Militant

**Militant** was an antweight robot made by Peter Waller which competed in AWS 7 to AWS 35. It became the runner-up in its second year and a champion in Series 12.

## Design

Militant was an invertible, two-wheel drive robot with a horizontal spinning disc as its main weapon. The disc was mounted below the chassis so that it could reach the arena floor, and was fitted with a bladed metal bar on top to damage opponents. Much of Militant's electronics, including the batteries and weapon motor, were exposed, while the wheels featured the same sticky rubber tyres as Combatant, and smiley faces on their covers similar to that found on the latter's wedge.

## Robot history

### AWS 7

Militant's first ever fight was against Last Chance Saloon, Anty B and VileAnt Toaster. It is unknown what happened to VileAnt Toaster other than it was eliminated early on in the battle. Last Chance Saloon got to grips with Anty B from behind and was able to push and control Anty B, dumping it out of the arena with ease. Militant got to advance to the next round.

Militant's next opponents were Flippant, Anto 3 and Abel. As the battle began, Anto backed quickly into Militant, bashing it backwards as Abel came in on the other side and attempted to use its drill. Flippant came in and managed to flip Militant over, which allowed it to use the flywheel to attack Anto 3 as Abel merely trundled on at its own pace behind. As Militant attacked Anto 3, Flippant came in from behind and shoved Militant off the edge. Militant was now eliminated.

### AWS 8

Militant's fight this year saw it against Antageddon and Scorpiant. Militant immediately attacked Antageddon, who buckled the side armour and managed to recoil towards the side wall. Antageddon was attacked again before Scorpiant came in with the crusher and crushed the robot. Antageddon suffered heavy damage but surprisingly survived the battle whereas Scorpiant did not. Militant qualified with Antageddon.

It had to fight Antageddon all over again, but now had Anto to fight too. At first Militant attacked Antageddon again, tearing pieces off the side before completely demolishing the top armour plate. Anto attempted to attack Militant, but was damaged in the process. Militant continued the assault, tearing Anto apart. Eventually Anto was pushed off the edge of the arena in pieces. Both Militant and Antageddon were deemed the winners once more.

The next opponents were R.O.N.N.Y. and Psycho Ant. Militant started with R.O.N.N.Y. R.O.N.N.Y. soon turned around as Militant attacked from behind this time whilst Psycho Ant lingered by. It is unknown how R.O.N.N.Y. was eliminated.

Next was Antageddon for the third time. Similar to the previous times they faced, Militant was the aggressor and battered Antageddon immediately. The battle did not last long as Antageddon was smashed into multiple times by Militant and eventually was knocked out.

Next was Psycho Ant again, who was brought back in due to Combat Ant and Militant being from the same person and couldn't fight each other. At first, Psycho Ant started off stronger, getting a flip on Militant, turning it over. But this flip had put the flywheel facing upwards where it committed to causing severe damage. The flywheel smashed into Psycho Ant and sent it flying away. Psycho Ant was stuck on the side wall where Militant smashed into it again. During the attacks a chunk from the flipper was torn off alongside breaking the flipper entirely. The damage was too much in the end and Psycho Ant was immobilised.

In the championship final, Militant was pitted against Odyssey. The battle was brutal for Odyssey as the flywheel of Militant smashed into the scoop and tore chunks out of it, however Odyssey was able to control Militant. Another attack from the flywheel eventually tore the whole scoop off of Odyssey, all while Odyssey continues to control Militant and pushed it off the arena. Militant became the runner-up of series 8.

Militant also competed in the Football event where it once again went against Anto and Flippant, while the other opponents were Pathogen, Resurrector, War Ant and Suburban Spaceant.

### AWS 9

Militant's first opponents this year were Nigel and Satan's Little Helper. At first Nigel darted towards Refbot before turning around and attacking Militant from behind. Satan's Little Helper charged in and bashed the two out of the way. Not much is known from that point on or how Nigel was eliminated.

Next up were Chronotrigger and Antistatic. Chronotrigger made a direct attack to Militant, attempting to stop it from spinning up to speed, but unfortunately for it, Militant had done so and smashed Chronotrigger across the arena. Both Militant and Antistatic pushed Chronotrigger who still targeted Militant. Militant's flywheel tore into Chronotrigger, sending it spinning away with each attack as Antistatic rammed into it. Militant then tore a panel off of Antistatic as Chronotrigger was counted out. Antistatic turned around and attempted to attack Militant after this.

The next opponent was Pants. The battle was brutal with Militant tearing chunks from Pants as it charged into Militant. Not much is known after this attack, but Militant somehow lost.

Militant also competed in the Grumble, fighting Rebel, Anti and an unknown crusher, plus R.O.N.N.Y. for the second time.

Militant fought in another grumble where it was up against its own teammate Combat Ant, Duck, Rameses and Mesmer 2. At first, Mesmer 2 attacked Rameses, throwing it over through the power of is flywheel while Militant and Combat Ant smashed into each other with Duck charging in the fray. Eventually, Duck attempted to attack Mesmer 2, only to be thrown on its side where it was unable to self-right while Rameses had its wheel sliced apart by one of the other spinners. Militant pressured the overturned Duck with one such attack from the flywheel, decapitating the rubber ducky head. It is unknown who won, but it is known Rameses and Duck lost.

### AWS 12

The first opponents this year were War Ant and R.O.N.N.Y. again. The first opponent Militant attacked was R.O.N.N.Y., ripping a piece of armor off, and the next collision sent both into each trench (R.O.N.N.Y. in one, Militant in the other). Due to the damage it inflicted it qualified with War Ant.

Next was Chimera and for the second time Anty B. Militant struck Chimera first, which sent it careening and Anty B took advantage of it: sending Chimera into a trench, so Militant and Anty B qualified.

Militant then meets a familiar face: Odyssey. Militant cuts into Odyssey's ramp and gets stuck, with Odyssey trying to lift it, but only flips itself. They separate though, and Militant tears another hole in Odyssey, then manages to flip it over. Militant also damages the lifter where it holds Odyssey's wheels off the ground, so Militant won by K.O.

In the quarterfinals, Militant met Terminator. The two robots met in the middle but the spinner of Militant proved volatile as it smashed into Terminator and sent it spinning away from the impact. The attack had somewhat hindered Terminator's movements which then allowed Militant to go in for more attacks, tearing off the claws before ripping into the sides and eventually tearing off a wheel. With Terminator in pieces, Militant went on through.

Militant then fought War Ant again. As soon as they meet Militant tears off War Ant's wheel and a panel. Though War Ant could still move, it was mostly going in circles as Militant watches and was declared the winner, so it advanced to meet Anto yet again.

On the first contact, Militant slashes into Anto's wheel and gets stuck, but removes the wheel completely. Anto was leaning on its flank so heavily its remaining wheel was held off the ground: unable to move, Militant puts it out of its misery and this means Militant was champion of Series 12.

Militant wasn't finished though as it participated in Mega Melee 3 against R.O.N.N.Y. (again), Ramps, Antomkia, Chimera (again) and Rebel (again). Right away the champion sent Rebel flying into a trench and itself into the other. It lost to Ramps in the end.

Militant also entered the Tag Team with Chimera, and their first opponents were Pixiedust (whom Militant fought last year) and Cannon Fodder. Militant started conservatively until Chimera flips over, so Militant struck Cannon Fodder and ripped a wheel off. Then it turned its attention to Pixiedust. Pixiedust repelled Militant each time they made contact, but Militant managed to get underneath the shell and rip some pieces away. Pixiedust froze up after, and Militant and Chimera were declared the winners.

### AWS 13

Militant was back to defend its title, starting with familiar faces Antomkia and Chimera as well as a robot it didn't fight before: Ramsy. In a second Antomkia targeted Militant and pushed it down the trench, dethroning it.

Militant was able to enter the Mega Melee, and was joined by Torant 2, Transparant, Bits 'n' Pieces, familiar face Pants, Flurescant, Mohican, Antlifter and familiar face Anto. It tried to attack Bits 'n Pieces, although its disc doesn't seem to be working, and right after Anto shoves it into a trench, nearly putting Pants in with it. In the end it lost to Flurescant.

### AWS 14

The first opponent this year was, for the fifth time, R.O.N.N.Y. Militant slashes at R.O.N.N.Y., mostly at the sides and rear. Eventually, R.O.N.N.Y. stopped moving and like in their first encounter Militant was the winner.

Militant then had a rematch with Anty B. The first hit sent both bots stumbling, and Militant was flipped onto its rear. It helps itself down, and Anty B almost lifts it, and unwittingly gets stuck on the arena's edge. Militant lightly hits it to knock it over and won as a result.

Militant then had a rematch with Psycho Ant. Psycho Ant scoops Militant, but this cost Psycho Ant its grabber. Undaunted, Psycho Ant continues to carry Militant around before both went off the arena, and Militant was the loser, so it was now in the loser's bracket.

The next opponent was Anticide Kick. Anticide Kick rushes in and Militant claws it with its disc. One hit half-immobilized Anticide Kick as it was now circling only, but does slide to Militant, only to get flung out the arena, so Militant was the winner.

Next up was its brethren Combat Ant.

Now it had Chicken Porsche. The second they made contact, both robots were flung away from each other, but Militant was placed dangerously close to the arena's edge and fell off, so it lost.

For third-place Militant had to fight Psycho Ant for the third time. Rather too soon, Psycho Ant drove itself off the arena, so Militant won without even touching its opponent.

### AWS 16

    Militant's first opponent this year was Icant. The first initial charge by Militant caused it to impact and fly wildly away from Icant. Icant approached Militant, who started spinning up again, and slammed into it, however the deadly flywheel tore off a side plate and damaged one of the wheels. Militant continued the attacks and devastated Icant, however, Icant was able to continue fighting, pushing forward and pressuring Militant. Militant tore huge chunks from Icant but Icant used its lifter and grabbed hold of Militant, lifting it into the air and carrying Militant towards and off the edge. Militant was defeated as a result.

Next for Militant was Ripper. Militant kept its disc off and simply approached Ripper and pushed it around and into a wall. After Ripper moved to the center of the arena, Militant activates its disc and begins clawing at Ripper, but fails to cause any damage. Ripper pushes from behind and pins Militant to the wall. Militant tries again with its disc but began spinning itself uncontrollably and immediately switches it off. It does however, appear to have dislocated Ripper's right-wheel which looked crooked and jammed. Having Ripper at its mercy, Militant attacks again while Ripper could only circle, and eventually Militant was declared winner.

Militant now had to fight Hinge. Hinge almost drove itself off the arena but avoids that and pushes Militant. Militant activates its disc but this made it wheelie, although it does hit Hinge, propelling itself into the air and landing upside-down. Militant attacks again, but Hinge scoops it and made it wheelie again, so Militant briefly switches off its weapon to regain control and when it does reactivates said weapon. Hinge's right-wheel seems to have ceased as it was only circling itself, so Militant barrages it more, but Hinge scoops it and the two seem to have gotten stuck. When this became apparent the match paused and Militant was removed from Hinge's wedge. Continuing, Hinge scoops Militant again and pushes it off the arena, beating it.

### AWS 18

Militant's first opponent here was Duff. Militant was scooped by Duff but rips the panel off, however Militant carelessly spun itself near the arena's edge and fell in the trench, making itself lose.

Militant then faced Electra and Marabunta 3. Militant slowly approaches the others and strikes Electra, throwing it towards the arena edge where it just about survived. Electra then charged into Militant but was sliced by the deadly spinner, sending it away with every impact. However, one impact by Militant caused it to ricochet away and out of the arena, leaving only Marabunta 3 and Electra, the latter won in the end.

### AWS 19

Militant's first opponent this time was the familiar Anteater. Anteater tentatively got closer to Militant, who spun up to speed and the first impact damaged Anteater heavily, causing one wheel to be lopsided and drive to be affected. Militant turned for another attack, however, this second attack resulted in both robots being propelled across the arena, with Militant going out.

Militant was now in the loser's melee against Antiflip, Icant, Fast Dalek and Wing Attack Plan R. Militant started with Wing Attack Plan R, clawing it but gets bounced into the wall. It then attacks Icant and rips its right-wheel off, then backed into Antiflip who lifts and grabs it, then shoves it in the wall where Militant gets forced over. It eventually lost to Wing Attack Plan R.

### AWS 20

    Militant's only opponents were Mini G, Antipathy and Vacuum. A slow start as both Antipathy and Vacuum targeted Mini G and cornered it, pressuring Mini G. Militant spun up to speed but was hesitant to impact the back end of Vacuum who left Mini G alone to attack Militant. Mini G began to fight back against Antipathy, shunting it backwards as Vacuum added pressure to the powerful Militant. Militant impacted Vacuum a few times before one hit with the flywheel caused Militant to fly into the side wall and propel itself out. Militant was defeated as a result, and this was its final participation for twelve years.

### AWS 32

Militant's first opponent here was Dynamite. The two approached cautiously and the second Militant touches Dynamite both are repelled and fall out of the arena, forcing a do-over. For the second fight, Militant was able to slash Dynamite without sending either flying. Dynamite tries to circle around but Militant again sends it out of the arena, while keeping itself in this time, so it won.

Now it had Private Iron. Private Iron was wary as Militant approached, and in one hit Militant rips Private Iron's flipper off, but alos sent itself out the arena, so it lost and went to the loser's bracket.

Unfortunately, Militant had to fight Dynamite all over again in the next round. Militant delivers one small hit that bounced Dynamite, and another sent both bots into the walls. Dynamite begins to struggle moving while Militant's weapon probably died, but reactivates and delivers some light hits, then mercifully chose to turn off its weapon and simply push Dynamite around, eventually getting it off the arena and winning twice in a row.

Next up was Fast Dalek. When they meet Militant claws at Fast Dalek, ripping one piece off, but Fast Dalek had better traction and pushes Militant off the arena, falling itself too but Militant obviously lost.

### AWS 33

Militant's first opponent this year was Stewie. Immediately Stewie zooms and rams Militant, getting repelled but making Militant wheelie and fall off the arena, so it lost.

Next was Hippie Ant. The second they meet it becomes a pushing match with Militant getting the better and forcing Hippie Ant into the wall. Then Militant claws Hippie Ant, tearing off a wheel. Hippie Ant wasn't moving and was counted out, making Militant the winner.

Now it had Bruce. Bruce tries to circle around but Militant claws it, with one hit knocking Bruce away and another later ripping the skin off, prompting Bruce to surrender and let Militant win.

Now it had Frantic. Frantic rushes over and despite taking some hits pushes Militant off the arena, eliminating it.

### AWS 35

Militant's first opponent here was Meat 6: Battling Seizure Robot. Militant skates over to Meat 6 and clips it, then both robots get into a dance, with Militant losing by falling off the arena.

Now in the loser's bracket, it had Antidepressant. Militant approaches and slashes at Antidepressant who drives off. Militant pins it to the wall and gives another hit, but this sends both robots into both trenches each, resulting in a tie. For the second fight, Militant keeps away as Antidepressant approaches and flips it. Militant struggles to move, but Antidepressant's left-wheel suddenly falls off, probably from the last fight. With both robots crippled, but not defeated, they were being counted out until they started nudging each other, and Antidepressant unwittingly flips Militant upright, where it now had the advantage, but Antidepressant refused to back off and pushes Militant, who tries to push it off the arena, but goes itself, meaning Militant lost and was now eliminated.

## Outside AWS

Militant also competed in *Robot Wars Extreme 2's* antweight championship, but lost to old rival Pants and Lower after losing half of its drive.