Nerd Bastards 12 Days of Christmahanakwanzika – Day 12

While the flux-capacitor hasn't been perfected, and we can't help you fix any past holiday humbuggery, maybe we can help you get this holiday season off to a good start.

For the next 12 days (Dec 1st-12th), the staff of Nerd Bastards will be listing a few of their favorite nerdy things. Gadgets, doohickeys, thingamabobs and more - all sorts of items that have been Nerd tested and Bastard approved. Basically, stuff you want, things you need, and everything you can't have.

We hope you'll find some unique and nerdtastic gifts among our selections, and that they make their way under your tree, Menorah or Kwanzaa bush.

Hit the jump for Sam Sakura’s list of Nerdful things. To see archive of this feature, click HERE.

When decorating your tree this year don’t forget the reason for the season, Cthulhu. This adorable little guy can be yours for only $7.49. It’s a small price to pay to honor our mighty overlord. Available at NeatoShop.

People who smoke pipes and are not douchebags are a dying breed. I like to think because I am a nerd and a woman I couldn’t possibly be a douche, especially when smoking such a fine replica of Gandalf’s pipe. Known as the “Wizard” available from Macqueen Pipes, each pipe is hand crafted of either Ash, Cherrywood, or Briar Wood. No self respecting wizard should be seen with out it.

Ever wanted to fight the rain like a warrior? Well you can’t, because that statement doesn’t make any sense. You can however, look like a total badass with any of these Sword Umbrellas. Samurai Sword available through Think Geek

Many of you may suffer from the same issue as myself, I refuse to grow up. Fullmetal Alchemist will always have a place in my cold little heart. As it was one of the ways my brother and I used to spend our time together when we were young.. This is the only item on my list I actually own and I am not ashamed to say, as a 26 year old adult I still wear the pendant all the time. The pocket watch features the inscription on the inside that says ” Don’t Forget 3.OCT.10″ An awesome gift for any FMA fan. Get yours Here

As an avid player of MTG I want this more than I want air. I can just picture sitting down at the card table with the rest of my brood and slamming this big ol’ bitch down on the table. Oh, you wanna roll to see who goes first? Feel my wrath. If you’re ready to drop $85.00 bucks this lovely 20 sided die can be yours. Get it from Etsy.

It’s the one that says Bad Mother Fucker… I don’t know how nerdy this is, but who doesn’t want to own Jule’s wallet from Pulp Fiction? Made of Italian Leather each one includes Jule’s calling card. Available from BadMoFoWallets.

Never have to pass the pepper again, just wind up these cute little fuckers and they’ll walk themselves across the table. The pair can be yours for a reasonable $15.00 from ThinkGeek.

It’s no secret to those around me that I survive on alcohol, nicotine, and caffeine. As I write this I’m smoking a cigarette and drinking a glass of wine. God, I love booze. Wait, what were we talking about? Oh right, being healthy! Feeling under the weather? Hearts empty? Slam one of these bad boys and you’ll defeat your enemies in no time. Get one (or more) at ThinkGeek.

Not as strong as the actual force, but a hell of a way to waste time and exercise your brain. If you have the patience and a desire for another useless talent (I KNOW I DO!) then this might just be the gift for you! Available for dirt cheap at Wal-Mart.

Oh God, oh yes, please God. I want this more than I want air. And for only $2,950.00 you could buy me this. Oh, it doesn’t work that way? Shit. Well with over 5,000 pieces this is sure to keep some lucky bastard in the basement until spring. Not that we can afford it, but it’s available on Amazon.

SyFy to Air the Evolution of Robot Fighting With the ‘Robot Combat League’

At some point you’ve played Rock 'Em, Sock 'Em Robots and thought “that would be cool to try out with real live robots.” Well dreams do come true. Syfy is bringing the Robot Combat League to our respective TV sets. The show will be hosted by former WWE superstar and Fozzy front man Chris Jericho and it will be on it’s way in the new year.

The creation of reality TV producer Craig Plestis and robotics expert Mark Setrakian, this unique show pits teams of two — one engineer and one "robo jockey" — with one of twelve custom made robots in an elimination style tournament for $100,000. If your bot is damaged during one of the boxing/MMA ruled fights you’re given 20 minutes to fix it, but if your box suffers a critical failure or your 20 minutes expire you’re out of the tournament and Hugh Jackman’s kid gets taken by his evil aunt Debra and uncle Marvin… or something. Check out more after the jump.

With each bot custom made by Setrakian, they’ll each have their own interesting strengths and weaknesses, but it’s the controllers that we’re going to have to keep an eye on. According to Entertainment Weekly, who first broke the story, some of the robo jockeys are soldiers and athletes, but one notable name is MMA fighter Amanda Lucas, daughter of famed Star Wars creator George Lucas. There’s no information on any of the engineers, but we will be absolutely shocked if Grant Imahara or any other Mythbuster is nowhere to be seen around the giant fabricated ass kickers.

One drawback though, is that each robot combatant having a full range of motion. Instead each bot will be held in place by a stabilizing bar that prevents the top-heavy machines from toppling over during fights and will help controls their movement across the ring.

That hasn’t stopped Syfy president Mark Stern from gushing with joy from what he’s seen.

"Setrakian created a robotics system that can mimic a human's actions and movements. We’ve had robots decapitated, we’ve had robots cut in half. It was truly spectacular."

Now it should be noted that Mark Burnett and James Cameron have a similar show in the works over at Discovery called Robogeddon, but their work is only in the concept stages right now. Robot Combat League however has already finished shooting and is already making plans for a second season with better robots and no bars, so hopefully we’ll see some bigger fights when season two hits.

Here are a few sneak peak images from the show:

Special thanks to Entertainment Weekly.