Weapons - Revision history

Chklnk: /* Spinning weapons */ Little more detail

2022-06-08T10:13:28Z

Spinning weapons: Little more detail

User: /* Wedgelets */

2022-05-07T16:01:22Z

Wedgelets

User: /* Lifting weapons */

2022-05-03T05:52:10Z

Lifting weapons

Chklnk: /* Spinning weapons */ Drum spinner section

2022-01-19T06:12:49Z

Spinning weapons: Drum spinner section

MarkR: /* Horizontal spinner */

2021-12-24T11:05:34Z

Horizontal spinner

MarkR at 11:02, 24 December 2021

2021-12-24T11:02:05Z

Chklnk: Minor edits plus picking at this and that

2021-12-13T09:18:52Z

Minor edits plus picking at this and that

User: /* Thwackbot */ - Details

2021-11-30T04:59:34Z

Thwackbot: - Details

User: Ring Spinner Description

2021-11-30T04:53:39Z

Ring Spinner Description

User: Shell Spinner - Details

2021-11-30T04:48:45Z

Shell Spinner - Details

@@ Line 77: / Line 77: @@
 ==Horizontal spinner==
-*Blades
+A spinning weapon used to strike, cut, or tear apart the opposing bot. These may include:
-*Discs
+* Bars and discs for high energy impacts
-*Bars
+* Blades and cutting wheels to cause penetration and internal damage
-*High-mounted horizontals are great for damaging top-mounted weapons and may be positioned to reach over wedges to strike the body of opponents.
+* Tires to wear, dent, or fling opponents (may be permitted in limited-damage "sportsman" competitions)
 *Low-mounted horizontals (undercutters) can destroy wheels, tires, guards and frames on many bots. However, they could be deflected by hardened wedges.
-*Gyroscopic effects
+The position of a spinner affects how it is used, and its use differs depending on how the rival bot is built.
 Advantages:
 * Easier than a vert to target opponent with a big spinning horizontal element
-* Turning / yaw of the robot is not a problem
+* Gyroscopic effects could be less troublesome compared to vertical spinners; turning / yaw of the robot is less of a problem
 Disadvantages
 * After a big hit, the reaction force can throw the aggressor robot across an arena into hazards or even destroy it
-* If the robot becomes tipped (e.g. on an opponent's wedge) it can gyro in a very uncontrollable manner
+* If a robot with a horizontal spinner is tipped (e.g. on an opponent's wedge) the gyro effects may cause it to tumble away uncontrollably
 ==Vertical spinner==
-*Saw arms
+A vertically spinning weapon either fixed where the opposing bot may hit it, or on a moving arm for overhead or clamping attacks.
-*Gyro effects
+* Saw arms
 ==Angled spinner==

@@ Line 21: / Line 21: @@
 *'''Hinged''' or ground-scraping wedges slide on the floor and may be more likely to get under an opponent, and they pivot to discourage jamming on uneven floors.
 ===Wedgelets===
-Small wedges that are used to get under opponents are known as wedgelets. These can often save weight compared to a larger wedge, but can be difficult to make strong enough to survive an opponent's weapon. The '[https://www.botkits.com/collections/all-products/products/wolverine-kit-d2-version Wolverine Claws]' by [[BotKits.com]] are a very effective example. Wedgelets offer little in the way of armored defense except against low attacks, but they have the benefit of being individually replaced without the cost of renewing a full-sized wedge.
+Small wedges that are used to get under opponents are known as wedgelets. These can often save weight compared to a larger wedge, but can be difficult to make strong enough to survive an opponent's weapon. The '[https://www.botkits.com/collections/all-products/products/wolverine-kit-d2-version Wolverine Claws]' by [[BotKits.com]] are a very effective example. Recently, there has been a bit of an 'arms race' with wedglets becoming longer and longer in an effort to get under an opponent before they can get under you.  Currently there aren't any rules on wedglet size or length but some events are considering them. Wedgelets offer little in the way of armored defense except against low attacks, but they have the benefit of being individually replaced without the cost of renewing a full-sized wedge.
 ===Wedge design notes===
 # Generally the bot with the lower wedge is at an advantage, but imperfections in arena floors and walls can make it very difficult to drive if your wedge scrapes the arena floor.

@@ Line 3: / Line 3: @@
 =Lifting weapons=
-'''These weapons lift the opponent and cause them to lose control of motion.'''
+These weapons lift the opponent and cause them to lose control of motion. Since the overall goal of a match is to incompacitate your opponent, lifting an opponent off of its wheels can be an effective way to win a match.  Lifters can be especially effective when the arena has a pit or an 'out' area where a lifter can place its opponent.
 ==Wedges==
@@ Line 46: / Line 46: @@
 # Lifters should not use plastic-gear servos, as the gears tend to break during heavy use.
 # Remember that your opponent's bot weighs the same as your own in most cases. Proper balance (center of gravity) is required for your bot to be the one that stays on the ground!
 =Spinning weapons=

@@ Line 50: / Line 50: @@
 =Spinning weapons=
 '''Spinning weapons can inflict damage on opponents with a hard, fast impact from a rotating element.'''
-==Beater bar==
+==Drum spinner==
-*Drum
+A vertically spinning weapon usually mounted across the front of a robot. Normally hitting an opponent with any part of the drum will inflict damage. They take various forms:
 ==Horizontal spinner==
 *Blades
 *Discs
 *Bars
-*High vs. low
+*High-mounted horizontals are great for damaging top-mounted weapons and may be positioned to reach over wedges to strike the body of opponents.
 *Gyroscopic effects
@@ Line 79: / Line 104: @@
 * Overhead vertical spinner - kinetic energy overhead weapon - e.g. Battlebots heavyweight Sawblaze
 * Overhead drill
 =Full body weapons=

@@ Line 58: / Line 58: @@
 *High vs. low
 *Gyroscopic effects
 ==Vertical spinner==
 *Saw arms

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:02, 24 December 2021
Line 62:		Line 62:
	*Gyro effects		*Gyro effects
	==Angled spinner==		==Angled spinner==
		+
		+	==Overhead spinning weapons==
		+
		+	Actively articulated weapons which incorporate a spinning element; technically more complex but can be effective and fun.
		+
		+	* Overhead saw / hammer saw - does damage by abrading the top of the opponent where armour may be weak or exposed components
		+	* Overhead vertical spinner - kinetic energy overhead weapon - e.g. Battlebots heavyweight Sawblaze
		+	* Overhead drill

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-One way to win a Robot Combat match is to incompacitate your opponent. People use many strategies and techniques in their bots to accomplish this. Some weapons focus on maximizing the damage they can inflict on their opponent, while other weapons are designed to control or invert their opponents so they can't drive. Many people have commented that strategies around weapon types are a bit like playing rock-paper-scissors. Designs that are effective against one type of opponent are less effective against others.
+One way to win a Robot Combat match is to incapacitate your opponent. People use many strategies and techniques in their bots to accomplish this. Some weapons focus on maximizing the damage they can inflict on their opponent, while other weapons are designed to control or invert their opponents so they can't drive. Many people have commented that strategies around weapon types are a bit like playing rock-paper-scissors: Designs that are effective against one type of opponent are less effective against others.
-<br>
 =Lifting weapons=
-These weapons lift the opponent and cause them to lose control of motion.
+'''These weapons lift the opponent and cause them to lose control of motion.'''
 ==Wedges==
-A wedge is a sloped front that might lift an opponent off the ground, even slightly. Many bots have wedges in their design, even if it appears to be only incidental to the bot's operation.
+A wedge is a sloped surface that might lift an opponent off the ground, even slightly. Many bots have wedges in their design, even if it appears to be only incidental to the bot's operation.
 ===Uses===
 *Breaking contact between the opponent's wheels and the ground
 *Lifting an opponent until their weapon is unable to reach you, or no longer effective
@@ Line 15: / Line 17: @@
 *Pushing opponents into hazards
 *Lifting opponents out of bounds or into a pit
 ===Types===
 *'''Fixed''' wedges are attached to the body of the bot, or are part of the body. Many insect-weight bots have only two wheels, and a wedge or scoop holds up the front or back of the bot. A fixed wedge slightly above the arena floor can be effective, but may be ineffective against a lower wedge. Wedges that rest on the floor can become jammed due to floor scratches, uneven floors, and damage to the bot, and can be stuck under walls or barriers.
 *'''Hinged''' or ground-scraping wedges slide on the floor and may be more likely to get under an opponent, and they pivot to discourage jamming on uneven floors.
 ==Lifters==
-*Possible lift and carry
+A lifter is designed to slide under another bot and pick it up. Lifters can be made in any shape or size that will give an advantage over an opponent.
 *Single vs. forks
 *Lift with spinner
 ===Uses===
 *Disorientation and disruption of the opponent
@@ Line 36: / Line 35: @@
 *Breaking off pieces of opponents
 *Disabling opponents if they land upside down, if they cannot self-right or operate inverted
 =Spinning weapons=
-Spinning weapons can inflict damage on opponents with a hard, fast impact from a rotating element.
+'''Spinning weapons can inflict damage on opponents with a hard, fast impact from a rotating element.'''
 ==Beater bar==
 *Drum
@@ Line 51: / Line 62: @@
 *Gyro effects
 ==Angled spinner==
 =Full body weapons=
-Large portions of your bot, or even the entire bot, can be put into motion as a spinning weapon. These are tricky to build It is crucial that the bot be perfectly balanced, with its weight evenly distributed, so that it doesn't lose control or tear itself apart.
+'''Large portions of your bot, or even the entire bot, can be put into motion as a spinning weapon. These are tricky to build; it is crucial that the bot be perfectly balanced, with its weight evenly distributed, so that it doesn't lose control or tear itself apart.'''
 ==Shell spinner==
-The armor / body of a shell spinner rotates around robot's internal components. When done correctly this weapon can provide 360-degrees of offence and defence which makes it an appealing optio. There can be challenges with stability if the shell isn't properly balanced. Also shell spinners can not operate inverted and will often have a curved bar coming out of the top to aid in self-righting.
+The armor / body of a shell spinner rotates around robot's internal components. When done correctly this weapon can provide 360-degrees of offence and defence which makes it an appealing option. There can be challenges with stability if the shell isn't properly balanced. Also shell spinners can not operate inverted; they will often have a curved bar coming out of the top to aid in self-righting.
 ==Ring spinner==
@@ Line 62: / Line 74: @@
 ==Meltybrain==
 The entire bot spins rapidly, but using computer-assisted controls, it can still be steered. See '''[[Melty Brain]]'''.
 ==Thwackbot==
 Any of the above bots, but incorporating a hammer, or an arm with spikes, extending from the side of the bot. It is driven into position and then commanded to spin in place to create a circular zone in which other bots may be damaged. Since Thwackbots just spin in place, they typically require an opponent to drive into them. It is possible for thwackbots to drive towards an opponent perform a skid-and-spin manuver to hit them but these attacks typically have less power. Thwack bots don't qualify for events that require active weapons but if they include [[Melty_Brain|Meltybrain]] drive they will often qualify.
@@ Line 67: / Line 80: @@
 ==Full body flail==
 A variant of the thwackbot that incorporates one or more flails (like a mace, or a chain) which can be whipped around to cause damage. These are more difficult to operate, since the weight distribution of the weapon is not fixed.
 ==Full body drum==
 =Hammer weapons=
-Hammers inflict destructive shock waves, dents, and puncture damage on opponents.
+'''Hammers inflict destructive shock waves, dents, and puncture damage on opponents.'''
 ==Impact/blunt==
 ==Spike/piercing==
@@ Line 77: / Line 93: @@
 =Control weapons=
-Seize control of opponents and puncture or throw them for damage.
+'''Seize control of opponents and puncture or throw them for damage.'''
 ==Clamp==
 *Dustpan
@@ Line 86: / Line 102: @@
 =Ramming weapons=
 ==Spear/piercing==
 ==Plows==
 *Steering opponents
 *Articulation
 =Other=
 ==Flamethrowers==
-*Where permitted
+Flame weapons can set fire to vulnerable pieces of opponents' bots, and can potentially cause over-temperature shutdown or damage to electronics. They are among the most spectacular weapons, even when ineffective due to defensive armor.
 ==Projectiles==
 *Cannon