Poison Arrow

Poison Arrow
Participation Information
Reboot Seasons	World Championship II
Other Names	Growler (Working name) Poison Arrow 2.0 (WC IV)
Team Information
Team	Caustic Creations
Team Members	Zach Goff (Captain) Casey Kuhns Ian McMahon Gabe Staples Hana Goff
From	Houston, TX
Other Entries	Copperhead
Associated Robots	Chopper (Zach Goff)
Robot Statistics
Weight	232lbs
Power	2x 150cc HobbyKing brushless motors
Weapons	Drum spinner
Statistics correct as of its most recent appearance on the show, or if not applicable, qualification attempt.

Poison Arrow was a heavyweight robot built by Caustic Creations which competed exclusively in BattleBots World Championship II.

It was a compact and nimble robot armed with a powerful spinning drum, which could allegedly hit 15000rpm. Manufactured from tool steel and weighing 70lbs, Poison Arrow's primary weapon made up almost a third of its total weight. The robot was black and lime green in color, mimicking that of a poison dart frog - one of the most feared amphibians in the wild.

Poison Arrow depicted with a tail on official BattleBots merchandise.

The official 2016 season t-shirt, which used early CAD submissions, Poison Arrow was depicted with a tail at the rear, though this was not present on the real robot, suggesting it was likely removed in the design stage.

"Lime green looks hot under the lighting and pops well. We also had been looking at a lot of amphibian like designs and green just screams amphibian to me. Poison Arrow as a name is a mixture of the poison dart frog and the strategy we tend to use of just going for the one hard hit like an arrow."

— Graphic designer Hana Goff explains the thought process behind Poison Arrow's name and look in a 2016 Reddit AMA

Poison Arrow 2.0 during 2019 Facebook Supporter reveals.

The main robot was joined by a flame-breathing drone named Buzz. It did well in the competition, defeating former heavyweight champion Son of Whyachi en route to the quarter-finals, where it lost out to eventual runner-up Bombshell.

The team intended to enter World Championship IV with 'Poison Arrow 2.0', with the Caustic Creations entry even revealed to Facebook Supporters under that identity. The redesign sported a narrower eggbeater drum spinner, two-wheel drive and a tail at the rear. However, the team would ultimately rename this version to Copperhead, competing with it from 2019 onward.

Outside BattleBots

Poison Arrow as Spicy Newt.

Although Poison Arrow would not return for World Championship III, the team competed in Chinese show Clash Bots with a renamed Poison Arrow, called Spicy Newt. Due to a warehouse incident, however, the robot was lost in China and could not be recovered.

Team Caustic Creations also competed in RoboGames 2015 and 2017 with their lightweight entry UnMakerBot, winning 9 fights and only losing once across two separate competitions.

Robot History

World Championship II
Poison Arrow vs. Mega Tento Poison Arrow's first ever match in BattleBots was against Lisa Winter and Mega Tento. Mega Tento taking aim at Poison Arrow. Early on, Poison Arrow found itself smothered by its shell of Mega Tento as it also lost its decorative tail. Poison Arrow then maneuvered Poison Arrow towards the screws as its drone tried to melt the ladybug shell. Poison Arrow lay stationary beside the screws for several seconds before returning to life, only to be captured by Mega Tento's shell again. The Caustic Creations robot got its drum up to speed as Mega Tento gave chase, splitting the shell towards the back end. Poison Arrow breaks Mega Tento's primary weapon. Time passed as both robots jockeyed for position, but this break in attacks ended by Poison Arrow slamming into the front of Mega Tento's main chassis and causing its shell to separate from its mounting point. Mega Tento with Poison Arrow captured as time expires. By this point, Mega Tento was unable to raise or lower its shell due to damage sustained, but this did not deter it from attempting to swallow Poison Arrow again, which used its drum spinner to keep hitting the frame of its opponent as time ran out. Poison Arrow ultimately won by unanimous judges' decision and moved into the Top 32.
Poison Arrow vs. Son of Whyachi Poison Arrow's KO blow to Son of Whyachi. Poison Arrow sends SOW flying. Poison Arrow advanced to the Round of 32 as the No.27 seed, where it faced the No.6 seed Son of Whyachi. As soon as the match started, Son of Whyachi's minibot charged at Poison Arrow, who turned around and destroyed the minibot before turning back to face the main robot. The two robots slowly moved towards each other until they collided. The first impact didn't do much to either robot, but the second hit sent Son of Whyachi ten feet into the air and across the BattleBox. As Son of Whyachi landed, it stopped moving due to a broken receiver. Poison Arrow hit Son of Whyachi a few more times as it was counted out. Poison Arrow won by knockout after just 58 seconds and advanced to the Round of 16.
Poison Arrow vs. HyperShock Poison Arrow rips off HyperShock's right front wheel. In the Round of 16, Poison Arrow took on HyperShock. However, it began on the back foot as Will Bales' bot immediately got to the rear of Poison Arrow and flipped it over. However, after slamming its opponent into the barrier, HyperShock's weapon stopped working as one of the impacts bent the shaft. Without an active weapon, HyperShock struggled to chalk up damage points for the remainder of the fight. HyperShock remained aggressive, righting Poison Arrow and allowing it to get its own drum weapon up to speed. It was still able to control Poison Arrow using its strong front plow. Poison Arrow was pinned against the wall as Will Bales drove it against the screws. But smoke eventually began to pour from HyperShock as it was overheating, leaving it with little in the way of mobility. Eventually, HyperShock could no longer move at all and Poison Arrow tore a wheel from HyperShock as it was counted out. Poison Arrow advanced to the quarter-finals at HyperShock's expense, and moved into the final eight.
Poison Arrow vs. Bombshell Poison Arrow is stacked against the wall. An unceremonious end. Now in the quarter-finals, Poison Arrow faced Bombshell. Poison Arrow started on the back foot, its side getting caught by Bombshell's disc. The two then met head to head, with Bombshell's wedge getting under Poison Arrow, but neither getting in a conclusive hit. Poison Arrow then turned away and Bombshell struck it, stacking it against the wall. Buzz chased Bombshell and, as the count started, flew into the main bot of Poison Arrow in order to free it. Bombshell drove in, smashing the drone and inadvertently freeing Poison Arrow just in time. Poison Arrow darted away, but another shot to its side flung it into the screws. Since Poison Arrow was stuck on the screws within the first minute of the fight, the screws were rotated downwards to free it before Bombshell hit it again. A third hit from Bombshell sent Poison Arrow high into the air only for it to land trapped behind the screws, unable to move. Poison Arrow was then counted out and eliminated from the competition. This proved to be Poison Arrow's final BattleBots fight as it was replaced by Copperhead for future seasons.

Results

Wins/Losses

• Wins: 3
• Losses: 1

Competition	Wins	Losses
World Championship II	Mega Tento Son of Whyachi HyperShock	Bombshell

Faruq Tauheed Introductions

"William Tell your friends to quiver when this bot takes aim, cause if he's on target, you'll get the shaft. It's POISON ARROW!"

"Its aim is to maim. In the immortal words of Bell Biv DeVoe, it's POISON ARROW!"

"Its favorite bedtime story is "Green Eggs and Slam." It may kill you way down there, it may kill you in the air, it may kill you anywhere. Now go to sleep! It's POISON ARROW!"

"A venomous pair with violence to spare. You better find the number for Poison Control 'cause it's POISON ARROW!"

Trivia

• Poison Arrow was originally supposed to be named Growler, though this changed after negotiations with their main sponsor Arrow.com.

See Also

• Spicy Newt (Clash Bots)