TownsvilleRobot Combat

Get Started

Build your first bot

No experience needed. This is the starting line — examples to spark ideas, a simple how-to path, and trusted links to learn from. We'll keep adding to it as the club grows.

The Path

Zero to arena in 5 steps

  1. Pick a class. Start small. A plastic AUS Antweight (150 g), US Antweight (454 g) or Beetleweight (1.36 kg) is cheap, forgiving and the easiest way in.
  2. Choose a weapon style. The classic beginner builds are a wedge (simple, tough, surprisingly effective) or a spinner (more damage, more to learn). Start with a wedge if unsure.
  3. Get your parts. Drive motors, wheels, a receiver/transmitter, a battery, an ESC or control board, and a plastic shell you print or cut. See the parts & links below.
  4. Build, test, tweak. Assemble, check it drives, and make sure your failsafe and weapon lock work. Bring questions to our Facebook page.
  5. Bring it to an event. Pass the safety check, line up, and fight. Win or lose, you'll learn more in one event day than a month at the bench.

Examples

Starter build ideas

A few proven first-bot archetypes. More detailed build write-ups and local examples will be added here over time.

🔻 The Wedge

A low, angled body that slides under opponents and shoves them around. Few moving parts, hard to kill, and the best place to learn driving. The recommended first build.

🌀 The Spinner

A spinning bar or disc that delivers big hits. More power, more damage, and more to dial in — a great second build once you've got driving down.

🦾 The Lifter / Flipper

Gets under the enemy and flips or lifts them to break control. Mechanically interesting and a crowd favourite when it lands a big toss.

⚡ More examples coming soon — including member bots once we're up and running.

Gear

Parts & supplies

Where to source motors, electronics, batteries and plastic. Start with our sponsor for local Townsville support.

Rising Sun FPV — local parts, filament & FPV gear risingsunfpv.com.au ↗ BotBitz — Australian combat robot parts [add link] ↗ Repeat Robotics — kits & components [add link] ↗ FingerTech Robotics — drive & electronics [add link] ↗

Learn

Educational links

Trusted, beginner-friendly resources from the wider combat robotics community.

Ask Aaron — the classic beginner Q&A archive ↗ RioBotz Combot Tutorial — the deep-dive PDF ↗ SPARC — the standard construction rules ↗ Club build guides [coming soon]

Got questions?

The fastest way to learn is to ask. Follow our Facebook page or drop us a message — every builder here started exactly where you are.

Join our Facebook Contact the Club