Swamp Thing

* RoboGames 2023
* RoboGames 2016
* 2003 RSA Holiday Games

## Overview

**Swamp Thing** is a Heavyweight (Formerly Middleweight) robot built by Hardcore Robotics that has competed under two different forms since the 2004 RFL Nationals.

Swamp Thing also competed as an alternate in the 2015 reboot season of BattleBots and attempted to compete in the 2022 season before pulling out.

Swamp Thing returned for RoboGames 2023 with A new design under the name **Piranha** and with a new team at the helm. Unfortunately, Swamp Thing was unable to replicate its success as it went 0-2 with the finishing blow being dealt by the newest member of its old team, Stink Eye.

## Versions of Swamp Thing

### Swamp Thing (2004)

The original version of Swamp Thing was a two-wheeeled, green, invertible, box-shaped robot armed with two torque reaction grabbers. It didn't do too well in competition, managing to win only one battle.

### Swamp Thing (2016)

The 2016 version of Swamp Thing was a two-wheeled, invertible, box-shaped robot armed with a flamethrower, and a front mounted wedge. Although it did have an axe attached to it during filming for *BattleBots World Championship I*, it was ultimately removed during RoboGames appearances.

### Swamp Thing (2023)

The 2023 version of Swamp Thing, otherwise known as **Piranha**, was a two-wheeled robot armed with a thick front wedge and a vertical spinner.

## Robot History

### RoboGames 2017

Swamp Thing's first match was against **Touro Maximus** this was a relatively dull match that consisted of both robots shoving each other around until Touro Maximus high centered itself on the arena floor.

This put Swamp Thing through to the next round where it faced **Megalodon**, this match started with Megalodon climbing on top of its own wedge after hitting a floor seam, It then got under Swamp Thing but stalled, and Swamp Thing got away and got to the sides of Megalodon.
Now in underneath Megalodon, Swamp Thing used its flamethrower, and lit the tires of Megalodon on fire, and Megalodon stopped moving. However it then started moving again as the countdown was starting, and Swamp Thing slammed into it again. At this point it became clear that Megalodon's electrical gremlins were back, as it stopped moving for the second time in the match, and Swamp Thing lit its tires on fire once more.

Swamp Thing then started doing a victory dance, however as this happened Megalodon stareted moving once again, and drove away from Swamp Thing, but Swamp Thing did not even need to give chase as Megalodon promptly stopped moving afterwards. Swamp Thing took advantage of this, and started burning it again, this time setting fire to all four wheels.

Once Megalodon started moving again it became clear that the fire had damaged the wheels which were now out of allignment. Megalodon then got under Swamp Thing, and slammed it into the wall, however Megalodon stopped moving completely after this hit, and was counted out with Swamp Thing still stuck on top of it.

This win put Swamp Thing in the quarterfinals where it faced **Echo 2.0**.

### RoboGames 2018

Swamp Thing was initially on the wait-list, however Ray Billings decided at the last minute to pull **Last Rites** from the event, and instead compete with Swamp Thing. Swamp Thing’s first match was against **Gruff**. Swamp Thing lost this match and was now in the losers bracket where it faced **Polar Vortex**. Swamp Thing won this match and advanced to the next round where it faced **Echo 2.0** again. Swamp Thing won this match and advanced to the next round where it faced **Sewer Snake**. Swamp Thing lost this match and was eliminated from the tournament.

## Results

* **Wins:** 8
* **Losses:** 12

## Outside RoboGames

Swamp Thing competed at the BattleBots hosted 2004 NPC Charity Open where it went 0-2. The 2016 version first debuted at the first season of the ABC Reboot of BattleBots as a reserve where although it did not compete, it fought British robot **Chronic** in an unaired pilot fight to test the arena and cameras. Swamp Thing was also on standby in the pits during the 2018 season of BattleBots, but once again did not compete.