Tombstone's ABC Season 2 appearance.
Tombstone is a heavyweight (formally a superheavyweight) robot built by Hardcore Robotics which competed in the 2004 NPC Charity Open, 2009 BattleBots Professional Championship and the ABC reboot. It was a two-wheeled box-shaped robot armed with a large horizontally-spinning bar, in which are about 65-75 lbs. The red blade is about 69 pounds after the math was done. It performed well in competition as it became the champion of the superheavyweight division at the NPC Charity Open in 2004, runner-up of the first season of the ABC reboot and champion of the 2nd season.
The first Tombstone was a superheavyweight that competed in 2004. This version won its weight class and fought until 2005 at least. Two of the only parts that survived into 2015 from this model of Tombstone was the 250lbs version of Tombstone's black blade (which was used against Witch Doctor) and a armor panel.
The second Tombstone was basically a new version of the team's flagship heavyweight, Last Rites as Ray did not want to contractually tie up Last Rites to compete in BattleBots, so he built a new Last Rites specifically for BattleBots. Its name was taken from the team's retired Superheavyweight version. Last Rites to this day remains one of the most vicious robots on the robotic combat circuit and holds a spot in the Combat Robot Hall of Fame. Last Rites' design was inspired by M.O.E.'s but with Ray Billings wondering what it be like with just two wheeled instead of four.
Ray Billings, the builder of Tombstone, built a new third version of it for the 2015 reboot of BattleBots on ABC, where it finished runner-up. Giving it a modified pointed frame in order to make use of the new 250lb weight limit. Tombstone had at least three blades for the 2015 competition: the large silver one it used against its first two opponents, a black blade it used against its third opponent (originally used on the superheavyweight version) and the red blade it used against its last two opponents. It also had a cushion to absorb hammer attacks (labelled "beta Blocker" after its intended target) but it did not get a chance to use it. He also brought Swamp Thing, a modified version of his other heavyweight, The Great Pumpkin, as a reserve robot in case there weren't enough bots to fill the bracket.
The robot's name came from computer networking's term "tombstoning" meaning to kill it and have it stay dead.
Robot History
2004 NPC Charity Open
After receiving a Bye, Tombstone fought against Zeus. Tombstone won and advanced to the next round, where it faced Star Hawk 3.0. Tombstone won again and advanced to the third round, where it faced Mer Madd
After taking multiple hits from Tombstone, Mer Madd stopped moving and it was being counted out. Tombstone won by KO and advanced to the 4th round where it faced The Judge for the first time. The Judge ended up doing well and Tombstone was forced to face it again and managed to defeat it once more to take the championship title.
Pro Championships 2009
Tombstone during the 2009 event.
Tombstone's first match was against Shrike. Tombstone won the match and advanced to the next round, where it faced Vault. Tombstone won the match by KO. and advanced to the next round, where it faced VD6.0.
VD6.0 won the match by a devastating KO. With its fly wheel, Tombstone couldn't get close and Tombstone was now in the loser's bracket, where it faced Megabyte. Tombstone won the match and advanced to the next round, where it faced Root Canal. Root Canal won the match and Tombstone was eliminated from the tournament.
ABC Season 1
Tombstone's appearance for Season 1 of BattleBots on ABC.
Tombstone was scheduled to fight beta first and had even had a special plate dubbed the Beta Blocker added to the front of it, but beta had technical issues and was forced to to forfeit. Tombstone won by default and went up against beta's replacement Counter Revolution in the round of 24.
Tombstone destroying Counter Revolution.
Both machines spun their weapons up and Counter Revolution approached Tombstone. Tombstone then struck the front of Counter Revolution, severely damaging the body and immobilizing it. Tombstone struck Counter Revolution several more times, causing large amounts of damage before landing one last hit that launched Counter Revolution through the air and into the wall. Tombstone won the match by devastating KO in 37 seconds and advanced to the round of 16 with its No.1 seeding, where it faced the No.16 seed Radioactive.
Tombstone destroying Radioactive.
At the start of the match, Radioactive mostly spun on the spot, while Tombstone taunted it by driving around without using its weapon. As soon as Tombstone started to use its weapon on Radioactive, major damage was sustained and Radioactive was counted out. Tombstone won by a quick and devastating KO at 1:09 and advanced to the quarterfinals, where it faced the No.9 seed Witch Doctor.
Tombstone's spinning blade snaps in half.
For this fight, Tombstone used a new black after using Last Rites' for the first two fights. Witch Doctor put up a very good show in the opening moments, overpowering Tombstone and flinging it into the air several times, also slamming it into the arena wall. Witch Doctor maintained its lead until Tombstone was able to disable Witch Doctor's disc. With no weapon, Tombstone was able to charge into Witch Doctor, and hit it so hard, Witch Doctor was overturned. Likewise, Tombstone was flung across the BattleBox, breaking its weapon in half in the process. Despite Tombstone being left with no offense, Witch Doctor was unable to right itself and it was being counted out. Tombstone won by KO at 1:01 and advanced to the semifinals, where it faced the No.4 seed Bronco.
The first hit between both robots.
In the beginning of the match, Bronco moved to the corner of the BattleBox and Tombstone started spinning its blade. Both robots slowly moved toward each other and Bronco flips Tombstone onto its back. Tombstone hits the front of Bronco and Bronco misses a flip. Bronco tried to get underneath the left side of the flipped Tombstone, but it misses and takes a hit from Tombstone's spinning blade. This hit damaged the left side of Bronco and it was now moving in circles. Tombstone started hitting the rear of Bronco and moves to the corner of the BattleBox. Tombstone hits the right side panel of Bronco and tears it off. After this, the severely damaged Bronco managed to get a small flip on the front of
Tombstone rips off the front right wheel of Bronco.
Tombstone. Bronco got another flip on Tombstone, but Bronco flipped itself onto its back from the impact. After seven attempts, Bronco managed to flip itself back onto its feet and takes a hit from Tombstone's spinning blade. This hit ripped the front right wheel off of Bronco and tossed it out of the BattleBox. Tombstone went straight at the immobile Bronco and the hit nearly flipped Bronco onto its back. Bronco kept using its flipping in order to get moving again, but it wasn't successful and Bronco flipped itself onto its back. As Bronco was being counted out, Tombstone started spinning its blade and Bronco flipped itself back onto its feet. When the count reached 0, Tombstone gave Bronco one more hit from its spinning blade and sent Bronco flying to the corner of the BattleBox. This hit also sent Tombstone flying across the BattleBox and its batteries came out from the impact. Tombstone won the match by KO at 2:26 and advanced to the finals, where it faced the No.3 seed Bite Force.
Tombstone being pushed by Bite Force in the championship final.
Bite Force had the early advantage, lifting Tombstone and Tombstone's batteries started smoking. However, Bite Force also had issues with Tombstone's blade and the driving of Ray Billings and started moving oddly. Time ran out and the battle went to the judges, who ruled in favor of Bite Force. Tombstone got the award of most destructive robot as it destroyed Counter Revolution, Radioactive, Witch Doctor and Bronco.
ABC Season 2
Tombstone hits Black Ice.
Tombstone's first match in Season 2 was against Black Ice. Black Ice was able to deflect a couple of minor blows from Tombstone's spinning blade, but Tombstone managed to get one good pop into Black Ice and this hit did something to the electronics of Black Ice which simultaneously killed the left drive motor and stuck the right motor into a state of permanent forward. Black Ice was barely moving around the BattleBox and Tombstone pushed Black Ice into one of the corners and on top of the bottom lip of the railing of the BattleBox for an easy KO at 1:01. However, Tombstone hit the wall a few times with its weapon, damaging it and being unable to use the red bar for the rest of the tournament. This win put Tombstone to the round of 32 with its No.1 seeding, where it faced the No.32 seed Escape Velocity.
Tombstone attacks Escape Velocity.
Both robots circled each other for several seconds before Tombstone's blade made contact with one of the aluminum panels on Escape Velocity, tearing it off. Tombstone continued attacking and eventually Escape Velocity stopped moving as the impact had destroyed both the master power switch and the weapon switch, and tore a 2" gash in the side. Escape Velocity was counted out and Tombstone won by KO at 45 seconds. This win put Tombstone to the round of 16, where it faced the No.16 seed Brutus.
Sparks fly as the weapons meet.
For this fight, Tombstone went with lightweight blue tires and a heavier, thicker blade. When the match began, Tombstone was attacking and eventually tore off one of the added armor plates on Brutus. After another hit, Tombstone managed to disable Brutus' drive on one side, leaving Brutus to drive in circles. Tombstone continued attacking and one hit sent it flying but left the robot intact. Tombstone landed a final hit that flipped Brutus over and Brutus was unable to move. Brutus was counted out, giving Tombstone the win by KO at 59 seconds. This win put Tombstone to the quarterfinals again, where it faced the No.9 seed beta.
Tombstone knocks beta's hammer loose.
Tombstone is sent ricocheting off the wall.
For this match, Tombstone went with its blue blade. Although the team originallly wanted to use the red bar for this match, it was too damaged from hitting the arena wall in the match against Black Ice, resulted in Ray choosing the Blue one instead. As the match began, it was relatively even, though Tombstone had trouble dealing damage to beta. Lots of sparks were being made and Tombstone suffered a hit to the top, which had been reinforced for this match. However, after being flipped by beta, Tombstone managed to gain the upper hand by taking out the support for beta's weapon, then damaged beta's weapon itself. At this point, the clock had stopped prematurely, resulting in some confusion although the marshals were still able to keep time by other means. By the end of the match, Tombstone was up on top of beta and neither bot was able to move. In part due to the confusion caused by the clock, both drivers agreed to let the fight go to a judges' decision. The judges awarded a unanimous 3-0 decision for Tombstone, allowing it to advance to the semi-finals where it faced No.12 seed Yeti.
The weapons grind to a halt as the robots watch Yeti's wheel.
Initially, the match was fairly even but Tombstone eventually tore off Yeti's front wheels, forcing the drum to bang the BattleBox floor and become virtually useless. However, the two collided in a huge collision that caused Tombstone's weapon chain to fall off but Tombstone managed to keep control. Yeti was pushed onto the screws by Tombstone before time ran out. The judges awarded Tombstone a 3-0 unanimous decision, eliminating Yeti from the tournament and allowing Tombstone to advance to the championship and face No.19 seed Bombshell.
Tombstone assures victory.
Bombshell's goal was to break Ray's chains.But Bombshell was unable to mount an attack on Tombstone due to its blade being mounted too high to hit the
Tombstone debilitates Bombshell.
weapon chain as intended. This left Bombshell very vulnerable and Tombstone continued to attack, tearing off wheels and eventually disabling Bombshell completely. Bombshell was counted out and Tombstone won by KO at 53 seconds to take the giant nut, being tombstones fastest knokout in Season 2.
Wins/Losses
- Wins: 19
- Losses: 3
| Competition | Wins | Losses |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 NPC Charity Open | Bye
The Judge (X2) |
None |
| Pro Championships 2009 | ||
| ABC Season 1 |
beta (Forfeit) |
Bite Force |
| ABC Season 2 | Black Ice | None |
Faruq Tauheed Introductions
"Here to read your last rites, the one, the only, TOMBSTONE!"
"It doesn't enter the arena. Oh, no. It leads a funeral precession! Prepare to meet the grim reaper. It's TOMBSTONE!"
"Its spinning arm can liquidate your assets faster than the IRS. Make some noise, it's TOMBSTONE!"
"If it was a Christmas carol, it would be called "violent night". Here to put you to sleep, it's TOMBSTONE!"
"It spins faster than a cat-5 hurricane. The undisputed master of disaster, TOMBSTONE!"
"This driver should change his name to Ray Killings. Here comes the boom! It's TOMBSTONE!"
"Ashes to ashes, dust to dust, you’re about to get crushed. Responsible for more hits than the CIA, it’s TOMBSTONE!"
"Bring the bride and the doom! It's your getting day! It's TOMBSTONE!"
"When you go against this bot, your epitaph will read "I tried and I died". Rest in pieces. It's TOMBSTONE!"
"It's a grim reaper with a micro chip on his shoulder. Back from the dead to take the throne, it's TOMBSTONE!"
"This bot is more deadly than botulism and Mota Controlla Ebola. On a roll and racking up a death toll, it's TOMBSTONE!"
Merchandise
Any appearances by Tombstone in merchandise are listed below:
Trivia
- Coincidentally, Tombstone beat Bronco in the ABC Reboot just as M.O.E., the inspiration for Tombstone, beat The Matador Season 4.0 and in the royal rumble.
- Tombstone was the only robot in the ABC Reboot to have achieved 4 KOs in one season.
- Tombstone is the only BattleBots robot to win a championship as both a superheavyweight, and heavyweight.
- For unknown reasons, Tombstone's official image for ABC's Season 2 has the rear triangular section despite it not being present for any of its matches.
- Incidentally Tombstone's match with beta wasn't the only match to end with ten seconds left as BioHazard vs Son of Whyachi ended the same way.
- Tombstone was the only season 1 finalist, and likewise the only robot to return from season 1, to have made it beyond the Great Eight.