NHRL Event Rules

From NHRL

Norwalk Havoc seeks to hold fun and exciting Robot Combat Events. Our goal is to continue to foster and grow this amazing community of hobbyists and elevate the sport of Robot Combat. All of our events are live streamed on the internet and we seek to deliver production values on par with a live sporting event. Over the long term our goal is build an online following that will generate revenue to allow us to host more events and expand the sport.

Event Overview

Our events are grouped into annual seasons. Seasons last 1 year. Each season will consist of 6 to 4 open tournaments, and the top 4 winners of each of the tournaments will be invited back to fight in the finals event held in December of the calendar year. The tournaments are double elimination style ensuring all competitors who enter to fight get to fight at least 2 matches.

Weight Classes

  • 3lb - 6 Tournaments and a Final
  • 12lb - 6 Tournaments and a Final
  • 12lb Sportsman - 6 Matches and no finals
  • 30lb - 4 Tournaments and a Final

Registration Fees and Prizes

  • Registration is free
- If you register it is very important you let us know in advance if you are unable to attend so we can correctly plan for the right number of competitors.
Prizes
Weight Class Tournament Winner Tournament Runner Up Finals Winner Finals Runner Up
3lb $1,000 USD $400 USD $10,000 USD $4,000 USD
12lb $1,000 USD $400 USD $12,000 USD $4,000 USD
12lb Sportsman A Handshake A Pat on the Back - -
30lb $1,000 USD $400 USD $15,000 USD $5,000 USD

Safety

Robot Combat has a stellar safety record. In order to grow the sport it is important we keep that safety record perfect. Fighting Robots are inherently dangerous. Safety is paramount. We require that all competitors abide by all the safety rules for their weight class. This is not just for your safety but everyone else's as well.

Day Of Schedule

08:00 Doors Open for Competitors
10:30 All teams must be present
11:00 All competing robots must have been photographed, passed safety, and weighed in
11:30 Stream begins and first fights occur
~13:30 All robots will have fought at least once and there is a 1 hour lunch break
18:00 Last fight of the day + Winners ceremony

House Rules / Specs

Rules at 50 Day are similar to NERC with a few slight changes. Judges reserve the right to grant exceptions to any rule. Our goal is to provide fun, exciting fights and a fair playing field. Good sportsmanship is always required.

Arena

3lb

  • 8'x 6' Double Walled Polycarbonate
  • Wooden arena floor
  • Wooden trim backed by steel and wooden roof
  • 2000 CFM Negative pressure system (Fire is okay and encouraged. Matches do not automatically stop if there is a lipo fire)
  • Brett the Brick 60lb Steel Brick with HD Camera inside.

12lb Sportsman

  • 8'x 6' Double walled 1/4" Polycarbonate
  • Wooden arena floor
  • Wooden trim backed by steel and wooden roof
  • 2000 CFM Negative pressure system (Fire is okay and encouraged. Matches do not automatically stop if there is a lipo fire)
  • Brett the Brick 60lb Steel Brick with HD Camera inside.
  • The Friendly Fire Robot triggered corner mounted propane flame thrower

12lb

  • 16'x 16' Double walled, shock mounted 1/2" Polycarbonate
  • Wooden arena floor
  • Wooden trim backed by steel and wooden roof
  • 12000 CFM Negative pressure system (Fire is okay and encouraged. Matches do not automatically stop if there is a lipo fire)
  • Fluffy Large house robot with HD cameras

30lb

  • 16'x 16' Double walled, shock mounted 1/2" Polycarbonate
  • Wooden arena floor
  • Wooden trim backed by steel and wooden roof
  • 12000 CFM Negative pressure system (Fire is okay and encouraged. Matches do not automatically stop if there is a lipo fire)
  • Fluffy Large house robot with HD cameras

Pits

Competitors will be assigned a pit location. Pits are where you can store your gear, test and assemble your robot, and charge your batteries. Each team gets:

  • 6ft Folding table
  • One chair (bring more if you need them)
  • 120V Powerstrip
  • Each robot will get a minimum of 20 minutes of pit time between matches. Robots not ready to fight after 20 minutes may have to forfeit their matches.

Competitors will also have access to full machine shop for last minute tweaks and fixes. We also have lots of spare parts on hand should you need them. Please be aware though that during event day NHRL Staff Will be very busy and may not have time to spend helping everyone.

Pits areas will have several communal test boxes for safely testing robot functionality.

Fight Rules

Duration 3 Minutes or 4 minutes if an encore is called for by the judges.
Knock Out Any robot unable to show controlled motion after 10 seconds is considered disabled and will be considered a knock out.
Tap Out Any competitor can forfeit the match for any reason by loudly banging on the arena wall. This is considered a tap out. The other competitor must stop attacking immediately.
Encore If a match is particularly exciting the judges may pole the audience in the final minute and decide to add an Encore extending the match by 1 minute. Only one encore can happen in a match.
Hazard If the judges deem any robot to be a hazard to crowd or is doing sustained damage to the arena the judges may prematurely end the match at any time.
Safety Organizers reserve the right to disqualify any competitor for failing to follow basic safety. All robots with a kintetic weapon should have a weapon lock. The lock shouild not be removed until both bots are in the ring and the doors are about to close.
Sportsmanship Judges reserve the right KO or Disqualify any bot or team for unsportmanship like conduct.
Judges Decisions are Final All judges decisions are final and not subject to review.

Tips and Tricks

  • Arrive with a working robot that is ready to fight.
  • Arrive before 10AM to secure a good pit location, get your robot through safety early
  • Bring extra batteries and be ready to swap them quickly
  • When your robot is ready to fight head to arena area rather than waiting at your pit
  • Fix your robot before chatting with other competitors