G.I. Joe Classified Series Desert Scorpion Review

Ever since the Classified line started picking up steam, the Desert Scorpion was one of the reveals I had circled on my mental wishlist. When the announcement finally dropped, I was genuinely excited — my Desert Snake Eyes and his squad of Valaverse desert troops were finally about to get the opposition they deserved.

Now that the figure is in hand, I can say this: the Desert Scorpion is incredibly fun, extremely detailed, and packed with character. But as cool as he is, this set definitely leans more “collector piece” than “army builder,” and a second figure would’ve gone a long way.

Accessories & Gear

Hasbro didn’t hold back. Desert Scorpion comes loaded with one of the most varied accessory spreads we’ve seen in the line:

• A multi-layered backpack with a swiveling periscope-style camera
• A hose that connects the backpack to the head for that tactical desert-ops look
• Two claw-handle gauntlets, each with spike detail
• Two black serrated knives
• A bullpup-style rifle reused from the Alley Viper
• A grappling hook launcher with actual string
• A long pike with wire detail 
• A removable face plate with a scarred alternate look
  

Everything feels purposeful, and the mix of reused parts and new tooling blends better than expected. The pike and claws especially fit both the “creature tamer” and “desert assassin” angles perfectly.

Figure Design & Details

The figure itself looks fantastic on the shelf. The soft goods hood and tattered cape give him a unique silhouette, and the helmet with red visor channels classic Desert Scorpion vibes while giving it a more modern Classified twist. The harness is loaded with sculpted stitching, red grenades, and layered textures that match his hostile desert aesthetic.

Articulation is exactly what you’d expect: butterfly joints, double pinless elbows and knees, bicep and thigh cuts, and solid torso movement. Despite the bulky gear, he poses surprisingly well, and even with the heavy backpack, his balance holds up.

Scorpion-25 (The Giant Scorpion)

I fully expected to treat the scorpion as a fun extra… and then it surprised me. It’s way more articulated than expected: ball joints in every leg, hinge joints in the knees, multiple tail segments, and movable claws. It poses creepily well, and the pink and “gross wash” paint really sells the desert mutant look. Even if you weren’t initially excited about the companion creature, it absolutely adds value to the display.

Final Thoughts

The Desert Scorpion turned out to be one of the most expressive and unique Classified figures so far. The sculpting, accessories, soft goods, and overall presence make him a standout. My only real gripe is the price — this is marketed as a troop builder, but it’s simply too expensive to army build. A retro-card release (similar to the Snow Serpent approach) with fewer accessories and a lower price point would make this one much easier to multiply.

Even with that limitation, this figure fits beautifully into a desert setup. And honestly? Multiple scorpions would make for some incredible photography… I just wish it didn’t cost so much to try. In the meantime, I think I’ll be getting a few Valaverse Series 6 Infantry Commandos to pair him against.