Hacksmith’s Battlebot Strategy: How We Took on Valkyrie & Hypershock

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2025-03-27 | By The Hacksmith

Entering this Battlebots season, we knew the stakes were higher than ever. Our gauntlet consisted of facing not one, not two, but three titans of destruction: the fearsome Valkyrie, the electrifying Hypershock, and the legendary world champion, Tombstone. This was a trial by fire, a test of our robot's resilience and our team's ingenuity.

Every ounce of weight was meticulously scrutinized. We replaced critical frame components, such as the wheel hubs and select chassis panels, with lightweight yet incredibly strong magnesium alloy. This strategic weight reduction allowed us to fortify our armor plating with thicker, high-grade AR500 steel. This was not merely armor; it was a bulwark against the devastating rotational forces of horizontal spinners.

Beyond physical enhancements, we invested heavily in our robot's software. Our software engineers developed advanced AI tracking algorithms, employing sophisticated camera-based machine learning. These algorithms were designed to predict and anticipate our opponents' movements, granting us a crucial edge in the heat of battle. We aimed for a level of precision that would allow us to dictate the flow of combat.

Image of Hacksmith’s Battlebot Strategy Schemeit

Hacksmith’s Battlebot Strategy: Orbitron Scheme-it

Our initial clash against Valkyrie validated our efforts. The enhanced AI locked onto Valkyrie's movements, enabling us to maintain relentless pressure. We maneuvered with calculated precision, ultimately forcing Valkyrie onto the perilous upper deck, where they met their demise via a dramatic count-out. It was a hard-fought victory.

However, our second bout against Hypershock proved more challenging. The intense, high-frequency strobe light sequence emitted by the arena lights disrupted our AI tracking system during the crucial initial seconds. This disorientation resulted in a critical early hit, forcing us into a corner. Hypershock capitalized on this advantage, delivering a powerful blow that launched us out of the arena, eliminating us from the match.

Now, we brace ourselves for the ultimate test: Tombstone. The very name evokes a sense of dread and respect. We are preparing for a battle of epic proportions, a clash between our enhanced machine and one of the most iconic robots in Battlebots history. The anticipation is palpable. Stay tuned for our next video, where we will reveal the outcome of this monumental confrontation."

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