Desert Scorpion Threat Build (GIJoe Essence20 RPG)

While looking at the recent GIJoe Classified previews from SDCC 2025, I was inspired to create this Threat build based on the new COBRA Desert Scorpion.

This is fan-made, unofficial content using the GIJoe Essence20 rpg by Renegade Games Studio

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DESERT SCORPIONS

Nobody volunteers to be a SCORPION. It is a punishment given to under-motivated VIPERS who refuse to follow orders. In order to survive, they quickly learn to mimic the attack patterns of the venomous, desert scorpions with which they live.

After one year of unblemished service as a Scorpion, a Cobra trooper can be reinstated in the Viper Corps or whatever special force he originated from. A Scorpion fights hard because he knows that if he messes up, he'll go straight into TOXO- VIPERS, the Cobra Hostile Environment Detachment, better known as the "Leaky Suit Brigade".

"A Scorpion prefers to be in the midst of fighting, because it's safer than being in the garrison. In the field, where the whole unit is under threat, everybody pulls together because every trooper's life hinges on their combined firepower and team effort. In the barracks, each Scorpion thinks of himself as a desperate, isolated individual, surrounded by thieves, cutthroats and scoundrels - and he's right."

Desert Scorpion

Threat Level: 4

Size: Common Health: 4

Movement: 30 ft. Ground

Strength 4: Athletics +d4, Brawn +d2, Might +d2

Speed 3: Driving +d2, Targeting +d4

Smarts 3: Alertness +d2, Culture +d2, Survival +d2

Social 6: Animal Handling (scorpion) +6*, Streetwise +d4

Language: Usually English

Toughness: 15 Evasion: 13

Willpower: 13 Cleverness: 16

PERKS

Bullet Stopper: The highest threat level Cobra in the combat gains a bonus to Evasion equal to the number of Cobras with the Bullet Stopper perk in the encounter with them. If the highest threat level Cobra has the Bullet Stopper perk, they do not count towards their own bonus to Evasion. If more than one Cobra in the combat is tied for highest threat level, the one who is in charge gains the bonus.

SKRP10N-25: A semi-loyal giant scorpion companion accompanies a Desert Scorpion on his missions.

ATTACKS

Animal Handling Staff (Might): +d2, Reach x2 (1 Blunt damage)

Alternate Effects: 1 Stun (↓1)

Hands: 2

Traits: Blunt, Martial Arts, Silent

Claws, Close Combat Blade (Might): +d2, Reach (1 Sharp damage)

Hands: 1

Traits: Martial Arts, Sharp, Silent

Frag Grenade (Athletics): +d4, Range 20ft/50ft (1 Sharp damage Blast: 10ft radius)

Hands: 1

Traits: Consumable, Wrecker

Submachine Gun (Targeting): +d4, Range 100ft/200ft min 30ft (1 Sharp damage)

Alternate Effects: 2 Sharp damage (↓1), 1 Sharp damage - Multiple Targets (3, 15ft cone, ↓1)

Hands: 1

Traits: Ballistic, Reload

POWERS

Versatile: As a Standard action, a Viper can ↑1 a Skill other than Initiative and Conditioning until the end of their next turn. A Viper can use Versatile to treat an untrained Skill as a d2 Skill, but not to gain a Specialization in a Skill.

GEAR

Battledress: Tactical Armor (+1 deflection to Toughness) with Anonymous Upgrade and Desert Weather Gear Upgrade

Weapons: Animal handling staff (long bludgeon), claws (close combat blade) x2, fragmentation grenades x2, submachine gun

Gear: Grapple launcher, night vision goggles, tactical radio, 1 Standard Desert Survival Kit

SKRP10N-25 (Restricted Animal Pet)

These arachnids are birthed from the COBRA Mega Monster laboratories, where they have been genetically modified to be more intelligent and (usually) obey the commands of the Desert Scorpion troopers to whom they are partnered.

Size: Common Health: 6

Movement: 45 ft.Ground, 45ft Climbing

Strength 6: Athletics +d4, Might (Grapple) +d6*

Speed 3: Infiltration +d4, Initiative +d2

Smarts 4: Alertness +d4, Survival +d4

Social 1: Animal Handling +d2

Toughness: 19 Evasion: 13

Willpower: 13 Cleverness: 11

PERKS

Acute Senses (Smell, Touch, Visual): SKRP10N-25 gains an Edge when rolling Alertness Skill Tests that rely on smell, touch, or visual senses. It gains ↑1 on non-Alertness Skill Tests where it can apply its chosen senses.

Animal: As a giant scorpion, SKRP10N-25 is an animal. Intimidation is a Social Skill for animals. Persuasion and Deception Skill Tests targeting animals suffer Snag. Animals can be affected by Animal Handling Skill Tests. Animals can only use equipment specifically designed for animals of their size and species.

Favorite Command (Might): A Desert Scorpion can command its SKRP10N-25 to perform this skill as a Move Action instead of a Standard Action.

Pet: SKRP10N-25 ignores his instincts and instead follows a Desert Scorpion’s commands in battle. SKRP10N-25 is considered a Restricted Pet for Commanding a Pet purposes

ATTACKS

Pincer (Might): +d6*, Reach (1 Sharp damage plus Grapple)

Traits: Martial Arts, Sharp, Silent

Stinger (Might): +d6*, Reach (1 Sharp damage plus Particle Toxin poison)

Upgrades: Venomous

Traits: Martial Arts, Sharp, Silent

POWERS

Venomous (Particle Toxin): The sting attack of a SKRP10N-25 injects Particle Toxin Poison into the target (1 Poison Damage; Ongoing 3 rounds, Poison). See Cobra Codex for full Poison and Toxin rules.

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Cobraaaa!