"Diabolically Simple!"

Captainsmog has begun what looks like a fantastic new series of MOCs based on a cartoon classic - the Wacky Races! Sure, every episode had the same basic premise, but this show still holds a place in my heart, full of memories of Boomerang re-runs from the mid-2000s. His series starts with a great rendition of the most famous car of the series, the Mean Machine - and he's already posted the second MOC, which you can check out on his Flickr page.

Gladiatorial Combat

When I look at the state of the world these days and wonder if we've lost our collective minds, it's easy to forget we were never terribly bright to begin with. Tossing some guys in the middle of an arena and making them fight to death was considered rather good entertainment once. Or just a single guy, and maybe a tiger (who just wants to be left alone), that's some good fun right there. Well, it makes for a jaw-dropping MOC, that's for sure. This stunning scene was done for the MOCOlympics by W. Navarre.

The Southern Air Temple

I've never watched The Last Airbender, so I'm unfamiliar with the source for this model by Hacim Bricks. But I can still appreciate a great build without knowing the inspiration. The forced perspective going on here is extremely cool. I really like how the structures in the front are fully 3-D, but the ones towards the back are a lot flatter. This gives the whole build a real sense of depth, even though the builder says it's only 26 studs deep.

Piranha Plant

That mechanical mad genius JK Brickworks is back with another cool creation, and this one's from a video game classic, Mario Bros. Anyone that's played the game (and pretty much everyone else as well) is familiar with the Piranha Plant, those tube-dwelling, perpetually hungry pains in the butt. We've seen these before in LEGO, but this one's mechanical. Check out the video to see it in action and learn how it's done.

Winter Wonderland Bookends

Deborah Higdon is back with another lovely Christmas bookend collection.  You may recall last year's Twelve Days of Christmas build.  She's crafted all sorts of clever details throughout, and a special surprise within the books.  Although, personally, I might have gone with a Hoth scene instead...  Nicely done Deborah!

But Where's the Ninja?

The Classic Castle Contest is currently under way, and I'm loving it. Every couple days, there are several absolute gems that pop up in my feed. This peaceful Oriental bridge scene by 'LL' is one of my favorites so far. The bridge perfectly evokes classic Eastern architecture, and very cleverly uses the old rope bridge pieces for the arch. But what I like best about this build are those trees. The grey trunks compliment the fall leaves very nicely, and the addition of some roots really makes them look accurate.

Fence Designs

Legopard has shared three wonderful techniques for creating intricate fences around your MOC's.  These techniques were created for "The New Black" parts challenge, a contest featured on New Elementary.  I believe each design is self explanatory, including fairly common parts to create iron fences.  The first model he features I could see surrounding a manor, perhaps in London.  His second technique would fit well for a prison gate or an entrance into a graveyard.  Third and lastly (and my personal favorite), the builder uses Ninjago helmet ornaments to create complex shaping to the bars.  What fences can you create?  A special thanks to the builder for sharing these techniques on his Flikr page!

Fall in Winter

Though the actual season may be winter, that doesn't change the fact that this is a beautiful autumn tree.  The trunk is my favorite part, which has been created very well using some new common elements.  I find that LEGO string really adds a nice bark texture to tree trunks (assuming it's the same color as the "wood.")   It's rare for such a small landscape scene to be this detailed, but Legopard has done just that with this little creation.

Mettaton

This is Mettaton by Alexander Blais, he's a robot with a soul from the game Undertale. I've never heard of him, or the game of course (nerd cred -6) but I found him instantly engaging. From the little research I did I found the game pretty awesomely retro as well, right down to the sound design. This guy seems to be the real stand out character, and with his appealing design and quirky ways, I understand why.

Festive Holiday Scene

Santa! It's Christmas everywhere you look these days, and I love it. This cheerful little scene by builder HCK_1974 has it all, a stunning tree adorned with festive decorations, a snowy lot where all the action is taking place, children and elves having a good time and a couple of adorable oversized reindeer. And of course santa flying by, spreading holiday cheer.

The Bullet-Proof Bomb

Builder redfern1950s continues his quest to build all the vehicles from Wacky Races. This one is another childhood favorite of mine, the Bullet-Proof Bomb, AKA The Roaring Plenty. It was driven by the Ant Hill Mob, seven inept but strangely lovable mobsters. One of their secret tactics was the ability to lift the car and simply run across the finish line (I'm pretty sure they stole that trick from Fred Flintstone).

Gas Mask

This new character from builder nobu_tary looks right off the post apocalyptic battlefield. Or possibly right off the pages of some dystopian graphic novel. Or maybe just ready to clean the cat box in my house (dumb, stinky cats). This is a seriously cool combination of parts all coming together to great effect. 

Dash Baron

I've never been good at sports, in fact I consider myself athletically retarded. In my youth I once played baseball for a single season, I was left field (left out) and I was the worse player on the team. We came in last place that year, so for one shining season I was the single worse baseball player here in Lompoc, CA. So the concept Mech racing has a natural appeal to me. First, it's pretty nerdy, and second, with a properly calibrated mech I might actually be kinda good. OK, I wouldn't, but if my mech looked half as cool as this one from Lu Sim, at least I'd look pretty spiffy doing it.

A Full Month Of Half-Blood Prince

BrickNerd's own Mel Finelli has taken on the admirable (if not slightly bonkers) task of building a MOC a day for this entire month inspired by Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. So far she's right on point, and the wonderful little vignettes are a daily delight. Here's just a few of those done so far, and we have plenty more to look forward to.

Königsfeld Manor

Welcome to Königsfeld Manor, in lovely Avalonia, Historica. Sometimes a parts shortage is all the inspiration you need for a brilliant solution, and sometimes that solution is better than the original plan. This lovely castle scene by builder MassEditor was originally going to have a pretty standard irregular border, but short of parts he came up with this very interesting "spilling over" border, which is the touch that makes this diorama really stand out.

The Covert-A-Car

Builder redfern1950s continues his race to win the internet with his Wacky Races MOCs. This time it's The Convert-A-Car, by far the "wackiest" of the bunch. It's a truly insane contraption that is part boat, plane and car. And while this is personally my least favorite of the vehicles, that judgement is at odds with the fact he has by far the best name, Professor Pat Pending.

And The Winners Are...

It's the moment you've all been waiting for, the winners of Nerdvember 2016. I've said it before and I'll say it again, BrickNerd readers are the most talented, imaginative and awesome builders in the world. I heard it over and over from the judges this year,  "so many good ones". It made it a joy to watch, and difficult to judge, but eventually three winners emerged, here they are in reverse order...

3rd Place
"Take me to your Nerdly..." - ted @ndes

Those lovable aliens from Disney Pixar's Toy Story. It's hard to believe this movie was considered "risky" when it was made. Turns out good story telling is good story telling, who knew?

2nd Place
Nerdly Genie - Palixa And The Bricks

You've never had a friend like him! It's the lovable Genie from Aladdin, voiced by the late, great Robin Williams in the role he was born to play.

1st Place
Hatbox Ghost Nerdly - rabidnovaracer

It's a Disneyland legend that recently became a reality, the Hatbox Ghost was an illusion that didn't quite work when the ride opened, and was allegedly removed shortly after (there is much debate about this). This is the first time my personal favorite was the judges' fave too.

Congratulations to our winners, and thanks again to all that entered. I'd also like to thank the sponsors of this event, you're all awesome. See you next Nerdvember!

And before you ask...
My three favorites were Hatbox Ghost, Steamboat Nerdly and Mickey Mouse Nerdly
I didn't vote
I use a ranking system for voting, judges are asked to give their favorite three in order, a score of 3 is assigned to first, 2 to second and 1 to third. 
Judges will remain anonymous ( you know who you are, and you're awesome)

Expecto Advent-Calendo!

A wonderful new contest is being held this December, the Create-A-Calendar Contest, hosted by fellow LEGO blog the Brothers Brick.  The contest began on December 1st and will last until the 17th.  One of the first few entries is this magical Harry Potter calendar created by Koen.  It seems that even Voldemort, when he's not too busy attacking Muggles, can even get in the holiday spirit!  Each of these small builds are well done and recognizable (it should be pointed out that each individual build can be no more than 20 pieces) to any Harry Potter fan!  If you like any of the official LEGO advent calendars, maybe it's time for you to create your own!

Valtias, The Blizzard Tyrant

This new character from builder Mana Ramp Matron is one of those MOCs that makes you stop and go "wait, what?" From the thumbnail you'd hardly expect it's LEGO, and even when you're looking at full res it defies logic. The unusual color scheme combined with the part use and construction is as confusing to the eye as it is delightful. It almost looks like it's lit with UV it's so unusual. Thankfully we don't have blizzards here on the central coast of California, I don't want to run into this guy.