The robot was originally designed and built by Offbeat Robotics, led by Orion Beach and featuring Zach Lytle, before he and Diana Tarlson were sold the robot. Zach and Diana have since competed with Skorpios from World Championship V onward as co-captains of Bot Bash Party Crew. Skorpios is a two-wheel drive robot with a plow-like wedge at the front, paired with an articulating arm with a saw blade or disk attached to attack from overhead - a weapon colloquially referred to as a hammer saw. The Skorpios team have become known for overlapping with numerous other BattleBots competitors. These include Dan Chatterton and Micah Leibowitz, both of which were members of Wrecks in the 2015 competition. Jen Herchenroeder, formerly of Battle Royale With Cheese, joined for one season before piloting her own entry from 2020 onward, HiJinx. She was also joined by original Skorpios builder Orion Beach. Jerry Serafin was also part of the team in World Championship II, becoming more well-known for Chronos in later seasons and joining up with Robotic Death Company for the 2021 season.
Skorpios during World Championship II hero shots.
Skorpios was eliminated early on in its debut year after becoming pinned under the arena screws in a three-way battle involving Bad Kitty and Black Ice. It did win another rumble against DeathRoll and Bucktooth Burl, but Skorpios played no further part in World Championship II.
Skorpios during World Championship III hero shots.
For World Championship III, Skorpios appeared largely similar, though its cutting saw was now embedded with diamond crystals and the robot itself was a deep pale blue color. The central face between the sides of the front scoop now had larger blue eyes and the teeth were more pronounced too. This version of Skorpios performed better, defeating Lucky in an undercard match before emerging victorious in a controversial main event over Icewave. It lost to ROTATOR in its third match and overcame HyperShock to make Top 16, but dropped out due to not having enough spare parts to continue competing, largely due to ROTATOR destroying its overhead arm.
Skorpios during World Championship IV hero shots.
For World Championship IV, Skorpios now sported the shade of blue which it has since become known for. The biggest difference concerned the primary weapon; a ½" thick single-toothed disk weighing 11lbs and cut from AR400 steel, replaced the cutting saw, which was an unused option throughout the season. Its front wedge had sharper prongs which were curved higher to allow for robots to be trapped on it easier, and it boasted interchangeable face plates. Like the last season, Skorpios had a good start to its campaign, but the destruction to its wheels cost it in their last two fights to the vertical spinners of Uppercut and Lock-Jaw.
Skorpios during World Championship V hero shots.
Skorpios returned for World Championship V appearing largely unchanged, though the primary weapon was upgraded. The 11lb disk now ran on a brushless motor, making their weaponry much more destructive. They also boasted had an additional Diablo-branded cutting blade with carbide teeth for instances where they wanted to run a more traditional saw, though this had to be retired for the season after being bent out of shape against Bloodsport. As of 2020, Skorpios had three different types of hammer saw; the classic disk, a two-toothed bar and a hollow blade which essentially replaced their 21lb option 'Big Bertha'. Though it had the same diameter, it weighed the same as their classic option. A secondary weapon was also used in the form of a flamethrower built into a scorpion-like tail, complete with sharp pieces to either work like a hammer or a clamping arm. The front wedge was now 3/8" thick AR400 steel, and 3/16" of the same steel for armor. Skorpios was finally able to qualify for the main tournament, defeating the feared Tombstone on path to a 2-1 Fight Night record, but lost in the first round of the tournament to Witch Doctor.
Returning for the IcewaveBounty Hunters bracket, Skorpios was able to take out Black Widow, P1 and HyperShock, advancing through the bracket to earn a rematch with Marc DeVidts' robot. Skorpios ultimately defeated Icewave to earn a portion of the $25,000 prize.
Skorpios during World Championship VI hero shots.
Skorpios also participated in World Championship VI, boasting a rebuilt chassis, a new weapon clutch and overall tweaks to improve reliability, including a new drive train and faster weapon motor. The scorpion tail weapon was scrapped due to it burning out the clutch in its first Bounty Hunters fight against Black Widow, and struggling through the remainder of the tournament. In the time between filming and the air date for World Championship VI, Zach Lytle and Diana Tarlson showcased their expanded range of blade options for Skorpios; their favorite of which is a 14lb asymmetric disk called "T-Rex". The second of their new hammer saw discs is also their lightest, weighing just 7lbs and being used solely when the team want as much weight dedicated to armor as possible. Named "the Klondike bar" it is a more traditional, symmetrical bar with teeth on either end. Away from weaponry, the team explored methods of incorporating magnets into their design, in order to limit how often the robot wheelies when accelerating. Skorpios was confirmed to still have their diamond saw blade as an option, however state a reason it is used so infrequently is down to it becoming deformed under the robot's weight as it is overturned.[1] Skorpios started its season with a dominant win over South Korean representative Blade but lost consecutive Main Events to 2020 season runner-up Whiplash and the returning Yeti. Despite finishing 1-2, the team were offered a lifeline as it won its play-in match against Malice to earn a spot in the Round of 32 where it lost to defending champion End Game. Alongside a handful of other robots from the season, Skorpios made an appearance as a static display at a live premiere of the tournament conclusion in San Jose, California.
Skorpios returned for the 2022 re:MARS all:STARS BattleBots Challenge, with Zach Lytle and Diana Tarlson joined by several members from other teams for the event: Jeff Waters and Shea Johns from Vegas Combat Robotics, Bunny and David Liaw from Team Malice and Jonathan LaPlain from Team LOGICOM. However, they lost in the first round to Robotic Death Company'sCobalt. This fight, as well as its loss to End Game, resulted in the retirement of the team's seventh and most recent Skorpios chassis build.[2]
Returning for BattleBots: Champions I as one of the Bounty winners from the 2020 season, Skorpios attempted to defend its title in Sin City Slugfest and qualify for the Golden Bolt tournament. In a fight affair with bracket winner Bloodsport, Skorpios took the win by way of a very close split decision and became the first Bounty winner to retain its title. In spite of this, Skorpios fell in Round 1 of the Golden Bolt bracket to HyperShock.
Skorpios during World Championship VII hero shots.
The team announced their eighth and newest Skorpios build in April 2022, also confirming their intention to apply for World Championship VII. The main difference concerned a more compact drive configuration which, while utilizing the same motors and Whyachi gearboxes, was positioned further forward in the robot to improve weight distribution. This was done with the intention of combatting Skorpios' tendency to wheelie when accelerating.[3] The flamethrower, which was previously seen exclusively in their BattleBots: Bounty Hunters win over Black Widow, is set to make a return with significant upgrades.[4] The team later confirmed Slap 'Em Silly builder Andy Sauro as a new official team member, having worked on the team's YouTube channel previously.[5] Zach Lytle later confirmed that one of Skorpios' weapon options for the season was the blade of Comedy Central era competitor OverKill, and that the team would bring four working Skorpios robots to October's filming dates - namely their fourth, fifth, sixth and eighth Skorpios builds.[6] When asked whether Skorpios had been accepted, the team confirmed their attendance in a YouTube reply[7] and were later revealed as #15 in the BattleBots Pre-Season Power Rankings.[8] As well as Skorpios, the team also brought Dragon King, the King of Bots entry made by and acquired from Red Devil builder Jerome Miles in 2020.[9][10] Skorpios began its season with consecutive wins over JackPot and Big Dill, but then lost to SawBlaze and Ribbot to finish its Fight Night run with a 2-2 record. Skorpios made it into the Round of 32 as the No.27 seed, but once again suffered a premature tournament exit after a loss to eventual runner-up HUGE.
Skorpios competed in BattleBots: Champions II in the first Sin City Slugfest bracket, but suffered a surprise loss in Round 1 to eventual bracket winner SHREDDIT BRO!.
Skorpios also fought in BattleBots Proving Ground as part of the Destruct-A-Thon live show in September 2023. There, fought veteran builder Craig Danby and Slammo!. Ahead of the first fight, the Skorpios team machined a new weapon arm, but confirmed they would be bringing one of their old robots to the show.[11] Skorpios won both fights, ending the weekend unbeaten. In July 2024, the team confirmed their participation in [12] The team intended to return to Proving Ground in August 2024 and take on their own redesigned Wrecks, according to Zach Lytle.[13] However, this is likely to be postponed to 2025, unless Wrecks is an instated reserve for BattleBots Faceoffs later in the year.
The team have confirmed their intention to compete with this brand-new Skorpios, in World Championship VIII.[11] On November 22, 2023, the team uploaded a video revealing their brand new design, which is a near-total rebuild from the previous season. The only components from previous Skorpios iterations to carry over are the long Magmotors for drive, and their front plow. The Skorpios team revealed plans to rework their robot's primary weapon, in order to improve its balance and effectiveness. One major upgrade concerns the arm being able to swing all the way back when retracted, similar to reigning Giant Nut winner SawBlaze. An extension has been added to the back of the weapon arm to assist with this. There will also be two belts for the weapon as opposed to just one, and the overall weapon arm will be lighter than before. The World Championship VIII iteration will also sport six wheels. Four of these will be at the rear and are double-stacked, as seen on various Team Toad robots as well as Bale Spear in the past. Two 4½" diameter, more solid Brazil wheels will sit at the front with magnets mounted in between both sets of wheels in a configuration inspired by Joshua Kong's 1lb RoboGames champion Shook. The team also plan to drill holes into their drive motors and force cool air through them in a change inspired by Comedy Central Giant Nut winner Vlad the Impaler. In order to make weight, the entire frame will be made from aluminum rather than steel. In the same video, Zach Lytle confirmed his intention to return to BattleBots Proving Ground to test this new build.[14] In December 2023, Lytle stated he would be relinquishing his role as driver, with Joshua Kong stating his desire to take over driving duties if Horizon was not accepted for the next season.[15]
For BattleBots Faceoffs, the team began constructing an interim version of Skorpios, dubbed Skorpios 9.5. The "9.5" iteration combines the weapon upgrades of the proposed World Championship VIII version - dubbed Skorpios X - with the existing chassis, two-wheel drive systems and front-end configurations of prior incarnations. A key difference is the integration of the entire weapon module - including motors and gearboxes - into the upper "hat" assembly, with the aim of improving the hammer saw's resilience and functionality as the robot takes damage from opponents.[16] Skorpios will also feature a wheelie bar for the first time, made from repurposed parts with the view to redesign this properly for future competitions.
Skorpios' wheelie bar being welded to the arm.
CAD of 'Skorpios 9.5'.
CAD of Skorpios dated November 2023.
Skorpios in the Test Box during World Championship VII.
Skorpios fitted with OverKill's iconic Rambo knife in 2022.
Skorpios under construction ahead of World Championship VII.
Skorpios in the blue square during BattleBots: Bounty Hunters.
Skorpios in The Pits during World Championship IV.
Skorpios' weapon system during World Championship II.
Skorpios' frame during World Championship II.
Skorpios in the BattleBox during World Championship II.
Skorpios was among the BattleBots competitors displayed at BayCon in Santa Clara, California in July 2023. It was also displayed at Open Sauce in San Francisco that same month.
In June 2024, Skorpios was again on display at that year's Open Sauce event.
Robot History[]
World Championship II[]
Skorpios vs. Bad Kitty vs. Black Ice
Skorpios' BattleBots debut came in a three-way qualifying rumble, with the winner advancing into the tournament bracket. In its rumble, Skorpios took on Bad Kitty and Black Ice.
Black Ice watches on as Bad Kitty evades its roadblock.
At the start of the match, Black Ice dropped its roadblock bar, then drove over to where Skorpios and Bad Kitty were fighting. Bad Kitty's first hit on Black Ice disabled the flywheel powering its harpoon weapon, but Skorpios managed to lodge itself underneath the screws and became immobilized, reducing the rumble to a 1v1.
"If that thing cannot get off the screw, it's gonna be counted out!"
— Chris Rose issues a warning to Skorpios after it becomes stuck
Black Ice approaches an inverted Bad Kitty as Skorpios attacks the screws.
Turning its attention to Bad Kitty, Black Ice used its lower wedge to drive its opponent around and eventually upend it. Bad Kitty was immobilized and both it and Skorpios were eliminated from the tournament.
Skorpios vs. Bucktooth Burl vs. DeathRoll (Exhibition)
The Canadian bot began by driving into the Australian DeathRoll, which led with its tail. Its spinner made contact but failed to cause meaningful damage as Skorpios was attacked by the arena's hellraisers. Bucktooth Burl drove into DeathRoll's tail again, which made way as it instead slammed into the front plow of Skorpios. The Offbeat Robotics machine then sliced into Bucktooth Burl's left wheel, cutting away part of its tread.
Skorpios cuts into Bucktooth Burl's wheel before DeathRoll lands an attack.
Skorpios turned its attention to DeathRoll, allowing Bucktooth Burl to drive into the rear of Skorpios before all three robots moved the fight to the corner of the BattleBox to escape the hellraisers. Sparks began to fly as Skorpios brought down its saw for a second time, but this attack was abruptly halted as DeathRoll's disk struck the side of Skorpios.
An immobile Bucktooth Burl is attacked by Skorpios.
DeathRoll then dealt another punch to Skorpios as Bucktooth Burl spun in place, stopping suddenly on top of the hellraiser panels due to radio interference. Skorpios approached, lowering its arm to cut and grind against the sloped back plate of Julia Chernushevich's robot. DeathRoll and Skorpios continued to fight alone until Bucktooth Burl returned to life, forcing its way between both opponents and striking the left flank of the Australian bot. Skorpios then charged at DeathRoll, lifting its decorative shell away before the onrushing Bucktooth Burl caused it to become high-centered on its own tail against the arena wall.
DeathRoll becomes stuck on the wall.
Bucktooth Burl was shoved across the arena by Skorpios, shedding more of its tires. Skorpios itself suffered damage in this sequence of attacks, losing the central plate for its front plow and buckling its cutting blade. It fled to attack the incapacitated DeathRoll and was promptly followed by Bucktooth Burl - the combined effort from both robots freeing DeathRoll then flipping it over.
Bucktooth Burl is immobile in the corner.
Now past the 1:30 mark, Skorpios tried to pin Bucktooth Burl against their inverted opponent. Its articulating saw could now only lean limply atop Bucktooth Burl, seemingly unable to spin or retract to an upright position. Skorpios pushed The Eh Team's entry back towards the screws, causing more of its tread to litter the BattleBox, before taking it to the opposite corner. Here, Bucktooth Burl stopped moving as its radio interference issues persisted.
In the closing moments, Skorpios slammed into Bucktooth Burl before returning to Team DeathRoll's bot, then fleeing to attack the beaver-themed bot one final time. Although a count was not heard in the upload of this fight, the BattleBots website states Skorpios was deemed the winner via knockout.[17]
World Championship III[]
Skorpios vs. Lucky
Skorpios grinds its saw against Lucky.
Skorpios cuts into Lucky.
Skorpios' first match in the 2018 season was against Lucky. The match started off evenly as both robots were having trouble getting under each other. Eventually Lucky flipped Skorpios and its saw hit the BattleBox floor, causing a shower of sparks and righting Skorpios. Skorpios got its saw into Lucky's wheel and disabled its left side, leaving Lucky trapped under and taking shots from the pulverizer. Skorpios eventually disabled Lucky's right side with less than 30 seconds left, time ran out and Skorpios won on a unanimous 3-0 judges' decision.
Skorpios vs. Icewave
Skorpios shoves Icewave to the pulverizer as its front armor is torn off.
Skorpios shoves Icewave against the screws.
Up next for Skorpios was Icewave. In response, Skorpios added some extensions to the front of its saw arm to hopefully keep Icewave at bay. The match started off rather poorly for Skorpios as it lost the uses of it saw arm from Icewave's first attack. However, Skorpios retaliated by shoving Icewave around, losing one of its front extensions near the floor in the process. Skorpios continued to pressure Icewave by using its speed to catch Icewave before it could get its weapon up to speed. Skorpios took another hit from Icewave and lost the second of its front extensions but got Icewave into the screws briefly. Skorpios chased Icewave again and pinned it against the wall before time ran out. The judges awarded a split 2-1 decision for Skorpios, though some found this controversial.
Skorpios vs. ROTATOR
ROTATOR rips off Skorpios' arm.
Skorpios' next match-up was against Victor Soto and ROTATOR, and they had replaced the front prongs which had been torn off by Icewave with a more solid piece of metal. The match got underway and Skorpios took a barrage of hits from ROTATOR but they were only causing sparks. Skorpios managed to get under ROTATOR and brought the saw down but the weapon wasn't able to reach top speed and go to work so Skorpios released. Skorpios continued to try and get an attack on ROTATOR and was doing rather well to withstand the punishment but one particular hit ripped off the saw arm completely, leaving Skorpios to fight with just the main body. Skorpios continued to fight on and lost one of the two top rear panels next to where the saw arm was attached but managed to survive the full fight. Time ran out and the judges awarded a unanimous 3-0 decision to ROTATOR.
Skorpios vs. HyperShock
Skorpios attacks HyperShock as it is upside down.
Up next for Skorpios was HyperShock. Skorpios was fitted with an angle grinder to replace the saw arm that ROTATOR tore off in the previous fight but was otherwise unchanged. When the match began, things weren't going so well for Skorpios as they were thrown into the air, turning full circle at least twice before landing on the angle grinder and bouncing upright. This didn't seem to phase Skorpios as they continued to attack but had lost the use of the angle grinder for a weapon. Skorpios lost one of its top panels but continued to attack, trying to keep HyperShock from running away to get its weapon up to top speed. Skorpios then lost the angle grinder completely but managed to flip HyperShock over under the pulverizer in the final 10 seconds. HyperShock couldn't self right but there was not enough time for a count out so the fight went to the judges, whom ruled a 3-0 unanimous decision to Skorpios.
Skorpios was selected to make the Top 16, but the team dropped out due to lack of parts and no active weapon.
World Championship IV[]
Skorpios vs. Copperhead
Skorpios and Copperhead come together.
Skorpios hits Copperhead's backside and flips over.
Skorpios was first drawn against Copperhead. As the match began, Copperhead struggled to get their weapon going, so Skorpios largely evaded damage. However, Skorpios was soon tossed through the air and had their front wedges bent up at the tips. Skorpios was also fairly resilient and continued to attack, bringing down the saw without much damage done to Copperhead. Unfortunately, with their front forks bent upward, they weren't able to mount much of an attack until Copperhead started to lose mobility on one side. This allowed Skorpios to throw them over before Copperhead was counted out, giving Skorpios the win by knockout.
Skorpios vs. Sidewinder
Skorpios lays into its prey.
Skorpios backs out of the corner after ripping off the wedge.
Skorpios' next opponent was a rookie bot in Sidewinder, which had just come off an untelevised win in its debut fight. When the match began, Skorpios was doing well as they were attacking Sidewinder and causing minor damage. Skorpios took further control when Sidewinder's lower weapon mount broke off, taking its bar with it, then proceeding to knock a piece of Sidewinder's rear armor off. This left Sidewinder with just its wedgelets and what was left of the mount, but there was little offense or defense against Skorpios. They continued to attack, tearing off Sidewinder's wedgelets and ripping into Sidewinder's exposed electronics. Sidewinder was then partially high-centered on its exposed wires, smoking, and stopped moving. Sidewinder was counted out, giving Skorpios the win by knockout.
Skorpios vs. Tantrum
Skorpios cuts into Tantrum on the wall.
Skorpios next found itself against Tantrum and remained with its disk over the cutting saw. As the match began, Skorpios maneuvered around Tantrum and attacked with its weapon, mostly causing sparks as it worked to avoid Tantrum's weapon. Skorpios continued to attack in this manner, but occasionally got on top of Tantrum's front wedgelets. Skorpios showed dominance, but Tantrum wasn't giving up and was still able to drive. Skorpios eventually disabled Tantrum's weapon and brought it to the pulverizer, which lost its front cover on impact. Time ran out and the judges awarded Skorpios a unanimous judges' decision.
After the fight, it was revealed that Skorpios' disk was warped when it collided with Tantrum's disk, but they had plenty of spares to swap it out.
Skorpios vs. Uppercut
one of Skorpios' tire gets hit by Uppercut.
Both weapons collide.
Skorpios Is hit and tossed by Uppercut.
Skorpios was now looking for its fourth win and was placed against newcomer Uppercut. Skorpios went with its flywheel again, but as the match began, found it difficult to cause much damage. Skorpios ended up being on the receiving end of multiple hits, the first two breaking both wheels, then a few other shots to its wedges and back. Skorpios continued to try and fight, but with its mobility hindered, it wasn't really able to do much. Eventually smoke began to pour out and Skorpios stopped moving. Skorpios was counted out, giving Uppercut the win by knockout.
Skorpios vs. Lock-Jaw
Skorpios and Lock-Jaw square off.
Skorpios was now on the verge of the Top 16 bracket, but was placed against veteran Donald Hutson and Lock-Jaw. Skorpios went with its flywheel once again, but this didn't make things any easier as they were quickly tossed all around the arena by Lock-Jaw. Skorpios tried where possible to make an attack, but even when it connected with its disk, it was thrown into the air. Worse still, it also had suffered damage to its wheels and one tire eventually came off, leaving it down to just one damaged wheel. Skorpios wasn't giving up and Lock-Jaw's weapon was also smoking, but Lock-Jaw had full mobility. Skorpios then began to smoke too and stopped moving. Now immobile, Skorpios was counted out, giving Lock-Jaw the win by KO and a spot in the Top 16.
Skorpios vs. Black Dragon
Skorpios and Black Dragon face off.
Skorpios then had an exhibition match with Black Dragon from Brazil, where they debuted their 21lb disk "Big Bertha". Despite this new weapon, Skorpios started off poorly as they tipped backwards and were thrown into the air by their opponent. Skorpios recovered but struggled to get an opportunity to bring down the saw. Instead, Skorpios was tossed repeatedly but able to either right itself or landing upright each time. Skorpios then got a hit on Black Dragon, but struggled to cause serious damage. Skorpios maneuvered again and ended up taking its saw into the arena barrier by mistake, causing only sparks. As the match wore on, Skorpios was still struggling to land much of a hit and eventually its weapon arm motor began smoking. Both robots survived to a judges' decision, which ruled unanimously for Black Dragon.
re:MARS all:STARS BattleBots Challenge (2019)[]
Skorpios vs. Chomp
Skorpios upends Chomp.
Skorpios was one of ten robots to compete in a livestreamed event in Las Vegas, Nevada for the Giant Bolt award. Its first opponent in the bracket was Zoe Stephenson and Chomp. For this fight, Skorpios was equipped with its traditional saw. When the match began, Skorpios was looking for position while Chomp was more tentative. Skorpios then took advantage of Chomp's failed attack by keeping Chomp on its side and attacking with the saw. Chomp got back up, but again missed the attack so Skorpios went in again. Finally, Skorpios took a hit from Chomp, but it did little, if any damage and Skorpios was able to topple Chomp and shove it against the arena barrier to cause more sparks. By this point, Chomp was really struggling to self-right so Skorpios was on the attack again. Time ran out with Chomp up against the arena barrier unable to self-right. The judges awarded the victory to Skorpios.
Skorpios vs. Lock-Jaw
Skorpios is overturned by Lock-Jaw.
Up next for Skorpios was a rematch against Lock-Jaw. Skorpios faced pressure from Lock-Jaw quickly when the match began as they were thrown into the air and their saw got bent enough to prevent it from working. Still, Skorpios had the saw arm, its speed and its durability to continue, but it continued to take punishment from its opponent. Skorpios soon had its front wedge tips bent upward and it was thrown onto its back multiple times, but was able to get back up each time. With a minute remaining, Lock-Jaw began smoking but still pushed onward, trying to keep Skorpios in check. Both robots fought near the pulverizer as Lock-Jaw's smoke got worse. Finally, as the seconds wound down, Lock-Jaw stopped moving and burst into flames. The judges award a 2-1 split decision for Skorpios, giving them their revenge on Lock-Jaw.
World Championship V[]
Skorpios vs. Tantrum
Skorpios 'fought' Tantrum in an unaired dress rehearsal fight to test lighting and camerawork ahead of the main 2020 season. It is unknown whether a winner was declared for this battle.
Skorpios vs. Bloodsport
Sparks fly as Bloodsport makes contact with the front of Skorpios.
Skorpios' first fight of the 2020 season was against the heavily remodeled Bloodsport. In response, Skorpios was equipped with its new Diablo saw blade and had a slightly different face plate with higher spokes to prevent Bloodsport from nicking the armor covers like ROTATOR easily did two years prior. Things did not start off well for Skorpios as they took two hits from Bloodsport, but luckily these hits cost Bloodsport half of its front wedgelets. Skorpios started to gain some control of the fight and pushed Bloodsport to the pulverizer, but its saw became bent as a result. Skorpios continued to take punishment, but ended up having part of the front plate for its front wedgelets partially detached. Unfortunately, the damage it had taken was now taking its toll on Skorpios and they found themselves against the arena barrier with only half their drive and smoking somewhat. Skorpios took one final hit from Bloodsport before being counted out, giving Bloodsport the win by knockout.
Skorpios vs. Perfect Phoenix
Skorpios slams its hammer saw down on Perfect Phoenix.
Skorpios' next fight was against Perfect Phoenix. Skorpios started off box-rushing and using its wedge to deflect Perfect Phoenix's blows. After a few hits by Perfect Phoenix, Skorpios brought it to the rails, bringing hits that were able to cause Perfect Phoenix's motor to smoke and stop its weapon. Skorpios then delivered Perfect Phoenix up into the screws, repeatedly attacking it and then backing off. Perfect Phoenix's blade was stuck on the screws and therefore was counted out, giving Skorpios the win by knockout.
Skorpios vs. Tombstone
Tombstone loses a wheel as Skorpios evades further hits.
Last in Skorpios' Fight Night schedule was Ray Billings and Tombstone - a match Zach Lytle and his team had been preparing for over the past four years. Skorpios was armed with its hammer saw and pontoons up front, and started off well as they tanked early hits from Tombstone. However, Skorpios was starting to show signs of damage as they took impacts to their pontoons and right wheel, which became mangled as a result. This didn't hinder Skorpios much as they managed to corral Tombstone, whom had lost drive on one side, and bring down the saw, causing damage to Tombstone's top armor. Tombstone continued to fight and as Skorpios moved in, their pontoons forced Tombstone's disabled wheel out of the robot and left it dangling by a few wires. Skorpios continued to control the fight and ripped off the exposed wheel completely. With Tombstone simply crab-walking, the referee determined this to not be controlled movement and began a count-out with both teams unaware as a result of an inoperable speaker system. Skorpios continued to attack before letting off as Tombstone was counted out, earning the win by knockout.
Skorpios vs. Witch Doctor
Skorpios and Witch Doctor come to blows.
Skorpios made it into the Round of 32 as the No.10 seed and faced the No. 23 seed Witch Doctor. Skorpios went in the same way they went in against Tombstone but struggled against Witch Doctor's attack as they were sent flying but landed upright. After some circling, Skorpios took a hit to their right wheel but this didn't cause any real damage. Skorpios continued to absorb impacts, even as they were sent flying but their hammer saw had become disabled as a result of the exchanges. Skorpios was sent flying again before being brought to the pulverizer, which missed them. Time ran out with both robots still functional and the judges awarded Witch Doctor the win and a spot in the Top 16.
Skorpios' team hold their Founder's Award.
At the end of the season, Team Skorpios were presented the Founder's Award as part of the best in show awards.
BattleBots: Bounty Hunters[]
Skorpios vs. Black Widow
Black Widow feels the sting in Skorpios' tail.
Skorpios also took part in BattleBots: Bounty Hunters, for a chance to face Icewave with a piece of $25,000 on the line. But first, it had to first make it past newcomer Black Widow. For this match, Skorpios was armed with "fangs" and flames and started off rather poorly as they were attacked from underneath thanks to their opponent's low wedge and drum. Skorpios recovered and started to take control of the match by pounding away with its hammer, removing bits of legs along the way. Skorpios again found itself on top of its opponent and took only minor damage as a result. Skorpios then took it to the pulverizer, which landed several hits before time ran out. The judges awarded a unanimous 3-0 decision to Skorpios to advance to the quarter-finals.
Skorpios vs. P1
Skorpios lays into P1 and breaks off a wheel.
In the second round, Skorpios found itself facing P1. Skorpios started off strongly, getting under P1 and taking advantage of their opponent's wedgelet problems. Skorpios began to use its hammer saw as it drove P1 around the arena. Skorpios then gave chase as P1 began driving circles around them but Skorpios caught up and delivered more blows with its hammer saw, costing P1 a wheel. P1 continued to have issues with its wedgelets so Skorpios brought it near the screws and delivered multiple blows to P1's back end. In the final seconds, Skorpios was flipped over and could not right itself, but there was no time for a countout. Time ran out and the judges awarded Skorpios a unanimous 3-0 decision to advance to the semi-finals.
Skorpios vs. HyperShock
Skorpios slides underneath HyperShock from the side.
In the semis, Skorpios met Will Bales' HyperShock and was armed with its same setup for its previous match, with the exception of pointed bits to protect the body from HyperShock's weapon. Skorpios was pretty even with HyperShock as neither robots' weapons were working to the extent they're known for. Skorpios continued to chase HyperShock and brought down the saw but neither robot had the true weapon advantage. Still, Skorpios had the ground clearance advantage and began carrying HyperShock around again, this time briefly getting stuck with them. As time drew to a close, Skorpios lost one of the two protective spikes but the judges awarded them the decision and a place in the final.
Skorpios vs. Icewave
Skorpios pins Icewave against the barrier.
Skorpios kept its configuration used for much of the event and was now in a rematch against Marc DeVidts and Icewave. Much like their first match, Skorpios absorbed the impacts from its opponent before it started to take control. Skorpios began shoving Icewave around the arena and eventually got it to the pulverizer, which caused damage to Icewave's internal combustion engine. After this, Icewave was noticeably slower but managed to survive to a judges' decision. The judges awarded Skorpios the victory and a piece of $25,000.
This money went towards Bot Bash Party, which Diana and Zach both run to inspire young children into engineering and robotics through the means of themed birthday parties. The project had suffered during the COVID-19 pandemic, but is now back up and running.
World Championship VI[]
Skorpios vs. Kraken
Skorpios again took part in an unaired dress rehearsal fight ahead of the 2021 competition, this time against Kraken. It is unknown whether a winner was declared for this battle. Neither bots used their weapon.
Skorpios vs. Blade
Skorpios pins Blade against the arena barrier.
Both teams in the tents after the fight.
Skorpios opened its 2021 season against the South Korean newcomer, Blade. Skorpios charged at its opponent from the off, who was leading with their rear plow. However, Skorpios was able to breach their ground clearance and coerce Blade into the corner, near the Upper Deck. Though Blade landed a strong glancing shot with their horizontal bar, they deflected into the arena barrier and exposed their rear to Skorpios, who took full advantage. Skorpios first landed a hit with their hammer saw and took a chunk out of the top of their plow, and then delivered a blow to the gearing of their self-righting mechanism. Blade was free from the corner, but found itself snagged on Skorpios' front wedge. Skorpios landed more attacks with its disk as it refused to give Blade the time or space to spin up to speed. Blade eventually did spin up, but could only graze the wedge of Skorpios as they caused further damage to Blade's plow. Skorpios then got to the front of Blade and lodged its disk into the head of its opponent and was able to lift its rear wheels off the floor and drag it around. Skorpios sent Blade to the pulverizer and attacked several more times with its primary weapon. Although Skorpios dominated for the remainder of the fight, Blade was still mobile at the end. The fight went to the judges, who ruled unanimously in favor of Skorpios.
Skorpios vs. Whiplash
Skorpios and Whiplash meet in the BattleBox.
Skorpios' second fight was a Main Event against last season's runner-up Whiplash, a fight Zach Lytle has wanted since his first year as captain of the Skorpios team. For this fight, Skorpios opted for its traditional hammer saw but went with its Star Fighter armor configuration. In response, Whiplash dropped its disk spinner and opted for its defensive configuration. Whiplash gained an advantage on Skorpios in the opening moments, using its arm to clamp and drive Skorpios into the screws. Skorpios fell behind the screws momentarily, before being spat out. However, Whiplash was ready to lift Skorpios back onto the arena hazard and allowed its teeth to chew the baseplate of its opponent. Whiplash then tried to clamp and drive it around the BattleBox, but Skorpios escaped. It then drove Whiplash back into the screws of the Upper Deck, but its own forks added for this Main Event prevented their hammer saw from making contact with Whiplash. Matt Vasquez continued to control the pace of the match, though Skorpios was able to get around to the back as Whiplash was stuck in the killsaw slot briefly, but could not land a meaningful hit. The fight ultimately went the distance and Whiplash won on a split decision, pushing Skorpios to a 1-1 record.
Skorpios vs. Yeti
Skorpios is sent flying by Yeti.
Last up for Skorpios in the Fight Night rounds was a Main Event against fellow 1-1 bot Yeti. For this fight, Skorpios was fitted with two triangular sections attached vertically to try and counter Yeti's forks and stop their drum from reaching the hammer saw mechanism. Early on, the two bots danced around one another before a weapon belt flew out of Yeti. Undeterred, it continued to attack and rammed Skorpios into the arena barrier before throwing it into the air several times. At one stage, a piece of debris smashed one of the BattleBox lights, raining broken glass onto the steel floor. Skorpios had suffered damage to one of its wheels, but landed several glancing hits on a front wheel of Yeti to return the favor. Now smoking, Skorpios ran away to recalibrate before spinning its saw up and dealt a blow to the top of Greg Gibson's bot, though this did not cause much damage. Yeti returned to shove Skorpios under the pulverizer before using its drum to throw it near the arena barrier. Once both bots returned to the middle of the BattleBox, Yeti again punted Skorpios, this time forcing them upside down and caught in the screws. However, as Zach Lytle's bot freed itself, it became clear that Yeti's drum was no longer working and its front-left tire had been severely damaged. It remained aggressive and led with its forks, keeping the Skorpios weapon away from Yeti's box-like chassis and even attempting to lift their opponent. In the closing moments, Skorpios threw itself at Yeti in an attempt to leave the lasting impression on the judges, pinning it against the Upper Deck momentarily and landing a glancing hit to their top panel. Skorpios drove Yeti around for the final seconds as the Main Event went the distance. After a live view at the drivers' reactions to the fight, the result was announced and Yeti won by split decision, sinking Skorpios to a 1-2 record.
Skorpios vs. Malice
Sparks fly as Skorpios and Malice fight for their lives.
Skorpios pins Malice against the screws.
With the announcement of the Top 32 bracket, Skorpios faced off against Malice in a play in match to determine the No.32 seed for the tournament. The winner of whom would advance and take on No.1 seed End Game. Skorpios wheelied out of the starting square as it slammed its plow into Malice's drum, preventing it from spinning up. After a weaker second impact, the primary weapon of Malice was no longer functional and Skorpios was able to capitalize. Skorpios hooked its plow under Malice and delivered a handful of shot to the top frame. Malice was still driving, but found itself rammed into the arena barriers on several occasions, and later into the screws. Skorpios continued to land blow from overhead as it attempted to target a wheel, but could not damage it or hamper Malice's mobility. Although Skorpios began to smoke late on, the fight went the distance and Skorpios were awarded the No.32 seed.
Skorpios vs. End Game
Skorpios is left in a precarious position.
Fresh off its play in victory, Skorpios had to rush to be ready for the defending champions. For this battle, Skorpios ditched their front plow in favor of two forks to try and combat End Game in the fight for low ground. Skorpios dropped their saw as it spun up in order to hit low on End Game's chassis, but this did not work out as the No.1 seed immediately threw Skorpios across the BattleBox. Skorpios recovered, but were on End Game's forks as they received another hit, this time to the back end. The 2020 champions chased Skorpios into the short corner and delivered another strike which sent Zach Lytle's bot flying. The front forks of Skorpios were now buckled and rendered useless, and their tires were shedding rubber. End Game, wary of Skorpios still having an active weapon, moved cautiously before punting Skorpios onto the edge of the Upper Deck. Skorpios was now balanced on its rear end with neither wheel able to make contact with the floor or the Upper Deck itself. With under a minute gone, Skorpios was counted out and eliminated from the competition as End Game advanced to the Round of 16.
re:MARS all:STARS BattleBots Challenge (2022)[]
Skorpios vs. Cobalt
Skorpios was one of eight robots selected to compete in the second re:MARS all:STARS Challenge in June 2022. Originally an alternate for the event, Skorpios was invited following an unknown withdrawal. In the first round of the bracket, it faced Cobalt. For this fight, the team went with the version with 4 large forks, later seen in their proving grounds battle against Slammo!.
Skorpios started well as it pushed Cobalt towards the screws and sawed on its front armor. However, Cobalt went aggressive and landed multiple hits as it also disabled its opponent's weapon.
Skorpios is flung across the arena.
Cobalt rips into Skorpios.
After getting to the back of its opponent and leaving gouges in the back armor, Cobalt was barely attacked throughout the fight but could not finish Skorpios off. Skorpios wasn't able to self-right at the end of the fight, but there was no time for a countdown, so the fight went to an audience vote, who cheered in favor of Cobalt.
According to Zach Lytle, this loss wrote off this version of Skorpios, dubbed 'number seven'.[18]
BattleBots: Champions I[]
Skorpios vs. Bloodsport
Skorpios pins Bloodsport against the wall.
Bloodsport takes a hit from Skorpios.
Skorpios uses its weapon to keep Bloodsport at bay.
Skorpios attempted to defend its Bounty Hunters title after fighting through its bracket to defeat Icewave in 2020. In order to qualify for the Golden Bolt tournament, however, it had to overcome its episode's Sin City Slugfest winner, Bloodsport in a rematch from the 2020 season. Skorpios was fitted with a defensive configuration called "the shield", which saw more armor dedicated to protecting the primary weapon. Skorpios was the early aggressor, tanking Bloodsport's first attack and chasing it around the BattleBox. As its front armor absorbed another glancing hit, Skorpios got to the side of Bloodsport and threw its disk into its opponent's blade. In a strong showing of control, Skorpios pinned Bloodsport and repeatedly hit it, though notably struggled to spin back up to speed. Bloodsport attempted to get back up to speed itself, but Skorpios coerced it into the corner before ramming it against the screws. Bloodsport finally spun up, dealing a glancing hit before being smothered by its opponent. Bloodsport slowed again and Skorpios took advantage, as it pressed Justin Marple's bot against the barrier in front of both teams. Skorpios brought its arm towards Bloodsport's horizontal weapon, but neither spinner was active at this stage. It eventually escaped, and found the space to get its horizontal weapon up to speed once more. Skorpios drove at Bloodsport, but suffered a side swipe to its articulating arm, which bent it slightly to one side. Skorpios tried to power its disk again, but it kept stopping and the arm itself appeared unable to retract as it lay limp on top of Bloodsport's horizontal disk and sparks flew. Skorpios remained aggressive in spite of this, pinning Bloodsport once more. Although Bloodsport had caused the bulk of the damage, it was chased into the screws of the Upper Deck and eventually found itself atop the hazard. Unlike in its Fight Night loss to Whiplash, Bloodsport managed to escape, but found itself in the clutches of Zach Lytle's bot in the final seconds of the match. Both robots were active at the end, and Skorpios took the win by way of a 2-1 split judges' decision. As such, Skorpios became the first robot to defend its Bounty title.
Skorpios vs. HyperShock
HyperShock breaches the low front of Skorpios.
HyperShock sends Skorpios packing.
After becoming the first gatekeeper to survive its Sin City Slugfest bracket, Skorpios advanced to the Golden Bolt Tournament where it faced the first episode's bracket winner, HyperShock. This was the third time they had met, with Skorpios winning both previous encounters. Equipped with its lighter, bar-shaped spinner, the fight began with Skorpios charging at its opponent but missing. HyperShock's forks got under the front of Skorpios and upended it. Skorpios bounced back onto its wheels, but HyperShock followed this attack up with another hit to the front which sent Skorpios spiraling through the air. HyperShock's third attack saw Skorpios fly out of the arena. Knocked out in just 24 seconds, Skorpios was eliminated from the tournament.
World Championship VII[]
Skorpios vs. JackPot
Skorpios returned for World Championship VII, and its first Fight Night opponent was the Las Vegas representative JackPot. For this fight, Skorpios equipped a new configuration designed to help handle vertical spinners, featuring thick forks and flatter armor.
Skorpios pushes JackPot into the Upper Deck.
When the fight began, both robots moved to the center, vying for position as they got their weapons up to speed. Skorpios got the worst of the first exchange, exposing its left tire to Jeff Waters' bot while trying to avoid Ace, JackPot's minibot.
JackPot attacks Skorpios from the side.
Skorpios quickly escaped, repositioning and dealing some damage to Ace before going in for another assault. It locked horns with JackPot, getting underneath the vertical spinner's own forks and shoving it back towards the Upper Deck. As JackPot's blades collided with Skorpios' front armor, it bounced upwards and landed on its back. Skorpios quickly took advantage, firing the hammer saw into its opponent's soft underbelly, but was forced to back away quickly as its weapon began to smoke.
Skorpios flips JackPot over.
Thankfully, the Vegas machine was unable to self-right and pressure it further, so as Skorpios watched its foe get counted down it gave chase to Ace. As the clock ticked down on JackPot, the Bot Bash Party Crew were able to land a blow that flung the little bot onto the screws, defeating both robots and earning a win by knockout.
A fire erupts inside JackPot.
As the teams set down their controllers, flames sparked within the immobile JackPot, further cementing the victory.
Skorpios vs. Big Dill
Keen to build on a strong start, Skorpios next took on Emmanuel Carrillo and Big Dill, who debuted its vertical spinner.
Skorpios drives around Big Dill.
Skorpios was quickest out of its starting square but immediately discovered that it was Big Dill who had the better ground game as it rode up the front forks of Emmanuel Carrillo's machine. As Skorpios drove away from danger, it got to the side of Big Dill and swung its hammer saw against the forks, bending one slightly. Both robots looked for an opening and Big Dill landed the first big hit of the match, throwing Skorpios over with its brand new vertical spinner. Skorpios quickly self-righted and recovered, but a plume of smoke rose from its weapon. Neither the hammer saw nor drive appeared damaged as Zach Lytle brought the fight back to the center of the BattleBox.
"Big Dill having a great fight so far; this could be a huge upset."
— Kenny Florian as Big Dill dictates the tempo of the fight
Skorpios carves into an immobile Big Dill.
Big Dill landed a tamer shot which again overturned Skorpios and forced it to self-right. It then got underneath the front of its opponent, but drove towards the screws and suddenly stopped moving. Despite being the aggressor in the fight up to this point, Big Dill lay helpless as Skorpios positioned its hammer saw and tore away part of its top armor. A count followed and Skorpios took the win by knockout, rising to 2-0.
Skorpios vs. SawBlaze
Skorpios fitted with its OverKill sword.
Skorpios' third Fight Night opponent was World Championship VI semi-finalist SawBlaze, who have never fought despite both bots appearing in every season since 2016. Despite being hyped as the battle of the hammer saws, Skorpios went into this battle featuring the blade of OverKill, as voted by fellow BattleBots builders.[19] Zach Lytle stated the ideology was to make use of the blade's reach to attack the exposed idler of SawBlaze's arm - something he did not believe could be done with Skorpios' traditional hammer saw.
Skorpios swings its blade at SawBlaze.
To start, Skorpios was off balance due to the blade. Once balanced it went after SawBlaze's arm idler landing minor hits. However, it began swinging the blade wildly in an attempt to hit Sawblaze, each swing missing.
"Skorpios already tipping over because of that blade..."
— Chris Rose at the start of the fight
Then, Skorpios turned away from SawBlaze which it took advantage of inverting and driving it into the screws with no way to self right Skorpios was counted out leaving it at 2-1.
The remains of Skorpios' shattered magnets.
Zach Lytle later revealed that the cause of Skorpios' downfall was its magnets, which shattered during its previous battle and went unnoticed by the team. The Skorpios team later welded the OverKill blade back together, autographed it and gifted it to SawBlaze captain Jamison Go.[20]
Skorpios vs. Ribbot
Skorpios' fourth and final Fight Night opponent was 2020 season quarter-finalist Ribbot, which was looking to avoid a winless record at this stage. For this match - which was initially filmed as a Main Event[21] - Bot Bash Party Crew again used the 'anti-vertical' build, with longer front forks and the asymmetrical bar spinner.
"Let the bot battle begin! The two bots connect, and Skorpios just overpowers Ribbot! Zach Lytle pins him against the wall, might be linin' up a shot! And Skorpios draws first blood... not how David Jin wanted to start this fight!"
— Chris Rose as Skorpios controls Ribbot in the opening moments
Skorpios gets under Ribbot to start the match.
Skorpios darted out of the red square to meet Ribbot, itself creeping out of the blue square. Turning round, it scooped Ribbot up and pushed it back against the top-most mount for the red square screws, while getting its bar spinner up to speed. Skorpios twitched itself and its opponent around, before bringing the spinner down on Ribbot's disk. This proved an early mistake for Bot Bash Party Crew, as Ribbot's right forks became lodged directly into their machine's weapon idler.[21] As a result, the chain for Skorpios' spinner was severed, disabling it completely. The two robots pushed each other back and forth, with Skorpios ramming Ribbot into the top-left corner. As before, it brought its weapon arm down on Ribbot, but the free-spinning bar had no effect against Ribbot's active disk.
Skorpios corners Ribbot.
After shunting Ribbot into the bumper, Skorpios was pushed back against the nearby paddle. This was enough for it to be turned around, exposing its left wheel to direct contact with Ribbot's spinner. Ribbot shredded the tire while lifting Skorpios onto one side, grinding at its underside. Skorpios continued to take damage as it resumed its pushing attacks on Ribbot. With the disk chain trailing behind, it lowered its incapacitated spinner onto the front of Ribbot twice more, while ramming it into the top-right bumper and paddle. Superficial damage was inflicted to Ribbot's top cover, though the ensuing tussle resulted in Skorpios' forks taking further grinding attacks.
Once both robots separated, Skorpios spun quickly over a nearby hellraiser. This, again, left it vulnerable as Ribbot pushed and lifted it from the left side against the Upper Deck bumper. Further damage was caused to Skorpios' tire, forks and underside; moments later, sustained blows from Ribbot's disk were enough to flip Skorpios against the bumper. Skorpios self-righted immediately, only to take another damaging blow to its right fork.
"This is a huge opportunity for Team Ribbot to take advantage. And boy, aren't they now? Just cutting the underbelly, of Skorpios!"
— Kenny Florian
Ribbot begins to mount a comeback.
Skorpios drove away, but found itself wheelieing uncontrollably into the top-right paddle. Ribbot charged in and attacked Skorpios' baseplate and forks even more, leaving the latter with seemingly impaired mobility. More head-to-head exchanges followed, as Skorpios made its way out of the corner and began locking forks with Ribbot once again.
Ribbot tears into Skorpios' tire.
Skorpios regained a traction advantage at this stage, pushing Ribbot back into the corner's pulverizer. Though its forks prised Ribbot's top cover apart, it would sustain more damaging attacks while being upended against the nearby bumper by the former. These included direct hits to the front-left corner, shredding Skorpios' left tire even further as it tried to back away. This onslaught continued even as both robots left the pocket, with Ribbot flipping Skorpios against an Upper Deck screw mount and churning away at the latter's now-mangled forks.
Chris Rose: "I'm curious whether or not Zach Lytle can make it another minute plus. I mean, look at that left tire! And that thing is just shredded!"
Kenny Florian: "Yeah, and Zach Lytle's doing everything he can to try and keep that plough pointing forward, but Ribbot's just not letting up!"
— As Skorpios takes further damage from Ribbot at the halfway mark
Ribbot sits as Skorpios is counted out.
To make matters worse for Bot Bash Party Crew, Ribbot proceeded to target the right-hand side of Skorpios, sniping its right tire. Skorpios' traction was reduced even further as it desperately tried to keep moving on its damaged wheels. Both tires flailed around while it was pushed back and took another grinding attack to its forks from Ribbot. Suddenly, Skorpios stopped moving altogether, and was soon deemed incapacitated while Ribbot paused in front of it. Referee John Remar initiated the count-out, confirming a knockout loss after two minutes and 15 seconds. A battered and mangled Skorpios thus rounded off its Fight Night schedule with an equal 2-2 record, ahead of the final selection process for the Top 32 bracket.
After the match, Skorpios was found to have sustained major damage to its chassis, weaponry and internals, estimated to have cost over $20,000. This damage also retired the chassis, dubbed Skorpios 'number 8'. In spite of this, Bot Bash Party Crew agreed with Team Ribbot that it had been a 'good fight' between both robots, with Diana Tarlson presenting one of Skorpios' damaged forks to their victorious opponents.[21]
Skorpios vs. HUGE
Skorpios broke into the Round of 32 as the No.27 seed, where it took on the No.6 seed, HUGE. For this battle, Skorpios was equipped with its sturdiest wedge for this battle.
Chris Rose: "A big challenge looming for Zach Lytle, but as far as designs go, Skorpios matches up better with HUGE than a lot of other robots. Right, Kenny?"
Kenny Florian: "Yeah, the hammer saw on Skorpios is one of the only weapons with enough reach to damage the underbelly of HUGE. But Zach will have to take some shots in the process..."
— Chris and Kenny highlight the issues Skorpios' design could cause its opponent pre-fight
Skorpios wheelied out of its starting square and immediately charged HUGE head-on, causing a shower of sparks as it looked to disable the No.6 seed's weapon. However, HUGE flipped itself over, which allowed time for Jonathan Schultz to get its spinner up to speed.
Skorpios cuts off one of HUGE's stabilizers.
As HUGE landed several small blows to the frame and weapon of Skorpios, Zach Lytle drove to its right-side wheel, surgically removing one of HUGE's balancing poles.
"Here comes Skorpios, OH! Rips one of those balance bars right off of HUGE. What a start for Skorpios."
— Chris Rose reacts as Skorpios causes the first visible damage of the fight
HUGE loses its other pole.
HUGE trundled away from danger, having lost one of its eyes in the exchanges, but Skorpios kept being aggressive. The No.27 seed tore away the other pole from HUGE, but then drove into the inside of its right-side wheel, allowing Jonathan Schultz's robot to turn and trap Skorpios.
Skorpios sits immobile in the corner.
Skorpios found itself with very little room to maneuver within as HUGE's bar landed several blows to Skorpios, shredding its right-side wheel in the process. With one final strike to its front wedge, Skorpios twisted in place and then halted before a fire began inside Zach and Diana's bot.
HUGE returned to the center of the arena to celebrate its first tournament win as Skorpios was counted out, sealing Bot Bash Party Crew's fate and eliminating the team from World Championship VII.
In an October 2023 video, Zach Lytle revealed that the fight retired this version of Skorpios, immediately after Ribbot retired another version in their previous fight.[18]
Skorpios vs. Kraken (Exhibition)
Skorpios returned for a single exhibition match against Kraken as part of Vengeance in Vegas II. For this fight, the teams dressed up in each others' attire, and Skorpios was equipped with its slicing traditional saw blade, which was seen at its hero shot.
Both robots meet in the middle of the arena.
Skorpios and Kraken immediately met in the middle of the BattleBox, with the former Bounty Hunters winner looking to prevent Matt Spurk's robot from spinning up. It missed the blade, however, and this allowed Kraken's weapon to get up to speed. Skorpios drove Kraken towards the drivers' booths in spite of this.
Skorpios rams Kraken into the screws.
As it struggled to stay squared up to Skorpios, Kraken offered its vulnerable back end to Zach Lytle. Skorpios brought its saw down on Kraken's top armor and drove it into the screws behind the red starting square. Kraken collided with the hazard face-first, toppling over and biting the screws with its clamping jaws.
Skorpios tries to slice into Kraken.
The Skorpios team in Kraken attire and vice versa.
Kraken tried desperately to escape the screws, but was stuck as Skorpios approached again with its weapon spun up. Skorpios brought its saw down on Kraken but failed to slice into its baseplate before retreating. Kraken's narwhal minibot tussled briefly with its much larger opponent before Kathryn Godfrey initiated a count against Kraken, confirming Skorpios' first-ever win since their entry against Big Dill by a knockout.
"Historically, Skorpios is a vertical killer so Evan's gonna have to hunt for angles all fight long."
— Kenny Florian pre-fight
SHREDDIT BRO! flings Skorpios through the air.
SHREDDIT BRO! began the fight by driving up the plow of Skorpios, who drove the comparatively smaller opponent around before it was released. After oversteering, SHREDDIT BRO!'s vulnerable rear end faced Skorpios, but Zach Lytle failed to capitalize on the early opportunity. Immediately after, SHREDDIT BRO! caught the lip of Skorpios' plow, kicking the former Bounty Hunters winner back and then grinding against its front as Skorpios began to smoke.
SHREDDIT BRO! grinds against Skorpios.
Skorpios pushed back as the pair tussled near the short corner, before SHREDDIT BRO! deflected off its opponent and was overturned. Now spinning downward, SHREDDIT BRO! rode up Skorpios again, this time striking the weapon arm and snapping a chain.
"Skorpios has to be careful; that last shot was in the area of their weapon coupling. That is a critical part of the robot… and there goes a chain, Chris!"
— Kenny Florian as SHREDDIT BRO! disables the weapon of Skorpios
Skorpios is hunted down.
As Skorpios drove away, it was sniped by the 70lb drum of SHREDDIT BRO!. Skorpios flew through the air and landed upright, much to the delight of an exuberant Team Shreddit. SHREDDIT BRO! remained aggressive, driving weapon-first into Skorpios and consistently kicking it back.
"Evan Arias, unreal! Now he's got reason to be confident!"
— Chris Rose
SHREDDIT BRO! watches an immobile Skorpios.
SHREDDIT BRO!'s assault on the seasoned veteran continued, striking the underside of Skorpios as the damage racked up. Skorpios eventually landed, but had a tear in its left-side tire and had been immobilized. SHREDDIT BRO! lifted off the ground momentarily as it turned to retreat, landing on the barbs of Skorpios' plow.
Despite a nervy few seconds, SHREDDIT BRO! escaped and referee Kathryn Godfrey initiated a count against Skorpios. Zach Lytle and Diana Tarlson's bot suffered defeat and was eliminated in the first round of the bracket for a second successive Champions season.
Skorpios catching fire in the test box.
Zach Lytle later explained Skorpios' pre-fight struggles in a YouTube video, having seen two builds of Skorpios retired already due to extensive damage during the season.[18] While in the test box, Skorpios' left-side drive locked up and a fire began due to loose screws falling into their gearbox, melting the entire electrical system. The team turned to their final Skorpios build, dubbed 'number four', which refused to turn on, so they split the team in half to work on both versions of Skorpios.
BattleBots Proving Ground[]
Skorpios vs. Slammo! (9/30/23)
Skorpios vs. Slammo! as advertised on the BattleBots website.
Skorpios took on Slammo! on the weekend of September 30-October 1, 2023 at BattleBots Proving Ground. Ahead of this fight, the team equipped Skorpios with its 'Spartan' armor configuration and also added magnets to combat its tendency to wheelie.
Both robots exchange turns pinning the other against the wall.
Skorpios got the best of the early exchanges, ramming Slammo! towards the pulverizer as the pair locked forks. The hammer saw landed a glancing shot to the top of Craig Danby's robot as the pulverizer struck the left side wheels. Slammo! then had Skorpios under pressure as was pinned momentarily. Both bots spun around again and Skorpios landed a more direct hit with its primary weapon.
Slammo! pins Skorpios against the paddle.
Returning to the center of the arena, Skorpios spun its disk up again, but the length of their respective forks kept the hammer saw at bay. Slammo! was able to shove Skorpios back against the spiked paddle, which fired several times to push both robots away.
Skorpios is held by a damaged Slammo!.
Approaching the halfway point, Skorpios got to Slammo!'s side and landed a couple of overhead strikes which caused one of Slammo!'s lifting forks to fall off its shaft. Despite this damage, Slammo! was still able to drive Skorpios back into the short corner and against the Upper Deck, lifting Skorpios momentarily.
Both robots spent the remaining time in the short corner, with sparks flying as Skorpios made contact with the forks of Slammo!, whose decorative eye fell off in the final seconds. Skorpios won the fight by crowd vote in a fight deemed very close by Steve Judkins and Bil Dwyer.
Skorpios vs. Slammo! (10/1/23)
Skorpios faced Slammo! for a second time over the weekend. The team removed their magnets for this fight.
Skorpios wheelies against Slammo!.
Slammo! was quick to chase Skorpios down in the first few seconds as it sought to take advantage of the front of Zach Lytle and Diana Tarlson's robot lifting off the ground. The hammer saw was not yet spinning, but fired up once Skorpios had stabilized.
Skorpios and Slammo! become caught in an embrace.
Skorpios swung its weapon, but the geometry of Slammo!'s lifting arm kept the disk at arm's length. Both robots maneuvered around the blue starting square as it became clear the plow of Skorpios was clamped between Slammo!'s forks.
Slammo! pins Skorpios.
As Slammo! got around to the back of Skorpios, it rammed the former Bounty Hunter against the screws of the Upper Deck, initiating a pin and lifting Skorpios' wheels off the floor. Skorpios was released and went on the offensive, driving in underneath Slammo! and slamming it against the wall.
Skorpios attacks with its hammer saw.
It then took the fight to the short corner and allowed Slammo! to drive into the Upper Deck before beginning a pin of its own and striking with its weapon. Skorpios got under Slammo! again and flipped it over in a move which also cost Craig Danby's robot a wheelguard.
Slammo! is overturned, but self-rights.
Slammo! righted itself, but struggled to escape the corner as questions were asked of its left-side drive. Skorpios took advantage of this and landed several overhead hits with its hammer saw, predominantly to its forks, as the clock ticked down.
Again, Skorpios won by crowd vote as both robots survived the full three minutes, ending the weekend unbeaten.
BattleBots Faceoffs[]
Please note that the order of the following fights is unknown, as documentation on the event itself is either limited or non-existent. This is typically true of untelevised events such as BattleBots IQ and those sanctioned by the BattleBots name.
Skorpios vs. Calypso
Skorpios is set to return to the arena in Fall 2024, where it will on three opponents in BattleBots Faceoffs. The first of these is Calypso - a new robot built by Team Horizon.
Skorpios vs. Roundhouse
Skorpios will also take on Roundhouse during its group.
Skorpios vs. MadCatter
Skorpios is also confirmed to be facing MadCatter.
"It causes more chaos than the Greek government. The gyro of the BattleBox. It's SKORPIOS!"
"It's the sexiest Greek export since John Stamos. Here to Greek havoc, it's SKORPIOS!"
"Des-bot-cito. It will blow you to smithereen-o and make you feel completely defeat-o. It's SKORPIOS!"
"You should call this bot Pizza Cut, because he's ready to serve you by the slice. You're about to be tossed and turned into sauce with a side of bot-zzarella sticks, SKORPIOS!"
"This bot's handin' out more buzzes than supercuts. Things might get hairy and definitely scary. I once had a barber named Larry... just once... *Taps back of the head* He messed this up pretty bad. It's SKORPIOS!"
"This bot come from a builder named Beach. It'll spring break you. You'll chug too much bear, get totally smashed and your painful pic will end up on SlapChat. It's SKORPIOS!"
"Its favorite soda is orange slice. Its favorite fries is waffle cut. Its favorite meal is pork chop. Woo, that's some good stuff. Hmm, mm-hmm hmm. It's SKORPIOS!"
"Call this bot Martin Scor-saw-se because it loves to yell CUT! This year's winner for best hack-tor is SKORPIOS!"
"Who's that coming through the door-pios? It's looking kinda sore-pios. What does it have in store-pios? Maybe start a war-pios. Give it up for SKORPIOS!"
"Uh uh uh... this is a Faruq encore-pios. Oh look who's back for more-pios. To get hardcore-pios, it's going to be a civil war-pios, with lots of blood and gore-pios. But if anyone can beat this foe-pios, its the one and only SKORPIOS!"
"It's ready to make you feel the sting. You'll be saying, don't stand so close to me, or I'm gonna call the police. You don't have to put on the deadlight for SKORPIOS!"
"Oh my Lanta, this bot is hackier than Uncle Joey. It's about to cut... you... out. By the time he's through, you'll be like "how rude!". Will it win this fight? You got it dude! It's SKORPIOS!"
"Get ready for... SKORPIOS!"
"From San Francisco, California… HEUGH, get over here and take a beating from SKORPIOS!"
"From Crockett, California, it's SKORPIOS!"
"This next bot has a weapon that I find very spooky. Because it's a saw like all those scary movies. So if you hear 'I want to play a game,' your life is at stake and you're not gonna live no matter what choice you make. It's SKORPIOS!"
"This big wheel keeps on turnin' like Tina Turner once said and when that big arm lowers, the wheels go right through your head. Protect your armor because this giant saw will ruin it and you'll be all cut up screamin', 'What's blood got to do with it?' Give it up for SKORPIOS!"
"From up near San Francisco, so if you come near him the wrong way. divers will have to retrieve your body from the bottom of the bay. This bot is a giant but if he winds up to throw a pitch, it'll be tossing your bot off the Golden Gate Bridge. Give it up for SKORPIOS!"
"For this intro, I looked up Skorpios and this is why I hate astrology. It says they're honest and secretive. Now, that dichotomy kinda bothers me. But this bot enjoys torturing and murdering, it's an absolute animal. So if you're not being killed, your signs? Probably not compatible. Give it up for SKORPIOS!"
"From Moraga, California, mess with the scorpion, get the stinger. It'd SKORPIOS!"
"From Moraga, California, it's more-aggro. This. Is. SKORPIOS!"
"This engineer is one of the sport's greatest ambassadors. And his bot carries a deadly blade like the Chainsaw Massacre. He'll carve up opponents and send them to a better place when he starts waving that saw around like he Leatherface. It's SKORPIOS!"
"You should meet my bot friend. He's a killer, yo. Ask him his sign, and he'll say he's a Scorpio. He drives classic like a Taurus. But mess with the bull and you'll get the horns, because he destroys everything from Leos to Capricorns. Leaving Pisces is pieces as he imposes his will, you'll need your sign to say stop as he Vir-goes for the kill. The Zodiac Killer of BattleBots, SKORPIOS!"
"He's got the name of a constellation and he's a BattleBots star. And when he lifts that big ripper, you'll get a giant scar. He'll whip you with Orion's belt. And if you look up at the sky, connect the stars on this constellation, and they spell, 'Prepare to die.' Give it up for SKORPIOS!"
"From Crockett, California, make way for the king of sting, it's SKORPIOS!"
"From LaFayette, California, when your honeydew list is just kill, kill, kill. It's SKORPIOS!"
"From Oakland, California. You can't spell his name without a knockout. It's SKORPIOS!"
"This bot's got a sting like that guy who slaps the base. Every little thing he does is tragic for your face. Don't stay in so close to him. He's not police, but he'll read your last rites. Write your will on a message in a bottle, cause he's turning on the shred light. It's SKORPIOS!"
"This team came to World Championship VII looking for a win. When I look at them, I think of Se7en, that movie about the seven deadly sins. They're a glutton for punishment and have no shortage of pride. When they unleash their wrath, everyone in The Pits runs and hides. I don't envy their opponents because if they slob, they're taking an L. This team lusts after destruction, and that way, they're greedy as hell. What's in the box? What's in the box? It's your dead robot, courtesy of SKORPIOS!"
"From Lafayette, California, currently on trial for murdering over 14 couples therapists. It's SKORPIOS!"
Trivia[]
Between World Championship IV, Bounty Hunters and World Championship V, Skorpios took part in nine consecutive judges' decisions: Witch Doctor, Black Widow, P1, HyperShock, Icewave, Blade, Whiplash, Yeti and Malice.
This included a five-match streak of wins by judges' decision for Skorpios, starting with Black Widow and ending with Blade.
During its World Championship II rumble against Black Ice and Bad Kitty, Skorpios left a three inch gash in the screws while stuck and trying to get free.
In 2011, Zach Lytle and Diana Tarlson began a business called Bot Bash Party, where kids get the opportunity to build and drive combat robots for themed birthday parties.
Outside of robots, Zach is a professional yo-yo champion, earning the nickname 'Magneto', and has even designed his own yo-yos in the past.
Skorpios' heaviest weapon weighs 21lbs, and is called 'Big Bertha'. It has only been used once against Black Dragon in World Championship IV, but caused the robot to wheelie and made it hard to control.
By contrast, their lightest blade, 'The Klondike Bar', weighs just 7lbs and allows the team to use additional armor.
One of Faruq's intros claims Skorpios to be a Greek import. This references the Greek private island of the same name, which is situated in the Ionian Sea.
As of 2011, only 5 people lived in Skorpios, Greece - this is fewer than the amount of Skorpios team members in every Discovery season of BattleBots.
According to Orion Beach, Skorpios was originally also going to be the name given to Offbeat Robotics' 2020 season entry HiJinx, with Zach Lytle and Diana Tarlson rebranding the robot under their ownership. However, this did not come to fruition.[22]
In April 2022, Team Skorpios were gifted the blade weapon of Comedy CentralBattleBots icon OverKill by builder Christian Carlberg.
Zach Lytle calculated that each individual Skorpios build would cost the team $57,000 from scratch without sponsors.
Skorpios is the only robot known to have competed in multiple dress rehearsal battles ahead of a main season, used to test lighting and camerawork.
Skorpios was set to fight Foxtrot during the post-tournament grudge matches, but this did not go ahead for unknown reasons.[23]
The teams would eventually get to fight four years later at BattleBots Proving Ground, where Skorpios took on and twice defeated Slammo!.
Skorpios' Fight Night battle against Ribbot during World Championship VII was originally billed as a Main Event, but was bumped down to a standard undercard match, likely due to Ribbot's then 0-3 record.[21]
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