Difference between revisions of "Weapons"
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=Lifting weapons= | =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== | ==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 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. | ||
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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 with a ground-scraping wedge. | 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 with a ground-scraping wedge. | ||
===Types=== | ===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 | + | *'''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. | *'''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== | ==Wedgelets== | ||
| − | Small wedges that are used to get under opponents are | + | 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 opponents weapon. The '[https://www.botkits.com/collections/all-products/products/wolverine-kit-d2-version Wolverine Claws]' by [[BotKits.com]] are a very effective example of a wedgelet. 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. |
*Passive | *Passive | ||
*Possible steering toward a damaging main weapon | *Possible steering toward a damaging main weapon | ||
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*Lift with spinner | *Lift with spinner | ||
==Flippers== | ==Flippers== | ||
| − | * | + | A flipper is a lifter that is strong enough to rapidly flip an opponent upside-down and/or far away. This may be done with a simple [[Servos|servo]] on small bot. |
| + | A flipper that is so fast and powerful that it can throw an opponent directly toward the ceiling of the arena is sometimes called a Launcher. These are made with complicated mechanisms that release stored energy from spring-powered, pneumatic, or hydraulic devices. | ||
| + | ===Uses=== | ||
| + | *Disorientation and disruption of the opponent | ||
| + | *Causing fall damage to opponents | ||
| + | *Breaking off pieces of opponents | ||
| + | *Disabling opponents if they land upside down, if they cannot self-right or operate inverted | ||
=Spinning weapons= | =Spinning weapons= | ||
Revision as of 08:36, 3 August 2021
Lifting weapons
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.
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
- Lifting an opponent to keep it from attacking your active weapon, assuming your weapon has greater reach than theirs
- Lifting an opponent to feed it into your active weapon
- Armored defense; deflection against attacking weapons
- Crushing opponents against walls
- Pushing opponents into hazards
- Lifting opponents out of bounds or into a pit
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 with a ground-scraping wedge.
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.
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 opponents weapon. The 'Wolverine Claws' by BotKits.com are a very effective example of a wedgelet. 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.
- Passive
- Possible steering toward a damaging main weapon
Lifters
- Possible lift and carry
- Single vs. forks
- Lift with spinner
Flippers
A flipper is a lifter that is strong enough to rapidly flip an opponent upside-down and/or far away. This may be done with a simple servo on small bot. A flipper that is so fast and powerful that it can throw an opponent directly toward the ceiling of the arena is sometimes called a Launcher. These are made with complicated mechanisms that release stored energy from spring-powered, pneumatic, or hydraulic devices.
Uses
- Disorientation and disruption of the opponent
- Causing fall damage to opponents
- 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.
Beater bar
- Drum
Horizontal spinner
- Blades
- Discs
- Bars
- High vs. low
- Gyroscopic effects
Vertical spinner
- Saw arms
- 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.
Shell spinner
Ring spinner
This type of bot has a round, steerable core surrounded by a spinning ring.
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.
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.
Impact/blunt
Spike/piercing
Horizontal
- Rare
Control weapons
Seize control of opponents and puncture or throw them for damage.
Clamp
- Dustpan
Suplex
Crushers
- Mandibles
- Spike/scorpion
Ramming weapons
Spear/piercing
Plows
- Steering opponents
- Articulation
Other
Flamethrowers
- Where permitted
Projectiles
- Cannon