King of Bots (Season 1)/Episode 1

Season 1 title card

"*Welcome to King of Bots, China's first robot combat show. I am Jet Li, the initiator of the show. Robot combat has become popular around the world. Now we're bringing it to China. The best robot combat teams in the world are all here today. Some of them are legends and world champions, and others are newcomers and dark horses. I'm looking forward to seeing your creativity, passion and courage.*"
— Jet Li's introduction (Mech+ subtitles)

**Episode 1 of *King of Bots* Season 1** originally aired on January 8 2018. It was the first episode of the whole show, where seven first-round battles were held between sixteen robots, and half progressed to the second round.

A subtitled English version of Episode 1 was introduced by Mech+ on November 3 2023, marking the official launch of *King of Bots* Season 1 on the international streaming service.

## Competing robots

* Great Wilderness War Tiger
* Greedy Snake
* Megabyte
* Mighty Crossbow and Steel Shield
* Nuclear Bomb
* Red from the Flames
* Residual Wind
* Saber
* Sea Wolf
* Stingray
* Spectre
* Violent Dragon
* Vulcan
* Wild Beast

## Arena and Format Introduction

Following Jet Li's initial introduction to the show and its competing teams, co-commentators Huang Jian Xiang and Wu Day Wei (Mech+: David Wu) first explained the design and hazards ('traps') of the 'bulletproof' combat arena.

Xiang went on to explain the rules for the main competition. By any means necessary, robots sought to 'attack and destroy' their opponents within the three-minute fights. Victories could be earned by knockout - after a robot would deemed immobile for more then ten seconds - or a Judges' decision, if both robots remained mobile after the full three minutes. Judges Zhao Ziyang, Chen Jialiang and former *Robot Wars* roboteer Ian Lewis were all introduced at this point.

In total, 48 robots would compete, including domestic Chinese machines and several international entries. As explained by Lou Xi, the main Season 1 format consisted of a simple knockout tournament exclusively featuring one-on-one battles. Competitors would advance 'level by level' across six rounds, until one could be declared the inaugural *King of Bots* Champion.

A formal introduction to Xiang and Wu set up the first of multiple exchanges between the three presenters. With the former two never experiencing a robot combat event before, Xiang openly stated his uncertainty about what to expect from the competition ahead.

## Battles (Round 1)

### Megabyte vs Stingray

Immediately, Megabyte jolted sideways and spun up its spinning shell, dodging an initial lunge from Stingray and attempting to drive away from the latter before the two robots collided. Megabyte was sent hurtling across the arena upon impact, the gyroscopic forces of its weapon almost causing it to overturn as it constantly hit the walls and arena floor with its blades. Landing on its wheels and next to a partially-immobile Stingray, Megabyte retreated to get its weapon spinning and proceeded to rip Stingray’s drum off with its second hit.

"*Total destruction, my friends!*"
— Huang Jian Xiang, shortly after Megabyte tears Stingray's drum off

The Robotic Destruction Company machine proceeded to tear one of Stingray's right-hand armor panels off, seconds after Judge Chen Jialiang declared the latter to be 'totally destroyed'. Following this impact, Stingray could no longer move beyond the minimal three meters. Weber Robotics' entry, circling back and forth on its left wheel, was counted out 58 seconds into the match, awarding an especially destructive victory to Megabyte.

In the immediate aftermath, damage to the arena spikes was spotted by Huang Jian Xiang and Wu Day Wei from their commentary position. One was cut into and completely torn off by Megabyte, as a result of it clipping the walls during the recoil of its initial hit. A "bulletproof glass" wall section was also dented by shrapnel flung as a result of these attacks. Additionally, Wu examined the damage sustained by Stingray, revealing that the right-hand drum bracket - made from solid steel - had been torn open.

**Winner: Megabyte**

### Saber vs Vulcan

During preparations for this battle, Team Excalibur found that Saber's front-left wedge had become 'jammed'. Last-minute repairs were carried out even while the robot was stationed in the loading bay, with the team at risk of missing the battle altogether. While its arena introduction was notably delayed, Saber was fixed in time to compete.

Vulcan's *Robot Wars* connections were established during the UK entry's VT segment, with Team Robots Live captain Alan Young having previously built Series 8 champion Apollo. Emphasis was also placed on the robot's onboard 'FPV' camera and its adjustable ground clearance, the latter impressing both commentators as it was demonstrated in the arena for the first time.

"*When I heard that we'd fight against them, I was basically desperate. They have so many years of experience. I'm not a match for them in terms of experience or operation. I can't win, and I can only play by ear.*"
— Xuan Yuan Wen Chen downplays Saber's chances against Vulcan's experienced team (Mech+ subtitles)

As Vulcan was initially evasive in the start of the battle, Saber chased after it, and managed to drive under the back end of Vulcan to flip it over. Vulcan quickly self-righted, but Saber had taken an early lead. Both robots met in the center of the arena, and missed with their weapons. While backing away, Saber's wedges briefly buckled, allowing Vulcan to catch up to it, and Saber also expended more gas. At this stage, Saber was almost hit by Vulcan's axe, but the British robot drove onto a floor flipper, and was turned over. This caused one of Vulcan's wheels to fall out, so Saber became the more offensive machine, pushing Vulcan back and flipping it over. Although it self-righted, Saber's pursuit caused Vulcan to overturn itself by the power of its axe, and Saber continued to push it backwards. Saber flipped Vulcan back onto its wheel, but as the latter was effectively immobile, Saber paced itself to flip Vulcan into a corner of the arena, where the hammer threatened it. Saber left Vulcan idle as it struggled to self-right over the flame jet, and once Vulcan was counted out, Saber progressed to the next round, having won by knockout with just over thirty seconds left on the clock.

"*I was wondering if I was dreaming. They are the champion of the biggest robot combat competition in the UK in 2016. They've been my idols. I won't forget this victory for the rest of my life.*"
— Xuan Yuan Wen Chen on defeating Team Robots Live (Mech+ subtitles)

"*Our opponents were brilliant, they were great, they drove really well, their flipper's really good. I think they've got a good chance, going further.*"
— Alan Young, Team Robots Live

Both teams celebrated Saber's victory, with Team Excalibur receiving praise from Alan Young as they advanced to the next round. In an interview directly following on from this battle, Jet Li admitted that he and fellow *King of Bots* personalities were 'relieved' that a domestic Chinese machine had already got this far in the competition.

"*When the show began, I was worried that all our Chinese teams would be disqualified in the first round. But even if all were out, I'd still have hopes and I'd still be glad because at least we had the courage to stand on this stage and compete with legends and champions like them. To have a fight. This is already quite remarkable. But we actually saw a lot of surprises. Well, this is what makes us so relieved.*"
— Jet Li weighs his thoughts following the Saber/Vulcan battle (Mech+ subtitles)

**Winner: Saber**

### Greedy Snake vs Nuclear Bomb

Both robots moved tentatively from their starting positions in the opening seconds. Starting from the red square, Nuclear Bomb turned and drove over one of the floor flippers, where it got stuck due to its electromagnetic system. Greedy Snake lifted its 'snatch' weapon and shuffled back and forth across the arena, before attempting to get underneath and grab Nuclear Bomb over the flipper. Wang Xi's machine struggled to do so at first, as Nuclear Bomb's electromagnets kept it pinned on the hazard for some time. Eventually, a push and a flick from Greedy Snake forced Nuclear Bomb off, allowing the latter to move properly again.

"*My bot couldn't stick into the bottom of the opponent at all. That's why it couldn't do the lifting. I was quite confused then.*"
— Wang Xi, explaining the effects of Nuclear Bomb's electromagnets on Greedy Snake (Mech+ subtitles)

After some time, both met in the center of the arena, with Greedy Snake getting its wedges underneath Nuclear Bomb. As before, the electromagnets on Nuclear Bomb prevented its opponent from lifting or grabbing it, to the initial confusion of Wang Xi. Both competitors eventually separated again. The absence of attacks from Nuclear Bomb's front claws was noted by Huang Jian Xiang and Wu Day We, who both felt it had been 'totally on the defensive' up to this point.

Greedy Snake proceeded to ram Nuclear Bomb a few more times, before finally getting underneath, grabbing and lifting it onto its back. Following this 'suplex' attack, it pushed the inverted Nuclear Bomb into the wall and threw it back upright, before pushing it into the spikes. After the two robots bumped each other, Greedy Snake attempted to grab Nuclear Bomb again. However, it could not gain any purchase, likely due to Nuclear Bomb's electromagnets, and backed away while Nuclear Bomb slammed into its side in the closing seconds. With both robots still mobile, the battle went to a Judges' decision. Based on their more consistently aggressive approach, the decision ruled in favor of Greedy Snake and Team Unknown Son.

**Winner: Greedy Snake**

### Mighty Crossbow and Steel Shield vs Violent Dragon

During its arena introduction, Violent Dragon's comedic design was instantly met with laughter from audience members and both commentators.

Both robots were initially evasive, with only the smaller half of Mighty Crossbow and Steel Shield attempting to mount an attack. However, the blue clusterbot reared up during its charge and could not drive underneath Violent Dragon. This section of Mighty Crossbow and Steel Shield later backed into Violent Dragon and tried to push the huge robot towards the arena drum, but could not push the heavier machine. It pressed into the side of Violent Dragon and eventually caused one of its outside wheels - a sacrificial component - to fall off.

The larger part of Mighty Crossbow and Steel Shield fired its flipper into thin air, while the smaller half pushed Violent Dragon into the wall. The flipper was then brought into action for the first time, lifting up Violent Dragon and causing its large head to fall off. Finally, after backing Violent Dragon into the wall, the smaller clusterbot drove under it so that the flipper could win the match by knockout, toppling its huge foe. The Twin Flowers celebrated, as their robot progressed to the second round.

**Winner: Mighty Crossbow and Steel Shield**

### Great Wilderness War Tiger vs Wild Beast

The battle started tentatively, with the Wild Beast team sending their drone (Falcon) out to attack Great Wilderness War Tiger. However, the exchange resulted in Falcon making light contact with its rival heavyweight, causing it to flip over and crash into the floor within seconds. Iron Lion - Wild Beast's main heavyweight segment - steered around to the sides of Great Wilderness War Tiger, denting the back right corner and slightly tearing one of the back tires. Great Wilderness War Tiger turned and smashed its drum against the front of Iron Lion, but was jolted upwards a few times. Another smash broke the outer teeth off Great Wilderness War Tiger's drum, rendering the weapon useless.

Iron Lion ripped away the sides of the drum of Great Wilderness War Tiger, along with its opponent's 'head' and front panels. These attacks sent Great Wilderness War Tiger flying upwards. Iron Lion proceeded to attack the Hubei machine from the sides, ultimately carrying the heavily-damaged Great Wilderness War Tiger around. From that point, the red heavyweight continued to churn and tear away parts from the underside of Great Wilderness War Tiger, including a drive chain from the left-hand side.

Great Wilderness War Tiger backed away slowly to the edge of the arena, where it drove over one of the floor flippers. Crucially, it was flipped over and left unable to self-right, prompting the referee to count Great Wilderness War Tiger out.

**Winner: Wild Beast**

### Red from the Flames vs Spectre

Spectre was the far quicker machine of the two, zipping across the arena and immediately charged towards the sides of Red from the Flames where it clamped down using its jaws. Spectre carefully controlled Red from the Flames towards one of the arena grinders where small chunks of the back corner were shredded off and top armor plate dented upwards. Flailing its lifters, Red from the Flames eventually got away, after Spectre let go, but was caught seconds later from behind by the jaws of Spectre which buckled the back of Red from the Flames.

Red from the Flames escaped once again, only to grappled by Spectre from the opposite side panel of where it was crushed before. Red from the Flames twitched its lifter as it was carried away by Spectre towards the flame jets where it was held to burn by Spectre. Red from the Flames evacuated and turned to the pursuing Spectre. Red from the Flames ignited its flamethrower and turned in circles as Spectre struggled to get another bite.

Spectre smashed the front of Red from the Flames and crushed it once more. Red from the Flames struggled to move as it was slammed into the side-wall spikes, and left behind. Upon leaving Red from the Flames behind, it became apparent that it had lost all mobility. Spectre came in for one more attack, but as it clamped down, Red from the Flames' flamethrower had erupted inside the robot blowing up in a fiery spectacle. Red from the Flames soon caught fire immediately after the explosion and was shunted about Spectre as a final attack before it was counted out, eliminating them from the competition.

**Winner: Spectre**

### Residual Wind vs Sea Wolf

The opening seconds of the battle saw Residual Wind spinning its bar up to speed, while Sea Wolf aimlessly spun around next to its starting square. Residual Wind's first contact did little to trouble Sea Wolf, barely scratching its lifting arm. After backing into space, Sea Wolf then crept forward, but once again its hard-to-control style saw the machine open itself to a blow to its front-left corner - which Residual Wind slashed into.

Following a drift across the arena and into the wall spikes, Sea Wolf then had to deal with a spurt of fire from Residual Wind's drone. Residual Wind then came in itself, and once again ripped into Sea Wolf's armor. After a minor attack to the side of Sea Wolf, Residual Wind came in with a big hit that shattered the back-left corner of Sea Wolf. This attack left Sea Wolf struggling for movement, which allowed Residual Wind to close in with another attack, and one which left Sea Wolf immobilized. Sea Wolf was counted out, and eliminated from the competition as a result.

**Winner: Residual Wind**

## Trivia

* The first three competing teams to appear on the show all spoke in English, and Excalibur, the team behind Saber, were the first competitors to speak in Chinese.

## References

1. ↑ https://twitter.com/Mech\_Plus/status/1720452598799409409