The Crash & Burn Tournament 4

[pmc1993]

Epic fights Kody - I could only ever dream of writing something this awesome, which reminds me - must write some fights

For the otherweights, I have no clue what will happen as that is not my expertise (actually, neither are heavyweights ) but this is how I predict the final heavyweight stands to be:

1st: Mobile Failure
2nd: Wedge Devolution (10)
3rd: Ge5orce (4)
4th: Sheer Heart Attack 2 (14)

Good luck to all concerned bout, good reading for all concerned bout reading, and good writing from Kody, as he is concerned abou writing

[shadowflare]

Oh gosh oh gosh oh gosh, how the heck did I make it so far?!

Ah, kay, right, tactics.

So, Innis against Little Hitter, whos name I keep misspelling and it bothers Kody greatly. XD
I'm not too sure. It seems like a good idea, though, to avoid it's weapon, and go for what corners I can find, and tear into them. I think I can cut in well enough, so hopefully it causes enough damage that I don't have to worry too too hard about getting murderdated really fast!

But now, for the most important one, right, Failure against Sheer Heart Attack the second.
....I've beaten it before. XD
Granted, it was with Failure 2.5, however, I don't see how much has changed enough for a similar, if not identical, strat to work.
So!
Running away is hard, it's faster, so I'm not running. Gonna stand my ground as much as possible. Go for the tracks. If I can get those, speed diffrences are no longer a problem. And then, let the pushing begin. It would be pretty great if I got a track off of the thing, somehow, though I don't think it's likely. Do try to avoid that drum, if at all possible, of course.
AXE AXE AXE.

Erhm. Good luck to everyone involved. ^^ Well done on us for making it so far, and for Kody writing everything as awsome as he does, neh!

[majinb]

monumental Kody

Well, long story short I have my tactics ready . Mobile Failure has a wedge, Sheer Heart Attack 2 loves wedges. My drumbot drives over a wedge, the wedge is damaged, it's as simple as that. Furthermore, notice SHA's own hinged wedges... SHA drives up a wedge, the hinges do their job, and the tracks of SHA keep in contact with the ground. Positive, positive, positive. Furthermore, what is it I see up that wedge of Mobile Failure? It's the axe's hinge! If SHA drives up the wedge, the drum will at some point meet up with that axe's hinge and Mobile Failure's weapon might just find itself crippled. I would fancy doing that .

Mobile Failure... that axe is nasty. Not immensely extremely powerful, but hey, if it were, it would only hinder Mobile Failure's... mobility. It's powerful enough, and that in itself is frightening enough. But SHA's shape is awkward, isn't it? In the middle of the bot's top view, where axes tend to hit, there's air and nothing but air. If I meet Mobile Failure drum-to-wedge, that axe wont hit me, which is exactly what I will be aiming for.

Best of luck Tracy!

[andrewj]

It's finals time!

Ge5orce (4) vs. Wedge Devolution (10)

I would like to get this one over with quickly - I think that a battle between two flippers like this could either be very short or very long. The main advantage I have here is that my two-wheel drive should be more manoeuvrable than Wedge Devolution's four-wheel drive. That should allow me to get into good positions to attack, while also avoiding Wedge Devolution's flipper. I should have enough power and leverage with my long wedge to get under Wedge's skirts, push it around, and flip it about. Once I'm under it, there's only one thing to do, and that's to try and get the king of all vapourbot flippers out of the arena. Failing this, I should have enough power to push Wedge Devolution around and into the hazards and potentially the pit. Another thing working in my favour is that I am invertible and won't need to self-right to get back on the attack, whereas Wedge Devolution will need to use up gas every time I turn it over.

Good luck, Steve. This should be a good one.

[kodster]

Well before we start the first Grand Final battle, I would like to now say that I am going to be handing out awards before the end, you lucky blighters. However, there will be quite a few more categories in this tournament than in C&B2 or C&B3:

Most Innovative Robot
Best Engineered Robot
Most Aggressive Robot
Best Newcomer
Too Cool For School Award
Mass Disctruction Award
Best Sportsman
Best Design
Best Fight

All but the last will be solely determined by myself. However, The Best Fight award I would like you all to PM to me (I do not want anybody over MSN giving this to me, it gets confusing). I want you all to read back through all of the fights so far and determine which one was THE cream o' th'crop! But of course, you can't vote for your own fight! And even those who haven't participated in the C&B before can still vote, that's the beauty of it! So...send them all in, lads 'n lasses!

Now that the awards are stated, what do you say we get this show on the road?! Let the Wars begin!!!

The Crash & Burn Tournament 4 Grand Final
Eliminator 1
Mobile Failure vs. Sheer Heart Attack 2 (14)

From Brooks, Canada...Mobile Failure!

C&B1: Didn't compete.
C&B2: Didn't compete.
C&B3: Didn't compete.
C&B4 Hit List: Y5, STAT, Disco 5 (1), The Crashing Bore 2

From Enschede, the Netherlands...former champion, 14th seed...Sheer Heart Attack 2!

C&B1: Didn't compete.
C&B2: (as Sheer Heart Attack) Defeated Quocunque Jeceris Stabit, The Deer, Aneurysm, Cyclone Force 2.5, Flank Attack: DT, SUNCUST, and finally Tempest Evil-er-oution to claim the crown!
C&B3: Very surprising loss as, after an intense struggle, Ge5orce managed to pit the reigning champ in its Heat Final.
C&B4 Hit List: Dendroaspis, Holepunch 2.0, Venus Fly Trap (11), Orka RV (6)

Roboteers, stand by...

In for the house robots we have Mr. Psycho, massive claw and massive hammer...massive presence! Alongside him we have Count Bleck's spinning body and flamethrower to boot!

3...
2...
1...
ACTIVATE!

And the Grand Final is underway! It begins with Sheer Heart Attack 2 on a one-way course with Mobile Failure's wedge! Obviously that's not where Tracy intends to end up and goes to move out of the way...but finds the plucky drumbot nearly there already! Hurriedly the newbie axebot tries to make a go at the sides of Sheer Heart Attack, but the former champ is caught by the side skirt of Mobile Failure, turned about, and has a clear opening at the rear! In goes the 14th seed with fury, and manages to clip the rear slightly before Mobile Failure can fully get away, stalling it, and then placing a heavy hit on that rear panel, throwing Mobile Failure up onto her wedge, and then falling back down onto Sheer Heart Attack! The angle of the landing is such that Mobile Failure is tilted side-on and Sheer Heart Attack manages to tip Mobile Failure over onto its back! But just as Sheer Heart Attack is about to throw his prize to the waiting Count Bleck some feet away, a burst of fresh carbon dioxide sees the axe extend, throwing Mobile Failure off the ground and back onto its wheels, out of range of the former champion! Now Tracy gets the bloody hell out of there before Martijn can resume the assault, and moves to the center of the arena, signalling Sheer Heart Attack to play the hound to her fox! Sheer Heart Attack just barrels straight for the newcomer, but more prepared this time is the Team Alt captain and Mobile Failure entirely avoids the drum of Sheer Heart Attack as she swings to the side! Driving up against the side, though, the wedge hits the tracks and remains stationary, Mobile Failure unable to push Sheer Heart Attack away, but at the same time jamming the track so Martijn cannot move his machine away! This, however, allows the most destructive axe we've seen this series come into play! And down it comes, directly onto the titanium tracks! Not waiting to admire the damage, Tracy lets fly again and again on the exact same track, and Martijn looks very worried! However, after about 8 straight axe blows, The Watcher shoves his nose into their business...it's been 30 seconds, Tracy, you can't pin Sheer Heart Attack there forever! Mobile Failure sulkily backs off...but amazingly there seems to have been absolutely no damage done to the tracks whatsoever! The track is working just fine and now Martijn wants some payback! Only thing is, you'll have to catch her first, Marti! The 4WD Failure is easily managing to dodge around the drum after that first charge now, and Martijn seemingly can't get it into play now! In comes the purple predator again, but slips up on its side attack and merely bounces off the tracks! This leaves our deviously Dutch drummer a delicious...er...chance, I reckon! And this gratuitous opportunity Martijn takes, gleeful with every fibre of his being! Sheer Heart Attack turns and buries that 39kJ drum directly into the side of Mobile Failure!

Mobile Failure is flipped up and over, almost into a 270 degree dive, but falls on its back at the last! As it tries to self-right, the drum is back in there and slashes the front edge of the side, sending the Failure skittering across the floor to end up near the arena wall, still inverted! Sheer Heart Attack keeps the deep pressure on, slamming Mobile Failure again and nearly getting it out of the arena, but at the very least slashing the titanium up some and sending the pseudo-Failure into Mr. Psycho's CPZ - BAM! The hammer directly impacts the underside of Mobile Failure! I think this battle is in Martijn's hands, now! In for a fourth deadly shot in a row, Martijn gets the rear panel again, Sheer Heart Attack tearing through it this time! Mobile Failure is pushed up against Mr. Psycho and falls back down, now badly beaten up! Another hammer blow misses, and this gives Tracy the time to self-right her machine...and there's life left in Mobile Failure, as it does! But that doesn't stop Sheer Heart Attack from driving forward and the former champ buries the drum into Mobile Failure's wedge...which may have been a mistake because he bounces off of it, then back onto it, drum stopped! Mobile Failure now has its own turn to deliver some payback as it positively flies across the arena without allowing the 14th seed any time to drive off the wedge and with a massive CRASH, Sheer Heart Attack is thrown straight into the spinning ring of the other house robot, Count Bleck, and one of the rear wedges is nearly torn right off! This separates the two, and somehow bashes Mobile Failure against the wall of the CPZ side-on. Not wishing to share dorm room with a glaring house robot, his monocle lopsided Tracy exits the CPZ and tries to play rope-a-dope with the former champion again, but accidentally drives over the arena saws! BZZT! But Martijn jumps the gun and drives forwards much too early, and the drum hits the killsaw!!! The resulting CRASH!!! bends the arena saw in question, and now it cannot be retracted! And obviously the poor thing won't be spinning up anytime soon! The drum is just fine, but Mobile Failure manages to dodge the drum now before it can get in there, and attacks the same side as before! Once again, the wedge jams the tracks so Sheer Heart Attack cannot really go anywhere, and we're treated to another axe fest as Mobile Failure lays it thick on the former champ! WHACK! WHACK! WHACK!

Goodness me, the tenacity of these blows is extremely worrying! I believe I even saw a spark from one of them...although that doesn't rival the spinning drum of Sheer Heart Attack...and speaking of Sheer Heart Attack, what's happened to the track?! It seems bent in! Not the individual track parts themselves, but the right side track as a whole is bent down beneath the armour! But Mobile Failure keeps up with the pounding, and gets a few more in before The Watcher sets himself in the separating position, actually lifting Mobile Failure up and away from Sheer Heart Attack 2! ...and the idiotic refbot drives himself straight over another set of arena saws! BZZT! This releases Mobile Failure, who moves in to keep attacking Sheer Heart Attack...but he's spinning in a circle! I believe that the bell has tolled! The bent track is completely jammed up! Martijn frantically tries to get the track going again, but to no avail it seems, as the former champion continues to make a bogus crop circle near the arena middle saws...which definitely need fixing after this! And so will Sheer Heart Attack 2, as Martijn puts down his controller and The Watcher begins to count him out! There will be no second trophy for the Dutch this time!
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10!

CEASE!

It's a very disheartening display but Sheer Heart Attack 2 was on a sheer downfall this fight! Keep your hopes up though, Marti, there's a play-off we need you for!
MOBILE FAILURE ADVANCES TO THE FINAL BATTLE!!!

----

Next battle: Ge5orce (4) vs. Wedge Devolution (10)

[steven_mcg]

Cack! The things you miss when you sod off for a week!

GRAND FINAL
ELIMINATORS
Ge5orce (4) VS WEDGE DEVOLUTION (10)

I'm honestly not quite sure what to do here, other than aim for the sides/corners, flip it all over the shop and try not to run out of gas before Andy does. Ge5orce may be more manoueverable but I'm fairly certain my lower frame and 4WD will make me a bit more effective at getting underneath. Flip, pit or feed to hazards ASAP and save as much juice as I can to make this go all the way.

I'll try and think of a Best Fight nom soon, Kody, but to be quite frank, damn near all of them have been awesome thus far. Yay, you!

[kodster]

And now, for your viewing (and reading) pleasure...the second of the Grand Final eliminators!

Eliminator 2
Ge5orce (4) vs. Wedge Devolution (10)

From Shrewsbury in Shropshire, 4th seed...Ge5orce!

C&B1: Didn't compete.
C&B2: Didn't compete.
C&B3: Reached the second round of the semis, only to fall to Disco 5, the current reigning champion.
C&B4 Hit List: Nidhogg³, LockJaw v3, The May Tracks Has You (13), Achilles (2)

From Glasgow, Scotland, 10th seed...Wedge Devolution!

C&B1: Shocked out in Round 2 when, after flipping over the house robots, Terrorhurtz managed to outlast it and beat it in a judges decision.
C&B2: Went a step further but again got beaten in a judges decision, this time by semi-finalist Axeon 3.0.
C&B3: (seeded 19th) Another step above its previous foothold, however this time it lost by a pitting, courtesy of Paralyzation 2.
C&B4 Hit List: The Deer, Monsoon Season, Black Panther, Gabriel IV

Roboteers, stand by...

In for the house robots there are Sgt. Bash with the flamethrower and vertical pincer...and Damocles with the drums on every side!

3...
2...
1...
ACTIVATE!

Roaring to life are the makings of a true flipper frenzy, and it's comprised of these two mechanical maelstroms! ( ) Off to the faster start is Wedge Devolution, but his aim is the same as his enemy-in-arms; get under the sides! However, it's proving rather tricky for either to break through with this, as each one can turn directly on a dime! And evidently it comes down to control, as Ge5orce slips up a bit! The 10th seed pounces, but Ge5orce is no slouch and backs out of trouble. Wedge Devolution turns immediately though, and we're back to the first square on the board. Now they circle each other again, like two frenzied great white sharks in the Atlantic...only it's each other their teeth will carve into! Wedge Devolution stops suddenly, and tries to take advantage of its seemingly greater control. Ge5orce turns straight into the front corner, and what results is Ge5orce getting straight under the side skirt from an odd angle, but Wedge Devolution sneaks under one of the wheelpods at the same time! Just as Ge5orce gets one of the corners of its flipper under the actual side of the 10th seed, both of them activate their flippers simultaneously!

The end occurrence is Wedge Devolution tipped high up onto one of its rear corners, then crashing onto its side semisphere and unbalancing onto its back, while Ge5orce does a perfect 360! 9.8 for the landing, Mr. J! Wedge Devolution has to self-right to keep fighting, and the landing points are...1.8! You've just righted yourself onto the flipper of Ge5orce! And the 4th seed is away to the wall...Steve fires the flipper of Wedge Devolution in a grand panic, hoping to upset Mr. J's travel plans, but this only serves to pop Wedge Devolution up and then back onto Ge5orce's flipper. And speaking of which, it activates just as quickly, catapulting the 10th seed up...and down and out!!! It's over! Wedge Devolution is out of the trophy running, and Ge5orce is through...through to the first Final Battle Team ??? have ever been in, in this series! But Andy is nowhere near content, and now slides over to the CPZ where Sgt. Bash is! The blazing Sergeant is trying to get under the flipper, but you've little chance with these low-to-the-ground wedges, Bash! Little chance! And Ge5orce chances a flip and over goes Bash! Noticing the advancing Damocles, Andy gets under and around Bash, now with the house robot pointed at his comrade! But the house robots are spared, because...

CEASE!

Steven's creation undergoes a disastrous Wedge of a Devolution, but don't fret - the 3rd place playoffs are in sight!
GE5ORCE (4) ADVANCES TO THE FINAL BATTLE!!!

----

Next up:
3rd place play-off
Sheer Heart Attack 2 (14) vs. Wedge Devolution (10)

And later
Awards, and the C&B4 Finals

[pmc1993]

Ah well, I got one prediction correct I will therefore sort out my predictions to account for this

1. Mobile Failure
2. Ge5orce (4)
3. Wedge Devolution (10)
4. Sheer Heart Attack 2 (14)

I think this has been an awesome tourney, and either way, everyone is a winner

[andrewj]

Mobile Failure vs. Ge5orce

My tactics here will be very similar to the ones I used in the last battle against Wedge Devolution. Again, my two-wheel drive will give me a manoeuvrability advantage against Mobile Failure's four-wheel drive. This means that I can get into attacks easily and also avoid Mobile Failure's axe - obviously, axe weapons have a limited range of attack, so I will try to avoid the business end whenever possible. Although if Mobile Failure manages to catch me with the axe, I am confident that my armour will stand up to it just fine. Like I did against Wedge Devolution, the aim will be to get under Mobile Failure's skirts using the power and leverage behind my wedge. Mobile Failure is a big robot, so I will have plenty to aim at if I can get to the sides or round the back. Once under, I can push it around and try to get it out of the arena.

Good luck, Tracy!

[kodster]

And just a reminder, YOU DON'T HAVE TO HAVE COMPETED BEFORE TO VOTE FOR THE BEST FIGHT.