Swamp Thing

Swamp Thing
Participation Information
Reboot Seasons	World Championship I (Reserve) World Championship II (Not selected) World Championship III (Not selected) World Championship VII (Withdrew)
Unaired Events	World Championship I (Swamp Thing vs. Chronic)
Live	BattleBots Proving Ground
Other Events	2004 NPC Charity Open
Team Information
Team	Team Swamp Thing (WC VII-Present) Hardcore Robotics (NPC Charity Open-WC III)
Team Members	Ray Billings (NPC Charity Open-WC I) Justin Billings (NPC Charity Open-WC III) Rick Russ Lorna West (WC VII-Present) Amy Anastasia (WC VII-Present) Michael Thombs (WC VII-Present) Mark Elam (WC VII) Adam Duarte (WC VII-Present) Kayen Duarte (WC VII-Present)
From	El Dorado, CA
Other Entries	Tombstone Hellfire
Associated Robots	Jet Lag, B.O.B., Son of Bob, Low Blow, Deathstar, Mow-Blow, Mr. "D", Final Verdict (Rick Russ) Rhode Hog (Michael Thombs, Amy Anastasia) Bellator, BattleSaw (Mark Elam) Skorpios (Adam Duarte Kayden Duarte)
Robot Statistics
Weight	247lbs (WC VII-Present) 250lbs (WC I) 120lbs (2004)
Top Speed	20mph (WC VII-Present) 10mph (WC I-WC III)
Power	4x 8.2Ah 8S LiPo batteries (WC VII-Present) 32V LiPo battery (WC I)
Drive	2x NPC 4200 motors
Weapons	Flamethrower Hammer (WC I) Vertical spinner (WC VII-Present)
Statistics correct as of its most recent appearance on the show, or if not applicable, qualification attempt.

Swamp Thing is a heavyweight (formerly middleweight) robot built by Hardcore Robotics which was an unused reserve for the first three BattleBots World Championships.

Under the captaincy of Rick Russ, Swamp Thing initially applied for World Championship VII but had to withdraw, and later fought in BattleBots Proving Ground under Team Swamp Thing.

The original middleweight Swamp Thing first competed in the untelevised NPC Charity Open in 2004, losing its two matches and being eliminated from the tournament. Swamp Thing also appeared at RoboGames from NPC Charity Open to 2018 with moderate success, later evolving to a heavyweight after Ray Billings' The Great Pumpkin was repurposed.

"This was one of the first "show" bots I'd built, which was more focused on being entertaining rather than competitive."

— Ray Billings on the Hardcore Robotics website about Swamp Thing

Swamp Thing as a middleweight.

Swamp Thing was originally built as a 120lb middleweight robot resembling a crocodile or alligator. It was all constructed from mild steel, many of it being scrap pieces. Its weapon was a pair of actuating jaws on the front of the robot. The jaws did not traditionally use motors to power it; The lower jaw was just a hinged wedge activated by Swamp Thing accelerating, leaning back and opening the jaws, then decelerating, slamming forward and closing the jaws. It would close and open its mouth in a loud and violent action, giving the impression of a monster snapping its jaws. Swamp Thing also featured a a triangular spike on it's rear, presumably to prevent the robot from getting tossed and high-centered on its rear in battle. Its drivetrain was remarkably powerful, and Swamp Thing was reported to have around fifteen minutes of battery capacity on the team's website.

Swamp Thing was rebuilt by Hardcore Robotics to serve as an alternate robot in case of any late withdrawals, utilizing a spare frame from the team's middleweight The Mortician. It featured a large, 3/8" thick wedge made from AR400 steel, with a hole in the center for a flamethrower to shoot fire from. Atop the robot was an overhead hammer, in order to abide by the BattleBots active weapon rule. Swamp Thing also sported a tail made from 1" mild steel square tubing and two 1.5" thick steel bars were painted white and fitted to the front to resemble fangs.

Swamp Thing as the second version of The Great Pumpkin.

The 40lb tail of Swamp Thing was connected by electromagnets, meaning Swamp Thing could purposely lose its tail during a fight if deemed necessary, which was fitted with decorative LEDs. Though Swamp Thing participated in a practice match against Chronic to test the recording setup prior to the main season, it was not required for the main competition. The team fought with Tombstone instead, making the Championship fight but losing out to Bite Force.

Ahead of World Championship II, Swamp Thing was again entered alongside Tombstone, but was not needed to compete. Hardcore Robotics would bring Swamp Thing for World Championship III, with it featuring in a filmed introduction for the season's eighth episode, despite it again not competing in any capacity.

"The first machine to enter the BattleBox in 2015 is getting quite the facelift. Time to show the world what's been lurking in the depths."

— Rick Russ teases the brand new Swamp Thing build

Swamp Thing under construction in 2022.

Rick Russ confirmed Swamp Thing would apply for World Championship VII. Disbanding from Tombstone, Russ was joined by teammates Lorna West and Amy Anastasia. The robot is due to ditch its hammer weapon in favor of a vertical spinner. Work on the newest build of Swamp Thing began in early 2022, with Rick Russ documenting its 38.5" wide, 1/2" AR500 steel plow being cut, including a slot to accommodate its 19lb vertical spinner designed by Team Whyachi called the Gutripper, which spins at 5500rpm. Rick Russ explained his intention to add a foam tail to the robot, making use of the 10lb decorative weight allowance, which would be removed prior to battle. Swamp Thing would be driven by Adam Duarte, who has two decades of experience with smaller combat robots and was part of Skorpios in 2019. However, the team later had to withdraw due to Rick Russ needing surgery on his shoulder, according to Lorna West.

He also confirmed their second 'undercover' robot which would, according to Rick, have a "jet-powered" spinning weapon. In a May 2022 podcast, Rick Russ revealed this plan to build a 250lb version of his 2004 NPC Charity Open entry, Final Verdict, named Jet Lag. He has since brought it to BattleBots: Destruct-A-Thon events, and began designing a new robot for BattleBots Proving Ground named Hellfire. Russ competed with both Swamp Thing and Hellfire in September 2023's Proving Ground fights, winning its first against Switchback by knockout. After Hellfire had to pull out, Swamp Thing was instated and lost its second fight.

Swamp Thing returned in January 2024 to face Traves T. with green wheels similar to those seen during its 2023 RoboGames outing, as well as a new front attachment. It became the first robot to defeat Kurt Krueger's machine.

Outside BattleBots

Swamp Thing as Piranha during RoboGames 2023.

• Swamp Thing in the pits.
• Swamp Thing in the pits.
• Swamp Thing shows off its flamethrower in 2015.
• Swamp Thing's internals.
• Swamp Thing unpainted.
• Swamp Thing's tail.
• Swamp Thing's brief World Championship III cameo.

1/7

The rebuilt Swamp Thing fought in the heavyweight division of RoboGames 2023 under the name Piranha, adding a triangular wedge underneath the primary weapon to help feed opponents into its path.

Piranha took on RoboGames veteran Ragin' Scotsman in its first fight, exchanging attacks before becoming stuck under the spiked wall. After being freed, the fight was set to continue but Piranha could not drive and lost by knockout. Rick Russ' robot suffered a similar fate against Stinkeye in the loser's bracket, where it lost by judges' decision and was eliminated.

Swamp Thing is registered for RoboGames 2024 - this time under its original name - alongside Russ' middleweight, Spindoctor.

Robot History

NPC Charity Open 2004
Swamp Thing vs. Falconizer After receiving a bye, Swamp Thing went up against Falconizer. Falconizer sends Swamp Thing flying. Despite getting tossed multiple times by Falconizer's spinning drum, Swamp Thing was still moving before the time ran out. Falconizer won on a judges' decision and Swamp Thing was now in the loser's bracket.
Swamp Thing vs. Red Square It received a second bye in the loser's bracket and went up against Team Whyachi and Red Square. Swamp Thing lunges at Red Square. Throughout the fight, Red Square got underneath Swamp Thing and flipped it onto its back after a collision between both robots. After this, Swamp Thing moved to the corner of the arena and Red Square pushed it under the pulverizer. Swamp Thing drove away and Red Square got underneath Swamp Thing once again. Red Square tried to flip Swamp Thing, but misses and Swamp Thing drove itself at the arena wall. Swamp Thing drove over Red Square some more and later stopped moving. Red Square tried pushing it toward the pulverizer, but Swamp Thing was already being counted out. Red Square won by KO and Swamp Thing was eliminated from the tournament.
World Championship I
Swamp Thing vs. Chronic (Exhibition) In Swamp Thing's only BattleBots fight in 2015, it met fellow reserve Chronic. Swamp Thing chases down Chronic. A tailless Swamp Thing fighting Chronic. Despite losing its tail, Swamp Thing was able to win after Chronic suffered drive issues and lost several of its foam spikes, though no footage of this battle exists. This was the first fight in the reboot era, organised to test lighting, camera angles and other methods of production ahead of World Championship I. As such, Swamp Thing was not allowed to use its flamethrower according to Rick Russ.
BattleBots Proving Ground
Swamp Thing vs. Switchback (9/23/23) Swamp Thing vs. Switchback, as advertised on the BattleBots website. Returning to the BattleBots for the first time in eight years, Swamp Thing took on Switchback on September 23, 2023. Before the fight, Rick Russ revealed that he had toned down Swamp Thing's drive speed a little in order to make it more controllable. The team had also added a long triangular wedgelet, similar to the one they equipped at RoboGames, to make getting under Switchback easier. Switchback is counted out. When the battle began, Swamp Thing darted across the arena to get the first attack, sliding under Switchback and attacking the drum bot's underbelly. The hit was effective, locking up one of Switchback's rear wheels and shutting down its drum spinner. Swamp Thing pressed its advantage throughout the fight, continuing to push it around the arena and attack with its disc. Several times, it nearly became trapped on the arena floor, walls and screws, but managed to wiggle free. Eventually, Switchback became hung up on one of its forks, and Swamp Thing finally backed away, allowing its opponent to be counted out near the Upper Deck. Swamp Thing was declared the winner by knockout at 2:38.
Swamp Thing vs. Switchback (9/24/23) Following the withdrawal of Hellfire, Rick Russ fought Switchback with Swamp Thing for a second time. Swamp Thing again sported the triangular wedgelet which proved effective the day prior. Swamp Thing gets underneath Switchback. Swamp Thing charged at Switchback but missed on this occasion. It quickly turned, however, and slid its attachment under the front of Switchback and drove it back towards the Upper Deck. Switchback slipped away and while its eggbeater drum spinner got up to speed, Swamp Thing's disc slowed to a stop. Swamp Thing evades its opponent as Switchback gets its weapon up to speed. Shortly after, Swamp Thing's disc began to spin again, but not at a high enough speed to pose a threat to the Top 32 finisher. Switchback appeared to be suffering from similar issues as its eggbeater drum lacked the potency to throw Swamp Thing around. Swamp Thing drove Switchback towards the short corner and then released, allowing Greg Needel to drive Switchback to the center of the BattleBox again, where it finally got its primary weapon up to speed. Swamp Thing stops suddenly. Before it could land a hit, however, Swamp Thing turned sharply near the blue starting square and stopped suddenly. Switchback appeared to be experiencing drive issues of its own, but could still arc towards its immobile opponent and struck Swamp Thing once more before a count began. Switchback took the win by knockout at 1:57 and Swamp Thing finished the weekend with a 1-1 record.
Swamp Thing vs. Traves T. (1/27/24) Swamp Thing vs. Traves T. as advertised on the BattleBots website. Swamp Thing returned to the BattleBox on January 27, 2024, where it took on the unbeaten Traves T., piloted by Team 2x4. Swamp Things gets underneath Traves T. but drives into the Upper Deck. Rick Russ' robot was quick to charge down Traves T., who was slow to spin up its weapon. Swamp Thing drove underneath Kurt Krueger's robot, which then backed away to allow itself time to power up its horizontal spinner. Swamp Thing gave chase and rammed into its right leg, cutting into its UMHW support and damaging it. Swamp Thing damages Traves T.'s leg. This destabilized Traves T., who despite turning to try and hit Swamp Thing, was swept toward the middle of the arena before its damaged leg gave way. Swamp Thing charged into Traves T.'s adjustable rear leg as the horizontal blade of the Team 2x4 robot began hitting the floor. Swamp Thing claims the win by knockout. Traves T.'s primary weapon ground to a halt as it was being counted out, and Swamp Thing took the win by knockout in under a minute.

Competitive Wins/Losses

• Wins: 0
• Losses: 2

Exhibition Wins/Losses

• Wins: 3
• Losses: 1

Total Wins/Losses

• Wins: 3
• Losses: 3

Competition	Wins	Losses
2004 NPC Charity Event	None	Falconizer Red Square
World Championship I	Chronic (Grudge Match)	None
BattleBots Proving Ground	Switchback Traves T.	Switchback

Trivia

• Swamp Thing made a cameo during the cold intro for Episode 8 of World Championship III.
• Swamp Thing's new logo was designed by Bunny Liaw of Malice.