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/

The June 7th NHRL event is almost here, and the Havoc Rundown crew is breaking it all down! We’re joined by fantasy league front-runner Dan Dischino for a stat-packed episode featuring Ryan’s chaotic new game “Over and Under,” where the house is out for blood. We preview the June event by weight class, spotlighting returning legends like Dutch Oven, Megatron, Red Storm, and fan-favorites like Big Frank and Monkfish. From flame bot meta shifts to melty brain enthusiasm, we dig into evolving strategies, emotional storylines, and what it takes to draft a championship team. Plus, listener questions, rabbit mascots, and the emotional core of combat robotics. This is the most stacked episode yet—don’t miss it.

Special Guest:
Dan Dischino – Fantasy League Leader, Team Brandeis

Segments:

• 🎲 Game Corner: “Over and Under”

• 🔍 June NHRL Preview

• 🎙️ Five in Focus: Interview with Dan Dischino

• 📬 Listener Mailbag

  
  

Music Featured:
🎵 Sunshine Rider by Dor-c
🎵 Oblivion by Benny Bronco
🎵 On My Own by Sedley Beats

🎧 Follow us, grab some merch, or join the fantasy league: linktr.ee/havocrundown

In this exciting episode of The Havoc Rundown, Justin and the team dive headfirst into the world of combat robotics! Special guest Brian Boxell, creator and driver of the formidable robot Eruption, shares his journey from WPI student to competitive builder and event host. Alongside co-hosts Ryan, Ashley, and Thomas, Brian reflects on his evolution as a builder, the lessons learned from countless iterations of his robots, and the unique challenges of hosting Boxelmania. The conversation covers the origins of Eruption and its transformation into a top contender, how Brian's father joined the combat robotics scene with his robot Caldera, and funny anecdotes about 20-ton presses in living rooms and lipo battery hoarding. Brian shares strategies for aspiring builders and emphasizes the importance of starting small before tackling BattleBots. The episode also features a heated round of Ryan’s Game Corner that pits everyone against “the house.” Packed with laughs, insider tips, and a heartfelt look at the passion driving the combat robotics community, this episode is one you don’t want to miss. Stay tuned for the championship bot breakdowns and Brian’s unique perspective on what it takes to succeed in the sport.

Episode:

Featuring background music by Barrel (‘Takin a Walk’) and Steven Beddall (‘Taste of Freedom’)

Special Thanks to:

Brian Boxell

Join the chaos! Connect with fellow fans on our Discord, grab exclusive merch from our Bonfire store, and explore all our content at https://linktr.ee/havocrundown

In this episode of the Havoc Rundown, we dive into the latest developments in competitive robotics. We’re joined by special guest Ricky Willems, Safety Director at the National Havoc Robot League (NHRL) and the builder of the legendary BattleBot, Mammoth. Ricky helps us unpack the newly updated 2025 robot design rules, offering detailed insights into what these changes mean for builders, competitors, and the league as a whole. We explore the motivations behind these rule updates, focusing on their implications for innovation, safety, and audience engagement.

Throughout this episode, we break down key aspects of the new regulations, including weight bonuses, weapon lock standards, and the approval process for true walkers. Ricky shares the strategic planning that went into these updates and how the NHRL aims to balance fairness, creativity, and competitive integrity. We discuss the challenges of evolving the sport to accommodate cutting-edge designs while maintaining accessibility for new builders and ensuring the safety of competitors and spectators.

Whether you’re a die-hard fan, a curious newcomer, or someone fascinated by the evolution of combat robotics, this episode is packed with everything you need to stay informed. Join us for expert analysis, engaging conversations, and a deep dive into how these new rules will shape the future of robot combat.

Special Thanks to:

Safety Director Ricky Willems

Want to join our discord, grab merch and more:

https://linktr.ee/havocrundown

In this special episode of The Havoc Rundown, we take a more relaxed approach and are joined by Luke Stangle from Behind the Bots for an easy-going conversation packed with laughs and stories. We recount the October 26th event, sharing behind-the-scenes anecdotes like why Luke appeared on camera dressed as a forgotten pineapple and the unexpected chaos that followed.

We introduce a spontaneous new game, "The Pitch Room," where we brainstorm quirky and outrageous robot names that left us all in stitches. Plus, we delve into the standout moments of the competition, from Wazoo’s impressive, ultra-compact design to Monkfish's game-changing match-ups. This episode blends humor, robotics, and plenty of surprises that are sure to keep listeners entertained.

Tune in for a fun-filled rundown brimming with lighthearted chaos and exclusive insights!

Special Thanks to:

Luke Stangle from Behind the Bots

Check out our spotify page, merch store and more:

https://linktr.ee/havocrundown

Like the Background Music:

Urban Late Night by Amit Dagan

Velvet Sky by Ariel Shalom

Our October 26th preview episode is finally here! In this episode, we sit down with the incredible Team Honeycracked to explore their journey from fierce competitors to influential mentors and educators in the combat robotics community. We dive into their experiences in the arena, how they balance building bots with mentoring young builders, and the evolution of their successful program. We also preview the upcoming NHRL competition, sharing the robots and matchups we're most excited to see. Whether you're a die-hard combat robotics fan or just curious about the sport, join us for a fun-filled episode packed with insider knowledge, listener questions, and plenty of laughs as we chat with Team Honeycracked about their passion for building and teaching the next generation of robot enthusiasts.

Special Thanks to: Zoe Lambert Cody Graham Zach Stachelczyk

Want to listen to other episodes, join our discord to ask a mailbag question or buy a shirt!

https://linktr.ee/havocrundown

In this exciting episode of The Havoc Rundown, We welcome Brandon Young, a renowned combat robotics builder and Golden Dumpster winner. Our pit control crew then dive into Brandon’s journey from early designs to becoming a top competitor in the world of combat robotics. Brandon shares his insights on building innovative 12 and 30-pound robots, his design philosophies, and how he sees the future of the sport evolving. The team also enjoys a fun game of "Name That Bot" and recaps recent events in the combat robotics community, including Boxelmania and Mechanical Mayhem 3. Whether you’re a seasoned fan or new to combat robotics, this episode is packed with knowledge, laughs, and inspiration.

Don't miss this captivating conversation with one of the sport's brightest minds!

Special Thanks to:

Brandon Bennett Young

Check out our socials, catch new episodes, buy some merch, join our discord and more!!!

https://linktr.ee/havocrundown

In this exciting episode, we are joined by international superstar Tony Clifton for a lively discussion blending music and the world of robot combat. We dive into Tony's musical journey, including his chart-topping hit "I Hate Frank," inspired by a rival robot, and explore recent events in at NHRL. We ask Tony some important fan questions, we have fun segments like "Name That Bot," and dive into some insights into building robots, including Mr. Roper's underdog story and the birth of Sparky. We also discuss the importance of personas in robotics, showmanship, and the camaraderie that defines the NHRL community. Whether you're a fan of music, robot combat, or both, this episode offers a unique blend of entertainment, creativity, and innovation.

Special Thanks to:

International Superstar Tony Clifton

Mark Rennie

In this episode, we're thrilled to welcome special guest J Lee from The Kinekitsu Combat Group, a talented bot builder and fellow content creator. J and Thomas face off in an exciting new game devised by our gamemaster Ryan called "Name That Bot!" where they test their knowledge of combat robots by guessing a bots name using clues Ryan gives them. We also break down the action-packed bracket rounds from our Teams event that were just released on YouTube, with a special focus on standout matches like the nail-biting 3lb final between Eruption and Beetlejuice. Each of us then shares our picks for the bots to watch in our upcoming September event, choosing one 3lb, 12lb, and 30lb bot that we think will dominate the competition. Join us as we discuss what makes these bots stand out and which ones we’re most excited to see battle it out!

Make sure to check out J's new merch store: https://www.kinekitsu.com/

as well as our Linktree: https://linktr.ee/havocrundown

Special Thanks to:

J Lee make sure to check them out at our September event!

Like the background music:

Gaussian Blur by Neon Beach: https://app.soundstripe.com/songs/17064

Solar Wav by Gemm: https://app.soundstripe.com/songs/16960

Saved by the Tell by Sam Barsh: https://app.soundstripe.com/songs/1624

In this exciting episode, we sit down with Kevin Biagini and Ariel Smith, the brilliant minds behind Team Pandamonium, one of the most formidable combat robotics teams competing at the NHRL. Join us as Kevin and Ariel share the origin story of Team Pandamonium, revealing the inspiration behind their unique name and how their passion for robotics brought them together.

We dive into their thrilling victory in the beetleweight division at the Teams Event, where they earned the coveted Golden Dumpster trophy. The duo also takes us behind the scenes, explaining the intriguing process of building a robot using black powder, a technique we are sure the fire marshals at NHRL are going to love. Finally, we explore what the future holds for Team Pandamonium as they continue to innovate and dominate the world of combat robotics.

Don't miss this deep dive into the world of robot combat with two of the most creative and determined builders in the field!

Special Thanks:

Kevin Biagini

Ariel Smith

Background Music:

"Reeqs Of Hubris" - https://app.soundstripe.com/songs/17097

&

"Shiver Walk" - https://app.soundstripe.com/songs/17103

Both by Tony Sopiano

We’re back with a highly anticipated episode featuring a special guest: Kelly Biderman, the CEO of NHRL! Join us for an exclusive interview where we dive into Kelly's journey before NHRL, explore the current state of the league, and get an exciting glimpse into the future of the sport. In this episode, we ask Kelly some burning questions:

• What is it like being the CEO of NHRL?

• What are the future plans with the primetime tables?

• What does the academy kit look like, and is there a release date?

• What challenges were faced when planning events outside the House of Havoc, and what was learned for next year?

And much more! Don't miss this opportunity to hang out with us and get a special peek behind the curtain. Tune in now for an in-depth conversation with the leader of NHRL, right before the Teams event hits the big screen!

Special Thanks to:

Special Guest Co-Host: Gwen Mcguire

Special Guest:  Kelly Biderman

If you like the background music:

Tower of Gower by Sam Barsh: https://app.soundstripe.com/songs/16584

Morning Macchiato by Sam Barsh: https://app.soundstripe.com/songs/15258

We are back and this time we are talking to mad cat themed robot building genius himself Tom Farkas!! We get to know this fan favorite builder a little better and find out some of his favorite moments from the June NHRL event.  Every wanted to know what got Tom into combat robotics? What about why the robot Death Muffin is called that or what it was like building gigapaws. More importantly what is in the future for Paws and Frank?? Find out all of this and more on this episode of The Havoc Rundown!

Special Thanks to Tom Farkas

Like the background music:

Take a Breath by JeesGuy: https://app.soundstripe.com/songs/15024

Smooth Perpetrator by Sam Barsh: https://app.soundstripe.com/songs/14275

Want to help the podcast out visit our buy me a coffee page at https://buymeacoffee.com/havocrundown

This one’s for the family bots and fantasy league fanatics! In this jam-packed episode, we dive into the unforgettable May NHRL Event, spotlighting Sad Octopus’s phenomenal semifinal run and the Garen family behind the bot. Cameron, Patrick, and Nora join us to share their journey—from foam wheels to custom casting, from test matches at home to taking down Cold Snap.

🦑 We also break down other major May storylines:

• The rise of fire bots and how they’re reshaping the meta

• Fantasy League shakeups and Ryan’s redemption arc

• Standout performances from Chaos Upright, Waddles, Open Hell, and more

• Prime Time surprises and the ever-evolving competition landscape

🎮 Ryan brings back the Name Game in Game Corner (spoiler: the house gets some points), and we close things out with our biggest Listener Mailbag yet—shoutout to the community for top-tier questions.

💡 Five in Focus gets personal with the Garen family, touching on design origins, sibling rivalries, and what it’s like to build and battle together.

🎶 Music in this episode:

• "Will You Dance With Me" by Lalnea

• "Good Morning" by Barrell

• "Better" by Aves
  🎧 Music licensed via Artlist.io

📌 Links Mentioned:

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

• Cameron and Nora’s YouTube (DuckBots): https://www.youtube.com/@DuckBots66

🙌 Subscribe, share, and join our Discord for live event chatter, fantasy league updates, and more from the world of combat robotics.

We are back again with a follow up of our special teams event that happened on June 1st. This was an invite only event where teams of three bots, a 3lb a 12lb and a 30lb, all competed together. In order to get an idea of what it's like in these intense fights we brought on two of our amazing Referees Gwen McGuire and Libby Albanese! We sit down with them to see what it is like being an NHRL referee and how they got to where they are. What was the most amazing fight they have ever been on the sideline for? Has a bot almost taken one of their hands off? Will we see them compete in the future? Learn the answers to these questions and more as well as a breakdown of the fights from June!

Special Thanks to:

Gwen McGuire

Libby Albanese

If you like the background music:

Risky by Afternoonz: https://app.soundstripe.com/songs/11663

Lilting by Sam Barsh: https://app.soundstripe.com/songs/15259

Support the Podcast: https://buymeacoffee.com/havocrundown

We find ourselves in between events so the only reasonable thing to do is site down and get to know one of our favorite people at NHRL...Rob Sarakin!! If you have ever been to NHRL or participated in an event Rob is one of the head safety officers and is the one responsible for giving the safety speech in the morning as well as retrieving smoldering robots from cages. We start off playing our own NHRl themed version of the um actually game from Dropout. We then ask Rob how he became a henchman, when we will see him competing again and even turn into a DND podcast for a few minutes. Come hang out with us and get to know Rob a little better!

Special Thanks to:

Rob Sarakin

If you like the background music:

Storm Before the Calm by LNDO: https://app.soundstripe.com/songs/16092

Return of the Villian by Ghost Beatz: https://app.soundstripe.com/songs/16113

Consider helping the podcast:

https://buymeacoffee.com/havocrundown

Hey everyone we are here with your NHRL April 20th Pre event show! This is going to be an action packed event so in order to get us ready we brought on a very good friend of the show, mastermind behind Maximizer, Jake Hoffmann!! Ryan debuts a new game we are calling "Spot the bot" were he challenges Jake and Thomas to spot the fake robot name. We also talk to Jake about being a part of leading member of the University of Cincinnati Robotics team, What we can expect from Maximizer this event and who he would love to fight if he was given the chance. We also go over some of the bots that will be attending including the latest offerings from Jamison Go and Brandon Bennett Young. Come hang out with us and let us know what you are looking forward to the most this event!!

Special Thanks to:

Jake Hoffmann Dwight Snowberger Chris Capps

If you like the background music:

So Easy by Jed Stark: https://app.soundstripe.com/songs/14733

One Shot by Thorr: https://app.soundstripe.com/songs/8075

Hey Everyone we are back with a new episode this time with our first returning guest Jimmy Gibson!! Jimmy is with us to help us break down the RIT event and answering a bunch of behind the scenes questions on how the event is going to work as well as what to look forward to.  We also pry some info out of him about the June 1st event, the new way all of the cages are going to be arranged and more! Come hang out with us while we pick Jimmy’s brain and get everyone excited for what is to come for the rest of the year!

Special Thanks to:

Jimmy Gibson

Dwight Snowberger

Jeffrey Schulmberg

Support the Podcast: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/havocrundown

Like the background Music:

Lilting by Sam Barsh - https://app.soundstripe.com/songs/15259

This episode we delve into the March 2nd event with fan turned builder Michael Cross, builder of Stag Beetle Bot. We pick Michael's brain a bit finding out what got him into robotics, who his biggest inspiration and mentors are as well as his build philosophy for Stag. We also go over some of our favorite things from March including the trial run of King of the Hill and Kazia's curse breaking top 4 finish with Chainsaw Kitty. Come hang out with us and make sure to tell us how you think March went.

Special Thanks to:

Michael Cross

Kekoto Maane

Dwight Snowberger

Like the Background Music:

Music: High Rise by PaulFromPayroll

/ thepayrollguy

Support by RFM - NCM: https://bit.ly/2xGHypM

This episode we highlight some of the bots we are excited to see at our March 2nd NHRL event. We wanted to bring in someone huge to help us talk about our first event of the year that will feature some heavy hitter veterans. Who else but the Master if the stats himself...Gil Hova!!!! Thats right everyone, we have the wizard himself in the house to talk about what bots he is looking forward to. We also have some amazing builders who have sent in audio clips detailing the bots they will be brining. So sit down with us and get to know Gil a little better as well as find out about some of the amazing bots who will be attending our March event.

Special Thanks to:

- Micah Farris

- Brandon Young

- Brian Thornberg

- Dwight Snowberger

- Jake Hoffman

- Kekoto Maane

- Liam King

- Michael Cross

- Seth Schaffer

- Zoe Lambert

Do you like the background music:

Artist: DeKobe - https://goo.gl/GNPz22

Genre: Hip Hop & Rap - https://goo.gl/q340To

Mood: Calm - https://goo.gl/3LjFLq

This episode we sit down with famed Youtuber, NHRL competitor and businessman Seth Schaffer. We talk to him about his experience in the combat robotics world and what it was like starting his own business. Have you ever used one of Seth's parts and wondered what its liek designing and manufacturing that part? Have you ever watched Division fight and wondered where the idea and design for that bot came from? Do you aspire to make combat robotics something that makes you money? Come hang out with us while we get to the bottom of these questions and more!

Special Thanks to our guest Seth Schaffer as well as to community Transmissions contributor Julian Papasian!

Love the episode but think we could sound better well hop on over to our buymeacoffee page and throw a few robot parts our way: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/havocrundown

Want to contribute your own audio clips and questions for our guests well hop on over to our discord to participate: https://discord.gg/Q3rsjdX3

Did you like the background music and want to hear more?

Music: Divergence by Filo Starquez is licensed under a Creative Commons License.

https://creativecommons.org/licenses/...

https://hypeddit.com/filostarquez/div...

Support by RFM - NCM: https://bit.ly/2xGHypM

We are back with our January 2024 New Bots event post show. This was such a huge and amazing event we couldn't possibly contain it to one podcast so we brought on some help. Joining us is Chris DeCiccio, Lindsay Baer and Luke Stangel from the Behind the Bots podcast!! We talk about:

Are Multi-bots the new 3lb meta?

How did Behind the Bots get started?

Where Clyde got the idea for Bed Side?

What exactly is a builder dex?

and so much more!

We also have a brand new segment called "Community Transmissions" where we hear from the builders themselves!

Come hang out with us and the BTB crew while we wrapup one of the best events of the year!

Special Thanks to:

Chris DeCiccio

Lindsay Baer

Luke Stangel

Bob Belansen

Nate Franklin

Mark Rennie

Julian Papasian

If you Liked the background Music:

Track: Clouds — Next Route [Audio Library Release]

Music provided by Audio Library Plus

Watch: https://bit.ly/48xvGo2

Free Download / Stream: https://alplus.io/clouds

With the new bot event around the corner we are diving into the fight card looking at the brand new bots that are going to be competing for the first time at NHRL. We have gotten a look at the fight card so we will be going over some of the bots we are looking forward to and who they will be fighting first. We also have some audio direct from the builders themselves describing who they are and what bot they will be bringing this event. Want a first look at what we will be seeing, well come hang out with us and we will check out what you should be excited about!

Like the background music:

Track: Common Ground — Jay Someday [Audio Library Release]

Music provided by Audio Library Plus

Watch: https://bit.ly/48K6nz7

Free Download / Stream: https://alplus.io/common-ground

We have arrived in a new year of robot combat and we are looking forward into what the year 2024 has to offer. To help us do that we have one of the masterminds behind every NHRL event Jimmy Gibson! Have you ever wondered what running a PGA tour is like, what goes into making sure an event goes smoothly or what kind of robot Jimmy would love to be able to make. Come hang out with us while we talk to Jimmy about what its like running operations as well as what to expect this coming year.

If you like the background music:

Music: Aria [Original Mix] by Aftertune is licensed under a Creative Commons License.

https://creativecommons.org/licenses/...

Spotify: https://sptfy.com/aftertunemusic

Apple Music: https://apple.co/35RcvHF

Support by RFM - NCM: https://bit.ly/3OpVD1g

Music: Sunset On Terra by HYBRID V is licensed under a Creative Commons License.

https://creativecommons.org/licenses/...

Support by RFM - NCM: https://bit.ly/2BHFYra

In this no-guest chaos episode of Havoc Rundown, the full crew returns for a jam-packed May NHRL preview. Things kick off with Ryan’s Game Corner and its debut segment, The Price is Fight—a Price is Right-style game guessing bot build costs, spare parts, and some hilariously overpriced eBay listings. From there, it’s on to Mayhem in May, with fantasy draft predictions and bots to watch including Kratos, Sweet Tooth, Colossal Avian, Buzzkill, Chainsaw Massacre, and hover-melty newcomer Open Hell. The team dives deep into trends like the rise of flame bots, college team surges, and what to expect from a packed 12lb field. A new segment, Pass the Question, throws the hosts into a round-robin of bizarre questions—ranging from rude animals and Mortal Kombat robot picks to cross-country road trips. Finally, the listener mailbag delivers more absurdity with zombie survival plans, sandwich debates, and robot-themed board game pitches. Whether you’re tracking your fantasy team or just here for the banter, this episode brings the full-force chaos.

🎵 Background Music:

• “Squoosh!” by Jimit: https://artlist.io/royalty-free-music/song/squoosh/126734

• “The Beat Detector” by Novembers: https://artlist.io/royalty-free-music/song/the-beat-detector/97421

• “Cruise Control” by LOLEK: https://artlist.io/royalty-free-music/song/cruise-control/78793

  
  

  Follow Us:

  • Discord: https://discord.gg/5NU3YVznhB

  • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/havocrundown

  • Linktree (for merch & more): https://linktr.ee/havocrundown

  
  

Well we are on the other side of the Havoc All-Stars invitational event and wow what an event that was. One builder who had an amazing time is our good friend Corey Nason builder of Synthesis and Synthesis 30. Ever wonder what weird super power Corey would have? What about what makes Synthesis such a deadly bot to fight against? Want to know what hes working on now or if he has plans for anything new for 2024. Well then you will just have to come and hang out while we learn a little bit more about Corey and talk about how All-Stars went down!

If you like the Background Music:

Track: Interstellar

Artist: Mark Tyner - https://goo.gl/DMJ3hz

&

Track: Cold Hands

Artist: Artificial.Music

Have you ever wondered what exactly a henchman does? What was it like building a jet engine robot? Who the hell is Maple Syrup man? What about what went into putting together Open Sauce? We ask these questions and more when we sit down with NHRL henchman Sam Hanson to discuss the upcoming special event "Havoc All-Stars". So come hang out with us and learn a little bit more about what makes Sam tick as well as what you might experience December 5th, 6th and 7th at the new All-Stars event!

Like the background music?

Songs: Commute & Makahiya

Artist: DeKobe

Hear More: https://goo.gl/GNPz22

Welcome back to another exciting episode, this episode we wanted to get to know the people behind the podcast and see what makes them tick. Each Pit Crew member was asked to come up with an interesting question to ask each other member in a sort of round table interview session. Want to know what mascot Ashley would be if she could or if dogs really do hate mailcarriers? Want to hear some weird bot names from Thomas or know what robot tattoo Justin would get. Come join us for a fun hangout session and get to know the people behind the pit desk.

This is our inaugural episode where we are breaking down the first round matchups for all 36 bots in our championship event. We will talk about the matchup and how each bot did this year as well as when they qualified. Stay tune in the future for more content including event previews, builder interviews and more!!

This week on The Havoc Rundown, we’re joined by none other than Tim Hebert—robotics educator, NHRL fan favorite, and the brilliant (and slightly chaotic) mind behind Chubby Unicode. That’s right, not Unicorn—Unicode. Tim talks with us about driving his bot with everything from a dance pad to a drum kit, and how experimental control systems can actually hold their own in the cage.

We break down the April 5th NHRL event with over 150 bots and some of the most emotional and unexpected moments we’ve ever seen—including Chainsaw Kitty’s legendary run. Plus, we dive into some serious fantasy league drama (Dan is running away with it), and the whole crew gets tested in Ryan’s Spelling Bee of Doom.

Later, we put Tim through our Five in Focus deep-dive questions and end the show with our now-iconic Rapid-Fire Build-Off, where bot pitches are built around pure chaos and random word prompts.

Massive thank you to Tim Hebert for joining us, sharing his story, and giving us all a reason to believe a drum kit can be a weapon of mass disruption.

Want to keep up with our latest episodes, fantasy league updates, merch drops, and more?

👉 https://linktr.ee/havocrundown

Follow us on your favorite social platform and don’t forget to tag us during events or while you’re watching the latest fight stream!

Background Music Featured In This Episode:

• Put On Your Fire by Cosmonkey
  🔗 https://artlist.io/royalty-free-music/song/put-on-your-fire/120462

• Attikan Roast by Steven Beddall & Mansij
  🔗 https://artlist.io/royalty-free-music/song/attikan-roast/103837

• Finale by MILANO
  🔗 https://artlist.io/royalty-free-music/song/finale/96343

All music licensed via Artlist.io

In this special episode of Havoc Rundown, the crew welcomes an all-star lineup from the MIT Combat Robotics Club ahead of the April NHRL event. From bold design philosophies to open-source accessibility, this conversation dives into what it takes to build competitive bots under pressure—while juggling coursework, team dynamics, and the love of the sport.

Each builder brings their own unique flavor to the fight, and you’ll get an inside look at six exciting bots being prepped for the arena. Plus, things get competitive in our Game Corner with a round of Name That Bot, putting the MIT crew’s trivia skills to the test.

If you’re into design innovation, builder culture, or just love a good rivalry, this episode’s got something for you.

🎉 Special Thanks To Our Guests from the MIT Combat Robotics Club
Huge thanks to the brilliant MIT team for joining us and sharing their builds:

• Ryan Duarte – Budgetboi, an open-source 12lb bot designed for maximum accessibility

• Abi Dixon – Killer Queen, a striking new contender with creative weapon architecture

• Anhad Sawhney – Kratos, featuring a custom axial flux motor for peak performance

• Miles Roper – Traiano, a hammer saw bot built with precision and power

• Tom Nguyen – Marshmallow, returning with smart design and tactical flexibility

• Carlos Lopez – Underdawg, a bot with heart, grit, and sharp engineering instincts

We loved having you all on the show—good luck in April!

🔗 Follow Us & Join the Community!
Stay locked in with everything Havoc Rundown—from fantasy league updates to bot breakdowns:

📲 https://linktr.ee/havocrundown

🎶 Music Credits
This episode features royalty-free tracks from Artlist:

• Paving the Way by Danny Shields
  Listen here

• Hands Held High by Aves
  Listen here

• Pine by Joley
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The March NHRL tournament was absolute chaos, and we’re breaking down every explosive moment! 🏆🔥 From shocking upsets to dominating performances, we dive deep into the fights that shook the combat robotics world.

🚀 Special guest Gwen McGuire joins us for an exclusive interview, fresh off Jackalope’s incredible run at NHRL, including an intense victory over Turbo Fiend! Hear about her journey as both a referee and a fierce competitor, and what’s next for her fan-favorite bot.

📊 Plus, the Havoc Rundown Fantasy League just got wild! Who climbed the leaderboard? Who crashed and burned? And how did Ryan go from dead last to third place in one event? We break down the standout picks, sleeper bots, and bold strategies shaping the season.

🔥 Other topics include:
✅ Top Performers & Biggest Upsets in March✅ The rise of flame bots and how the meta is evolving✅ Gwen’s hilarious reaction to her judges’ decision win over Turbo Fiend✅ Listener Mailbag – ridiculous questions, cryptozoology facts, and why Jackalopes love whiskey 🍻

💰 Support the podcast! Get exclusive content & merch:
🎙️ Buy us a coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/havocrundown
👕 Official merch: https://bonfire.com/havoc-rundown
🔗 Linktree for all links & social media: https://linktr.ee/havocrundown

🎵 Episode Background Music:
🎶 Cruise Control by LOLEK – https://artlist.io/royalty-free-music/song/cruise-control/78793
🎶 Solitude by Michael Drake – https://artlist.io/royalty-free-music/song/solitude/99994
🎶 Day Off by Aves – https://artlist.io/royalty-free-music/song/day-off/75406

📢 Don’t forget to follow us for more combat robotics & fantasy league action!

🎧 Listen now and relive all the March mayhem! #WeAreSoBackalope

We're back with another action-packed episode ofHavoc Rundown! This time, we’re breaking down all the chaos from theFebruary 1st NHRL event—which bots dominated, which fell short, and how it all shook up theHavoc Rundown Fantasy League.

But that’s not all—we have aspecial guest joining us!Aidan Reichenberg, the first-ever fantasy league event winner, stops by to discuss hisdraft strategy, his biggest takeaways from February, and how he plans to approach future drafts. We also previewMotorama, our standalone mini-league, and what to expect from this high-energy event.

A hugecongratulations to Aidan forwinning February’s fantasy event! His strategic picks and well-calculated draft decisions earned him the top spot. Thanks for coming on the show, Aidan, and best of luck in the next round!

Follow us on all our socials, check out our merch, and stay up to date with everythingHavoc Rundown through ourLinktree:
👉https://linktr.ee/havocrundown

This episode features music by:
🎶Traffic Jams – Aves
🎶Forgotten Dreams – Aves
🎶Sunset – Ben Hendler

Thanks for tuning in, and as always—keep the bots spinning and the draft picks winning!

In this episode, we kick off 2025 with a bang as we welcome Glenn Boxell, an incredible builder and the creative force behind the competitive bots Caldera and Caldera 12. We delve into Glenn’s journey through combat robotics, discussing his early inspirations, the challenges he’s faced as a builder, and his approach to designing bots that stand out in the arena. Glenn shares fascinating insights into the strategies and innovations that have helped him succeed, offering advice for aspiring builders and fans alike.

We also dive into the action from the Havoc Rundown Fantasy League Draft for the February 1st NHRL event. With 27 participants drafting bots across Beetleweight, Hobbyweight, and Featherweight classes, we break down the standout picks, the surprise draft strategies, and the competitive energy shaping this inaugural season. Whether you’re a league participant or just curious about the fantasy league format, you’ll love hearing about the drama and excitement of the draft.

A Special Thanks to Glenn Boxell

We want to extend a huge thank you to Glenn Boxell for joining us on this episode. His passion for combat robotics and his openness in sharing his journey inspire us and countless others in the community. Glenn, it was an absolute pleasure having you on, and we can’t wait to see what you achieve in the arena this year!

Background Music

This episode features the tracks Coffee Shop by Aves and Sunchilling by Vicate. Their music perfectly complements our conversations, adding a relaxed and engaging vibe to the episode. Be sure to check out these amazing artists for more great music!

Stay Connected

Want to stay updated on the Havoc Rundown Fantasy League and all things NHRL? Join us on Discord and explore more at our Linktree! You’ll find everything from event updates to in-depth coverage of the league and beyond.

In this special year-end episode of Havoc Rundown, we gather to celebrate an incredible 2024 season of robot combat and gear up for an action-packed 2025. Together, we reflect on standout moments, from epic battles like Synthesis' victory over Emulsifier to the unforgettable father-son showdown between Caldera and Eruption. We also shine a spotlight on breakout stars, game-changing innovations, and the behind-the-scenes stories that defined this remarkable year.

As we look ahead, we dive into our Havoc Resolutions segment, where fans, builders, and the crew share their favorite fights, breakout moments, and dream matchups for 2025. We also introduce the exciting new Havoc Fantasy League, explore how changes to mini-bot rules could shape the meta, and dream up the matchups we’re hoping to see in the upcoming season.

Whether you’re a longtime fan or new to the National Havoc Robot League, this episode is packed with all the highlights, predictions, and insights you need to close out 2024 and kickstart 2025. Join us as we celebrate the sport we love and look ahead to another thrilling year of robot combat!

Links and More:
Stay connected with Havoc Rundown! Visit our Linktree for quick access to all of our podcast episodes, our vibrant Discord community, and our merch store—featuring exclusive designs for fans of robot combat.

Music Credit:
This episode’s background music is Auld Lange Syne by Rex Banner, adding a festive touch as we say goodbye to an amazing 2024 and welcome an exciting 2025!