Robot Wars: The Third Wars was the third series of the British television game show Robot Wars. It was originally broadcast from 1999 to 2000 on BBC Two. The series was hosted by Craig Charles, the pit reporter was Philippa Forrester and commentary was provided by Jonathan Pearce. H2 started showing repeats of the Third Wars on January 4th 2016.
Format
For the third series, the Gauntlet and Trial sections of the previous series were scrapped and the championship took the form of a straight knockout tournament. The series consisted of sixteen heats featuring eight robots each. Each heat winner then progressed to the semi-finals, and two robots from each semi-final went through to the Grand Final.
As a result of the format changes for the third series, there were no seeded robots for the series.
Heats
Heat A
- Main article: Robot Wars: The Third Wars/Heat A
Robots competing in Heat A: Brimhur, Weeliwako, Mace 2, Stinger, Raizer Blade, Red Dragon, Forklift's Revenge, Suicidal Tendencies
Round 1
- Stinger vs Mace 2: Mace 2 won
- Forklift's Revenge vs Suicidal Tendencies: Suicidal Tendencies won
- Brimhur vs Weeliwako: Weeliwako won
- Raizer Blade vs Red Dragon: Raizer Blade won
Round 2
- Mace 2 vs Weeliwako: Mace 2 won
- Raizer Blade vs Suicidal Tendencies: Suicidal Tendencies won
Final
- Mace 2 vs Suicidal Tendencies: Mace 2 won
Heat B
- Main article: Robot Wars: The Third Wars/Heat B
Robots competing in Heat B: Abaddon, Technophobic, Pitbull, Sumpthing, General Carnage, Robocow, Behemoth, Shark Attack
Round 1
- Sumpthing vs Pitbull: Pitbull won
- Abaddon vs Technophobic: Technophobic won
- General Carnage vs Robocow: General Carnage won
- Shark Attack vs Behemoth: Behemoth won
Round 2
- Technophobic vs Pitbull: Pitbull won
- General Carnage vs Behemoth: Behemoth won
Final
- Pitbull vs Behemoth: Pitbull won
Heat C
- Main article: Robot Wars: The Third Wars/Heat C
Robots competing in Heat C: Agent Orange, Max Damage, Spike, Blade, Aggrobot, Binky, Backstabber, Razer
- Note: Binky was a reserve robot, who was instated after Daisy suffered mechanical failures and were unable to compete.
Round 1
- Razer vs Backstabber: Razer won
- Binky vs Aggrobot: Aggrobot won
- Blade vs Spike: Blade won
- Agent Orange vs Max Damage: Agent Orange won
Round 2
- Razer vs Aggrobot: Aggrobot won
- Blade vs Agent Orange: Blade won
Final
- Aggrobot vs Blade: Blade won
Heat D
- Main article: Robot Wars: The Third Wars/Heat D
Robots competing in Heat D: Sir Chromalot, Shell Shock, Big Brother, Grim Reaper, Milly-Ann Bug, Bumblebot, Flipper, Ultor
Round 1
- Sir Chromalot vs Shell Shock: Sir Chromalot won
- Big Brother vs Grim Reaper: Big Brother won
- Bumblebot vs Milly-Ann Bug: Bumblebot won
- Flipper vs Ultor: Ultor won
Round 2
- Sir Chromalot vs Big Brother: Big Brother won
- Bumblebot vs Ultor: Ultor won
Final
- Big Brother vs Ultor: Ultor won
- Note: The Ultor team later awarded the victory to Big Brother as they could not attend filming for the Semi-Finals, claiming on-screen that the Judges' decision was wrong.[1]
Heat E
- Main article: Robot Wars: The Third Wars/Heat E
Robots competing in Heat E: Anorakaphobia, Miss Ile, The Big Cheese, Shrapnel, Crocodilotron, Chaos 2, Hammertron, Sonic
Round 1
- Anorakaphobia vs Miss Ile: Anorakaphobia won
- The Big Cheese vs Shrapnel: The Big Cheese won
- Chaos 2 vs Crocodilotron: Chaos 2 won
- Sonic vs Hammertron: Sonic won
Round 2
- Anorakaphobia vs The Big Cheese: The Big Cheese won
- Chaos 2 vs Sonic: Chaos 2 won
Final
- The Big Cheese vs Chaos 2: Chaos 2 won
Heat F
- Main article: Robot Wars: The Third Wars/Heat F
Robots competing in Heat F: Mortis, Ming, Gravedigger, Manic Mutant, Vector, T2, Darke Destroyer, Sgt. Meikle
Round 1
- Mortis vs Ming: Mortis won
- Vector vs T2: T2 won
- The Darke Destroyer vs Sgt. Meikle: The Darke Destroyer won
- Gravedigger vs Manic Mutant: Gravedigger won
Round 2
- Mortis vs Gravedigger: Gravedigger won
- The Darke Destroyer vs T2: The Darke Destroyer won
Final
- Gravedigger vs The Darke Destroyer: Gravedigger won
Heat G
- Main article: Robot Wars: The Third Wars/Heat G
Robots competing in Heat G: Bulldog Breed, Robopig, Kater Killer, Napalm, Henry, Haardvark, Steg-O-Saw-Us, Orac's Revenge
Round 1
- Bulldog Breed vs Robopig: Robopig won
- Kater Killer vs Napalm: Napalm won
- Henry vs Haardvark: Henry won
- Orac's Revenge vs Steg-O-Saw-Us: Steg-O-Saw-Us won
Round 2
- Henry vs Steg-O-Saw-Us: Steg-O-Saw-Us won
- Robopig vs Napalm: Napalm won
Final
- Steg-O-Saw-Us vs Napalm: Steg-O-Saw-Us won
Heat H
- Main article: Robot Wars: The Third Wars/Heat H
Robots competing in Heat H: Ally Gator, Corporal Punishment, Berserk 2, Tut's Revenge, Hypno-Disc, Robogeddon, Death Warmed Up, Stealth
Round 1
- Ally Gator vs Corporal Punishment: Ally Gator won
- Berserk 2 vs Tut's Revenge: Berserk 2 won
- Hypno-Disc vs Robogeddon: Hypno-Disc won
- Death Warmed Up vs Stealth: Stealth won
Round 2
- Berserk 2 vs Ally Gator: Berserk 2 won
- Hypno-Disc vs Stealth: Hypno-Disc won
Final
- Berserk 2 vs Hypno-Disc: Hypno-Disc won
Heat I
- Main article: Robot Wars: The Third Wars/Heat I
Robots competing in Heat I: Armour Geddon, Onslaught, Beast of Bodmin, Crusher, Vercingetorix, Terrorpin, Invertabrat, The Witch
Round 1
- Onslaught vs Armour Geddon: Onslaught won
- Crusher vs Beast of Bodmin: Beast of Bodmin won
- Vercingetorix vs Terrorpin: Terrorpin won
- Invertabrat vs The Witch: Invertabrat won
Round 2
- Invertabrat vs Terrorpin: Invertabrat won
- Onslaught vs Beast of Bodmin: Beast of Bodmin won
Final
- Invertabrat vs Beast of Bodmin: Beast of Bodmin won
Heat J
- Main article: Robot Wars: The Third Wars/Heat J
Robots competing in Heat J: 101, Overkill, Centurion, Excalibur, Eric, King Buxton, The Iron Mask, Weld-Dor
Round 1
- Centurion vs Excalibur: Centurion won
- 101 vs Overkill: 101 won
- The Iron Mask vs Weld-Dor: Weld-Dor won
- Eric vs King Buxton: King Buxton won
Round 2
- 101 vs Centurion: 101 won
- King Buxton vs Weld-Dor: King Buxton won
Final
- 101 vs King Buxton: 101 won
Heat K
- Main article: Robot Wars: The Third Wars/Heat K
Robots competing in Heat K: Axios, Panic Attack, Purple Predator, Toe Cutter, Hefty, X-Terminator, Judge Shred, Mr Punch
Round 1
- X-Terminator vs Hefty: X-Terminator won
- Purple Predator vs Toe Cutter: Toe Cutter won
- Judge Shred vs Mr Punch: Judge Shred won
- Axios vs Panic Attack: Panic Attack won
Round 2
- Judge Shred vs X-Terminator: X-Terminator won
- Toe Cutter vs Panic Attack: Panic Attack won
Final
- X-Terminator vs Panic Attack: Panic Attack won
Heat L
- Main article: Robot Wars: The Third Wars/Heat L
Robots competing in Heat L: Undertaker, Panzer, Challenger 2, Atlas, Evil Weevil, Triterobot, Flip Flop Fly, Wild Willy
Round 1
- Flip Flop Fly vs Wild Willy: Flip Flop Fly won
- Atlas vs Challenger 2: Challenger 2 won
- Evil Weevil vs Triterobot: Evil Weevil won
- Undertaker vs Panzer: Panzer won
Round 2
- Evil Weevil vs Flip Flop Fly: Evil Weevil won
- Panzer vs Challenger 2: Panzer won
Final
- Evil Weevil vs Panzer: Evil Weevil won
Heat M
- Main article: Robot Wars: The Third Wars/Heat M
Robots competing in Heat M: Hammerhead, Pussycat, Cassius 2, Dundee, Scutter's Revenge, Plunderstorm, Thermador, Zeus
Round 1
- Hammerhead vs Pussycat: Pussycat won
- Cassius 2 vs Dundee: Cassius 2 won
- Plunderstorm vs Thermador: Thermador won
- Zeus vs Scutter's Revenge: Scutter's Revenge won
Round 2
- Cassius 2 vs Pussycat: Pussycat won
- Scutter's Revenge vs Thermador: Scutter's Revenge won
Final
- Pussycat vs Scutter's Revenge: Pussycat won
- Note: Pussycat won the final round, but it was disqualified for using a hardened steel blade which shattered during the battle. Scutter's Revenge was awarded victory by default.
Heat N
- Main article: Robot Wars: The Third Wars/Heat N
Robots competing in Heat N: Thing 2, Prizephita, Crippler, All Torque, Daisy Chopper, Griffon, Cerberus, Killerhurtz
Round 1
- All Torque vs Crippler: All Torque won
- Killerhurtz vs Cerberus: Cerberus won
- Daisy Chopper vs Griffon: Griffon won
- Thing 2 vs Prizephita: Thing 2 won
Round 2
- All Torque vs Thing 2: Thing 2 won
- Cerberus vs Griffon: Cerberus won
Final
- Thing 2 vs Cerberus: Thing 2 won
Heat O
- Main article: Robot Wars: The Third Wars/Heat O
Robots competing in Heat O: Schumey Too, The Steel Avenger, Diotoir, Sting 2, Fire Storm, Crasha Gnasha, Terminal Ferocity, Facet
Round 1
- Schumey Too vs The Steel Avenger: The Steel Avenger won
- Terminal Ferocity vs Facet: Facet won
- Crasha Gnasha vs Fire Storm: Fire Storm won
- Diotoir vs Sting 2: Diotoir won
Round 2
- Diotoir vs The Steel Avenger: Diotoir won
- Fire Storm vs Facet: Fire Storm won
Final
- Diotoir vs Fire Storm: Fire Storm won
Heat P
- Main article: Robot Wars: The Third Wars/Heat P
Robots competing in Heat P: Victor 2, Scarab, Trident, Twn Trwn, Rattus Rattus, S.M.I.D.S.Y., Dreadnaut, Psychokiller
Round 1
- Rattus Rattus vs S.M.I.D.S.Y.: Rattus Rattus won
- Twn Trwn vs Trident: Trident won
- Scarab vs Victor 2: Victor 2 won
- Psychokiller vs Dreadnaut: Dreadnaut won
Round 2
- Rattus Rattus vs Dreadnaut: Dreadnaut won
- Victor 2 vs Trident: Trident won
Final
- Dreadnaut vs Trident: Trident won
Semi-Finals
Semi-Final 1
- Main article: Robot Wars: The Third Wars/Semi-Final 1
Round 1
- Fire Storm vs Pitbull: Fire Storm won
- Panic Attack vs Thing 2: Panic Attack won
- Big Brother vs Mace 2: Mace 2 won
- Chaos 2 vs Trident: Chaos 2 won
Round 2
- Fire Storm vs Panic Attack: Fire Storm won
- Mace 2 vs Chaos 2: Chaos 2 won
Semi-Final 2
- Main article: Robot Wars: The Third Wars/Semi-Final 2
Round 1
- 101 vs Scutter's Revenge: 101 won
- Gravedigger vs Steg-O-Saw-Us: Steg-O-Saw-Us won
- Beast of Bodmin vs Blade: Beast of Bodmin won
- Evil Weevil vs Hypno-Disc: Hypno-Disc won
Round 2
- Steg-O-Saw-Us vs Beast of Bodmin: Steg-O-Saw-Us won
- 101 vs Hypno-Disc: Hypno-Disc won
Grand Final
- Main article: Robot Wars: The Third Wars/Grand Final
Eliminators
- Chaos 2 vs Fire Storm: Chaos 2 won
- Hypno-Disc vs Steg-O-Saw-Us: Hypno-Disc won
Playoff
- Fire Storm vs Steg-O-Saw-Us: No winner
Final
- Chaos 2 vs Hypno-Disc: Chaos 2 won
Awards
- Main article: Robot Wars Awards
These are the winners of the various awards given out at the end of the series:
- Best Design: Razer
- Best Engineered: Chaos 2
- Most Original Entry: Hypno-Disc
- Sportsmanship Award: Diotoir
Battle of the Series
Voted for by the judges, the public were given the opportunity to guess which battle the judges chose, one of the correct entrants received VIP passes to the Robot Wars studio, get to meet the presenters and control the house robots. 20 runners-up won a copy of the First World Championship on video, a copy of the Robot Wars Magazine and a £25 voucher to spend in all Robot Wars stores.
The nominations were:
Winning Battle: Chaos 2 vs The Big Cheese
Trial Competitions
Although the trials had been removed from the main competition, two of these, Pinball and Soccer, were held as small competitions alongside the main championship. As was the case in previous years, the winner was the robot with the best performance (gaining the most points in Pinball, and either scoring the first goal or being the most active in Soccer). Other competitions were also planned, such as Sumo, but they were cancelled after the incident in the pits.
Pinball
- Main article: Robot Wars: The Third Wars/Pinball Competition
Robots Competing: Dominator, Crusader, Eye of Newt, Six Pac, Killerhurtz, R.O.C.S 2, Oblivion 2, Inquisitor Mk 2, Razer, Mortis.
| Rank | Robot | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Razer | 210 |
| 2 | Dominator | 160 |
| 3 | Six Pac | 135 |
| =4 | Crusader | 90 |
| =4 | Eye of Newt | 90 |
| 6 | Oblivion 2 | 75 |
| 7 | Inquisitor Mk 2 | 70 |
| =8 | Killerhurtz | 60 |
| =8 | Mortis | 60 |
| 10 | R.O.C.S 2 | 35 |
Soccer
- Main article: Robot Wars: The Third Wars/Robotic Soccer
Robots Competing: Velocirippa, Demolition Demon 2, Malfunktion, Gnasher, Evil Weevil, Alien, The General, Spectre.
Note: More matches were originally planned, including a match between Razer and Miss Struts.
Preliminaries
- Velocirippa vs Demolition Demon 2: Velocirippa won
- Malfunktion vs Gnasher: Gnasher won
- Evil Weevil vs Alien: Evil Weevil won
- The General vs Spectre: The General won
Final
- Velocirippa vs Gnasher vs Evil Weevil vs The General: Evil Weevil won
Special Events
- Main article: Robot Wars: The Third Wars/Special Events
In addition to the trial competitions, there were also three special battles held alongside the main championship. These consisted of the Series 3 Middleweight Championship and two battles featuring walkerbots. Other battles were originally intended, such as Lightweight and Featherweight Championships, and a Tag-Team Terror, but they were cancelled at the last minute, due to an accident in the pits.
Middleweight Melee
Tentoumushi vs Hard Cheese vs Grinder vs A-Kill vs Ripper's Revenge
Joint Winners: Tentoumushi & A-Kill
Walker Battles
Battles
- Miss Struts vs Stomp: Miss Struts won
- Mammoth vs Anarachnid: Draw declared
International Competitions
After the third series, two international Robot Wars competitions were held. These were the International League Championship and The First World Championship, which both pitted the familiar British robots against other robots from around the world.
International League Championship
The International League Championship was broadcast between the third and fourth series of Robot Wars and featured six robots from six different countries. These robots were split into two groups, with each robot fighting the other two robots in their group once in head to head battles. Robots would get three points if they won the battle, none if they lost, and one if both robots were still mobile at the end of time. The robot with the most points in each group at the end would go through to the final, a single head to head battle against the winner of the other group.
The First World Championship
- Main article: The First World Championship
The First World Championship was released initially on VHS in 2000 and later in 2005 on DVD, eventually being broadcast on TV in 2001. It featured all six robots from the International League Championship plus ten others, making sixteen robots overall representing eleven different countries. The robots were paired off to fight in a straight knockout competition, with the winner of the final battle becoming world champion.
Trivia
Behemoth lifts Cerberus in an unaired battle
- The Third Wars featured the largest number of competing robots in any domestic championship, with 128 robots taking part. Series 7 also featured 128 robots, although two of them did not actually get to fight.
- Series 3 contains at least one unaired battle, waged between Behemoth and Cerberus some time after The First World Championship was filmed. The context and winner of the battle are unknown, as the battle was only publicly confirmed through a CD-ROM given away with the Robot Wars Magazine.
References
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