In this special episode, we welcome Kekoto Maane, builder of some of the most unpredictable, off-meta, and surprisingly effective robots in the combat scene, including Kill It With Fire and the multi-bot marvel Power of Friendship. We dive into his creative process, why building “weird” works, and how he turns chaos into consistency.

The crew kicks off with a festive Halloween edition of Ryan’s Game Corner, featuring AI-generated costume concepts inspired by popular bots and builders. Then it’s on to Choose Your Champion, where everyone shares their top picks and predictions for the upcoming November NHRL qualifier across all weight classes.

Later, in our new Bot Lab segment, we throw absurd design prompts at each other...like building bots with no motors or that lose weight every 30 seconds...to see who can come up with the most chaotic concepts. Finally, we dive into the Listener Mailbag for some great questions from the community, covering Kekoto’s robot ideas, creative philosophy, and plans for future builds.

From jelly-covered arenas to Easy-Bake flamethrowers and 6-driver bots, this episode celebrates the imagination and ingenuity that makes robot combat so exciting.

Guest: Kekoto Maane – Builder of Power of Friendship, Kill It With Fire, and more

Background Music: "Together" by Out of Flux – https://artlist.io/royalty-free-music/song/together/137731"Shoujo" by Magiksolo – https://artlist.io/royalty-free-music/song/shoujo/137681"Sunshine Rider" by Dor-C – https://artlist.io/royalty-free-music/song/sunshine-rider/135317

Follow Havoc Rundown: All our socials, YouTube, and merch: https://linktr.ee/havocrundown

In this episode, we’re joined by Paige Clayfield, builder of Jelly Baby—one of NHRL’s most feared and consistent 3-pound control bots. Coming off her second dumpster win of the season, Paige walks us through the October 4th qualifier, the evolution of Jelly Baby’s design, and what it takes to dominate a division known for explosive spinners and fast turnarounds.

We also dive into a full recap of the October NHRL event, including standout performances in the 30-pound and 12-pound brackets, emotional moments from Maximizer, and the cage-breaking clash between Ares and Deadrise.

The episode opens with another chaotic edition of Ryan’s Game Corner, where the crew (with Paige’s help) struggles to guess the media references behind robot names—and slowly loses their minds in the process.

Later, we talk shop about forks, foam, floppy armor, and the power of orange juice. Paige shares advice for aspiring builders, reveals her dream matchup, and discusses the community-driven spirit that keeps her coming back to the box.

Guest: Paige Clayfield – Builder of Jelly Baby

Background Music:"Shoujo" by Magiksolo – https://artlist.io/royalty-free-music/song/shoujo/137681
"Blue Morning" by Johnny Gorillas – https://artlist.io/royalty-free-music/song/blue-morning/123397
"Coffee Stop" by Aves – https://artlist.io/royalty-free-music/song/coffee-stop/132138

Havoc Rundown Links: All our links, socials & merch: https://linktr.ee/havocrundown

In this episode, we welcome veteran builder and BattleBots driver Zach Lytle, the mind behind Skorpios and founder of Bot Bash, a hands-on educational robotics program that teaches kids engineering through real robot demos and engagement. Zach shares his journey from BattleBots to Bot Bash and walks us through what it takes to compete, teach, and grow the next generation of builders.

We kick things off with Ryan’s Game Corner, featuring a pumpkin spice-themed trivia challenge that spirals into total seasonal chaos. Then we dive into predictions for the upcoming NHRL World Championship qualifier, share insights on standout bots across weight classes, and discuss what makes NHRL such a unique competition environment.

Zach also opens up about his latest bot H-Bomb, what excites him about entering NHRL for the first time, and the importance of community support in combat robotics, from LEGO bots to 250-pound monsters.

Guest:Zach Lytle – Skorpios BattleBot / Bot Bash

Follow Zach & Skorpios:YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SkorpiosBattlebot
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/skorpios_battlebots/?hl=en
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SkorpiosBattleBot/
Bot Bash: https://botbashparty.com/

Background Music:
"Shoujo" by Magiksolo – https://artlist.io/royalty-free-music/song/shoujo/137681
"Late Brew" by Danny Shields – https://artlist.io/royalty-free-music/song/late-brew/137393
"Fold" by Nuer Self – https://artlist.io/royalty-free-music/song/fold/137527

Havoc Rundown Links:All our links, socials & merch: https://linktr.ee/havocrundown

For the final episode in our Around the World summer series, we’re handing the mic to Ryan for something completely different: a full-on trivia showdown. That’s right—this one’s all games, all chaos, and absolutely no structure.

Ryan takes over with a custom-built Jeopardy-style game covering everything from combat robot history to media appearances, obscure builder facts, and even some unhinged Over/Under challenges. The entire Havoc Rundown crew—Tony, Ashley, Megan, Thomas, and Justin—battle for trivia supremacy with custom buzzer sounds, questionable guesses, and a lot of shouting.

Expect nonsense, obscure facts, and a surprising amount of yelling about Gundams, syringes, and Mechagodzilla alloys. It’s loud, it’s weird, and it’s a lot of fun.

Huge thanks to all the builders who helped contribute questions and facts for this special episode!

Video: https://youtu.be/rVzlFX9J1Ro

Havoc Rundown LinksAll our links and socials: ⁠https://linktr.ee/havocrundown⁠

Background Music
"Kissing the Moon" by Skygaze – https://artlist.io/royalty-free-music/song/kissing-the-moon/135750
"Roll the Dice" by DG Pacino – https://artlist.io/royalty-free-music/song/roll-the-dice-no-lead-vocals/135538
"Post Bloom" by Skygaze – https://artlist.io/royalty-free-music/song/post-bloom/137449

In this episode of our Around the World summer series, we travel to Brazil to explore one of the most decorated and innovative combat robotics teams in the world: UaiRrior Robotics, builders of the legendary heavyweight Black Dragon.

We sit down with Pedro Paulo and Leonardo Labegalini from UaiRrior to talk about what makes Brazilian bots so resilient, how they’ve built a high-performance team from the ground up, and the unique role that universities play in keeping Brazil’s combat robotics scene thriving. From handmade electronics to homemade rivalries (complete with team fight songs), this is a deep dive into a community fueled by passion, precision, and a whole lot of heart.

We also discuss the rise of micro hockey bots, the challenges of sourcing materials in Brazil, and how the UaiRrior team manages to remain one of the most feared—and beloved—forces on the global stage.

Guests
Pedro Paulo & Leonardo Labegalini – UaiRrior Robotics

UaiRrior Links
Website: https://uairrior.com.br/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@uairrior

Background Music
"Morning Booster" by Elifas Sonaru – https://artlist.io/royalty-free-music/song/morning-booster/137482
"Bokeh" by Soundroll – https://artlist.io/royalty-free-music/song/bokeh/32670
"Extra Sauce" by Aves – https://artlist.io/royalty-free-music/song/extra-sauce/137138

Havoc Rundown Links
All our links and socials: https://linktr.ee/havocrundown

In this episode of the Havoc Rundown, we head to Australia as part of our “Around the World” summer series to spotlight one of the most creative forces in the southern hemisphere: Ben Hayton of Team Panic Robotics.

Ben shares the evolution of Australia’s combat robotics scene—from grassroots antweight events in backyard sheds to national featherweight championships—and what makes the Aussie bot community so unique. We explore differences in design philosophy, resource challenges, the joys of putting on a show, and why MDF arena floors change everything.

We also dive into Ben’s prolific catalog of bots (including the squeaky hammer-bot “Squeak” and the toaster-themed “Breakfast”), how he balances building and content creation, and his dream of building a robot on-the-fly with only what he can find at a local store.

Whether you’re a longtime viewer of Team Panic or curious about how combat robotics looks outside the US, this episode offers insight, laughs, and plenty of robot inspiration.

Guest
Ben Hayton – Founder of Team Panic Robotics

Team Panic Links
Team Panic Wiki: https://ultimate-robot-archive.fandom.com/wiki/Team_Panic
YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@TeamPanicRobotics

Background Music
"Street Life" by Johnny Gorillas – https://artlist.io/royalty-free-music/song/street-life/135338
"Raindrops" by Ariel Shalom – https://artlist.io/royalty-free-music/song/raindrops-instrumental-version/134999
"Evening Elegance" by Avni Vibes – https://artlist.io/royalty-free-music/song/evening-elegance/131780

Havoc Rundown Links
All our links and socials: https://linktr.ee/havocrundown

In this episode, we dive headfirst into the UK’s robot combat scene with two key voices behind Robot Rebellion: event organizer Gareth Anstee and head judge Ryan Bratley. Together with Justin and the Havoc Rundown crew, we explore how Robot Rebellion brings a uniquely British flavor to the sport, how their events have grown through grassroots passion and clever branding, and why their episodic YouTube content is setting a new bar for robot combat storytelling.

We discuss everything from the challenges of venue partnerships to the art of judging fights fairly—and even share some laugh-out-loud moments, like the saga of inflatable bananas and a rogue robot supervisor named Mortis. Plus, Ryan and Gareth drop advice for international builders, cultural differences in robot design philosophy, and which UK bots you need to be watching.

Whether you're a seasoned NHRL fan or curious about the global combat robotics scene, this episode delivers insight, inspiration, and plenty of laughs.

Guests
Gareth Anstee – Founder of Robot Rebellion
Ryan Bratley – Head Judge of Robot Rebellion

Robot Rebellion Links
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RobotRebellionUK
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@RobotRebellion

Featured Music
"Home Cookin’" by Jimit: https://artlist.io/royalty-free-music/song/home-cookin/136470
"Sunset" by Ben Handler & Randy Sharp: https://artlist.io/royalty-free-music/song/sunset-creative-cut-chill/136488
"Level Up" by Aves: https://artlist.io/royalty-free-music/song/level-up/137094

Follow Havoc Rundown
All our links: https://linktr.ee/havocrundown

In this episode of the Havoc Rundown’s "Robots Around the World" series, the crew sits down with Tim Bouwens, the builder behind BattleBots' Ominous and the NHRL standout Wajoo. Broadcasting from the Netherlands, Tim shares his journey through nearly two decades of combat robotics—starting with antweights, building a four-wheel-drive featherweight that’s still winning, and eventually reaching global stages like NHRL, China, and BattleBots. We dive deep into the Dutch combat robotics scene, including its transformation from backyard hangouts to organized events with steel-floored arenas and crowdfunding-powered infrastructure. Tim also breaks down how Wajoo ended up so impossibly thin, why modular design is essential for international travel, and what makes the European competition culture unique. The crew covers everything from arena floors to lithium battery chaos at airports to Lars—the mythical collector who owns a heavyweight museum in his upstairs apartment. We also dig into Tim's experience as the president of Dutch Robot Games, the rise of the Netherlands as a competitive hub, the future of fire meta in robot design, and how touring bands and robots sometimes share the same road cases. Packed with insight, chaos, and cultural crossover, this episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in how combat robotics is growing worldwide.

Lars’ Robot Collection: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups/56319454480/search/?q=lars%20weaving%20bakker⁠

Featured Music:

• Silent Night by Aves: https://artlist.io/royalty-free-music/song/silent-night-beats-to-study-to/76754

• Summer Groove by Avni Vibes: https://artlist.io/royalty-free-music/song/summer-groove/131778

• Body in a Half Light by Gvidon: https://artlist.io/royalty-free-music/song/body-in-a-half-light/51896

Support & Follow:

• Buy Me a Coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/havocrundown

• Havoc Rundown Merch, Discord, Socials: https://linktr.ee/havocrundown

We’re kicking off our Robots Around the World summer series with a visit to the Great White North! In this episode, we sit down with Team Unforeseen Consequences, the Canadian builders behind the terrifying melty brain robot Demon Core. We talk about how they got started, what makes the Canadian combat robotics scene unique, and how they engineered a 30lb bot that sounds like something out of a sci-fi nightmare.

We dive into their experience at NHRL, their last-minute flight fiascos, the joys of testing terrifying machines in small garages, and how they plan to evolve Demon Core after a strong showing in June. There’s plenty of technical talk, great laughs, and a heated debate about the best poutine in Canada (spoiler: Costco fans, rise up).

Plus, we answer your listener questions, discuss scaling melty brains to larger weight classes, and hear some incredible stories about inspiring the next generation of builders.

🎵 Music by:

• “Baby” by EG404

• “Crème” by Barrell

• “Forgotten Dreams” by Aves

📲 Links & Support:

• Linktree: https://linktr.ee/havocrundown

• Merch: https://www.bonfire.com/havoc-rundown-tee/

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61553209148845

On this episode of Havoc Rundown, the team dives into the June NHRL event to recap the most explosive moments from all three brackets. From Monkfish’s relentless run in the 3s, to Full Court’s suffocating dominance in the 12s, to Red Storm’s suplex-powered 30lb championship win, it’s a full breakdown of the chaos, upsets, and highlights that defined the event.

Special guest Kevin Milczewski joins the Rundown to talk all things control bots—from his suplex-savvy design choices in Red Storm and Timber Viper to his sportsmanship in the finals and strategies for lifting (and flipping) house bots. He also answers a jam-packed Listener Mailbag with questions about drivetrain design, dual-jaw lifters, robot testing rituals, and why he almost welded a chair to his heavyweight.

Also in this episode:

• Fantasy League shakeups and surprise MVPs

• The evolving fire bot meta and how teams are starting to counter it

• A discussion on Kill Switch, Dutch Oven, and other bracket standouts

• Thomas’s airbag-free conspiracy theories and very serious questions about Timber Viper’s timber-vipe potential

🎧 Music in this episode:

• Ryan Montbleau – “Break the Silence”

• Aves – “Forgotten Dreams”

• Shinto – “Dinner”

Grab merch, support the show, and follow us at https://linktr.ee/havocrundown
Thanks to our partner Just Cuz Robotics – https://justcuzrobotics.com/