Other Types - FLS Battlebots

Cluster Bot – more than one robot in the arena

What is a Cluster bot?

Cluster bot is a type of combat robot that is not made up of a single unit, but of several separate units. These parts – often 2 or more – work together as a team and fight at the same time. Usually, all parts must be destroyed or immobilized for the cluster bot to be defeated, giving it a significant strategic advantage.

Advantages:

Makes targeting harder for the opponent
Possibility of surrounding the opponent
Variable weapons – e.g. one part can be a spinner, another a grabber

Disadvantages:

Smaller size of each part (lower durability)
More complex control and synchronization
Stricter total weight rules in some competitions

Famous representatives:

Swarm – a robot made up of several mini units
Gemini – a classic two-part cluster bot with identical parts

Robot types by body shape

1. Wedge – wedge-shaped robot

Wedge robots are known for their low profile and sloped front, which lets them drive under the opponent and disrupt their stability. They are ideal for both defensive and offensive strategies, often combined with a pusher or grabber.

✅ Excellent control over the opponent
✅ Resistant to spinners
❌ Not very destructive

2. Armor Tank – armored “tank”

These robots emphasize extreme armor and durability, often at the expense of speed and agility. Their goal is to withstand the opponent’s attacks, survive, and wear the opponent down.

✅ High endurance, ideal against spinners
✅ Robust frame and wheel protection
❌ Low mobility, often a passive fighting style

3. Classic – traditional shape

A “classic” robot shape means a balanced design without extreme angles or specialization – a rectangular, symmetrical frame with a standard build. This shape is common among beginners as well as multi-function robots.

✅ Flexibility, suitable for combining weapons
✅ Easier to build
❌ Less specialized – can be outclassed in a specific area

Robot types by movement method

1. Classic (wheels) – standard drive

The most common way to move – robots are driven by two or four wheels, usually with independent steering. This system is simple, reliable, and allows for high speed and maneuverability.

✅ Fast reactions and simple control
✅ Ideal for both offensive and defensive styles
❌ Prone to flipping over or wheel damage

2. Walker – robot on legs

A walker is a robot that moves using actual mechanical legs – typically in a jointed forward-and-backward motion, similar to a walking animal or human. Due to the technical difficulty, walkers are entitled to a 50% weight bonus over wheeled robots in most competitions. So if the limit for a wheeled robot is 110 kg, a walker can weigh up to 165 kg.

✅ An interesting and unusual way of moving
✅ +50% weight bonus allows for stronger weapons or armor
✅ Effective against spinners thanks to a robust build
❌ Complex mechanics and lower speed

3. Shuffler – shuffler

A shuffler moves using a vibrating or sliding motion – the robot “shuffles” or slides forward and backward, mimicking steps without actual legs. This type is a compromise between a walker and a wheeled robot and is also entitled to a 50% weight bonus (same as a walker).

✅ Gets a +50% weight limit, same as a walker
✅ Simpler construction than a true walker
✅ An interesting alternative for heavy weapons
❌ Less precise and slower movement
❌ Less visually impressive than a full walker

✳️ Summary of differences:

Movement type	Examples	Speed	Complexity	Weight bonus
Wheels	Flipper, Spinner, Grabber	High	Low	❌ none
Shuffler	Experimental tanks, hybrids	Low-medium	Medium	✅ +50%
Walker	Mechanical beasts, humanoids	Low	High	✅ +50%

Thanks to these rules, walkers and shufflers can use their weight advantage to install heavier weapons or stronger protection, partly compensating for their lower mobility and more complex construction. This mechanism supports design diversity and gives room for builders with bold ideas.

🔚 Summary: Diversity in robot combat

Combat robots aren’t just about weapons – shape, movement, and strategy all play a key role. Whether you build a classic wheeled robot, a heavily armored tank, or a technically complex walker, each type has its strengths and weaknesses. Combining different approaches – e.g. a wedge walker or an armored cluster bot – often produces the most interesting builds.