Welcome back to the Beat! By the end of this post we’ll have our full 32-robot bracket for the 2021 (aired in 2022) BattleBots championship. A set of bubble teams are fighting tonight—not fighting are some notable 2-0 teams, including Whiplash, Uppercut, Tantrum, Copperhead, HyperShock, and Shatter!. They’re already in the tournament, but that lack of third fight definitely sucks and most of the teams, while keeping their parts library just a little bit fuller, prefer to have that third fight to get a better feel for their robot. But for the teams tonight, it could very well be do or die. Onto the fights!

Bloodsport vs. Claw Viper
Bloodsport: 1-1 (L, KO 2:59 vs. Whiplash; W, KO 2:10 vs. SubZero)
Claw Viper: 1-1 (W, KO 1:44 vs. Pardon My French; L, KO 1:37 vs. Black Dragon)

We start with last year’s 2 seed in a likely win or go home fight against the fastest robot in the field. Yes, over HyperShock. Claw Viper currently leads the field in suplexes on account of having some this year, over Slammo! and Defender who unfortunately have combined for zero. Which sucks, we want suplexes, dammit!

The two bots circled, looking for that first strike. Claw Viper got it, but unfortunately it was shunting their minibot Hatchling and Bloodsport hit them with the bar, also sending the minibot flying. It didn’t get better because though Claw Viper’s forks got under Bloodsport’s next assault, the overhead spinner bumped up and cleanly took the viper claw, reducing Claw Viper to a lifter.

Claw Viper was still looking for a way to get under Bloodsport and stop the bar, which, as you remember, is only spun intermittently for thermal reasons. You could see that it was still spinning but not biting, like into Hatchling for instance, and that’s because it was slowing so they could spin it back up and take more pieces out of the lifting forks. Props for Claw Viper coming in for a charge with the compromised forks, but then they got shorn off.

Bloodsport took the time to turn off and on and keep drawing sparks, but Claw Viper was able to tank these and push Bloodsport back and into the pulverizer, though the hammer hit both bots. Another hard charge from the now venomless Claw Viper left it spinning aside but Bloodsport flipped into the corner like a LeMans car, only being saved by its srimech pipe and the wall.

This was a turning point in the fight. Bloodsport could draw sparks here and there, but the weapon didn’t have the same kind of bite now. Claw Viper at this point had a change in strategy—let Bloodsport spin up. Yes, that sounds suicidal, but hey, what was left to lose at this point? They’re going for that thermal shock to break either the motors or the weapon, even if it was costing them bits of already trashed lifter. But considering it’s totaled, more damage to it would mean absolutely nothing.

The weapon was spinning, but Claw Viper was getting under, plus Bloodsport was down one of its two wedgelets, and pushing Bloodsport around for the better part of the last minute until it went to the judges.

Damage is 5-0, easy. But what about control and aggression? Did Claw Viper sweep it? It seems like a lot of people say yes, but, short of something on the lines of Beta-Rotator, I find it very difficult that that kind of extensive damage could be done without stealing one of the points, especially considering Claw Viper’s weapon was totaled by about a minute in. But which one? For my non-money, I’d say control, especially in that first 60 to 90 seconds. The turning point was either the pulverizer double-hit or when Bloodsport LeMans-flipped into the wall, but yeah, I can see that as your 2-1 stat.

And Bloodsport wins by unanimous decision, no matter what we say. They’re in. For Claw Viper, they’ll probably be on the outside looking in.

MadCatter vs. Rampage
MadCatter: 1-1 (W, KO 2:01 vs. Yeti; L, KO 2:44 vs. SawBlaze)
Rampage: 0-1 (L, KO 2:17 vs. Retrograde)

Arguably the biggest on-paper mismatch of the year. MadCatter looked fantastic against Yeti and though they got dominated by SawBlaze it wasn’t from lack of trying. And Rampage… still has growing pains to experience. Yes, this is their second season. I forgot about them, but they fought in the Beta Bounty against Fusion (they lost). And apparently they fought Black Widow, but that was an unaired fight.

There was a box rush and Rampage lost their wedge. And was in the corner and in some peril. MadCatter was eyeing a big hit and got it, taking off the rest of the wedge, flipping Rampage over, onto the Upper Deck, and out since it couldn’t self-right and couldn’t drive. Probably a good thing, because it looked like MadCatter’s drive went out too. Fight over.

MadCatter by KO.

HUGE vs. Switchback
HUGE: 1-1 (L, KO 0:59 vs. Riptide; W, KO 1:06 Retrograde)
Switchback: 1-1 (L, KO 1:56 vs. Gruff; W, KO 1:35 vs. Slammo!)

HUGE is definitely at a crossroads. Captain Jonathan Schultz has said that if HUGE doesn’t make a little bit of a run this year, it might be back to the drawing board. Whether that’s a retool of HUGE or another bot would remain to be seen of course. The Tegris wheels are back because Switchback could conceivably reach into the UHMW wheels and shred them as well.

Switchback has an interesting concept, an articulated configurable drum, but the arm’s been slow and unwieldy, as we saw against Gruff. Against Slammo!, I think it was losing the fight until Slammo! unfortunately crapped out. But, it’s also HUGE’s counter-meta, a lifting/articulated arm that looks beefy enough that it won’t immediately break upon meeting HUGE’s bar (see Whiplash, don’t see Retrograde or HyperShock’s double rakes). HUGE has a chin for this fight, a small UHMW piece on the underside to absorb potential blows.

Switchback missed the rush as HUGE got out of the way. Switchback was momentarily stuck on the wall, so HUGE hit Switchback, then retreated before hitting it again towards the short corner, knocking it over. Switchback was able to self-right so already it’s ahead of where it was. HUGE was trying to get in to all but end the fight but the Tegris wheels were having some sort of traction issues. Both bots were stumbling around a bit in the short corner.

HUGE tried to turn but hit its bar off the Upper Deck wall. Now it was spinning around and having control issues where it looked like one wheel was dead. Switchback engaged though and the bots locked horns, weapon to weapon.

Until HUGE hit the drum bearing and knocked it loose, right after Chris Rose’s commentator curse about the weapon still spinning at full speed. HUGE continued to tear into the arm, which was useful only as a lifter now, though successfully getting a throw on HUGE.

HUGE was slip-sliding around, and but had enough to continue hitting the drum. That did finally did it.

HUGE wins by KO, though just barely with the loss of mobility. Honestly, if Switchback hadn’t engaged HUGE may have been counted out. Re-watching, they were still moving thanks to the pivots moving them in a vaguely forward direction, so I guess it was right to keep them in the fight.

Kraken vs. Glitch
Kraken: 0-2 (L, JD 3-0 vs. Rotator; L, JD 3-0 vs. HiJinx)
Glitch: 2-0 (W, JD 3-0 vs. Ghost Raptor; W, KO 1:43 vs. Hydra)

Kraken is probably playing spoiler here, unless they manage to get a KO. Also, Kraken pissed someone off. Three spinners. And after the first two, this is now a Franken-Kraken because both frames got shredded against Rotator and HiJinx. (The second would have been the one for this fight, the anti-vert iteration, but it was used against HiJinx.)

Glitch has one of the upsets of the year with their win over Hydra. At 2-0 and with that win they’re in. But, this was Glitch’s second fight of the day after the Hydra fight, so at this point, what shape are they in? It got some air against Hydra, so at least the damage may be less than had they faced a high-kinetic robot.

Kraken tried to rush but the omniwheeled Glitch straddled, getting hits on the side of Kraken and flipping the crusher onto the screws, which pushed them onto the Upper Deck. It took time for Kraken to self-right to be able to get off. And the right side looked locked up too, which added to the difficulty.

Glitch received Kraken with a big shot to the side and then from the back, where K was stuck on the screws by the starting squares.

Glitch by KO. Glitch kills the unkillable Kraken. Yeah, Glitch is absolutely one to watch. This might get them a top 10 seed.

Mammoth vs. Lucky
Mammoth: 1-1 (W, KO 1:44 vs. HiJinx; L, KO/JD 3-0 vs. Tombstone)
Lucky: 1-1 (L, KO 1:44 vs. Tantrum; W, KO 0:46 vs. Blade)

Is Mammoth in regardless? The double KO definitely is a good loss, and it means they have two KOs against opponents, one of which is Tombstone. But a win would guarantee things.

Speaking of, is Lucky in regardless? The loss to Tantrum was a “good loss” against a bot that made the semis because Tantrum was stuck and they could have left them there. The win to Blade was also pretty quick. A loss has them somewhere on the bubble, but I think it’s not going to be a kind bubble.

Lucky took off some of the armor from the last fight to try and have fewer places for Mammoth to latch. Also may be a bit sprier, and Matt Olson has shown he can drive pretty damn well. Top RC driver drives RC robot well, what a shock.

Lucky fired the flipper early but almost immeditately fired a second time and almost bounced Mammoth to the Upper Deck. That’s some fun with physics right there, watching Mammoth bounce around. While Mammoth was stuck, Lucky went for a flip to maybe get them onto the Deck proper and not just on the screws and took off the left tire. It’s the same wheel damaged from the Tombstone fight.

Lucky’s bottom spatula somehow came off, which meant that it was back to the “puncher” configuration, but Lucky was able to flip Mammoth over again, which kept trying to self-right. Eventually got back over but it was still down to one wheel. Somehow this still counted Mammoth as mobile, but the lifter looked down a chain and a little bent. And with the wheel smoking, Lucky fired another two-punch combination to get it over. Lucky left them on the corner to be counted out.

Lucky wins by KO. They’re definitely in. Mammoth will be on the bubble, but it’s already a good list of 1-2 bots: Hydra, Skorpios, Malice, Blacksmith… where does Mammoth fit in that pecking order?

Rusty vs. Witch Doctor
Rusty: 0-1 (L, KO 1:14 vs. Blip)
Witch Doctor: 1-1 (W, JD 3-0 vs. DUCK!; L, KO 1:08 vs. End Game)

Oh, this could end badly. But we know we’re getting Rusty Jr. for 2022. Originally for 2021, but not totally finished, so… Rusty 2.0 confirmed! Witch Doctor does need a win here to lock in a tourney spot. So as much as it pains them, they’re gonna have to do what they have to to win.

Dave Eaton’s bot has forgone his standard hammer for a plow/lifter. Wait, no, scratch that, it’s the Lock-Jaw plow welded on to act as a plow/lifter. And a dent in the popcorn bowl.

Meanwhile, this is an all-new frame for Witch Doctor. The End Game fight, quick as it was, was still pretty brutal.

Rusty kept the center as Witch Doctor tried to get around for an angle. Eventually, Mike Gellatly went head on and Witch Doctor flipped Rusty over. The second hit broke the plow in half, then another hit that took a tread out. And fight over.

Witch Doctor by KO. Well, that officially gets them in. For their efforts they also earn the great and illustrious Rusty Popcorn Bowl.

YouTube Exclusive: Blade vs. Dragon Slayer
Blade: 0-2 (L, JD 3-0 vs. Skorpios; L, KO 0:46 vs. Lucky)
Dragon Slayer: 1-1 (W, JD 3-0 vs. DUCK!; L, KO 1:23 vs. Minotaur)

Well, it’s been a rough season for the Korean Team ORBY and their bot Blade. Making their BattleBots debut they got one of the hardest counters they could have gotten, and it went about as well as expected. Then against Lucky their first hit gouged the armor… but then pinballed right into the wall and broke the bar.

Dragon Slayer’s had a win at least, beating on the beakless DUCK!. But then they got fed to Minotaur. Even though I’d say “wrong Brazilian team, how do you not have Black Dragon vs. Dragon Slayer?” Regardless, didn’t go well for them either. Could they get in with a win? Probably, but this being the YouTube fight doesn’t bode extremely well.

Well, that ends that question. Dragon Slayer’s out, and Blade finally gets to show it’s destructiveness.

Blade wins by KO, getting South Korea’s first-ever BattleBots win.

Main Event: Fusion vs. Icewave
Fusion: 1-1 (W, KO 1:15 vs. Cobalt; L, KO 1:14 vs. Copperhead)
Icewave: 1-1 (L, KO 1:10 vs. Black Dragon; W, KO 2:11 vs. Deadlift)

And now for the final Fight Night fight on the docket, two 1-1 teams. Again, winner is certainly in. In Fusion’s case, an upper seed may be at play, considering the win was to Cobalt which is going to get a high seed, and the loss was to Copperhead who went 2-0. Icewave definitely needs a win to stay in, and with Marc DeVidts saying that this is a crossroads year for the original bot breaker where it could be finally retired, this could be the last fight in a memorable career for a robot. (Not the roboteer, I’d bet Marc would be back.) Icewave brings its longest bar and wedgelets from the Deadlift fight for its potential last stand.

Fusion led with the vert side as between the two bots, it got loud. They met weapon to weapon and both weapons died. Or not. Fusion’s vertical started to work again (while the horizontal showed movement too), and the bots pushed before Icewave backed itself to the Upper Deck screws.

It got off fairly simply, but another turn to this fight. Fusion started to smoke from every conceivable place. Well, that was both unexpected and totally expected.

Icewave loses the weapon, but Fusion’s motors and season go up in smoke. It’s Icewave by KO. I think they’re in with the loss being to Black Dragon, but due to how the fight went, and the bubble, maybe they’re not a lock. We’ll find out… now.

Well, I apparently can’t embed the PDF, but you can print out your bracket here and see…

Wait, no. But it is a 34 robot bracket, with a pair of play-ins for the 31st and 32nd seeds. Let’s look at the two play-ins:

31 seed play-in: Hydra vs. Defender: This seems like 31 vs. 34. Defender’s certainly the weakest of the 2-1 bots (and the only one in the play-ins), while Hydra seemed to have all sorts of absolutely awful luck. Defender has no way to trick-shot the flipper arm off, so I’m going to say Hydra by KO.

32 seed play-in: Skorpios vs. Malice: Interesting to me they had Hydra over Skorpios, which lost both of its fights by split decision to Whiplash and Yeti. Throwing it another horizontal, plus one that’s had weapon reliability issues, seems cruel. To Malice. I’d say Skorpios by JD.

This week will cover the left side of the bracket, so the 32 seed play-in, plus the following:

1 End Game vs. 32. Skorpios/Malice
16. Minotaur vs. 17. Bloodsport
8. Copperhead vs. 25. Lucky
9. Glitch vs. 24. Witch Doctor

4. SawBlaze vs. 27. HiJinx
13. HyperShock vs. 20. P1
5. Uppercut vs. 26. HUGE
12. Shatter! vs. 21. Riptide

I’m really interested at Minotaur-Bloodsport, a pair of bots with title ambitions but the winner gets End Game in the second round. Glitch-Witch Doctor is also intriguing. HyperShock-P1 seems fitting due to last year’s 32nd seed controversy, but due to leaks we already know a second-round matchup so I know who wins. Which is a shame, I wanted to watch that fight fresh!

Incidentally… as per my DFO bracket, I’ve got End Game repeating over Rotator. See you next week!