This is my first time building in Unreal Engine.
I have imported some static mesh robots from Cinema4D in .FBX format and I am using the Sidescroller template to create my level.
I was wondering if there was a way to replace the default blue textured figure with my static robot mesh.
any help would be appreciated
Either add a skeletal mesh, change it in the code or just create your own character bp (a movement component + mesh + camera) -> as the character bp is inherit from a C++ class you can just change the properties, but not the components https://answers.unrealengine/questions/24082/how-to-change-character-blueprint-components.html 
ok i am a complete novice at this. so i can get the blueprint loaded for the default sidescroller character and my robot is now a skeletalmeshcharacter however i cannot assign it to my robot. how do i do this??
When you use a skeletal mesh, you just have to open your character bp - go to the component tab (left upper side) - select the skeletal mesh component - on the right side of the viewport you can add your own skeletal mesh to it
thanks buddy i got it. now just to teach myself how to animate it 