Valkyrie is a heavyweight robot built by Team VALKYRIE, formerly known as Team Questionable Designs, which competed in every season of the BattleBots reboot since Discovery Season 3.
A horizontal spinner by nature, Valkyrie was originally armed with an undercutting flywheel which could be exchanged from one with two teeth dubbed "Dr. Tooth," one with six teeth dubbed "Sonic the Wedgehog" or a spinning bar dubbed "The Spirit of Boston." Two versions of Valkyrie were entered in the season with the only key difference being the type of blade used. Despite not making the Top 16, Valkyrie did well during its rookie season.
Returning for Discovery Season 4, Valkyrie sported repainted discs, a new bar dubbed "Sweet Caroline" to replace "The Spirit of Boston" after it broke, LED lights above the spinner, and a slightly remade front armor panel. Valkyrie was also reworked to make her weapon much more reliable as it managed to not slow down once, until it failed in its crucial Top 16 fight. Despite this, Valkyrie was still very successful, dishing out serious shots to veterans, even going another 4-2.
For Discovery Season 5, Valkyrie was made to look more cybernetic with the add-ons for her detail, another bow-tie spinner called "Sour Caroline" with a green paint inside, and having a new three toothed disc based off a ninja star called "Glory". As confirmed on the show, Valkyrie had up to three different models and eight different weapons, with the models being based on each bots look from previous seasons, but the remaining two weapons haven't been confirmed. Valkyrie's weapon motor also runs at 40hp, which is around the power of a small motorcycle. This version of Valkyrie proved to be her most successful yet, going 2-1 in the Fight Night rounds and won her Round of 32 fight against SubZero, advancing to the Round of 16 for the first time in Leanne Cushing's BattleBots career. Despite losing a rematch to Whiplash, Valkyrie received the "Most Destructive Robot" award for damage caused to the likes of Rotator and SubZero during the 2020 season. Valkyrie also participated in the Witch Doctor Bounty Hunters bracket where it destroyed Extinguisher in the first round but lost a rematch to SubZero in the second.
Valkyrie returned for Discovery Season 6, though with the exception of a new disc called "Dr. Acula", the extent of its upgrades are unknown. Valkyrie began the 2021 season with a surprise loss to P1 but redeemed itself by knocking out newcomers Triple Crown and Pardon My French. Despite a relatively weak schedule, Valkyrie did enough to earn a Top 32 spot as the No.26 seed. However, it fell to Aren Hill and Blip in the Top 32, falling a round short of the year prior.
Robot History[]
Discovery Season 3[] |
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Valkyrie vs. Ultimo Destructo ![]() Both bots having problems with their weapons, trying to meet. ![]() Valkyrie is "attacked" by Ultimo Destructo. Valkyrie's first opponent in the new season was against Ultimo Destructo. This fight started off poorly for Valkyrie as she struggled to get her weapon up to a decent speed and when they contacted Ultimo Destructo, the weapon stopped entirely. Making matters worse, Valkyrie was now basically high-centered on her own weapon, leaving it spinning in circles around the perimeter of the weapon. Luckily, Ultimo's blade was also having trouble spinning up and never got up to a decent speed to cause any damage. Valkyrie was unable to show any translational movement and took a very light tap from Ultimo Destructo before she was counted out, giving Ultimo Destructo the win via KO. |
Valkyrie vs. Bale Spear vs. Predator ![]() Valkyrie immobilized Predator. ![]() Valkyrie takes off Bale Spear's first wheel. |
Valkyrie vs. Hypothermia ![]() Sparks fly as Hypothermia and Valkyrie collide. |
Valkyrie vs. Lock-Jaw ![]() Valkyrie's spinning bar breaks by Lock-Jaw's plow. ![]() Lock-Jaw attacks the unstable Valkyrie. Up next for Valkyrie was Lock-Jaw. For this fight, they opted to swap their original horizontal spinner for their bar spinner. The match got underway and after a few hits, Valkyrie lost half of her weapon, leaving it unbalanced and out of control. Valkyrie continued to take hits, losing more of its weapon and being flipped over at one point. Eventually, Valkyrie could no longer move and was counted out, giving Lock-Jaw the win by KO and eliminating Valkyrie from this tournament. |
Valkyrie vs. Red Devil ![]() Valkyrie rips off one of Red Devil's track pods. ![]() Damage caused to Red Devil by Valkyrie. |
Last Chance Rumble ![]() All six robots in the BattleBox. ![]() Valkyrie drives away as Bombshell tears off Red Devil's tread. ![]() Red Devil is immobilized as the rest fight on. ![]() Bombshell struggles to move in the red square as Valkyrie sits in the corner. ![]() The Last Chance Rumble comes to a close.
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Valkyrie vs. Overhaul ![]() Valkyrie strikes Overhaul's crushing arm. Note how twisted the arm is. Valkyrie also went up against Overhaul in a grudge match that was not included in their record for the main tournament. When the match began, it was pretty even as while Overhaul was quicker to get across the arena. Valkyrie was able to make contact with the front wedge attachment of its opponent, causing sparks to fly in the process. Valkyrie found itself being lifted up near the screws but in doing so, Valkyrie's weapon made contact with Overhaul's and nearly tore it clean off, leaving it dangling and rendered useless. Valkyrie was now inverted and suffering from the gyroscopic effects of its weapon, but when both robots met again, Valkyrie finished off the upper half of Overhaul's weapon, tearing it off completely. However, Valkyrie was then on the receiving end of an attack by its opponent that took it up against the arena barrier, where its weapon made sparks off the arena barrier. Valkyrie got away, but was briefly driving vertically on its wheels before coming back down upright. Valkyrie collided with Overhaul one last time before both robots were left driving in circles, only making light taps when they were finally able to meet one another again. Both robots were counted out by their referees so the match went the judges, who ruled in favor of Valkyrie. |
Discovery Season 4[] |
Valkyrie vs. HyperShock ![]() HyperShock inverts Valkyrie during the fight. |
Valkyrie vs. Ragnarök ![]() Damage caused by Valkyrie as its opponent lays immobile. |
Valkyrie vs. Monsoon ![]() Valkyrie grinds down Monsoon. Valkyrie was then put in a match against former quarter-finalist, Tom Brewster and Monsoon. In response, Valkyrie opted for its bow-tie bar spinner of Sweet Caroline for a faster spin up. As the match began, Valkyrie came at Monsoon, throwing plenty of sparks off Monsoon's tiny wedge. Valkyrie continued to attack in this manner, causing very little damage but also avoiding Monsoon's weapon. Soon, Valkyrie ripped off Monsoon's front wedge and disabled Monsoon's weapon, leaving Monsoon's weapon mount hanging on by very little. For the rest of the match, Valkyrie kept attacking Monsoon, grinding its weapon mount, under armor, and its tires. Despite the damage, Monsoon kept charging at Valkyrie with no fear in its opponents weapon. Time ran out with both robots still mobile, but the judges awarded Valkyrie a unanimous 3-0 decision. |
Valkyrie vs. Petunia ![]() Petunia keeps Valkyrie in the corner of the BattleBox. |
Valkyrie vs. Quantum ![]() Valkyrie grinds its bar on Quantum. Valkyrie's last match before the Top 16 was against Quantum and opted for its bowtie-shaped weapon bar dubbed Sweet Caroline. Valkyrie started off okay, but wasn't causing much damage and was eventually flipped over due to its weapon's gyroscopic forces. Luckily, this orientation favored Valkyrie a bit and they quickly took off Quantum's weapon tooth. Even so, Valkyrie soon was at the mercy of Quantum's toothless weapon as they were picked up and paraded around the arena. Valkyrie then lost the use of its weapon as Quantum was able to apply enough pressure to cause a complete LEM collapse and was put behind the screws where it couldn't escape. Valkyrie was counted out, giving Quantum the win by KO and a spot in the Top 16. |
Valkyrie vs. Ribbot ![]() Valkyrie's new look ahead of its battle with Ribbot. ![]() Sparks fly early on. ![]() Valkyrie shreds a tire of Ribbot. |
Discovery Season 5[] |
Valkyrie vs. Tantrum ![]() Valkyrie is pinned against the wall momentarily. |
Valkyrie vs. Rotator Valkyrie's next match was against quarter-finalist, Rotator.![]() Valkyrie creates a shower of sparks as it clashes with the wedge of Rotator. |
Valkyrie vs. Whiplash ![]() Whiplash lifts Valkyrie into the screws. |
Valkyrie vs. SubZero ![]() SubZero nearly sends Valkyrie out of the arena. |
Valkyrie vs. Whiplash Whiplash lifts Valkyrie in the air. ![]() Valkyrie is thrown into the screws by Whiplash. |
BattleBots: Bounty Hunters[] |
Valkyrie vs. Extinguisher ![]() Valkyrie and Extinguisher meet in the BattleBox. |
Valkyrie vs. SubZero ![]() A wounded SubZero watches on as Valkyrie struggles for movement. |
Discovery Season 6[] |
Valkyrie vs. P1 ![]() Sparks fly as Valkyrie attacks P1 from above. |
Valkyrie vs. Triple Crown ![]() Leanne Cushing's team enter the BattleBox. ![]() Valkyrie leaves Triple Crown for dead. |
Valkyrie vs. Pardon My French ![]() Valkyrie and Pardon My French go weapon to weapon. |
Valkyrie vs. Blip ![]() Valkyrie's only hit of the fight. |
Results[]
VALKYRIE - RESULTS | ||
Discovery Season 3 | ||
Fight Nights 2-1 in Fight Nights, 1-1 in Desperado, lost Play-in | ||
Fight Night (Untelevised) | vs. Ultimo Destructo | Lost (KO) |
Fight Night Rumble | vs. Bale Spear, Predator | Won (KO) |
Desperado Round 1 | vs. Hypothermia | Won (JD) |
Desperado Round 2 | vs. Lock-Jaw | Lost (KO) |
Fight Night | vs. Red Devil | Won (JD) |
Last Chance Rumble | vs. Bombshell, DUCK!, Gigabyte, Lucky, Red Devil |
Lost (KO) |
Exhibition Matches | ||
Exhibition Match | vs. Overhaul | Won (JD) |
Discovery Season 4 | ||
Fight Nights 3-1, lost Play-in | ||
Fight Night | vs. HyperShock | Lost (KO) |
Fight Night | vs. Ragnarök | Won (KO) |
Fight Night | vs. Monsoon | Won (JD) |
Fight Night | vs. Petunia | Won (KO) |
NOTE: The battle against Petunia was intended for Science Channel, but was only aired in international broadcasts. | ||
Play-in | vs. Quantum | Lost (KO) |
Exhibition Matches | ||
Exhibition Match | vs. Ribbot | Won (KO) |
Discovery Season 5 | ||
Fight Nights 2-1 | ||
Fight Night | vs. Tantrum | Won (KO) |
Fight Night | vs. Rotator | Won (JD) |
Fight Night Main Event | vs. Whiplash | Lost (JD) |
Top 32 9th seed | ||
Round of 32 | vs. SubZero (24) | Won (KO) |
Round of 16 | vs. Whiplash (8) | Lost (JD) |
Bounty Hunters 2020 | ||
Bounty Hunters 2020 - Witch Doctor Episode | ||
Round 1 | vs. Extinguisher | Won (KO) |
Round 2 | vs. SubZero | Lost (KO) |
Discovery Season 6 | ||
Fight Nights 2-1 | ||
Fight Night | vs. P1 | Lost (JD) |
Fight Night (Untelevised) | vs. Triple Crown | Won (KO) |
Fight Night | vs. Pardon My French | Won (KO) |
Top 32 26th seed | ||
Round of 32 | vs. Blip (7) | Lost (KO) |
Wins/Losses[]
- Wins: 14
- Losses: 10
Competition | Wins | Losses |
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Discovery Season 3 |
Bale Spear and Predator (Undercard Rumble) Hypothermia (Desperado Tournament) Red Devil (Undercard Match) Overhaul (Untelevised Undercard Match) |
Ultimo Destructo (Untelevised Undercard Match) Lock-Jaw (Desperado Tournament) Bombshell (Last Chance Rumble) |
Discovery Season 4 |
Ragnarök (Undercard Match) Monsoon (Undercard Match) Petunia (Undercard Match) Ribbot (Grudge Match) |
HyperShock (Undercard Match)
Quantum (Play in Match) |
Discovery Season 5 | Tantrum (Undercard Match)
Rotator (Undercard Match) |
Whiplash (Main Event/Undercard Match)
Whiplash |
BattleBots: Bounty Hunters | Extinguisher | SubZero |
Discovery Season 6 | Triple Crown (Untelevised Undercard Match)
Pardon My French (Undercard Match) |
P1 (Undercard Match) |
Faruq Tauheed Introductions[]
"She's riding into battle on a blazing saddle. Spin left, spin right. She's about to take flight. (To the tune of Ride of the Valkyries) Dun dun-dun-dun-dun-dun-dun-dun! It's VALKYRIE!"
"In her last battle, she scored a hundred percent on Botten Tomatoes. Critics gave it 4 scars and said the soundtrack was killer. Prepare to take flight, it's VALKYRIE!"
"She's no Queen of Hearts, but her high-powered spinner says "off with your treads!" Here comes the percussion of destruction, the conductor of carnage. It's VALKYRIE!"
"On wicked steeds, she flies from above. She's got the fight from the flight and the spinning bite. It's VALKYRIE!"
"Dun dun dun dun dun, VALKYRIE!"
"She's a marvel that's here to avenge. This Norse goddess will kick you in your arseguard and make you Thor. It's VALKYRIE!"
"Now performing at "Carnage-ie Hall," this bot will move you to tears with it's killer-sweet symphony. You're about to get Johann Sebastian CLOCKED. Sing it with me. (To the tune of "Ride of the Valkyries") Dun dun-dun-dun-dun-dun-dun! It's VALKYRIE!"
"This Boston bot is lots of fun, if you like getting spun. It's going to serve you up a bowl of slam chowder. Can't you hear the audience getting louder? It's because they see VALKYRIE!"
"This bot's already black blue, and it will bash you until you are too. Came down from her chariot in the sky, she's got girl power, she's your ride or die. It's VALKYRIE!"
"If this bot were a board game, it would be Chutes & Splatters. It's not Sorry, it's Trouble. Yahtzee? It's VALKYRIE!"
"It's Bach, and here to strike a chord. Prepare to Diechaikovsky because you'll be Wagnear death. It's VALKYRIE!"
"This brutal Bostonian machine is frostier than a Viking queen, and when you're home wondering what went wrong, you'll always hear its little song. (To the tune of Ride of the Valkyries) Dun dun-dun-dun-dun-dun-dun! (Audience joins in) VALKYRIE!"
"From Somerville, Massachusetts, this bot is here to Ragnarök your world, it’s VALKYRIE!"
"From Somerville, Massachusetts, her spinner's got a lethal amount of Norsepower, it's VALKYRIE!"
"This bot has the same name as a Tom Cruise flick, but beating her is Mission: Impossible if you catch my drift. She's beat A Few Good Men, burying opponents like a mummy, and when there's a prize on the line, she's like, 'Show me the money!' Give it up for our Top Gun, VALKYRIE!"
Trivia[]
- Unlike most bots, Valkyrie used a blue prime coat underneath its black paint from Season 4 onwards. This was later established that as fights went on, Valkyrie would "bleed blue" as opposed to just the usually expected chassis colors used by other bots.
- Valkyrie had two rematches in 2020 across the main season and BattleBots: Bounty Hunters - one against Whiplash and another against SubZero.
- Valkyrie would only win one of these four fights, however, in total.
- Valkyrie is the third bot who won the Most Destructive Robot award to defeat a robot who previously won the award.
- The 2020 season build of Valkyrie was sold to BattleBots fan Lars Bakker after the competition, who also picked up Reality in early 2022[1].
- Valkyrie is one of the only robots to be given a pronoun by their team and Faruq Tauheed, often referred to as "she" and "her".
- One of Valkyries undercutters is called "Sonic the Wedgehog."
References[]
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