediately and now here comes Firestorm to join in the fun! Panic Attack is very popular today - or unpopular, depending on your point of view. Firestorm ploughs under the Welsh warrior, but fires the flipper too late for a full throw. Panic Attack stays upright again, only to take a flipping from Biohazard instead. This time, the whole bot nearly goes over, saved only by gravity or perhaps divine luck. Alex H tries to knock the two flippers away to give himself some space, but he's not quick enough to knock Fluffy back...
CRRRASH!
The already weakened skirt has now been virtually split in two and poor old Panic Attack is beginning to look a very sorry sight. It does still manage to shove Biohazard into the angle grinders (or rather, under them), but can't stop another attack from Firestorm and now the stars align for Alex V. Firestorm dives under, the flipper goes up and Panic Attack goes over. As Alex V flees an oncoming Fluffy and Biohazard nudges his bot aside, Alex H can only watch as the former UK champion is counted out by the Refbot...
1...2...3...4...5...6...7...8...9...10!
By the way, if you're wondering about what's happened to Tough as Nails, don't worry yet. Andy has spent most of the match so far in something of a contest of strength with Vlad II. Neither he nor Josh have any specific bots they want to take on in a hurry and so have decided to have a go at each other. It seemed as though the Impaler was on top at first, using its ridiculous speeds to hit-and-run the nutcracker-on-wheels, but it wasn't long before Tough as Nails turned the right way at the right time and got a hold on the two-time Battlebots champion. Josh tried to flip his way free, but the jaws had too tight a grip already and so the pushing match begins. Tough as Nails starts off strong; with Vlad II at something of an angle, it was that much easier to dig in its wheels and manouevre the Battlebot towards the nearest CPZ. Matilda is already presenting herself for Vlad II by the time Tough as Nails shoves it into the corner...
CRRRASH!
And sends the Impaler tumbling back over the Dutch machine with her flywheel! Vlad's still alive, if rather bruised, and has just enough wits left over to avoid an attack from Fluffy. Dylan's decided that Vlad is next on the menu and takes a charge at the Battlebot, nearly flying into Tough as Nails' jaws in the process! Lucky for Dylan that Andy wants to keep him around a while longer and instead tries to clamp Vlad a second time. He comes close, but the Impaler's speed allows it to escape the arms and even get under one of them. The flipping plate doesn't throw Tough as Nails completely over, but one supercharged ram completes the job and slams the Dutch machine into the northern wall! Now it's TAN's turn to get a tanning as Vlad the Impaler begins beating on the mobile pliers! Mind that Fluffy, Josh!
CRRRASH!
Oh, well. Never mind. Vlad's back plate is scarred, but in one piece. Unfortunately, it now also has Biohazard and Firestorm to contend with, as the two bring their own little tussle further up the arena. Not much has happened with their own duel so far; Firestorm has largely avoided getting caught by the flipping arm and Biohazard has kept mobile enough to prevent Firestorm attacking the skirt corners. Now, however, Phil is quite keen to leave Firestorm behind and take a turn trouncing Tough as Nails instead. The Battlebot meets the Dutch machine just as it trundles away from the wall and just manages to roll it over with the flipping arm. This gives Vlad II ample time to get underneath and plough Tough as Nails into Matilda's CPZ instead. This time, though, Matilda is caught unprepared and Tough as Nails is able to drive over Biohazard and away to safety.
Andy isn't safe for long, however, Vlad II comes back in on the attack, ramming Tough as Nails down near the Flame Pit. Fluffy and Biohazard follow in hot pursuit, but Firestorm swoops in on Biohazard and nearly manages to penetrate those side-skirts. A flick of the arm knocks Firestorm away and Biohazard keeps going, catching up to Fluffy as Tough as Nails and Vlad wrestle over the flames. The Dutch machine gets another grip on the Battlebot, just as Fluffy darts in for a well-timed blow on the Battlebot...

(We interrupt this battle to bring you more of this battle. Bleh.)