My take on the Robin hood thing:
Robin jumps out at one of them, demands half of their possessions, and then spends the next 30 seconds realising that he is way out of his league. He then cries "Wait!" and determines he opponents identity, whereupon he claims some sort of spritual kinship, offers them a drink and meal down at the pub, and suckers them into his band.

Rinse, and repeat.

(cf Gambol Gold and Robin Hood, RH& Tuck, RH& Little John, etc...)