How Many Spares Should You Bring to a Combat Robot Competition?
One of the most common concerns for new combat robot builders is how many spares they should bring to an event. Should you bring a full second bot? Just a few extra parts? The answer? It depends. It depends on several factors, including tournament format, repair time, and the number of bots you’re competing with. In this post, we’ll break down what you need to consider so you can come prepared.
Understanding the Tournament Format
The type of competition you’re entering plays a big role in determining how many spares you should bring. Here’s how two of the more common tournament formats impact your preparation:
Modified Swiss Tournaments (e.g., RSL and majority of MRCA Events)
Many of RSL’s and many other Midwest Robot Combat Association (MRCA) events use a modified Swiss format, where each competitor fights roughly four rounds before moving into a single-elimination bracket. If you perform well, you could end up fighting seven to ten times in a single day. With this many matches, having spare parts—and even a second fully assembled bot—can be crucial to staying competitive.
Double Elimination Tournaments
In a double-elimination format, you’re out after two losses. This means most competitors will only have two or three matches before elimination. Since there are fewer fights, fewer spares are typically needed. If your bot gets damaged beyond repair twice, chances are you’ve lost both matches and are out for the day.
How Long Do Your Repairs Take?
Another key factor is how quickly you can repair your bot between fights. Most events now half a minimum repair time. In our case, we have a minimum of 20 minutes between before a bot can fight again. Some builders can swap out broken parts in minutes, while others need more time. If your repair process is slow, having a second bot (or even a third) can be a lifesaver.
For example, some competitors—especially families running multiple bots—will bring two or three fully assembled robots that share the same spare parts. This allows them to swap bots between matches instead of rushing repairs. If you’re competing with multiple robots, planning shared spare parts can help reduce the overall amount you need to bring.
Recommended Spare Parts to Bring
At a minimum, we recommend bringing:
- At least two batteries - This is especially important, because batteries can sometimes take more than 20 minutes to fully charge.
- Extra drive and weapon motors
- A few backup electronics (receivers, ESCs)
- Spare wheels - if using foam wheels, you may want to plan on having to replace them every match or two.
Other competitors will also have spare parts and are typically more than willing to share or sell parts to help keep people in the fight. If you forget something, don’t panic—many builders are happy to help!
If you are fighting in the Midwest, I would suggest joining the MRCA Discord many people will post there during an event if they are in need of something. It’s also a great place to ask questions.
How Many Robots Are You Running?
If you’re only bringing one bot, your spare parts strategy will be different than someone managing multiple bots. Some competitors come with a team of robots, especially in family-run teams.
For example, a parent with two children may be running three bots in a single weight class:
- Have two to three pre-assembled robots
- Use the same spares across multiple bots
- Reduce repair stress by swapping in a fresh bot for the next fight
If you’re running multiple bots, consider what spare parts can be shared between them to minimize the amount of extra gear you need to carry.
Final Thoughts
No two competitions are the same, so planning ahead is key. If you’re unsure, start with the basics: two bots, essential spare parts, and extra batteries. As you gain experience, you’ll refine your approach based on your build, repair speed, and tournament format.
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