GettingStarted
There is so much to do!
There are a lot of different approaches to building your first robot. Some people love the design process. Others love the build.
Getting Started Guides
RioBots
Build an Antweight
New Zealand guide to getting started
Reddit on getting started
SparkFun
Go to an event
There are so many potential decisions around bot design, components, rules and a hundred other things that it can be difficult to know where to start. The first think that every new builder should do is to go to an event and see how things are done in the real world. There are hundreds of great videos out there showing robot combat, but you'll learn a lot about things by attending an event. Even if you don't have a robot, you should ask the event organizer if it is OK to walk around the pits and talk to the builders. Watching them prepare for their matches and repairing robot damage will help you figure out what you'll need for your first event.
Pick a weight class
Once you've been to an event and decided to built a robot, you need to pick a weight class for your first build. Take into consideration which weight classes are supported in the event(s) you plan to attend, your budget, and your building skills. Generally things get more expensive as they get bigger and the building / fabrication requirements are very different for a 1-pound robot vs. a 30-pound robot.
Pick a basic design
Pick components
Build your robot
Test your robot