Rules - Revision history

Chklnk: /* Outcome variant */ Better tie

2025-10-25T06:19:09Z

Outcome variant: Better tie

Chklnk: /* Local rules */ Simplify/edit

2025-10-25T06:16:10Z

Local rules: Simplify/edit

Chklnk: Update local groups link; new SPARC judging

2025-10-05T00:00:49Z

Update local groups link; new SPARC judging

Chklnk: /* Standardized rules */ Add MRCA

2025-01-20T07:55:18Z

Standardized rules: Add MRCA

Chklnk: Tweak

2024-07-07T05:53:06Z

Tweak

Chklnk: Update links SPARC

2024-04-30T04:26:22Z

Update links SPARC

Chklnk: /* Standardized rules */ Return of SPARC

2024-01-13T04:16:17Z

Standardized rules: Return of SPARC

Chklnk: Restructure Rules section

2024-01-06T03:55:08Z

Restructure Rules section

Chklnk: NHRL renaming sweep

2024-01-01T08:32:47Z

NHRL renaming sweep

Chklnk: Clarify variety of rules in USA; more about local variations in arenas

2023-11-29T04:06:05Z

Clarify variety of rules in USA; more about local variations in arenas

@@ Line 48: / Line 48: @@
 *2 points awarded to the survivor when the other bot is knocked out, disabled, or falls into a pit ('''Win''')
 *2 points awarded if the opponent is disqualified or forfeits the match before it starts ('''Bye''')
-*1 point awarded to each bot remaining after time expires and the match is over ('''Tie''')
+*1 point awarded to each bot remaining in play after time expires and the match is over ('''Tie''')
 *0 points for a bot that is knocked out, disabled, or falls into a pit ('''Loss''')
 *0 points awarded to a bot that is not ready for combat or is disqualified ('''Forfeit''')

@@ Line 17: / Line 17: @@
 ==Local rules==
-When building your robot, decide which '''[[events]]''' you plan to compete in, learn which standard rules are in use, and check for exceptions or changes to the rules that may affect you.  Generally events are '''[[Local Groups|locally run]]''', and each is different, with rules adapted to the local requirements and situation, including the event venue, number of available volunteers or workers, and arena type.  Here are some examples of local variations:
+For many bot builders, travel to multiple locations to compete isn't practical.  Multi-city leagues are unusual, and unlike football, the arena of play is not standardized.  So when building your robot, decide which '''[[events]]''' you plan to compete in, and check for changes to the rules from one event to another. Most events are '''[[Local Groups|locally run]]''', and their rules adapt to the local requirements and situations:
-* '''Arenas''' - For many bot builders, travel to multiple locations to compete isn't practical.  Consequently, multi-city leagues are unusual, and unlike football, the arena of play is not standardized.  Some arenas have metal floors, some wood; some will have pits or fences, while others do not; some arenas have thick, heavy polycarbonate windows while others can safely contain only bots with lower total weapon energy.
+* '''Arenas''' - Some arenas have metal floors, some wood; some will have pits or fences, while others do not; some arenas have thick, heavy polycarbonate windows while others can safely contain only bots with lower total weapon energy.
-* '''Venues''' vary as well; for example, many if not most local clubs meet in event spaces where open flame isn't allowed, preventing the use of fire weapons. The use of power tools may be restricted to a safe area or even banished to the outdoors.
+* '''Venues''' vary as well; in many event spaces, open flame isn't allowed, preventing the use of fire weapons. The use of power tools may be restricted to a safe area or even banished to the outdoors.
 * When '''Volunteers''' are scarce or unavailable, the event may be streamlined in various ways, such as simplified judging (see below).
 * '''Match time''' is most typically 3 minutes; however, if there are many competitors or other event time restrictions, two-minute matches are common.

@@ Line 17: / Line 17: @@
 ==Local rules==
-When building your robot, decide which '''[[events]]''' you plan to compete in, learn which standard rules are in use, and check for exceptions or changes to the rules that may affect you.  Generally events are locally run, and each is different, with rules adapted to the local requirements and situation, including the event venue, number of available volunteers or workers, and arena type.  Here are some examples of local variations:
+When building your robot, decide which '''[[events]]''' you plan to compete in, learn which standard rules are in use, and check for exceptions or changes to the rules that may affect you.  Generally events are '''[[Local Groups|locally run]]''', and each is different, with rules adapted to the local requirements and situation, including the event venue, number of available volunteers or workers, and arena type.  Here are some examples of local variations:
 * '''Arenas''' - For many bot builders, travel to multiple locations to compete isn't practical.  Consequently, multi-city leagues are unusual, and unlike football, the arena of play is not standardized.  Some arenas have metal floors, some wood; some will have pits or fences, while others do not; some arenas have thick, heavy polycarbonate windows while others can safely contain only bots with lower total weapon energy.
 * '''Venues''' vary as well; for example, many if not most local clubs meet in event spaces where open flame isn't allowed, preventing the use of fire weapons. The use of power tools may be restricted to a safe area or even banished to the outdoors.
@@ Line 26: / Line 26: @@
 There are several different methods to judge a robot combat match.
-Generally, if a robot is disabled, thrown out of bounds, or unable to travel normally on the arena floor, the judges will determine that the robot has lost the match.
+Generally, if a robot is disabled, thrown out of bounds, or unable to travel normally on the arena floor, that the robot has lost the match.
-If neither bot is disabled or disqualified, judges must render a decision. This is usually done with a point system weighted to bring out the best in bot designers and drivers, but designed never to result in a tie. For example, judges under SPARC rules give points for Aggression (5 points), Damage (6 points) and Control (6 points), but shared between two opponents.
+If neither bot is disabled or disqualified, judges must render a decision. This is usually done with a point system weighted to bring out the best in bot designers and drivers, but designed never to result in a tie. For example, judges under newer SPARC rules give points for Damage (4 points) and Engagement (5 points), with each shared between two opponents.
-If both robots appear to have suffered equal damage, each would receive equal points (3 each) using the SPARC rules. If both also exhibited equal control ability, both would receive 3 points. The judges must weigh which driver was the more aggressive to break the tie. However, it's possible on some point scoring systems for 2 of 3 judges to believe one robot has won, but the 3rd judge assigns enough points to override them.
+Suppose both robots appear to have suffered equal damage; each would receive 2 points using the SPARC rules. The judges must then weigh which driver better controlled the flow of the match to break the tie.
 ==Edge cases==
@@ Line 36: / Line 36: @@
 A "one free unstick" rule may also apply to bots that have become entangled or locked together.
 ==Judge's Call variant==
@@ Line 49: / Line 52: @@
 *0 points awarded to a bot that is not ready for combat or is disqualified ('''Forfeit''')
-This system is ideal for informal matches and usually doesn't require impartial judgment. However, it's important that the term "disabled" is clearly defined and understood by all participants.
+This system is fine for informal matches and usually doesn't require impartial judgment. However, it's important that the term "disabled" is clearly defined and understood by all participants.
 Since all types of bots must be able to disable their opponent, it's best if this variant is played in an arena with pits or other hazards that will potentially allow wedge bots and partially damaged bots a chance to win.

@@ Line 9: / Line 9: @@
 *'''[https://sparc.tools/ Standard Procedures for the Advancement of Robot Combat]''', publisher of numerous resources for arena construction, competitors, judges, and more.<br />SPARC has the most commonly used reference guides for robot construction and match Procedures. Event organizers discuss SPARC rules changes regularly.
 *'''[http://www.nerc.us/ Northeast Robotics Club]''', a prominent competitive organization - [http://www.nerc.us/rules.html NERC Rules]
 *'''[https://www.fightingrobots.co.uk/ Fighting Robot Association]''' is centered in the UK - most events in Europe use their [https://www.fightingrobots.co.uk/content/23-rules-and-safety_1 FRA Rules]
 *'''[https://www.nhrl.io/ National Havoc Robot League]''' have their own [https://www.nhrl.io/rules NHRL Rules]

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 =Robot Combat Rules=
-Robot combat has several organizations that develop rules of play. These rules typically cover both robot construction and match procedures. However, in the USA there is no national league or governing body defining local rules. The sport is still young, and each event can choose its own rules, experiment, and innovate.
+Robot combat has several organizations that develop rules of play. The rules cover both robot construction and match procedures. However, in the USA there is no national league or governing body defining local rules. The sport is still young, and each event can choose its own rules, experiment, and innovate.
 Good rules ensure fair fights, impartial judging decisions, and most of all, uniform standards of safety.
@@ Line 16: / Line 16: @@
 ==Local rules==
-When building your robot, decide which '''[[events]]''' you plan to compete in, learn which standard rules are in use, and check for exceptions or changes to the rules that may affect you.  Generally events are locally run, and each is different, with rules adapted to the local requirements and situation, including the event venue, number of available volunteers or workers, and arena type.
+When building your robot, decide which '''[[events]]''' you plan to compete in, learn which standard rules are in use, and check for exceptions or changes to the rules that may affect you.  Generally events are locally run, and each is different, with rules adapted to the local requirements and situation, including the event venue, number of available volunteers or workers, and arena type.  Here are some examples of local variations:
 * '''Arenas''' - For many bot builders, travel to multiple locations to compete isn't practical.  Consequently, multi-city leagues are unusual, and unlike football, the arena of play is not standardized.  Some arenas have metal floors, some wood; some will have pits or fences, while others do not; some arenas have thick, heavy polycarbonate windows while others can safely contain only bots with lower total weapon energy.
 * '''Venues''' vary as well; for example, many if not most local clubs meet in event spaces where open flame isn't allowed, preventing the use of fire weapons. The use of power tools may be restricted to a safe area or even banished to the outdoors.
 * When '''Volunteers''' are scarce or unavailable, the event may be streamlined in various ways, such as simplified judging (see below).
 =Judging Systems=

@@ Line 7: / Line 7: @@
 Here are some of the organizations which have published rules and guidelines for robot combat events. You can freely download and read any of these rules.
-*'''[http://sparc.tools/ Standard Procedures for the Advancement of Robot Combat]''', publisher of numerous resources for arena construction, competitors, judges, and more. These are the most commonly used rules for [http://sparc.tools/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2019/SPARC_Robot_Construction_Specifications_v1.3.pdf SPARC Robot Construction] and [http://sparc.tools/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/SPARC_Match_Rules_v1.2.pdf SPARC Match Procedures]. Event organizers discuss SPARC rules changes regularly. <br />''Note: Site temporarily down at beginning of 2024''
+*'''[http://sparc.tools/ Standard Procedures for the Advancement of Robot Combat]''', publisher of numerous resources for arena construction, competitors, judges, and more.<br />SPARC has the most commonly used reference guides for [http://sparc.tools/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2019/SPARC_Robot_Construction_Specifications_v1.3.pdf Robot Construction] and [http://sparc.tools/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/SPARC_Match_Rules_v1.2.pdf Match Procedures]. Event organizers discuss SPARC rules changes regularly.
 *'''[http://www.nerc.us/ Northeast Robotics Club]''', a prominent competitive organization - [http://www.nerc.us/rules.html NERC Rules]
 *'''[https://www.fightingrobots.co.uk/ Fighting Robot Association]''' is centered in the UK - most events in Europe use their [https://www.fightingrobots.co.uk/content/23-rules-and-safety_1 FRA Rules]
 *'''[https://www.nhrl.io/ National Havoc Robot League]''' has their own [https://www.nhrl.io/rules NHRL Rules]
-*'''[https://battlebots.com/ BattleBots]''' is a TV show with 250 pound fighting robots - [https://battlebots.com/rules/ BattleBots Rules] are adjusted yearly
+*'''[https://battlebots.com/ BattleBots]''' is a TV show with 250 pound fighting robots - [https://battlebots.com/rules/ BattleBots Rules] are reviewed yearly
 (National Robotics League is not on this list because only students on authorized teams may participate.)

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 = Robot Combat Rules =
-Robot combat has several organizations that develop rules of play. These rules typically cover both robot construction and match procedures. However, there is no national or global league or governing body defining local rules. The sport is still young, and each event can choose its own rules, experiment, and innovate.
+Robot combat has several organizations that develop rules of play. These rules typically cover both robot construction and match procedures. However, in the USA there is no national league or governing body defining local rules. The sport is still young, and each event can choose its own rules, experiment, and innovate.
-For most bot builders, travel to many locations to compete isn't practical, so multi-city leagues are unusual, and so there is limited standardization in arenas. Rules have instead focused on ensuring things like fair fights, impartial judging decisions, and most of all, uniform standards of safety.
+For most bot builders, travel to many locations to compete isn't practical, so multi-city leagues are unusual, and so there is limited standardization in arenas.  Some arenas have metal floors, some wood; some will have pits or fences, while others do not; some arenas have thick, heavy polycarbonate windows while others can safely contain bots with lower total weapon energy.  Rules must adapt to the local requirements, as well as ensuring things like fair fights, impartial judging decisions, and most of all, uniform standards of safety.
-Before building your robot, figure out which '''[[Events|event]]''' you are building for. Most event organizers will use standard rules from one of the groups listed below, but will make changes for their arena, their judging situation, or other local requirements. Get the rules from your event. Read them carefully and check for exceptions or changes to the standard rules that may affect you. Also be aware that any event organizer may disqualify a robot if they feel something about it is unsafe, so if you think you've found a loophole or workaround to make your bot more destructive, clear it with the event organizer before you show up.
+Before building your robot, figure out which '''[[Events|event]]''' you are building for. Most event organizers will use standard rules from one of the groups listed below, but will make changes for their arena, their judging situation, or other local requirements. Get the rules from your event organizers. Read them carefully and check for exceptions or changes to the standard rules that may affect you. Also be aware that any event organizer may disqualify a robot if they feel something about it is unsafe, so if you think you've found a loophole or workaround to make your bot more destructive, clear it with the event organizer before you show up.
 Here are some of the organizations which have published rules and guidelines for robot combat events. You can freely download and read any of these rules.