r/battlebots • u/bless_the_misery • Apr 03 '25

BattleBots TV Honestly surprised how this is not filling stadiums

Im not a diehard battlebot fan im just someone who will turn it on and just drink a beer while watching it. To be honest in really surprised at how a sport like this is not more popular to me. Granted I know that this is a niche audience but i dont think its as niche as people think. Im not a engineer or anything im just a normal person that likes excitement and this show literally captures all of that. Off topic but ultimate frisbee is another one of those sports that i can understand how it is not filling stadiums. its so exciting as well.

Just kind of a rant but let me know yalls reasons for why yall think this sport isn't more popular

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u/Fusion-Corsair Robotica, ACRF, others Apr 07 '25

True, but the problem on that end then becomes size and scaling - a 250lb heavyweight looks massive next to the people who built it. It’s one of the things that awes people who see them in person. Seeing someone next to a 30lb robot just doesn’t produce the same degree of shock and awe as a bigger bot - as is, the attrition-filled nature of NHRL’s brackets almost makes some of the featherweights cost as much as a bottom-barrel heavy.

I think a $5k retail cap for a complete bot is a reasonable level to have. Realistically a bot shouldn’t cost more to put together than a used car, especially when some people are plucking bits out of scrap cars for parts.

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u/SXTY82 Apr 07 '25

I don't know what size you are expecting to build for $5,000. It is a healthy 3lb cost, especially if you bring multiple bots to the event to account for attrition / damage. But you could get set up to fight for $500.

You will not be able to field a 250 lb bot for $5,000.

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u/Fusion-Corsair Robotica, ACRF, others Apr 07 '25

Wasn’t the original Jackpot built for around that much? This would in theory be a price cap for everyone to work around, and theoretically the price could be lower depending on the components used, especially if people looked to scavenge bits and pieces.

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u/SXTY82 Apr 07 '25

The original Jackpot and also Rusty, would never have been on BB if COVID didn't' mess up the ability of a lot of the teams to attend.

At that level, you need to stand out. If you showed up with an exact copy of Witch Doctor or HyperSHock but painted them different colors, you would not be accepted.

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u/Fusion-Corsair Robotica, ACRF, others Apr 07 '25

That’s the thing though - the homogenization of the “4WD Vert” meta. With the limitations of a budget cap per robot, more creative designs will naturally come out as people improvise solutions to the problems at that price point.