We're getting to the second half of the series now, just one more episode to go until the Grand Final! As usual, spoilers from here on out.


Well, I have to say this was genuinely one of my favourite episodes so far. Some fantastically designed robots by some experienced teams. And also some honestly disappointing bots too. The teams seemed great this time though, and the editing was honestly not bad. Not loving the camera view from between Matilda's tusks but, eh. I'm sure it'll improve next series. Sweeny Todd was certainly pegged as an interesting machine since I saw its omniwheels on the website. However, honestly at middleweight mass, it really looked like wasted potential to me. The wheels seemed like the only advanced feature, and the box design with strapped-on angle grinders really did look like something cobbled together on short notice. Still a shame to see innovation go out. I honestly have no such sympathy for Terror Turtle. Back with what is basically the same robot as the previous series of Robot Wars with a fibreglass shell and a little clusterbot with the extra 10kg, it really has never been competitive. That said, I don't think the team really expected to win, they're just in it for the fun, which there's nothing wrong with in my opinion. Another robot I was sad to see go was Sabertooth. I do love multi-weapon designs, and if only they'd have been able to self-right, I think they might've gotten further. Certainly a cool-looker, but not a great performer, especially against Eruption. Kan Opener was another crusher/gripper that I'd have liked to see go through, but again we had another link disconnect. These seem to be happening literally every episode now.

Onto the four winners of the first round, I honestly have to say I was very impressed with PP3D. I know Gary reads around the forums, and I have to say that is one formidable disk. It was great to see the damage it caused, but it was such a shame that one wheel seemed to be constantly locking up or flying off or the motor burning out. Excellent machine though, and I really hope to see more of it, hopefully with improved and protected drive! Eruption was honestly a bot I expected to go a lot further. For a team we've seen go so far in the live circuit, I think they had some really bad luck in this episode. Interesting to see what they did with the extra 10kg, adding armour and that little hook-grabber thing - though the armour seemed more effective. Looked very cool overall though.

Now Storm 2, WHERE WAS THE POWER? Where was the immense speed and force behind the machine we saw dominate in Extreme 2 and the 7th wars? I heard they hadn't been doing as well since then, but honestly it felt like a machine that used to bludgeon its opponents into submission was now just gently slipping underneath them. It might just be me, but I hope to see the Storm 2 again that we saw in the 7th wars. And onto the winner, which was honestly completely out of the blue for me - Apollo. When they said it could throw 50kg in the beginning, I honestly didn't think much of it, but suddenly it started throwing house robots over and its opponents out. I think they did have a fair amount of luck to get the victory, but in the end, it was well-deserved. Clearly prone to a few reliability issues, but a worthy winner. I will say though, I hope we don't get a flipper monopoly again in the grand final. Ellis, I'm counting on you and Pulsar! As for the house robots - come on guys. We haven't seen this kind of competitor insolence since Gravity, get stuck in for goodness sake! They had ample time to attack the competitors, but they're certainly still holding back in a big way. Overall though, one of my favourite episodes. Good fun.