Rammer

Real Life Examples: Punjar, Doom of Babylon, Warmachine (at least how it is driven)

Game Examples: Roly Poly, Eye Poker, M.A.D

Rammers (or rams) do bear the name of the tactic used: ramming. The bot rams repeatedly his opponent, damaging him in the process. Fast and brutish.

You can also use it simply as a pusher. You then can drive the opponent against a wall (and you will do regular damage to him, especially useful against HS's) or in a hazard.

Have a high ADC.

Building a Rammer

Rams must be fast. That means at least Ztek drive for lightweights, generally HP Ztek drive for middles, and 4WD HP Z-tek drive or more for heavyweights. You also need an invertible bot. With the minimum height needed for fitting a Z-tek inside your chassis, you can use shiny wheels and get an invertible bot.

The weapon is simply a rack of weapons using extenders, or several weapons attached on several anchors, installed at the front of the bot.

You could use any good weapon but the best are maces, axes and pointy tips. I never used ice picks but they could be efficient.

A frontal static weapon, an invertible bot and a strong drive train is good, but you should consider putting on some more defense (extended rack of spikes for the sides, plows, ramplates, eventually), or eventually a wedge (but this is uncommon). Especially, protect your wheels.

Ram hybrids are numerous. A hammer adds a way to bypass the enemy's defenses and weapons. A poker adds pushing power and damage, especially for a pusher. A flipper can be useful (as it helps you with a wedge) for incapaciting your opponent prior to ramming his sorry butt. A wedge reduces your damage and turns your bot into a pusher, but gives you more defense agains some robot types (Notably popups) Several builders think the HS/ram hybrid is the king of hybrids, and it is possible.

Pushers

Game Examples: SnowJob, Da Dog, Big Dog

Pushers are similar to rammers in design (although several trade less drive train for more weapons), but their tactic is different: you charge against an enemy and push it around, hopefully pinning it on a wall. No back-up for another charge like rams. Pushers make less damage, but continuous damage. More efficient against HS because you can block their weapons continuously.

PROS

• Usually the fastest bot class

• Extended pushing ability.

• Good frontal defense.

• Great damage when ramming (Several hits near 20000 have been done with rammers in Stock, and no other bot type can do this), but does need to back up then. A little slow when pushing.

• Generally has the edge against an Horizontal spinner, and especially against a Thwackbot.

CONS

• Don't like Hammers and most vertical spinning weapons - especially Sawbots and Drums (ramming them head on is the best way to get hit, lifted and Gut-ripped)

• Popups are your deadliest opponents (same, and you can't get a good hit if the popup has frontal armor)

• Hard to drive well. Just don't show off after hard hits. They may look cool, but they can leave your bot vulnerable.

• Generally, weak top and bottom.

• Drive train is vital. Don't let them get at your wheels.