Damage, even in friendlies, is almost inevitable, Pressure mk3 lost Two SLAs and a motor controller at Birmingham two years ago when it was slammed into the side wall by Storm II (Ed did apollogise!) I have nothing against crushing claws, they add variety (all flippers wouldnt be as interesting to watch) but they are, perhaps, a little more difficult to be gentle with. Pressure mk3s armour and chassis was full of holes and patches as a result of encounters with Kan Opener, though nothing expensive was ever damaged.
Perhaps there should be a clause (claws?) in competition fight rules. If a fight involving a crusher goes to a judges decision the other bot should be checked for damage and if a punture would have hit something vital, killing the bot, but didnt because the crusher backed off, the win should go to the crusher.
Any thoughts anybody?