The Norman Sheppard Tribute Tournament

[martyn]

just because you dont get any semi finalists doesnt mean you cant enter his next tourny matt

[matty_haka]

Hes having a primadonna strop cuase he doesnt win anything.

[matt_macdonald]

Thats correct Matt, execpt im having a primadonna strop because I always lose when I theoretically should win.

[razerdave]

The same can be said for any number of vapourbots Matt. Some robots are all powerful, and yet a simple robot could take them out in the fic world. If driving skills were bought into it, it would be a different ball game.

[dinowarrior]

I remember reading in the Robot Wars Magazine that a robot with a rubbish weapon and a great driver can beat a robot with a great weapon and a rubbish driver...sort of like Diotoir fighting Hypno-disc and winning (Dont get me wrong, I dont think Diotoirs weapon is rubbish, or that the Hypno-disc team are bad drivers, I was just using them as an example).

[andrewj]

Which is why everyone should be building real robots so we can see what their driving is like.

I sense this message forming a huge arguement, but never mind, I think its a valid point even if nobody else does.

[mrdaves]

Quiet today isnt it?

quote:

Nothing is impossible. Some things are just less likely than others. (Jonathan Winters)

NSTT, Heat M, Round 1

At Last

Melee 1
Hell Machine (17) vs. Orka MK4 vs. Supernova

From Oxfordshire, and 17th seed, Hell Machine. One of the most oldest vapourbots doing the rounds, it has an axe and a forward hinged firestorm style flipper. The armour is titanium, so it is very strong against crushers and other axes. However it€™s drive system is getting a tad on the old side now, 12 horsepower was a lot back in 2001. Will Hell Machine come back from a sleeping giant to rule the world again?
In Far 8: smashed up Thermindor 2 and Mad Bullverizer to get to the heat final, where it sadly met with Tempest who ate Hell Machine in one piece.

From somewhere in England, Orka Mk 4. Who let the clones out of behemoth, with an electric bucket scoop, and a grabber, which swings over the top to grab the robots to keep them still, allowing for the drive to kick in. Orka Mk 4 is faster than most robots at 15 mph, although at 6 wheel drive, it could be hard to turn quickly. The armour is tough enough to restand most attacks. Will the 9th series, prove that the series of robots which started way back in series 3 can finally get past round 2.
In Far 8 (As Orka Mk 3): After a brilliant BOTW performance the hopes were high for Chris, but sadly it met with Blink and Die, it blinked, and died in round 1.

From Sri Lanka, Supernova. Entered by Alex, as his realie, the 2nd placed robot in the last world championships is a good choice. Aimed with a 22 kg flywheel at the front, it is powerful enough to rip the souls out of other robots. It can keep the disc pointing at robots by using it€™s 2 wheels. However, it has a habit of knocking itself out after several hits. The armour is tough, but will it survive the melee?
In Far 8: out round 1, beaten by Die Ceratops Invertus.

All three robots are in the arena for the first melee in a long time:

3
2
1
Active

Both Hell Machine and Orka Mk 4 come out fast, as Supernova€™s flywheel is spinning up to speed. Hell Machine is holding back, as Supernova starts to move towards Orka Mk 4, as Chris is driving head-first towards the series 5 semi finalist. Orka Mk 4 is going to get killed, as both robots are getting near each other, as the scoop fires, as the edge hits the flywheel, bouncing both robots away. Hell Machine comes into play, with the axe, as the front wedge gets underneath the side of Supernova with ease. Alex tries to get away, but with only one wheel on the ground, it is hard work.

The axe of Hell Machine fires once, twice and three times, each time putting a lovely dent in the top of Supernova, which has pulled itself around, so that neither wheels are on the ground, and the flywheel is aiming up wedge. Hell Machine can€™t risk firing the axe now, with the flywheel aiming up the wedge, because the axe arm will hit it. However, Dave is pushing Supernova towards Orka Mk 4. Chris comes in with a side hit, and lifts Supernova off the wedge, and clamps down with the grabber. Hell Machine goes off to open the pit. Orka Mk 4 has pushed Supernova into the arena wall, sidewalls, so that the flywheel can be stopped.

Alex is trying everything he knows, as the shock is heard throughout the arena wall, as a crack appears in the wall, where the flywheel hit. Hell Machine comes over, and hits the top with the axe, as Orka Mk 4 has to drop Supernova due to the 30 second pin rule, but supernova isn€™t moving. Alex selects forward, nothing, reverse, and he slams back into the wall, the flywheel pointing outwards, as forward drive has gone. Orka Mk 4 comes in, and repeats it€™s initial tactic and lifts Supernova up, and onto it€™s arse. Hell Machine comes in, with a lovely axe blow on the top of Supernova, as it falls down to earth. Ref has started to move, as both Orka Mk 4 and Hell Machine reverse to look at Supernova.

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, and there goes that red card. A bell will ring inside your head. Hell Machine fires it€™s axe once more, but it€™s too late.

Cease

Supernova, knocks a lovely crack in the wall, knocks it€™s drive out, knocks itself out. Orka Mk 4 and Hell Machine, a partnership made in heaven? They go forward to round 2.

Melee 2
Disco 5 (16) vs. Natural Selection vs. Wedga Revo

From Scotland and Essex, the 16th seed, Disco 5. Entered by Martyn, the vertical disc/firestorm flipper concept has been around since time began. The 5th version of the successful disco series has come at the right time. Evil vertical disc at the rear, front flipper with wedge extender. Designed to destroy robots. However 2 wheel drive comes into it€™s own, when hit from the side. The rear wedge stops robots attacking the rear end before the disc comes into play. Will Disco repeat it€™s Lord of the Rings success?
In far 8: Started well by beating Interrorgator and Bigger Bully to get to the heat final, where it got flipped out of the arena by Son of Ripper 3.5.

From Birmingham, Natural Selection. Entered by Chris Cooper, as a replacement for Kody/Devon/Clover, this hydraulic lifting arm with vertical crushers gives it an evil taste in blood, and control below your wildest dreams. Chris Cooper is one of the best drivers in UK Vapourbots, and with one of the best chassis€™ entered, will Natural Selection, crush, and lift to victory?
It didn€™t enter Far 8.

From England, Wedga Revo. Entered by Andy, this world famous wedge with a flipper has already caused a fuss in NSBFL getting to the final 4. It€™s reminds you of a clone of the greatest vapourbot of all time, Spinverter 3, with tough skirts, a good flipper, and tough armour. However the base plate is the weak link, but apart from limited co2, this is one excellent machine.
It didn€™t enter the main heavyweights of Far 8.

Thank you for the sun, that shines on everyone who feels love.

All 3 robots are in the arena for the dance with death:
3
2
1
ACTIVE

The first out of the box is Wedga Revo, putting on full power, and accelerating to it€™s top speed within a few decimetres. Natural Selection is the next out of the box, a tad slower than the other two robots, but with heavy control, it has the upper-deal. Disco is revving the disc up to speed, as Natural Selection meets the front wedge of Wedga Revo.

It€™s a wedge vs. wedge special, as the two robots meet, as it€™s a toss up who gets underneath who, and Natural Selection gets underneath Wedga Revo, and at once, the arm comes out of hiding, and comes down to clamp the flipper closed, and the front end of Wedga Revo is lifted up into the air. Natural Selection turns around and drives Wedga Revo into Disco 5, which has come out of the square to attack, as all three robots come together for a massive group hug.

Disco 5€™s disc rips off the rear skirt of Wedga Revo, with ease, but still Natural Selection is pushing Wedga Revo and Disco 5 into the arena hammer. Once, twice, and three times, the hammer fires, making no damage whatsoever to either machine, as Natural Selection drops Wedga Revo, and goes off towards the pit release. Wedga Revo is following Natural Selection, but Chris dodges the attack from the doggy Wedga Revo, as Disco 5 comes out to attack once more.

The pit has been opened, as Natural Selection comes around and drives towards Disco 5. Wedga Revo comes across, and getting underneath Natural Selection, flips it over, along with Disco 5, which it€™s rear wedge has been clamped, the disc still spinning, as Wedga Revo flips again, putting Natural Selection on it€™s back, the disc of Disco 5 has stopped working, after it hit the floor as well, but neither robot can get away. Natural Selection redraws it€™s clamper and lifts itself over, as Wedga Revo slams into Disco 5 to self-right it.

All 3 robots are clear to land, as Disco 5 gets the disc up to speed, but it is shaking slightly, as one of the teeth is on the ground, this unbalance is causing the disc to shake. Natural Selection has self-righted as last, as Wedga Revo gets underneath the front corner, but Chris is too quick and avoids the main flip, as Disco 5 slams into the side of Natural Selection, as the first real damage is done, as sparks fly from the titanium shell of Natural Selection, as Chris turns around, to get his wedge underneath Disco 5€™s rear wedge.

Wedga Revo attacks once more, and getting fully underneath the rear of Natural Selection, lifting both robots up into the air, it tries for a master flip. Both Disco 5 and Natural Selection is tossed into the air, as Disco 5 hits the ground and rolls head over tail twice. The arena spike fires, flipping Disco 5 back up onto it€™s wheels. Natural Selection lands on it€™s wheels and goes off to attack Disco 5. Martyn is attacking using the wedge, because the disc motor has packed it€™s bags and has given up the ghost. Wedga Revo comes onto another attack, but avoids Natural Selection by a few inches. The pie is good Mr Anderson.

Natural Selection is heading for the rear end of Wedga Revo, with the no skirt, but Disco 5 gets underneath Natural Selection€™s sides and pushes it towards the arena hammer, unable to get fully underneath, as Wedga Revo comes around to attack and flip Natural Selection, onto it€™s side against the arena hammer. The arm starts to lift, lifting Natural Selection back onto it€™s wheels. Disco 5 comes slamming into play once more, to get underneath Natural Selection, but Chris dodges the attack, and slams into the side of Disco 5. The arena hammer fires, onto the top of Disco 5. The arm is underneath, the clamper has clamped, and the time is running out, as the arm starts to lift Disco 5 into the air. Wedga Revo attacks both robots once more, but the arena hammer fires; causing Andy not to get a good shot onto both robots, as Natural Selection is moving Disco 5 forward, as Wedga Revo slams into the side and lifts up both robots, but can€™t muster the full flip. Disco 5€™s wheels are spinning in mid-air, as the 20 seconds is slowly ticking down, as Natural Selection takes Disco 5 towards the arena spike for some last second action. The spike fires, as the clamper has come back, firing Disco 5 into the air, and doing a roll over it€™s side.

Wedga Revo gets underneath the rear of Natural Selection, and flips it with a full flip, as it crashes into the arena wall, after doing a roll. Natural Selection self-rights just as Cease is called.

Cease

All 3 robots are moving, so it will have to go to the judges who decide which robot shall fall

Aggression:
Natural Selection - (6/15)
Disco 5 - (3/15)
Wedga Revo - (6/15)

Control -
Natural Selection - (6/15)
Disco 5 - (5/15)
Wedga Revo - (4/15)

Damage Caused -
Natural Selection - (3/15)
Disco 5 - (7/15)
Wedga Revo - (5/15)

Style -
Natural Selection - (7/15)
Disco 5 - (5/15)
Wedga Revo - (3/15)

Strategy -
Natural Selection - (4/15)
Disco 5 - (4/15)
Wedga Revo - (7/15)

Totals:
Natural Selection (26/75); Disco 5 (24/75); Wedga Revo (25/75)

In a 26-25-24 decision, the judges€™ decision hasn€™t gone down well in the pits, but it€™s Disco 5 taking the long way home tonight, after the disc got knocked out.

Round 2 Draw
Hell Machine (17) vs. Wedga Revo
Orka Mk 4 vs. Natural Selection

Tactics, predictions, thoughts?

[razerdave]

How dare you call my robot old

Seriously, I will re-do the design in a modern light, but the shape and weapons will remain.

Tactics:
Its got good armour and is skirted. Its weakness however is the underbelly. I will aim to turn Wedge Revo over, spin around and hack into the underbelly. I ill be trying to get under anywhere possible.

[darkguru]

I have to try and avoid the grabber, again, i will be using the hazards after clamping onto Orka. If its hard of turning, i should be able to get to teh side fairly easily.

[mrdaves]

The fights should be up tonight *looks at andy and chris*

Woo, 500th Post in NSTT

Dave, now crusing at 2Mbps broadband.