The Havoc Rundown – Details, episodes & analysis

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