The EXP League

[steven_mcg]

Metallic Doom vs. Wedga: EXP

Erm, that adds up to 26, right?

...Wow. Six years without maths and I forget how to count to 25.

Do you think you'd be able to lose that extra point in Metallic Doom's stats, Lian?

[death robotics]

Sorry bout that folks, -1 to the armour

[steven_mcg]

Cheers, Lian. Now how's about some Round 2?

ROUND 2
LIGHTWEIGHT DIVISION
HIT 'EM HARDER Vs MR. T
Mr T begins the fight the stronger, using its greater Speed and Manoueverability to run rings around Hit 'Em Harder. Lewis does his best to keep up, but just can't catch Martijn's machine. He can't even bring the axe into play, due to Mr T's higher Armour. stat. Mr T soon finds its way around to Hit 'Em Harder's rear and manages to flip it over a couple times. Before it can ready another attack, however, Hit 'em Harder powers underneath Mr T and easily shunts it into, well, Shunt. Lewis then hits the nearby Pit Release while Mr T takes a bad blow from the House Robot's axe. The two meet outside the CPZ, where Hit 'Em Harder hits Mr T hard into the nearest wall. Before it can happen again, however, Martijn swivels out of harm's way and once more procedes to taunt Hit 'Em Harder. Lewis again tries to match Mr T's speed, but finds his machine tossed and toppled several times before eventually being flipped into the Pit.
MR. T: 3 pts
HIT 'EM HARDER: 0 pts

BLACKROSE Vs PENDULUM
This fight plays out in much the same way as Pendulum's clash with Hit 'Em Harder - BlackRose attempts to push its opponent into every hazard it can find, while Pendulum tumbles back and foth, trying to defend itself with some wild spinning. Andy's Manoueverability advantage means he does a good job avoiding BlackRose's charges, but once again, his hammer is incapable of doing any serious damage. BlackRose exploits this by staying on the aggressive, occasionally managing to scoop Pendulum up and smash it into a wall. The axlebot shows no signs of stopping, however, and continues to pester Kody's rammer. Things boil to a head near the end of the clash when BlackRose clips an evading Pendulum's wheel and sends it swinging into a wall. Kody pounces and beats the axlebot against the barrier, before pushing it effortlessly into Dead Metal's CPZ. Pendulum manages to roll out of the House Robot's clutches, but not without taking a nasty slice from the saw as time runs out.
BLACKROSE: 1 pt
PENDULUM: 1 pt

THE SERVANT Vs THE TUNGUSKA PROJECT
The Servant gets off to a quick start, slamming the Tunguska Project mere moments after separating over the Flame Grill. Burning brightly once again, the pair split up - Project One rushes away to release the Pit, while Project Two distracts and torments the Servant. Lian is annoyed, but not greatly. The Servant proves quicker than Project Two and outmanouevers it several times for a few fancy flips. When Project One returns, however, things become more serious. Lian finds it tricky to keep an eye on both machines and the two Projects even manage to push the Servant around a little with their combined Traction stats. Lian regains control, however, when he manages to outmanouever Project One and flip it aside, allowing him to concentrate on Project Two. The Servant procedes to throw Project Two around the ring and towards the Pit. Project One rushes to rescue its brother, but almost arrives too late thanks to its slower Speed. Project One tries to shunt the Servant and help Project Two back into play, but the Servant simply spins round and flips it aside again. Project Two tries the same thing, but the Servant puts in one more flip before consigning it to the Pit. The fight is over, but not the fighting spirit of Project One. The surviving segment continues badgering the Servant regardless and puts it down the Pit as well. Joey won't get points for that, but he's avenged Project Two at least.
THE SERVANT: 3 pts
THE TUNGUSKA PROJECT: 0 pts

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ROUND 1
HEAVYWEIGHT DIVISION
EQUINOX Vs HEAD OVER HEELS
Immediately Joey heads for the Pit Release, slamming into it before Lewis can catch up to him. Head Over Heels positions itself for an attack, but Equinox's superior Manoueverability turns the fight into an intriguing dance-off. A good chunk of the match sees the two robots trying to outwit each other, but not quite succeeding. Equinox proves too nimble for Head Over Heels to catch and push around with its great Traction, but Head Over Heels proves too quick for Equinox to capture and clamp. The audience is far from bored, however, as the two bots biff and bash each other like renegade dodgems all the while. The most significant development comes when Equinox dodges another head-on assault by Head Over Heels, only for the rammer to barge its side instead as it turns away. Joey instantly aims for the Pit and heads full throttle towards it. Sadly for him Equinox manages to pull another escapology act and get free. The robots resume their close-quarters jousting contest until time runs out.
EQUINOX: 1 pt
HEAD OVER HEELS: 1 pt

MEATLOAF 2 Vs SUPER GORE SEPTUA
To Martijn's mild surprise, Kody starts this fight on the offensive. Super Gore Septua charges at Meatloaf 2, an attack the axlebot only narrowly misses. Super Gore turns to attack again, but Meatloaf strikes back, landing a powerful blow on one of the front claws. What follows is a tense, close-quarters clash between the two machines, with Meatloaf buzzing around Super Gore like a fly on a cow. Their Manoueverability stats are equal, but Martijn's greater Speed and two wheels give him the bare edge against Kody's slower tracks. This sees Super Gore take serious damage from Meatloaf's drum several times, interrupted only when a freak turn the right way manages to scoop the axlebot up in its clutches. The claws immediately grab one of Meatloaf's wheels before it can escape and Super Gore smashes it into the Pit Release. This has the unfortunate effect of releasing Meatloaf again, however, and the fight continues as before. Martijn keeps managing to stay just out of Super Gore's reach, all the while inflicting even more damage. Super Gore is looking in bad shape by now as Kody tries to hang on till the final whistle. He does well, but one good blow from Meatloaf near the end jams one of the tracks. Left spinning in circles, Super Gore is counted out.
MEATLOAF 2: 3 pts
SUPER GORE SEPTUA: 0 pts

METALLIC DOOM Vs WEDGA: E.X.P.
The final match of Round 2 opens very much like the last match of Round 1. Metallic Doom and Wedga: EXP size each other up, only landing a few glancing blows to begin with. Both are evenly matched in Speed and Manoueverability, though Metallic Doom's shuffling feet seem slightly less nimble than Wedga's wheels. Things liven up when Andy manages to catch one of the shuffler's claws and flip it over a couple times. Metallic Doom is unhindered, however, and nearly snatches Wedga in its claws. Wedga dodges and lands a couple more flips, followed by a push to the arena wall. Metallic Doom recovers before it can be thrown out altogether, though, and scoops Wedga up in its arms. Lian pins the flipper against the wall and brings the claws into play. Wedga's Armour is punctured, but the bot itself is still very much alive. Andy brings his superior Traction into play, pushing Metallic Doom around the arena and eventually into Dead Metal's CPZ. This leads to an unusual chain being forged - Dead Metal grappling Metallic Doom, Metallic Doom grappling Wedga and Wedga trying to flip Dead Metal. A little violent struggling from both competitors shortly sees them fleeing the CPZ and back into the arena, where they continue to spar till the end of the battle.
METALLIC DOOM: 1 pt
WEDGA: E.X.P: 1 pt

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LIGHTWEIGHT STANDINGS (2/5):
1. BLACKROSE = 4 pts
=. MR. T = 4 pts
=. THE SERVANT = 4 pts
4. PENDULUM = 2 pts
5. HIT 'EM HARDER = 1 pt
6. THE TUNGUSKA PROJECT = 0 pts

HEAVYWEIGHT STANDINGS (2/5):
1. EQUINOX = 4 pts
=. MEATLOAF 2 = 4 pts
3. HEAD OVER HEELS = 2 pt
=. WEDGA: E.X.P. = 2 pt
5. METALLIC DOOM = 1 pts
=. SUPER GORE SEPTUA = 1pt

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ROUND 3 DRAW
LIGHTWEIGHT DIVISION
Pendulum VS The Servant
BlackRose VS Hit 'Em Harder
Mr. T VS The Tunguska Project

HEAVYWEIGHT DIVISION
Equinox VS Super Gore Septua
Head Over Heels VS Wedga: EXP
Meatloaf 2 VS Metallic Doom

Round 3 will be hopefully posted some time between Sunday and Monday, more likely Monday, so get a'pondering about your tactics.

Thank you.

[kodster]

Dear oh dear, poor SGS. Although the fact Steven McGregor wrote the result lessens the blow somewhat.

BlackRose vs. Hit 'Em Harder

Not you again! :P

Use previous tactics used against Pendulum, the wedge of HeH's doesn't bother me too much. Only be VERY careful of HeH's overhead thwack, that's what won him the battle on ARC. Horizontal thwacks should glance off the wedge, or the side skirts if they hit, and go flying up. Since I can't make a good thwackbot to save my life, I have a general loathing of all other thwackbots, sorry. :P

Equinox vs. Super Gore Septua

Ah, an all-Lewis Round, I see. General clamp and pit tactics, please.

G'luck, Lewis.

[death robotics]

Yay, im joint 1st in the LW's

Ok my plan against Pendulum is to charge into him, try and avoid the thwack, eat a hit or 2 if i must, and get him down
the pit pronto

HW- Ouch, my claws are wide enough, so i'll grab its wheels and hop the drum dont hit me then take him to the pit

Good luck guys

[andrewj]

Interesting, good work Steve-o!

Pendulum vs. The Servant

Again, my opponent is going to find it difficult to beat me, as there isn't much point trying to flip an axlebot! I will try to stay towards the middle of the arena whenever possible just in case The Servant gets a lucky flip in. I am more manoeuvrable, so I will try to dodge The Servant's attacks and thwack it when I can. It doesn't have the best armour in the world, so if I can cause any damage, especially to the flipper, that would be great.

Head Over Heels vs. Wedga: EXP

Head Over Heels is primarily a rambot, and I have equal traction, and come close for manoeuvrability, so that is a good start. I think it might have problems pushing me from the front and the sides due to my wedges and skirts, so that is also a benefit. I'm just going to do my best to push it towards the walls and flip it OOTA. As usual, if that fails, make use of the house robots and the hazards and try and finish it off.

There are some wonderful CADs involved in these two battles...

[joey_picus]

Head Over Heels vs. Wedga: EXP: Head Over Heels is faster and more maneuvrable than Wedga, which will be my main advantage since I should be able to get underneath the corners of the robot, underneath the skirts, or - my primary target - underneath the rear end. I shall go for the pit release button straight away, before then aiming to outdrive Andy as he approaches and sweep him into the pit...I shall then apologise and help him get back out and then go for Wedga: EXP instead, outdrive that as it approaches and sweep it into the pit. Failing all that, ram, avoid the flipper, get underneath, push, pit, pit, use flipper if necessary and especially to try and self right out of harm's way if I do get flipped over and start being pushed.

Best of luck Andy

The Tunguska Project vs. Mr. T:

good luck Marti :P

[majinb]

Mr T, against the burning clusterbot of Joey, will concentrate on 1 opponent at a time, overpower it, get under it, lift it, pit it.


Meatloaf, against the shuffling crusher of Lian, will hit that boxy thing hard and often and relentles. Be everywhere, and hit it often.

Good luck opponents of mine!

[steven_mcg]

GOOD NEWS: I've just finished writing the fights for Round 3!
BAD NEWS: As it stands, the current Round 3 Heavyweight draw means that I've accidentally ensured repeated fights in the later rounds. So let's try this again.

THE PROPER ROUND 3 DRAW
LIGHTWEIGHT DIVISION
Pendulum VS The Servant (written)
BlackRose VS Hit 'Em Harder (written)
Mr. T VS The Tunguska Project (written)

HEAVYWEIGHT DIVISION
Equinox VS Meatloaf 2
Head Over Heels VS Wedga: EXP (tactics in)
Metallic Doom VS Super Gore Septua

Sorry for the mix-up there, guys, that should be it sorted now. To give those with different fights a fair chance, I'll give Lewis, Kody, Martijn and Lian until Friday to post in tactics.

Ah well. I did say this was an experimental tourny. :P