Robots Rule - The Sixth Wars

Robot Wars: The Sixth Wars was filmed in July 2002 in a big disused aircraft hangar at RAF Newton, Bingham, near Nottingham.

The Sixth Wars is the best series ever beating all the previous wars. The show has now eliminated most of their previous problems and it is nearly perfect now. It is full of action.

The most noticeable changes/improvements to the Sixth Wars are the two new arena hazards. There is the Disc of Doom spinning on the arena floor which will no doubt cause chaos if a robot goes on to it and of course, the Drop Zone. Stay away from that one unless you want your robot to be crushed under the weight of household items falling on it.

Like the pit, the Disc-of-Doom needs to be activated by pressing a button on the arena floor. Once it is activated, any robot which goes on it will slip and spin out of control!

The Drop-Zone is where immobilised robots are put. Household items like bowling balls, ovens, cars, washing machines and so on are dropped from the arena roof on to the poor robot beneath spreading debris all over the arena which the house robots love playing with. The robot below is usually crushed under the weight of the Drop Zone items.

The house robots are back again: Dead Metal, Matilda, Sgt Bash, Sir Killalot, Shunt and Refbot all with their own improvements which makes them work better. The house robots have no major noticeable changes to their appearance or weapon systems. Mainly their workings have been improved making them stronger, tougher, more destructive and more reliable. For example, Shunt has been modified so it can give more axe blows faster because the axe now works faster than before and also Shunt has new scoops which are now much tougher than before.

The major changes and improvements to the house robots are the addition of two new house robots which will bring more carnage and destruction to the show. They are: Mr Psycho which has a big 30 kg hammer which comes down with awesome force flattening robots beneath it. Mr Psycho also has giant grabbing and lifting claws capable of lifting the equivalent of two Sir Killalots! Mr Psycho weighs 750 kg which makes it the heaviest house robot and gives it some excellent pushing power.

The other new house robot for the Sixth Wars is the ferocious, biting robot, Growler who has big mashing, noshing, chomping and crushing jaws which will chew into robots causing major damage to them and Growler can also carry robots around the arena in its jaws. Don't mess with Growler. He is half the size of Sir K but still can do loads of damage. He is the fastest house robot with a top speed of 17mph. This gives him awesome pushing power so he can push things in the arena and whiz around the arena in seconds. He is also over 350kg in weight so there is a small chance of him being flipped. The driver of Growler (James Davies) says, "Growler is an absolute dream to drive. It's tempting just to storm into the middle of the arena and do a few skid turns!"

Get to know the new house robots by reading their statistics and other info about them in my House Robot section of this website.

Craig Charles and Philippa Forrester are back presenting the show. This time the are wearing completely new costumes. It will take a bit of getting use to the yellow in their costumes. Philippa looks much better than before but I am not sure about Craig who, in my opinion, looks more like a Formula 1 driver now than a TV host! Oh well, I do think they look better brightening up the show!

The house robots have their house 'bot cams back taking close up shots of the action as it happens inside the arena. Other camera angles include the Drop-Zone Cam which shows us a close up of the items of the Drop Zone when they are falling to the arena. Philippa also has a Damage Cam which she uses to show us close ups of damage caused to the robot from the arena when they are back inside the pits.

There are other improvements to the show. The main one is that the House Robot Statistics don't come up every time now before each battle like they use to which got very annoying seeing and hearing the same thing over and over again!

Other improvements include the buttons (like the pit release button and the Disc-of-Doom activation button) which are on the arena floor which are pressed by robots to activate an arena hazard have now been modified so they don't rip, break or come off as easily as they did before. They are now much stronger and can resist many more bangs and bumps than they could before.

Another improvement is the way that Jonathan Pearce is seen more often in the Crow's Nest doing his commentary and he is also seen interviewing the judges (for example, he interviewed Noel Sharky in Heat A of the Sixth Wars) and other members of the Robot Wars judges, presenters and crew.

Another improvement to the show making it the best series ever (yes there have been a lot of improvements!) is the more amateurish look to it which makes it look much better. They do this by using the cameras by giving more and different angles (like a high up view of the pits). They also zoom in and out a lot giving a better effect to the show.

Also, another improvement making the show near perfect is the change in the format of the show. This change is in the way they do battles.

There is now a four-way melee at the start of the show. This is Round 1. There are two of these, with four robots in each battle and two are eliminated in each Round 1 battle and two robots go through from each battle to Round 2. In Round 2 Battle 1, there is a battle between one winner from each Round 1 battle. This is the same for Round 2 Battle 2 where the other two winners that got through from Round 1 fight it out here. From each Round 2 battle, one robot is eliminated. This leaves just two robots left. These two robots (the winners from the previous two battles of Round 2) now go head to head in the Heat Final. The winner of this battle, wins a place in the Series Semi-Finals.

Here are the first four seeds for the Sixth Wars of Robot Wars (i.e. the robots who earned 1^st, 2^nd, 3^rd and 4^th places from the 5th Wars):

Here is a report into the action of each heat just in case you missed it, so you can catch up on all the missed action here! I have given you the important information from each heat, including when it was on BBC 2, the heat winner and all the robots that featured in that heat.

Robots in this heat: Razer, Brutus Maximus, W.A.S.P, Raging Reality, Weld-Dor 3, Cyrax, Tetanus II, Ruf Ruf Dougal.

Notes about this Heat: This was the first episode in the new series of Robot Wars and it was action packed. We saw many robots being flipped out of the arena, go into the pit and Ruf Ruf Dougal enjoyed being on fire! Even Refbot fell into the pit! We were also introduced to the two new house robots: Mr Psycho and Growler who did some cool moves and dances showing off their weapons on the arena floor.

Notes about this Heat: This was the first time on Robot Wars that we saw the Drop Zone. A huge, big, heavy washing machine fell from the arena roof on to the robot below. We also saw Mr Psycho's giant hammer crashing down on robots in this show beating the metal out of all machines that Mr P came into contact with. Firestorm was very aggressive in this heat attacking all robots and causing destruction everywhere they went. They even flipped over Refbot and Shunt. I love it when they take on the house robots! Carnage was everywhere!

Robots in this heat: Chaos 2, Iron-Awe 2, Destructosaur, Mighty Mouse, Dantomkia, Doctor Fist, Crushtacean, Mr Nasty.

Notes about this Heat: Another great show which saw the many robots being flipped out of the arena, we saw the Disc-of-Doom in full action and an interview between Jonathan Pearce and Craig Charles. The big shock came when two times UK champion and fifth seeds were beaten by a newcomer! Dantomkia successfully managed to flip over the ageing Chaos 2 who couldn't self right because the arena wall was in the way and then Dantomkia flipped them right out of the arena and made themselves the winners of Heat C and go through to the semi finals. George from the Chaos 2 team says that it is time to build a new robot because there are now a lot more better robots out there because Chaos 2 is very old and out of date.

Robots in this heat: S3, Armadrillo, Shredder, Roobarb, Sir Chromalot, The Alien, ICU, GBH2.

Notes about this Heat: A wicked heat which saw laughter (from the Sir Chromalot boys deciding which suit is right for them to wear) to controversial judges decisions who probably got it wrong again! We saw the house robots doing a lot of work and the arena spinner back in action once more. We saw a lot of spinning weapons (perhaps inspired by Hypno-Disc) and the final (Shredder Vs S3) was a great one to see with massive amounts of metal mayhem damage caused to both robots especially Shredder which got their weapons all bent up and even part of the robot ended up in the ceiling! S3's wonderful spinner caused damage everywhere (even to the arena side wall) and they well deserve a place in the series semi-final.

Robots in this heat: Wild Thing, Vader, UFO, The Stag, 259, Infernal Contraption, Infinity, Aggrobot 3.

Notes about this Heat: Another destructive heat which saw sparks flying everywhere and debris going all over the place! This was the heat with the spinning disc. Spinning discs (may be inspired by Hypno-Disc) seem to be growing in popularity. 259 was extremely destructive with its spinning disc ripping up anything it came into contact with. I wanted this one to go through, it was an excellent new comer and did very well until it met Wild Thing which slammed into the disc of 259 which made the belt come off rendering the weapon useless. Another few bangs on 259 by Wild Thing soon rendered the whole robot immobilised and Wild Thing, the robot which just goes on and on and on and never wears down, go through to meet all the other wanna be UK champs in the series semi finals.

Notes about this Heat: Another great show. The drop zone and the arena spinner were back in action causing havoc in the war zone. Mr Psycho's hammer was hammering poor robots and the spinning discs (such as the great ones from 13 Black) were spinning around causing maximum destruction everywhere and leaving a trail of debris in the arena which must have taken hours to clear up!

Notes about this Heat: The first show of 2003 was off to a fabulous start. Robot Wars was back on with 8 more robots, 7 of which will be eliminated and 1 will go through to the series semi finals. In Heat G it was Tornado who won. They showed off their awesome pushing power and superb interchangeable weapons. This and other brilliant action is why Robot Wars is such a popular show. We also saw Growler (my favourite house robot) in today's show, the fastest house robot with tremendous speed and pushing power and 4 tonnes of crushing power in his jaws adds to the hot robot action in this amazing mechanised mayhem of a show!

Notes about this Heat: This heat saw many explosions from the pit, many Razer look-a-like robots and a superb new comer, Supernova who got beaten by Spawn Again who flipped them several times during the heat final which stopped one of Supernova's wheels properly functioning so only one was spinning and they got stuck and it was all over. Supernova looked so promising but Spawn Again is the robot who has gone through to the Sixth Wars Semi-Finals.

Notes about this Heat: What a wonderfully wicked destructive heat which saw tons and tons of action and millions of pieces of scrap metal and debris flying around the arena at high speed which the cleaner of the arena won't be too happy about. Robots were completely battering and destroying their opposition. Kronic took on Sgt Bash and his back came off and had a go at Growler too, unsuccessfully flipping him. The climax of the show was when former British champion, Panic Attack were immobilised by Terrorhurtz. Panic Attack was flipped and then put on the drop zone by Shunt. A heavy household washing machine came tumbling down on to the drop zone completely crushing the poor Panic Attack beneath who was missing its top because Matilda's devastating flywheel ripped it off earlier in the bout. Terrorhurtz, with that awesome beefy axe go through to the Sixth Wars semi-finals. Proof of the action and destruction of tonight's show comes from the fact that there was no judges decision at all during the heat. In every single battle, there was a clear winner and loser. Every battle had a robot which was immobilised and so there was a winner and no need to call for a judges decision at any time during tonight's marvelous show.

Notes about this Heat: Containing wicked action, this was an awesome heat with Growler being a star charging in at high speed destroying anything and everything in its path. War Hog on a piggy back and obliterating the arena side wall with its spinner. Dominator II won the heat with a judges decision on their side. Well done Dominator II who go to meet all the big boys in the series semi-finals.

Notes about this Heat: The heat started off with a brilliant battle which deserves to go into the Robot Wars best battles archives because it will really stick in your mind for quite a while. Granny's Revenge was back and with her fatal weakness: she is flammable. Sgt Bash set her on fire, she went up in magnificent flames filling the arena with smoke and then the drop zone, a giant, heavy cooker was dropped on to her and squashed the poor char-coaled unrecognisable granny! Hypno-Disc, the winners of this heat haven't been causing as much destruction as they use to but still the damage to their opponents was done ripping off wheels and armour plates immobilising robots and so they did spin into the series semi-finals!

Notes about this Heat: After a week gap, Robot Wars was back on and this time it was the final heat before the semi-finals. We would see who would win the final place in the series semi-finals. It was an intense heat with action galore. Mr Psycho with his hammer, balls from the drop zone, the axe from Shunt, sparks and destruction from Disc-O-Inferno, flipping action from Behemoth and Bigger Brother, the destructive carrot and wicked commentary from Jonathan Pearce made it a wonderful heat. In the end, Bigger Brother won and goes through to fill the final place in the series semi-finals. Can't wait!

Notes about the show: The first semi-final was a great one full of sparks, fire, destruction, upsets and cheers. The show featured all of the house robots in it at some point of the show. Wild Thing, 13 Black and Dantomkia lost their round 1 battles and went into the Loser's Melee where the winner of this battle has another chance to get into the grand final. After a very entertaining battle, Dantomkia won but in their next battle, they unfortunately lost to Razer. Firestorm IV beat S3 by flipping them over the side of the arena in a great finish. So, Firestorm and Razer take the first two places in the series grand final which should be good stuff!

Notes about the show: A semi final to be remembered featuring some of the greatest battles of all time which should be put into the Robot Wars greatest battle archives. Hypno-Disc was beaten by Tornado pushing them around the arena and banging them into the side walls. The terrible Mr Psycho was showing off the power of his giant claw by picking up Spawn Again. Matilda flipped Tornado almost into the pit by using her flywheel. Terrorhurtz with that great beefy axe gave a thrashing to Bigger Brother completely causing destruction to the Bigger Brother robot and unfortunately causing tears to a member of the team. It was a great show full of action, destruction, laughs, battles, upsets, sparks and turn-ups for the books (e.g. seeded robots losing to an unseeded robot). Well done to Terrorhurtz and Tornado who fill the final places in the grand final.

Play Off (This is the loser's battle to determine who gets third and fourth places so we know third and fourth seeds.): Firestorm IV Vs Terrorhurtz

Notes about the show: One of the best grand finals ever featuring some of the most destructive and action packed battles. The grand final battle was a very exciting battle and probably one of the best battles ever. 96 robots were in the Sixth Wars and only 4 made it to the Grand Final. Razer beat the mighty axe master of Terrorhurtz by grabbing them on tight so they couldn't move, immobilised them and finally lowered them into the pit. Firestorm IV lost to Torndao who took a battering from the pushing master, Tornado who finished off Firestorm by dumping them in the pit. Firestorm IV takes 3rd seed as they beat Terrorhurtz in an exciting Play Off battle. Terrorhurtz were immobilised but kept hopping over the arena. Even the house robots (Dead Metal and Shunt) were too afraid to take on Terrorhurtz and were backing away! So, Firestorm IV won that. But, the battle of the evening and the fight what we've all been waiting for was up next. Tornado used interchangeable weaponry throughout the Sixth Wars but their latest weapon was truly awesome and one of the best. It was a cage which fitted over the robot which A) stopped Razer getting to them so Razer's crushing arm couldn't get to the actual body of Tornado and B) the cage featured a deadly spinning weapon which could chop away at Razer. So, the GRAND FINAL battle, Razer against Tornado had activated. Tornado went at Razer pushing them all across the arena totally basing them against the side walls and into the CPZs as well as giving damage to Razer with the spinning weapon. Razer's slightly modified weapon (so it could get through Tornado's cage) came down but didn't cause much damage. Tornado kept smashing into Razer. In the last 10 seconds of the fight, Razer managed to pick up Tornado and lower them into the pit, but, Tornado is too big to fit into the pit with their cage attached! They were just suspended over the pit and there was no way they would go in. Tornado's cage is also an anti pit device (or APD) as Jonathan Pearce called it. "This is perfectly acceptable in the rules", chief judge Noel Sharky said to Philippa. The battle went to a judges decision who inspected all robots on damaged received and caused. In the end, TORNADO won the decision and won the GRAND FINAL as well as becoming the new UK CHAMPIONS and SIXTH WARS CHAMPIONS. Philippa then joined Craig, the Razer team and the Tornado team to give Tornado their well deserved trophy who were extremely happy and delighted. They showed it to the audience before Craig and Philippa (who unfortunately wasn't wearing a bikini!) said their goodbye poem and that was the end of a truly amazing, awesome, action packed, incredibly exciting series. Well done to TORNADO, the new UK CHAMPIONS!!

Best Design: 259

Best Engineered: Anarchy

Most Original Entry: Crushtacean

Sportsmanship Award: Kat 3

Most Promising Newcomer: Dantomkia

Seeds:

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