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| 4 | %% This list of examples has been alphabetized. Please add your example in the proper place. Thanks! |
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| 7 | %% Image selected per Image Pickin' thread: https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/posts.php?discussion=16635474580.18191900 |
| 8 | %% Please don't change or remove without starting a new thread. |
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| 10 | [[quoteright:350:[[VideoGame/HearthstoneHeroesOfWarcraft https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/000000000000000000000000000000000_9.png]]]] |
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| 13 | %% Original quote removed per thread: https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/posts.php?discussion=1327331003042025100&page=137 |
| 14 | |
| 15 | ->''A scorpion this big you won't find curled up in your boot. Maybe ''around'' your boot, but not ''in'' it.'' |
| 16 | -->--Flavor text for '''[[https://magiccards.info/st/en/73.html Dakmor Scorpion]]''', ''TabletopGame/MagicTheGathering'' |
| 17 | |
| 18 | In RealLife, scorpions are mostly shy, retiring arachnids, preferring to stay out of trouble and only using their [[PowerPincers pincers]] and [[BewareMyStingerTail stinging tails]] to subdue prey (or potential mates) or defend themselves. |
| 19 | |
| 20 | In fictionland, scorpions often make appearances as deadly foes. This is probably a combination of RuleOfCool and their distinctively badass appearance, but it does tend to get them a fair bit of {{demonization}} due to AnimalStereotypes. Scorpions, being of the arachnid class, are closely related to [[SpidersAreScary spiders]], and as with spiders and their fangs, scorpions are pretty much universally known for their [[BewareMyStingerTail tails]], and are, admittedly, pretty scary things to come across, large or small. |
| 21 | |
| 22 | In popular culture, scorpions are often depicted as scary even by arachnid standards. While there are a number of examples of [[FriendlyNeighborhoodSpider heroic or at least benign spiders]] in fiction, scorpions are almost invariably portrayed as evil to the point of being made out as an UnpleasantAnimalCounterpart to spiders. For a given value of evil that is, as they rarely have developed enough personalities to amount to anything more than dangerous, mindless animals and often no more than tools of murder for wannabe killers: because of their venom, they are used as {{Animal Assassin}}s, although where Spiders might be associated with the [[FragileSpeedster thief or rogue]] in a {{Fantasy}} setting, Scorpions tend to be associated with [[ClassicalHunter hunters]] or [[ProudWarriorRaceGuy warriors]] due to their heavy armor. You can often expect scorpions in ShiftingSandLand, possibly alongside ScorpionPeople. {{Spider Tank}}s may have the appearance of a scorpion. May be {{stab|TheScorpion}}bed. |
| 23 | |
| 24 | However, the majority of scorpion stings are [[RealityIsUnrealistic not dangerous to humans]], being on average only about as dangerous as a bee sting. The Emperor Scorpion, probably the largest and most iconic scorpion species, is frequently seen, despite being one of the least venomous species and are even popular as pets or even as [[ForeignQueasine food]] (popular as far as arachnid fans go, anyway). |
| 25 | |
| 26 | Compare SpidersAreScary and CreepyCamelSpider, for other arachnids that tend to be portrayed as much more dangerous and aggressive than they are in real life. Also see [[UsefulNotes/{{Scorpions}} here]] for how real-life scorpions are different from many fictional ones. |
| 27 | ---- |
| 28 | !!Examples: |
| 29 | |
| 30 | [[foldercontrol]] |
| 31 | |
| 32 | [[folder:Anime and Manga]] |
| 33 | %%* ''Franchise/{{Digimon}}'': In the original Japanese, there's a Scorpiomon, a Perfect-level Digimon that first appears in ''Anime/DigimonFusion'', and Anomalocarimon, who is based on a prehistoric shrimp-like beast and otherwise has nothing to do with scorpions, though it does have a stinger tail. In the English dub, Anomalocarimon is renamed Scorpiomon, and the other Digimon is renamed [=SkullScorpiomon=].%%"Scary" how? |
| 34 | * ''Manga/DragonQuestTheAdventureOfDai'': the debut of Leona has her attacked out of the blue by a titanic scorpion monster who's much bigger and more menacing than any other monster dwelling on the island: the beast poisons the princess and takes a well-aimed strike to the back of its shell to be defeated. Turns out, Bishop Temujin and his associate brought the monster to the island specifically to get rid of Leona. |
| 35 | * The Tachikomas of ''Anime/GhostInTheShellStandAloneComplex'' are what happens when you get a SpiderTank to follow RuleOfCute, but a much more menacing scorpion-shaped SuperPrototype appears in one episode. |
| 36 | * ''Manga/{{Kekkaishi}}'': The Ayakashi species of Sasorigama have the body like a big brown spider with sickle-like limbs. They also smell so horrible that Madarao and Hakubi cannot take it. |
| 37 | * ''Anime/MobileSuitGundamWing'': The [[MeaningfulName Scorpio]] is one of the [[LargeAndInCharge largest and most powerful]] [[HumongousMecha mobile suits]] in its universe. Naturally, its [[TransformingMecha alternate form]] resembles a giant red scorpion (though like the [[Anime/MobileSuitGundamCharsCounterattack ReGZ]], it starts off in its flight form and must jettison parts to transform). |
| 38 | * [[MeaningfulName Sasori]] the puppetmaster from ''Manga/{{Naruto}}''. Granted, only his "outer form" looks vaguely like one (complete with [[BewareMyStingerTail bladed tail]].) He also puts a red scorpion logo on the puppets he makes. |
| 39 | * The Puzzle Scorpions in Impel Down in ''Manga/OnePiece''. They can "merge" together and form a giant [[CreepyCentipedes centipede]]. |
| 40 | * ''Anime/PokemonTheSeries'' has a subversion in Ash Ketchum's Gligar (later Gliscor) during the Sinnoh arc. Not that Gligar generally look too menacing to begin with, but this one has such a tendency towards TenderTears and TheGlomp with its trainer that it's borderline impossible to be the slightest bit intimidated, even when it evolves into its more threatening-''looking'' final form. On the other hand, Ash's [[TheRival Rival]] during the same arc, [[{{Jerkass}} Paul]], has a Gliscor who is more threatening, and a Drapion who can be downright terrifying. The trope is played even ''straighter'' with the Drapion who is owned by [[EvilPoacher Pokémon Hunter J]], which is just as [[TheUnfettered ruthless]] and [[TheSociopath sociopathic]] as its trainer. |
| 41 | * Shaula Gorgon the [[BigBad Big Bad]] of ''Manga/SoulEaterNot'' is a clear example. Though she's also the youngest and not nearly as dangerous nor underhanded as her elder sisters in comparison. |
| 42 | * In ''Manga/TegamiBachiLetterBee'', which has [[TheHeartless Gaichuu]] resemble giant armored insects and arachnids, Laphroiag, a plot-important Gaichuu that [[spoiler:was responsible for Zazie's parents' deaths]], looks like a scorpion. |
| 43 | * ''Anime/TengenToppaGurrenLagann'': Adiane, the scorpion-tailed MsFanservice Supreme General of the Spiral King She wears an EyepatchOfPower over her left eye and is intensely hot and impulsive, often letting her anger get the better of her and land her in sticky situations or taking out her frustrations on Viral. |
| 44 | * ''Anime/ZoidsChaoticCentury'': The Death Stinger is a hyper-aggressive scorpion-type [[HumongousMecha Zoid]] with a WaveMotionGun for a stinger. |
| 45 | [[/folder]] |
| 46 | |
| 47 | [[folder:Comic Books]] |
| 48 | * In ''ComicBook/TheFurtherAdventuresOfIndianaJones'' #13, one of Indy's students on a field trip is paralyzed with fear by a scorpion on her arm. Dr. Jones picks the arachnid off her arm with his bullwhip. |
| 49 | * Subverted by Sammy Stingtail of the ''ComicBook/JoeyFly'' series. While {{reckless|Sidekick}} and [[UnwantedAssistance clumsy]], he is also unarguably one of the good guys and loyal to the title DetectiveAnimal. |
| 50 | * ''ComicBook/SpiderMan'': [[Characters/MarvelComicsMacGargan Mac Gargan/The Scorpion]] from Creator/MarvelComics, of course. He was created -- with funding from J Jonah Jameson, no less -- to take out Spider-Man, and actually trounced Spidey in their first fight. He's been mostly B-list since then, however, eventually ditching the Scorpion suit entirely to become the new ComicBook/{{Venom}}, but then when the symbiote was given to Flash Thompson, he took up his old identity again. He had a female sort-of-LegacyCharacter, Carmilla Black, but she's been rarely seen since he retook the Scorpion mantle. |
| 51 | * In ''ComicBook/StarWarsMarvel1977'', in order to get information out of someone, Luke Skywalker once has to prove his bravery by using chopsticks in his left hand to fish something out of the same bowl as an alien scorpion creature. Though to be fair, the alien creature could be far more venomous than the normal Earthling variety. |
| 52 | [[/folder]] |
| 53 | |
| 54 | [[folder:Fan Works]] |
| 55 | * ''Fanfic/AdoptedDisplaced'': The main villain in "Dressed To Steal" is a malicious anthropomorphic scorpion called Seft, who bears an enmity towards VideoGame/SlyCooper. |
| 56 | * ''Fanfic/ThePalaververse'': Gigantic wind scorpions are one of the many species of monster native to Saddle Arabia, and have the added bonus of being able to turn into wind to elude both prey and pursuit. |
| 57 | * ''Fanfic/PastSins'': In the climax, the horde of Everfree monsters that attacks Ponyville includes scorpios, constellation beasts resembling huge starry scorpions, that swarm over the town's buildings and attempt to devour its residents. |
| 58 | * ''Fanfic/PrehistoricEarth'': While not portrayed as explicitly evil or any more aggressive than any modern animal, both the pulmonoscorpius and multiple species of 'sea scorpion' come the closest to coming across as [[PrehistoricMonster monstrous]] by virtue of just how sinister their descriptions in the narrative make them sound. |
| 59 | * ''Fanfic/PrehistoricParkReimagined'': Pulmonoscorpius are amongst the animals rescued for the titular park. And while not evil or any more aggressive than any modern scorpion, they ''are'' noticeably played for suspense in their introductory scene and noticeably prove a source of great trepidation for Leon (who admittedly does at that point feel generally unnerved around many invertebrates). |
| 60 | * ''Fanfic/SunshineAndFire'': Soon after arriving in Sunshine!Equestria, Twilight is attacked by a group of ''enormous'' scorpions. She assumes them to be {{Mutants}}, as, besides their size, they only have two eyes each instead of eight and more legs than they should, including atrophied ones and ones extending from their sides at useless angles. |
| 61 | [[/folder]] |
| 62 | |
| 63 | [[folder:Films -- Animated]] |
| 64 | * ''WesternAnimation/AnAmericanTailFievelGoesWest'': Fievel is almost killed by a scorpion. Considering he's a mouse it's not that surprising. |
| 65 | * ''WesternAnimation/DuckTalesTheMovieTreasureOfTheLostLamp'': The bottom of the chamber where Collie Baba's treasure is kept has quite a few big ones, which Launchpad dubs "Sumo wrestling scorpions." Scrooge dismisses them as they're at the bottom of ''very'' deep pit, but then EvilSorcerer Merlock pulls a lever that causes the platform where the treasure is to lower... |
| 66 | * ''WesternAnimation/TheEmperorsNewGroove'': Kuzco and Pacha were briefly attacked by several scorpions while trying to climb a cliff. |
| 67 | * ''Anime/InuYashaTheMovieAffectionsTouchingAcrossTime'' starts with the heroes confronting a giant scorpion youkai with a secondary head in its stinger, which Miroku [[TruthInTelevision correctly identifies as an animal not native to Japan]], which later reveals that the BigBad actually hails from China. |
| 68 | * ''WesternAnimation/TheNightmareBeforeChristmas'': While planning (and singing about) the capture of Santa Claus, Shock has a box of large scorpions that she uses to illustrate her plan for herself and her brothers to hide in a box that Santa would open so they could kidnap him. |
| 69 | * ''WesternAnimation/PinocchioInOuterSpace''. While exploring below the surface of Mars, Pinocchio and Nurtle are chased by a gigantic scorpion. |
| 70 | [[/folder]] |
| 71 | |
| 72 | [[folder:Films -- Live-Action]] |
| 73 | * ''Film/ThreeThousandMilesToGraceland'': The opening credits feature two cartoonishly CG scorpions duking it out. |
| 74 | * ''Film/TheBlackScorpion'' involves a volcanic eruption in Mexico unleashing gigantic scorpions upon the land.%%Some closeups of goofy puppet heads aside, the stop-motion scorpions (made by Willis O'Brien, of ''Film/KingKong1933'' fame) are fairly nightmarish, especially in a scene where one attacks a telephone repair crew.%%Don't write reviews. |
| 75 | * ''Film/TheCave'': Jack encounters a cavern full of them, upon which they try to chase him off. |
| 76 | * In ''Film/ClashOfTheTitans1981'', Medusa's blood causes normal scorpions to become giants. In ''Film/ClashOfTheTitans2010'', there are still massive killer scorpions, but it's caused by the blood of Calibos, who has been given godly powers by Hades. The scorpions seem to be better at the job than Calibos was. The scorpions kill two Argosian soldiers (as opposed to Calibos's four), but they tend to make more of an impression, being, you know, giant scorpions. [[HorseOfADifferentColor They also make good mounts]], once they are tamed. |
| 77 | %%* ''Film/DamnationAlley'': Some giant mutated ones make a cameo. |
| 78 | * ''Film/DiamondsAreForever'': A dentist who is part of the diamond smuggling ring is [[AnimalAssassin assassinated with a scorpion]]. |
| 79 | * ''Film/DrPhibesRisesAgain'': One of Phibes' deathtraps involves scorpions. |
| 80 | * ''Film/FiveDeadlyVenoms'' goes all-in on AnimalThemeNaming, and one of the main villains is called Scorpion. His fighting style revolves around high kicks that can paralyze an opponent, a powerful grip, and the use of hidden throwing darts. He is also the most mysterious character in the film, as unlike the other four Venoms, we don't learn his secret identity until the climax of the movie. |
| 81 | * ''Film/HoneyIShrunkTheKids'': At one point, the kids are attacked by a scorpion after taking shelter in a Franchise/{{LEGO}} brick. Anty, an ant they befriended earlier that day, tries to save them and succeeds, [[HeroicSacrifice though at the cost of its life]], buying the kids enough time to get their act together and drive the beast off with their torches and sharpened sticks. Of course in this case, since scorpions ''are'' predators, [[JustifiedTrope a scorpion really would be scary and dangerous if you'd been shrunk down to the size of an insect]]. |
| 82 | * ''Film/{{Hook}}'': The eponymous pirate locks a pirate who bet against him in a large trunk called "The Boo Box." Apparently it is a common and deathly frightening punishment for pirates on the Jolly Roger, because the man ScreamsLikeALittleGirl, is thrown into the trunk, and has a bunch of scary scorpions dropped on him while the others scream "Boo!" |
| 83 | * ''Film/IfLooksCouldKill'': A scorpion is utilized as an AnimalAssassin. It's really a harmless emperor scorpion, though. |
| 84 | * ''Film/IndianaJonesAndTheKingdomOfTheCrystalSkull'': Shia [=LeBeouf=]'s character gets stung on the arm by a scorpion. He immediately flips out and screams that it was huge. Indy calmly tells him "Good, it's the small ones that kill you." |
| 85 | * ''Film/MurderByDeath''. Dora Charleston is stung by an AnimalAssassin scorpion. Her husband says it "can kill instantly" and she is said to only have minutes to live. |
| 86 | [[/folder]] |
| 87 | |
| 88 | [[folder:Gamebooks]] |
| 89 | * ''Literature/FightingFantasy'': Giant scorpions are a recurring threat, showing up in ''Literature/ScorpionSwamp'' (naturally), ''Literature/{{Magehunter}}'', ''Literature/CurseOfTheMummy'', ''Literature/{{Bloodbones}}'' and the largest of the lot, from ''Literature/DeathtrapDungeon''. The latter from ''Dungeon'' has two attacks simultaneously (given it has a Skill of 10, it can inflict double the damage on players with ease) and a stinger tail that inflicts a OneHitKill by rolling a double-twelve. Luckily that scorpion is a SkippableBoss, where players can battle the much easier Minotaur instead. |
| 90 | [[/folder]] |
| 91 | |
| 92 | [[folder:Literature]] |
| 93 | * ''Literature/CouncilWars'': ''East of the Sun, West of the Moon'' features giant, genetically engineered scorpions being dispatched after our heroes multiple times. During the story's climax, it is revealed that [[BatmanCanBreatheInSpace the scorpions can function in space]] and that [[FromBadToWorse they shoot acid from their tails.]] Worth noting, their first attack happens off-screen, and the heroes investigating after the fact only find a partial remnant, sans tail, leading them to initially assume they were giant solifugae[[note]]AKA "Camel Spiders", a lesser-known member of the arachnid family that resembles a giant spider[[/note]] instead, in defiance of SmallReferencePools. |
| 94 | * ''Literature/TheDescendants'': In "Little Girl Lost", the team encounters dog-sized scorpions, only to discover that killing them makes them combine into even bigger scorpions. |
| 95 | * ''Literature/DragonJousters'': In the fourth novel, ''Aerie'', the heroes are investigating a town whose entire population abruptly disappeared when they are attacked by a mass of black desert scorpions. |
| 96 | * ''Literature/GodspeakerTrilogy'': The violent and hostile Mijaki civilization worships a god symbolized by a scorpion, and one the rituals its priests (called godspeakers) perform involves being stung by hundreds of scorpions (If they survive, the god has judged them to be worthy.). |
| 97 | * ''Literature/JourneyToTheWest'': When Sun Wukong and his companions are traversing through a LadyLand, Xuanzang is kidnapped by a female scorpion demon who desires to marry him. Her stinger tail manages to incapacitate Wukong during their battles, eventually forcing him to consult the gods for help. |
| 98 | * ''Literature/TheMummyMonsterGame'': In book 1, during the quest for the body of Osiris, the characters encounter scorpions whose stinging tails can kill a character in one move unless they're jumped over. Josh later runs into them in the real life area when he goes to rescue Amy, Harry and Spy, but uses his skateboard to evade them. |
| 99 | * ''Literature/ThePearl'': The plot is set of by Kino's infant son Coyotito being stung by a scorpion. A normal-sized one, but in Kino's mind it's depicted as an evil song playing overtop of and drowning out the happy song of his family. |
| 100 | * ''Literature/PercyJacksonAndTheOlympians'': The very last chapters of ''The Lightning Thief'' have [[spoiler:[[TheMole Luke]]]] summoning a special ''Tartarus'' scorpion, with venom that can kill even demigods in sixty seconds. Percy [[spoiler:just ''barely'' manages to survive its sting by crawling into a nearby creek, where Poseidon's blessing manages to heal him]]. |
| 101 | * ''Literature/{{Redwall}}'': ''Mariel of Redwall'' has Skrabblag, a giant black scorpion found by searat Gabool the Wild, who keeps him as a pet. Eventually, Gabool, having lost his sanity throughout the book, starts siccing Skrabblag on any rat he deems a mutineer or a spy. Skrabblag nearly takes out a [[DidYouJustPunchOutCthulhu Badger Lord]] before his would-be victim flings him into the face of Gabool, and the scorpion wastes no time in stinging him to death. Dandin finishes off Skrabblag mere moments later, commenting that "evil destroyed evil, and good triumphed." |
| 102 | * ''Literature/Scorpion1980'' involves people being threatened by hordes of normal-sized scorpions (''Film/{{Arachnophobia}}''-style). Its sequel, ''Literature/ScorpionSecondGeneration'', ups the ante by having them grow gigantic. |
| 103 | * ''Literature/Scorpions2016'' revolves around giant scorpions being unleashed from beneath the earth by an earthquake. They menace the Nevada town of Laughlin. |
| 104 | * ''Literature/StormFrontDresdenFiles'': A scorpion is considered dangerous only because it has been [[BigCreepyCrawlies engorged to massive size]]. Despite receiving a huge dose of venom, one character makes a full recovery because the treatment is so basic. |
| 105 | * ''Literature/TheWarGods'': Sharnā, the Dark God of demons and patron of assassins, uses a scorpion as his symbol. His priests all wear a scorpion amulet as a necklace; the more elaborate the amulet, the higher the priest's rank. |
| 106 | * ''Literature/TheWitchOfKnightcharm'': One of the evil witches in Lily's clique, Natalya Monkhbat, is able to summon these with magic. They are apparently very deadly, though they dissolve into goo if Natalya's magic is broken. |
| 107 | [[/folder]] |
| 108 | |
| 109 | [[folder:Live-Action TV]] |
| 110 | * ''Series/BFighterKabuto'': Descorpion is a ruthless, scorpion-themed warrior who leads the [[ThePsychoRangers B-Crushers]], the EliteFour of the Melzard Tribe |
| 111 | * ''Series/BeetleborgsMetallix'' has Scorpix. He's the leader of the Mantrons, ThePsychoRangers of the show. |
| 112 | * ''Series/{{Emergency}}'': One rescue call was for a young woman who had passed out while getting dressed. The doctors at Rampart Hospital found a wound like an insect bite or sting under her armpit, but what could have stung her there? Gage connected the wound with what she had been doing: getting dressed using clothes from her recent trip to Mexico. A scorpion had somehow gotten into her suitcase and hid in a dress; when she put the dress on, the scorpion stung her. |
| 113 | * ''Series/FortBoyard'': One of the ordeals is to search for pieces of paper attached to the bodies of tarantulas and scorpions. |
| 114 | * ''Series/KamenRiderV3'': The logo of the terrorist organization Destron is a graphic of a scorpion. |
| 115 | %%* ''Series/KamenRiderFourze'': The Scorpion Zodiart, the first member of the Horoscopes fought. |
| 116 | * ''Series/KyoryuSentaiZyuranger'' / ''Series/MightyMorphinPowerRangers'': Lami/Scorpina. Her normal form is that of a beautiful woman, but when she [[MakeMyMonsterGrow grows to giant size]], she changes a lot more than most villains.... |
| 117 | * ''Series/Merlin2008'' has two episodes in which the heroes are attacked by giant scorpions. |
| 118 | * ''Series/OddSquad'': |
| 119 | ** Ancient Agent Orla keeps a box of scorpions hidden in her {{Hammerspace}} spine that she usually intends to release whenever there is a conflict that needs to be solved. Naturally, her teammates all object to her opening the box before she has a chance to. |
| 120 | ** In "Sunny Sides Add Up", Olando's Ancient Headquarters, situated in the middle of the Sahara Desert, has a large scorpion as a booby trap. It sits at the bottom of the chasm and tries to capture those who swing over the chasm by using its tail as pincers. |
| 121 | * ''Series/{{Primeval}}'': The heroes are attacked by huge scorpions, which come from the prehistoric times. The spinoff series ''Series/PrimevalNewWorld'' also has huge scorpions from prehistoric times. |
| 122 | * ''Series/UchuSentaiKyuranger'' zig-zags this with Stinger/Sasori Orange, a {{Human Alien|s}} from the Scorpio system, who is reclusive like scorpions are in RealLife, albeit for [[DarkAndTroubledPast different]] [[NoSocialSkills reasons]]. He's certainly a fearsome opponent, but also one of the [[LaResistance Kyurangers]] out to free space from the Jark Matter Shogunate and a FriendToAllChildren. On the other hand, he started out opposing the team and Champ/Oushi Black believes that Stinger killed his creator and mistrusts him for this reason. [[note]] This turns out to be a misunderstanding as Stinger actually tried to save Professor Anton and didn't care about explaining himself to anyone. The true killer is his brother.[[/note]] Played straighter with Stinger's [[CainAndAbel older brother]], Scorpio, who's top assassin of Jark Matter. |
| 123 | [[/folder]] |
| 124 | |
| 125 | [[folder:Multimedia Franchises]] |
| 126 | * Scorpions in the ''{{Franchise/Transformers}}'' franchise are more often than not threatening antagonists: |
| 127 | ** The name "Scorponok" is synonymous with a villainous robot who transforms into a scorpion, though the level of threat ranges from [[WesternAnimation/BeastWars a Predacon goon]] to a {{humongous|Mecha}} Decepticon leader. |
| 128 | ** ''ComicBook/TheTransformersMarvel'' and ''ComicBook/TheTransformersIDW'' depict Scorponok much smaller than his city-sized [[WesternAnimation/TheTransformers animated]] [[Anime/TransformersHeadmasters counterparts]], though he still transformers into a giant, gun-laden mechanical scorpion, and his robot mode still towers over most Transformers. |
| 129 | ** ''WesternAnimation/BeastWars'' has Quickstrike, whose beast mode is a scorpion... with a cobra for a tail! |
| 130 | ** [=MegaZarak=] of ''Anime/TransformersHeadmasters'', like his counterpart Scorponok, is a city-sized Transformer that becomes a {{Kaiju}}-sized scorpion (as well as a city/base mode). He gets an upgrade into Black Zarak in ''Anime/TransformersSuperGodMasterforce'', which is a nearly-identical but [[PaletteSwap recolored]] body with a new head. |
| 131 | [[/folder]] |
| 132 | |
| 133 | [[folder:Music]] |
| 134 | * [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acrassicauda Acrassicauda]], an Iraqi thrash metal band, derives its name from the Latin name for the Arabian fat-tailed scorpion, ''Androctonus crassicauda''. |
| 135 | * ''Music/TheWall'': During the Trial sequence, the grotesque of Pink's wife starts out as a scorpion before metamorphosing into her praying mantis-like form. |
| 136 | [[/folder]] |
| 137 | |
| 138 | [[folder:Mythology and Religion]] |
| 139 | * There's a very old story called "The Scorpion and the Frog." The scorpion wants the frog to get him across a river. The frog initially refuses, afraid the scorpion will sting him if he lets him on his back. But the scorpion assures him he won't, since then they'd both drown. So the frog relents and lets the scorpion hop on board. Midway across the river, the frog feels a sharp pain in his back and realizes the scorpion's stung him. He demands to know why he did it, since now they'll both drown. The scorpion replies [[TheFarmerAndTheViper "It's in my nature."]] |
| 140 | ** Or depending on the Aesop, [[GoodIsDumb "Scorpions can swim."]] |
| 141 | ** In another version, the final line is "Because this is the Middle East." |
| 142 | ** [[Series/StarTrekVoyager Chakotay]] tells a version with a fox instead of a frog to make a point about an unwise alliance with the Borg. |
| 143 | ** In another version, it is turtle instead (which are natural enemies of scorpions). The scorpion says ''Better we both perish than my enemy should live!'', expressing the self-destructive nature of spite. |
| 144 | * In Myth/ClassicalMythology, when Artemis fell for the great hunter Orion, her brother, Apollo, [[MySisterIsOffLimits didn't approve]], so he sent a giant scorpion to kill him. Orion and the scorpion killed each other, but Zeus was so impressed with their battle he put the two as constellations -- Orion and Scorpius. |
| 145 | * The girtablilu of Myth/MesopotamianMythology are a fearsome race of scorpion-centaur monsters. |
| 146 | * Averted with the scorpion goddess Serket from Myth/EgyptianMythology, who was a benevolent protector whom the Egyptians credited with protecting them from venomous animals. But get on her bad side, and they could expect a deadly scorpion sting. |
| 147 | * In UsefulNotes/{{Islam}}, the scorpion is perceived both as a symbol of evil and protection from evil. |
| 148 | * Scorpio of the Main/WesternZodiac is the only Arachnid sign, however it's partially subverted here, due to having some positive traits at least. |
| 149 | [[/folder]] |
| 150 | |
| 151 | [[folder:Pinball]] |
| 152 | * ''VideoGame/BallsOfSteel'': The "Devil's Island" table depicts a giant scorpion interrupting a human sacrifice ritual. |
| 153 | [[/folder]] |
| 154 | |
| 155 | [[folder:Tabletop Games]] |
| 156 | * Chaosium's supplement ''All the Worlds' Monsters'': |
| 157 | ** Volume I: |
| 158 | *** The giant scorpion is 10 feet long and has a sting that injects a lethal poison. |
| 159 | *** The whip scorpion is 6 feet long. Its nine foot long tail can shoot an acid spray that does 5-40 HitPoints of damage up to 60 feet away. |
| 160 | ** Volume III: |
| 161 | *** The Black Scorpion has up to 40 HitPoints, its PowerPincers do 2-20 HitPoints of damage and its sting does 7-42 HitPoints of poison damage. |
| 162 | *** The Tan Scorpion is a giant version that has up to 64 HitPoints. It does 2-20 HitPoints damage with its PowerPincers and 4-24 HitPoints of poison damage with its sting. |
| 163 | * ''TabletopGame/{{Arduin}}'': |
| 164 | ** ''The Compleat Arduin Book 2: Resources'' describes Great Black Scorpions, which can grow larger than a Sherman tank. They have dangerous PowerPincers and a deadly poisonous sting. |
| 165 | ** ''The Arduin Grimoire Volume 3: The Runes of Doom''. The Sky Scorpion is a 10-18 feet long scorpion that can kill an ordinary human being in seconds with its deadly PowerPincers. |
| 166 | * ''Magazine/{{Ares}}'' magazine #6 game "Voyage of the BSM Pandora": One possible monster an expedition can encounter is a large scorpion-like monster with a deadly tail (that is capable of killing a human in one blow), strong armor and razor-sharp talons. |
| 167 | * ''TabletopGame/AtlantisTheLostWorld'': The Kanawalla desert of Mu has scorpions that are only three inches long but have venom so virulent it can kill a mule in seconds. |
| 168 | * ''TabletopGame/CarWars'': Autoduel Quarterly magazine Vol. 7 #2 adventure "Mutant Zone". Hanger A in the Air Force base is home to a giant mutant scorpion, the victim of a biotoxin spill. |
| 169 | * ''TabletopGame/{{Deadlands}}'' has Vinegaroons which are scorpions about the size of a pony. (Vinegaroons aren't actually true scorpions, but when you're about be eaten by something the size of a pony, your average cowpoke ain't inclined to quibble.) |
| 170 | * ''TabletopGame/DungeonsAndDragons'' had large, huge and giant scorpions. |
| 171 | ** Trobriand's and Scaladar Automatons are sometimes made in the shape of giant scorpions. |
| 172 | ** ''TabletopGame/DarkSun'' has several examples. |
| 173 | *** The Mastyrial comes in two versions. The Desert variety is six feet long with a sonar sense that can [[SeeTheInvisible detect invisible enemies]], pincers and tail that can inflict lethal damage, a tough shell that gives immunity to blunt weapons and the ability to quickly regenerate damage. The Black version is smaller (three feet long) and does less damage, but hunts in packs and has psionic abilities that allow them to lure their victims closer and attack them. |
| 174 | *** The Scorpian also has two versions. The Barbed type is 8-12 feet long, covered with barbs that damage anyone that attacks it from close range, and its attacks do massive damage. The Gold is much smaller (1-2 feet long) but still does tremendous damage with its sting. |
| 175 | ** In 3rd Edition scorpions can grow up to 80 feet long. |
| 176 | %%** ''TabletopGame/{{Eberron}}'': Scorpions replace spiders as the Drow animal obsession.%%And? |
| 177 | * ''Dying Earth'' RPG: The Silver Desert has large scorpions (among other hazards). |
| 178 | * ''TabletopGame/{{Exalted}}'': ''Gunstar Autocthonia'' has Ishiika, the Cosmic Scorpion, a massive space-borne terror in the shape of a whirling nebula of teeth, clicking mandibles and pincers capable of shattering worlds, surmounted by a tail the length of solar systems. It is the most powerful and feared of all the alien monsters the Gunstar has encountered. |
| 179 | * ''TabletopGame/{{GURPS}}'' |
| 180 | ** ''TabletopGame/{{GURPS}} Bestiary'': The Giant Scorpion is two yards long. If its claws and bite don't kill you, its sting definitely will. |
| 181 | ** ''TabletopGame/GURPSSpaceAtlas'' and ''TabletopGame/{{GURPS}} Space Bestiary'': On the [[SingleBiomePlanet desert planet]] called Quentin, Pressure-Scorps are huge scorpion-like alien creatures more than twelve yards long and weighing up to six tons. Their stings don't inject poison -- appropriate to the planet, they suck the bodily fluids out of their victims, thus providing much-needed liquid. |
| 182 | * ''TabletopGame/HollowEarthExpedition'' supplement ''Mysteries of the Hollow Earth'': |
| 183 | ** Giant scorpions are the size of a horse and have a paralyzing sting that can take down a ''Brontotherium''. |
| 184 | ** The ''Pterygotus'' is a six-foot-long aquatic scorpion with [[PowerPincers large spiked claws]] and a flipper tail instead of a sting. |
| 185 | * ''TabletopGame/ItCameFromTheLateLateShow'': The Giant Scorpion Monster is 8 feet long and is created by man's mistreatment of the environment. It can crush its favorite prey (human beings) in its PowerPincers. |
| 186 | * ''TabletopGame/LegendOfTheFiveRings'': The Scorpion Clan is known for being equal parts GuileHero, LawfulEvil, and IDidWhatIHadToDo. (Amusingly, one of the Clan's major families subverts the Folklore entry above -- in their version of the tale, the scorpion reveals at the end that he can swim. Hence that family's motto: "I can swim.") |
| 187 | * ''TabletopGame/LejendaryAdventures''. The Black Scorpion's poisonous sting can inflict lethal damage. |
| 188 | * ''TabletopGame/MagicTheGathering'': Unlike most "regular" animals, which tend to be Green (the color of the natural world), scorpions are almost exclusively Black (the color of rot, decay and amorality). They usually get deathtouch (meaning they destroy any creature they deal any damage to) or some way to weaken enemy creatures or players by means such as poison counters. |
| 189 | * ''TabletopGame/TheMorrowProject'': One of the mutant monsters walking the Earth 150 years after a nuclear holocaust is a scorpion 1.5 meters long with a poison that has about a 50% chance of killing the average human. |
| 190 | * ''TabletopGame/MutantFuture'': Giant mutant scorpions are around six feet long and have a sting that injects a lethal poison. |
| 191 | * ''TabletopGame/{{Pathfinder}}'': |
| 192 | ** The game has several varieties of giant scorpions, with some getting dangerous enough to go toe-to-toe with 15th level characters. There are also Skullrippers, scorpion-like constructs that have a tendency to decapitate people and add their skulls to their bodies. |
| 193 | ** The herald of Norgorber, the NeutralEvil god of thieves, poisoners and murderers, is a giant metallic scorpion known as the Stabbing Beast. It's a ferocious predator and enjoys tracking and killing targets -- as, like all planar creatures, it has no need to eat, this is apparently just for the sake of killing -- and is primarily called to the material plane to spread death and mayhem. |
| 194 | ** The demon queen Aldinach is associated with scorpions and takes on the form of a gigantic human-headed scorpion. She inhabits a layer of the Abyss resembling a vast desert and is able to command ordinary and monstrous scorpions. |
| 195 | ** Pathfinder's second edition now has [[IncendiaryExponent magma scorpions,]] which are [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin Exactly What It Says On The Tin.]] |
| 196 | * ''TabletopGame/{{Rolemaster}}'': |
| 197 | ** ''Space Master'' supplement ''Aliens & Artifacts'': Ice Scorpions, which are found in Arctic ecosystems and are 3 meters long. |
| 198 | ** ''Shadow World'': |
| 199 | *** ''Master Atlas'': The Gemsting scorpion is 4-6 feet long and injects a respiratory poison. |
| 200 | *** ''Kingdom of the Desert Jewel'': Giant scorpions in Gethrya inject a poison that causes delirium for 1-20 hours. |
| 201 | * ''TabletopGame/RuneQuest'': |
| 202 | ** ''Heroes'' magazine Volume I #3 article "Creepy Critters: Insects for TabletopGame/RuneQuest'': Scorpions can grow up to nine meters long, including the tail. If the pincers grab the opponent, the scorpion's sting automatically hits. |
| 203 | ** Supplement ''Trollpak'', "Book of Uz" part 2: Giant scorpions used by the trolls can weigh as much as 480 lbs. |
| 204 | * ''TabletopGame/{{Shadowrun}}'': |
| 205 | ** ''Paranormal Animals of Europe'': The Scorpyrine is a scorpion about forty centimeters (sixteen inches) long which is immune to fire and has a [[PoisonIsCorrosive acidic venom]] that can kill a victim in five minutes. |
| 206 | ** ''California Free State'': The Nova Scorpion is a meter long and its stinger has one of the deadliest animal poisons known to metahumanity -- it can kill in one hour. |
| 207 | * ''TabletopGame/TheUnofficialHollowKnightRPG'': The scorpion tribes inhabit the desert wasteland to the northeast of the Great Oak. As a culture, they're described as a horde of brutal, merciless barbarians who take from the weak, worship the [[EldritchAbomination Sandwyrm]], regard ruthlessness as the highest virtue, and practice [[BlackMagic Dust magic]]. Unlike the [[OmnicidalManiac Lord of Dust]]'s other BattleThralls, the scorpions serve him willingly. |
| 208 | * ''TabletopGame/{{Warhammer}}'': The Tomb kings can summon giant scorpion-shaped stone constructs from underground. |
| 209 | * ''TabletopGame/Warhammer40000'': |
| 210 | ** The Dark Eldar's Talos is a giant-scorpion-like skimmer, with huge claws and a weaponized tail. |
| 211 | ** The ''Apocalypse'' expansion also has a mechanized scorpion for Khornate Chaos Space Marines. |
| 212 | [[/folder]] |
| 213 | |
| 214 | [[folder:Toys]] |
| 215 | * Plenty in ''Toys/{{BIONICLE}}''. Among the different rahi species, there are Nui-Jaga (giant, ill-tempered scorpions capable of smashing through solid rock), Kofo-Jaga (fist-sized scorpions that travel in swarms and have fiery stings), Catapult Scorpions (enormous, highly aggressive scorpions with tails that materialize stone to sling at enemies), and Skopios (massive scorpion-like predators that ambush prey from beneath the sand). There are also the Zesk and the Vorox (the former Agori and Glatorian of the Sand Tribe now reduced to mindless beasts), as well as the [[SpiderTank Skopio XV-1]], which was built with Skopios in mind. |
| 216 | * In Toys/{{LEGO}}'s ''Toys/KnightsKingdom2'' line, each knight has an {{Animal Motif|s}}. Vladek, the BigBad, is the Scorpion Lord. |
| 217 | [[/folder]] |
| 218 | |
| 219 | [[folder:Video Games]] |
| 220 | * Eris' car [[spoiler:and especially the Nidhogg]] in ''Agent Intercept''. While the connection with Eris' car is limited to the stinger-like laser cannon on the back, [[spoiler:Nidhogg]] has a laser stinger ''and'' propeller-assisted claws. |
| 221 | * ''VideoGame/AnimalCrossing'': Beginning with ''VideoGame/AnimalCrossingWildWorld'', scorpions appear as collectible bugs. Unlike most bugs, they're aggressive and will attack you if you move rapidly around them, but you can catch them if you're quick or sneaky. If you're ''not'' quick, fortunately, they just knock you out and cause you to wake up in front of your house. Villagers will panic on seeing them and will sweat nervously until either the scorpion is caught or it despawns. |
| 222 | * ''VideoGame/ARKSurvivalEvolved'': ''Pulmonoscorpius'' is a scorpion the size of a pony. It is a highly aggressive predator with a paralyzing venom, which makes it the bane of every starting player. Fortunately, you are also able to tame this creature and, with the right saddle, even ride it, making it a valuable ally. |
| 223 | * ''VideoGame/BattleForWesnoth'': giant blue scorpions are commonly used as neutral critters, unavailable for hire. They can be pretty dangerous in combat, attacking with either several strikes of their pincers or a single, venomous stinger strike, but lack any form of ranged combat. During the campaign "Son of Black Eye", the Troll in the party tries to cook and eat a desert scorpion, only to find out they taste like crap. |
| 224 | * ''VideoGame/{{Breathless}}'' has robotic scorpions as uncommon, occasional enemies you can fight. |
| 225 | * ''VideoGame/Bug1995'' has ''loads'' of these in the desert stage. Some just walk back and forth, others try to attack with extendable claws, and a few try to [[BewareMyStingerTail sting Bug with their tail]]. Thankfully, they all take one hit to die, making them not too big of a threat. |
| 226 | * ''VideoGame/BugFables'': Psicorps are common enemies in the [[ShiftingSandLand Lost Sands]], though they are actually pseudoscorpions. Actual scorpions also make an appearance, as the Dune Scorpion appears as a MiniBoss, also in the Lost Sands. Not only it's a vicious, violent predator, but it manages to [[NearDeathExperience nearly kill]] Leif just when the team [[NotQuiteDead presumed it to be dead]]. [[spoiler:In the Giant's Lair, the Roaches who live there also managed to [[TheBeastmaster tame scorpions as pets]], even noting they are very tame when compared to the [[EldritchAbomination Dead Landers]], much to the heroes' disturbance.]] |
| 227 | * ''VideoGame/CaveIn'': Scorpions are a type of enemy you can face in the game. Like all enemies, they are dealt with by being shot. |
| 228 | %%* ''VideoGame/ClarencesBigChance'' |
| 229 | * The Brotherhood of Nod in the ''VideoGame/CommandAndConquerTiberianSeries'' follows this psychology and uses a scorpion tail as its emblem, staying hidden when they are incapable of waging war with the [[BigGood GDI]] and striking at them when their prey is vulnerable. |
| 230 | * In ''VideoGame/CrashBandicoot3Warped'', scorpions appear as enemies in the Arabian town levels (Hang Em' High, Hang Time, Flaming Passion) crawling upside down on the overhead grates the player has to climb through. |
| 231 | * ''VideoGame/DarkSoulsII'' has Scorpioness Nakja, an {{Expy}} of Quelaag from the first game. Nakja has the upper body of a woman, but it's attached at the waist to the head of a giant, two-tailed scorpion. There is also Manscorpion Tark, a similar blend of man and scorpion, but despite his intimidating appearance, he's completely friendly and you can hold a conversation with him. In fact, it's even possible to summon him to help you against Nakja (he's her ex-husband, and he considers her to have gone insane and wishes to prevent her from harming anyone else). |
| 232 | * The scorpion in ''VideoGame/DeadlyCreatures'' is one of two playable arachnids, the other being a spider... thing is, this particular scorpion appears to be channeling [[VideoGame/GodOfWar Kratos]], as it has some unusually complex and brutal kill moves for what is supposed to be a wild animal. |
| 233 | * ''VideoGame/DemonSkin'' has giant scorpions as enemies in the forest and caverns, whose stingers can inflict a poisoned status on you if you're hit by it's projectiles. There are even bright orange KingMook scorpions every now and then. |
| 234 | * ''VideoGame/DiabloIII'' has Tormented Stingers, which look and sting like scorpions but are actually tortured human sacrifices with their body sliced open to form the legs and its legs mutilated to make the tail. |
| 235 | * ''VideoGame/{{Dogyuun}}'' has many scorpion mechas in stage 4. The boss of that stage is a giant robot scorpion that shoots homing balls from its tail, and tries to massacre you with its claws. |
| 236 | * ''VideoGame/{{Dominions}}'': Scorpions are part of the unit list of [[BatOutOfHell Xibalba]], tames by their ultrasonic voices. The oldest and largest of them are considered sacred. |
| 237 | * Crixalis, the Sand King, from ''VideoGame/Dota2'', was meant to be an AnthropomorphicPersonification of the desert, but he took the form of a scorpion because scorpions are found in the desert commonly and his old model was a scorpion-ish Nerubian from ''Warcraft III''. He's more about burrowing, but his stinger tail contains venom that will make those infected by it explode messily when they die as shown in his skill Caustic Finale. It's the least of your worries when it comes to Sand King. |
| 238 | * ''VideoGame/DragonsCrown'' has cat-sized Scorpions as a common enemy encounter. They're small enough that several attacks whiff over them, but their poison still packs a punch. In fact, the [[AllThereInTheManual art book mentions]] that Elves harvest their poison for their poisoned arrows and daggers. They're also large enough to be common source of nutrition for adventurers and are cooked like crabs during camp. |
| 239 | * The BigBad in ''VideoGame/DroneTactics'' operates a giant mechanical scorpion. |
| 240 | * Giant Desert Scorpions from ''VideoGame/DwarfFortress'', who in addition to being [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin very, very large]] and lethally venomous[[note]]Their venom is a powerful neurotoxin (simulated in-game by causing nervous tissue to ''[[MakeThemRot rot]]'' and can kill a full-grown dragon)[[/note]] have ''prehensile claws'' and a penchant for snatching weapons off attackers and using them in addition to their claws and sting. |
| 241 | * ''VideoGame/EarthBound1994'' has a creature called a Skelpion that appears in the Dusty Dunes Desert, which is basically a scorpion skeleton, which is weird because scorpions are invertebrates. Stronger versions called Dread Skelpions appear later in the deserts of Scaraba. |
| 242 | * ''VideoGame/EarthBoundBeginnings'' has your regular scorpions, as well as the more dangerous Bionic Scorps. |
| 243 | * Averted or inverted in ''VideoGame/EasternExorcist'', a game where most of the demons are animal-human hybrids. There's only one scorpion character, and he's a ''doctor''. Who tries to ''[[{{Irony}} cure]]'' your brother after he was poisoned by a snake-demon. |
| 244 | * ''VideoGame/EternalEvil'' has a mutant scorpion monster stalking you for most of the game's first half, before you face it as a boss where it's roughly as large as the room you fight it in. You could collect notes regarding the scorpion's origins - supposedly, it's a rare animal breed from China who grows in size through contact with ''human'' blood. |
| 245 | * ''VideoGame/EternityTheLastUnicorn'' have gigantic scorpions as enemies around the Reno Lake ruins. Beware the stingers! |
| 246 | * ''VideoGame/EtrianOdysseyVBeyondTheMyth'': There's a species of FOE in the second stratum (Jagged Reach) called Glaring Stinger, which is modeled like a purple-colored scorpions with golden stinging tails. However, their front limbs are shaped like crustacean pincers instead of arachnid ones. |
| 247 | * ''VideoGame/EvilGenome'' is set after an apocalypse turns the earth into a desert-covered wasteland, whose surface is filled with gigantic scorpions. They're the first monsters that attacks you the moment you stepped off your crashed ship. |
| 248 | * ''VideoGame/ExtrapowerGiantFist'': Scorpions populate the desert stage surrounding Blackberry's pyramid and within it, one of which is the size of a tank. |
| 249 | * ''VideoGame/{{Fable}}'' had Arachanox, the huge scorpion that serves as the [[BossBattle final boss]] of the Arena. [[spoiler: Unless you consider Whisper.]] |
| 250 | * ''Franchise/{{Fallout}}'': Gigantic, radiation-mutated scorpions are a mainstay of the games. |
| 251 | ** In the first two games, they essentially make for an early game nuisance/slight challenge. In the third game as well as ''New Vegas'', the regular variety is still a nuisance, though the giant ones may serve as a legitimate threat, having no head to target for additional damage and being faster then the player, hardly slowed down at all by crippled legs. Then the ''Broken Steel'' DLC gave us the albino radscorpion, every bit as big and fast as a regular giant radscorpion, but harder to see from a distance, having a much higher damage potential, and being durable enough to take a [[MadeOfIron nuke on the chin and keep on going as if nothing happened (and this is not an exaggeration)]], [[HealingFactor regenerating all the while]], being one of the DLC's three [[BossInMookClothing bosses in mook's clothing]]. |
| 252 | ** ''VideoGame/FalloutNewVegas'': |
| 253 | *** There's a radscorpion queen who is extraordinarily difficult. Tough, fast, lots of damage, and fought in extremely close quarters so that escaping damage is impossible. You fight her along with a couple of her kids, too, just for extra hurt. |
| 254 | *** The ''Old World Blues'' DLC has Dr. Mobius' [[MechaMooks Robo-Scorpions]] that can shoot [[EnergyWeapon Frickin' Laser Beams]], with a Giant version as a boss. And by Giant, we mean [[HumongousMecha Giant]]. |
| 255 | ** ''VideoGame/Fallout4'' radscorpions are not your old radscorpions. ''These'' radscorpions have no small variants, and the weakest of them is at LEAST the size of a bear, and armored to boot. They can also now burrow and pop up right in melee range. And then you get a horrifying close-up of their high-def character models as they sting you in the face for a huge amount of poison damage. |
| 256 | * ''Franchise/FinalFantasy'': |
| 257 | ** ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyX'' has Sinspawn Gui and its PaletteSwap Ultima Buster, which bear distinct resemblances to scorpions. They both have multiple pairs of legs, large arms positioned like a scorpion's pincers, and a long "tail" that arches over their back like a scorpion's tail. However, this "tail" doesn't end in a stinger, it ends in a [[MultipleHeadCase second head]]. This second head can poison your characters, likely referencing the scorpion's sting. |
| 258 | ** ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyXV'' has the reapertails, reaperkings and saphyrtails. Their attacks can [[ArmorPiercingAttack ignore the player's Vitality stat]]. |
| 259 | ** ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyMysticQuest'' features scorpions as a tough early-game enemy. They don't first appear in the ShiftingSandLand, [[MisplacedWildlife but]] in SlippySlideyIceWorld. |
| 260 | * ''VideoGame/FroggersJourneyTheForgottenRelic'': Scorpions appear as enemies patrolling the Pyramid. They move in particularly difficult patterns in the rooms Frogger can fall into. |
| 261 | * A mechanical version exists in ''VideoGame/FunkUnplugged''. They're robotic hats that move around on spider-like legs, and fire lasers from a blaster on a tail on their backside. |
| 262 | * ''VideoGame/{{Geneforge}}'' has giant scorpion monsters called clawbugs which are available to the player as {{Mon}}s and commonly show up as early mid-game enemies, usually inhabiting areas of desert and blasted wasteland. Since the premise of the series includes mage-scientists tinkering with life forms, they show up in several varieties; normal clawbugs, venomous stinging clawbugs, extra-fast plated bugs, and BossInMookClothing clawbug queens. |
| 263 | * Kratos fights a giant one of these in ''VideoGame/GodOfWarIII''. He also fights several who are merely large before and during the aforementioned fight. |
| 264 | * ''VideoGame/GoldenSun'' has the King Scorpion boss and giant scorpions later on. |
| 265 | * ''VideoGame/GryphonKnightEpic'': Zafira Faris, one of the bosses, rides a gigantic scorpion. |
| 266 | * ''VideoGame/IndianaJonesAndHisDesktopAdventures'' has giant, Scary Scorpions alongside {{giant spider}}s as the weakest enemies in the game. They are found in both the Amazon jungle and the caverns beneath. |
| 267 | * ''VideoGame/HeroOfSparta'' have massive scorpions as recurring enemies, from puppy-sized (which dies in one hit) to GiantMook (which soaks up plenty of blows, with a stinger tail large enough to skewer you before shaking you like a maraca before throwing you aside). |
| 268 | * ''VideoGame/IntrepidIzzy'': Scorpions serve as an enemy in the game. They'll sting Izzy if she gets too close. |
| 269 | * ''VideoGame/KingsQuest'': |
| 270 | ** Graham encounters a scorpion in ''VideoGame/KingsQuestVAbsenceMakesTheHeartGoYonder''. Despite being significantly smaller than the one Valanice comes across, it's also far more deadly, resulting in an instant death as soon as you reach the screen it shows up on (whereas Valanice's giant scorpion rather courteously gives you some time to deal with it before attacking). |
| 271 | ** In ''VideoGame/KingsQuestVIIThePrincelessBride'', Valanice is attacked by a giant scorpion. |
| 272 | * In ''VideoGame/{{Kolibri}}'', the scorpions are normal-sized, but the player character is a normal-sized hummingbird, so they're proportionately gigantic, ''and'' they've been given projectiles and sent berserk by a corrupting alien crystal. That said, they aren't very mobile, acting more as level hazards than true enemies. |
| 273 | * ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfSpyroANewBeginning'': Buffalo beetles are, name notwithstanding, scorpions much larger than Spyro found in the Munitions Forge, who attack with their claws and with fiery beams shot from their stingers. |
| 274 | * ''Franchise/TheLegendOfZelda'': |
| 275 | ** ''VideoGame/ZeldaIITheAdventureOfLink'': Arurodas are blue-colored scorpions with cyclopean eyes that shoot fireballs at Link from their tails. The eye is the weak point, but Link has to wait until it opens to hit it, or else his sword attacks will ricochet. These enemies are found exclusively on East Hyrule, specifically the southeast region of the map housing the last two towns (both named Kasuto), as well as the last two dungeons, in the game. |
| 276 | ** ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaSkywardSword'': Moldarach is a positively humongous scorpion that dwells in the sands of the Lanayru Mining Facility's rotunda. Its most notable features are the eyes that are within its pincers. Another is fought as a DegradedBoss in the Lanayru Shipyard later in the game. |
| 277 | * ''VideoGame/LeagueOfLegends'': Skarner takes form of a scorpion, and his pincers really pack a punch. He's not a venomous scorpion, but his stinger tail can inflict another breed of 'poison', in this case, encase his victim in crystal for a few seconds and he can drag them anywhere he moves. |
| 278 | * ''VideoGame/LittleRedHood'': Scorpions appear as enemies. |
| 279 | * ''WesternAnimation/LooneyTunes'' games: |
| 280 | ** In ''VideoGame/RoadRunnersDeathValleyRally'', scorpions serve as enemies in the first world, "[[DeathMountain Zippity Splat]]". |
| 281 | ** In ''VideoGame/DesertSpeedtrap Starring [[WesternAnimation/WileECoyoteAndTheRoadRunner Road Runner and Wile E. Coyote]]'', Scorpions serve as common enemies. They attack Road Runner by shooting venom from their tails. |
| 282 | ** In ''VideoGame/CheeseCatAstrophe Starring WesternAnimation/SpeedyGonzales'', scorpions serve as enemies in World 1, [[ShiftingSandLand the Desert]]. They attack Speedy by stinging him with their tails. |
| 283 | * In ''VideoGame/TheLuckyDimeCaper Starring WesternAnimation/DonaldDuck'', the [[BuildLikeAnEgyptian pyramid]] level is filled with scorpions. They're quite fast and drop by the dozens from baskets hanging from the ceiling. |
| 284 | * ''VideoGame/MegaManX'': Mega Scorpio from ''VideoGame/MegaManX7'' and Mega Scorpia from ''VideoGame/MegaManZero2''. Downplayed- although they are large and imposing, they are only {{Warm Up Boss}}es. |
| 285 | * ''VideoGame/MegaManXCorrupted'', a fan-made game, uses a scorpion called [[ShockAndAwe Sparkling Scorpio]] as a proper Maverick Boss. |
| 286 | * ''VideoGame/MetalGearSolid3SnakeEater'' has an Emperor Scorpion as an edible animal during the mountainside section of the game, though it provides little stamina and in any case Snake hates the flavour. Sadly, [[ArtisticLicenseBiology they're also depicted as being capable of killing Snake when they sting him, despite the fact that Emperor Scorpion venom isn't fatal to humans]]. That said, this makes them a pretty decent (if lethal -- remember the PacifistRun option) ImprovisedWeapon if you capture one alive and throw it at an enemy. |
| 287 | * ''VideoGame/{{Miitopia}}'': The Neksdor Desert is populated with big scorpion enemies, one of them sharing its name with this very trope. |
| 288 | * ''VideoGame/MoCreatures'': This ''VideoGame/{{Minecraft}}'' mod includes scorpions as a tamable neutral mob. They’re huge, about the size of the player, and come in four variants, with will deliver different status effects if they sting you: common dirt scorpions will poison you, cave scorpions will give you nausea, ice scorpions will slow you down, and Nether scorpions will set you on fire. You can also turn them into undead scorpions with an essence of undead. |
| 289 | * ''VideoGame/MonsterEye'' have giant insects as a recurring enemy, including scorpions in multiple levels. The Chinatown stage ends with a ''kaiju'' scorpion boss fight that you can only defeat by blasting it's pincers and tails to a stump. |
| 290 | * ''Franchise/MortalKombat'': Surprisingly, even if he's named after the creature, Scorpion isn't really heavily based on the trope, although his signature kunai on a rope can be considered as his equivalent of the namesake's [[BewareMyStingerTail stinger tail]] in form and works like a scorpion's pincer claws (holding his victims in the most preferred place). However, he CAN turn into a literal giant scorpion for a Fatality. |
| 291 | * ''VideoGame/MusashiSamuraiLegend'': the second boss is Gorpus, a giant monster who was sealed by the Earth Maiden Burrini inside a gigantic stone urn, using the Sword of Earth as a linchpin to keep the monster asleep. Gorpus resembles a gigantic purple scorpion with a mechanical cannon for a stinger and a helmet-like head which must be cut apart to reveal its real weakness: a giant orange eyeball. |
| 292 | * One of the cyborg enemies in ''VideoGame/NanoBreaker'' is a mechanical scorpion capable of blasting energy bolts from it's tail. |
| 293 | * ''VideoGame/NoMoreHeroes'': |
| 294 | ** The first game has a minigame where Travis has to scoop up scorpions while avoiding stings. Their speed and agility will be determined by their color, with the blue ones being the hardest (but also the most valuable score-wise). It's recommended to only play this minigame if you've unlocked the sprint skill. |
| 295 | ** ''VideoGame/NoMoreHeroes2DesperateStruggle'' brings back the scorpion hunt minigame from the first game; scorpions are also enemies in some of the 8-bit retro minigames, serving as mooks. |
| 296 | ** ''VideoGame/NoMoreHeroesIII'': There's an overworld-wide CollectionSidequest where Travis has to capture scorpions and take them to a sushi kiosk close to his motel room. These scorpions are ''dangerous'', because a sting will cause Travis to faint and respawn in his motel, very far from the place where he found the scorpion (and said scorpion will also change its location, so geting back to where Travis first found it will be a waste of time). |
| 297 | * ''VideoGame/NuclearThrone'' has scorpions in the starting area, the Desert. They have a decent amount of health and shoot acid, and will stab you with their stingers if you touch them. There are also golden scorpions, which have more health and shoot more acid -- at two different speeds! And they shoot out even ''more'' acid when they die. |
| 298 | * ''VideoGame/ParasiteEve'': The Museum of Natural History features a [[BossInMookClothing particularly large, tough]] scorpion enemy with a stretchable tail that can reach almost across the room. |
| 299 | * The [[OneWingedAngel true form]] of the {{final boss}} of ''VideoGame/PN03'' is a giant mecha-scorpion, although it rarely uses its "stinger". |
| 300 | * ''Franchise/{{Pokemon}}'': |
| 301 | ** Gligar and Gliscor cross this trope with BatOutOfHell. Gligar, at least, has a tendency to fly straight at its targets' faces and clamping on tight before injecting them full of poison. |
| 302 | ** Skorupi is a fairly straight example, ambushing prey while hiding below the sand with its poison sting at the ready, but its evolution Drapion is an interesting subversion. It's stated to have a very bad reputation due to its aggressive nature, but according to some of its Pokedex entries it actively avoids using poison in combat, preferring to fight with its claws and great physical strength. [[TruthInTelevision Which, incidentally, is how larger scorpion species tend to hunt in real life]]. |
| 303 | ** Kincaid, TheDragon of the local villain team in ''VideoGame/PokemonRanger: Shadows of Almia'', uses the Gligar and Scorupi lines exclusively, even [[DualBoss both at the same time]] in one downloadable mission. |
| 304 | * ''VideoGame/PrinceOfPersiaTheTwoThrones'': when the Vizier stabs himself with the Dagger of Time, a body horrorific transformation takes place and he seenmingly grows scorpion parts through his body. His Zurvan form resembles an impossibly bright floating humanoid with carapace-covered legs and tails like a scorpion. |
| 305 | * ''VideoGame/{{Putrefaction}}'' has huge scorpion monsters in the sequel's Putrid World, capable of spitting acid streams from a distance. Get too close and they'll swing their stinging barbs instead. |
| 306 | * Giant Scorpions exist in ''VideoGame/PuzzleQuest'', where their major abilities are (a) hiding (letting them do double damage until you damage them ''out'' of hiding) and (b) poisoning you. However, once you've clocked three of them, you can ''capture and tame'' one to act as your ''steed'' (no access to the poison, but you ''do'' get their Hide ability). |
| 307 | * Gigantic black scorpions are also a common foe is the desert setting of ''VideoGame/QuestForGloryII'', and have a powerful venom that makes them one of the more dangerous foes in the game. |
| 308 | * ''VideoGame/QuestForTheShavenYakStarringRenHoekAndStimpy'': In [[ShiftingSandLand The Stinking Dry Desert]], there are scorpion enemies that act as [[HollywoodMirage mirages of glasses of lemonade]]. |
| 309 | * In the original ''VideoGame/Rayman1'', one of the bosses is Mr. Skops, a giant red scorpion who can throw his claws at you and fire lasers from the stinger on his tail. |
| 310 | * The Stinger, the GiantSpaceFleaFromNowhere boss from ''VideoGame/ResidentEvil0'' and ''VideoGame/ResidentEvilTheUmbrellaChronicles'' who smashes through the roof of the train to cause some trouble. Despite its intimidating size, it goes down effortlessly if you feed a few rounds from the Hunting Gun into its face from point-blank range. Apparently they were carrying it on the train to study it, but it got free when the Leech Zombies appeared. |
| 311 | * There are a large variety of scorpions in ''VideoGame/RuneScape''. |
| 312 | * ''VideoGame/SeriousSam3'' has an anti-piracy feature that presents the unlicensed player with a red scorpion centaur that has limitless hit points. It can follow the player anywhere he can go, and always homes in on him anywhere on the playfield. Specialized threads on game forums are dedicated to queries on "How do I kill Red Scorpion?" The answer is always the same: "Buy a legit copy of the game, cheapskate!" |
| 313 | * ''VideoGame/SmallSaga'': Vinium has several scorpions referred to as Imperators - presumably after emperor scorpions - to pit against rodent gladiators. The scorpions are [[WhatMeasureIsANonCute non-anthropomorphic]] and unlike most foes are killed in these combats rather than disengaging. |
| 314 | * ''Franchise/SonicTheHedgehog'': |
| 315 | ** ''[[VideoGame/SonicTheHedgehogCD Sonic CD]]'' has Sasori, a robotic scorpion that inhabits [[CrystalLandscape Quartz Quadrant Zone]] and attacks by shooting lasers from its tail. |
| 316 | ** In ''[[VideoGame/SonicTheHedgehogSpinball Sonic Spinball]]'', the boss of the first level, Toxic Caves, is Scorpius, a giant robotic scorpion with Robotnik's face and a tail that sprays poisonous goop to attack with. |
| 317 | ** ''[[VideoGame/Sonic3AndKnuckles Sonic and Knuckles]]'' has Skorp, a robotic scorpion that inhabits [[ShiftingSandLand Sandopolis Zone]]. |
| 318 | ** ''[[VideoGame/Sonic3DFlickiesIsland Sonic 3D Blast]]'' has Scorpy, a robotic scorpion that inhabits [[LethalLavaLand Volcano Valley Zone]]. |
| 319 | ** A non-robotic example in ''VideoGame/SonicAdventure''; Chaos 6 takes on the form of a bloated scorpion who stings Sonic, Knuckles, and Big with his tail. |
| 320 | ** ''VideoGame/SonicChronicles'': Another non-robotic example. One of the missions to collect the devices in Chapter 3 has the player save a young boy from two giant scorpions. They have poison attacks, cannot be fleed from, and are generally tough opponents for how early they appear in game. |
| 321 | * The third boss of ''VideoGame/SpaceDebris'' is a giant alien scorpion the size of a building, whose tail can spam energy blasts on the player. |
| 322 | * ''VideoGame/SpaceQuest 3'': "OH NO! A venomous scorpazoid. Watch out." |
| 323 | * A puzzle in episode 5 of ''VideoGame/StrongBadsCoolGameForAttractivePeople'' involves getting a chunk of scorpion food away from a horde of 8-bit scorpions. |
| 324 | * ''Franchise/SuperMarioBros'': |
| 325 | ** In ''VideoGame/DonkeyKong94'', Mario encounters indestructible scorpion enemies called Scorpy in the desert stage, which will cause him to lose a life should he touch them. |
| 326 | ** Mario's doppelganger VideoGame/{{Wario}} has faced scorpion enemies on occasion, typically found in desert areas. |
| 327 | *** ''VideoGame/WarioLandShakeIt'' features Flipstings, who keep their stingers arched over their backs and are thus immune to jump attacks. |
| 328 | *** ''VideoGame/WarioWorld'' has Big Scorpers, which attack by lashing with their stingers. |
| 329 | * ''VideoGame/TheWindRoad'' has giant scorpion enemies in the caverns, who ambushes you by tunneling from underground. |
| 330 | * The Sand Scorpio enemy in ''VideoGame/SwordOfMana'' is the sole scorpion enemy in the game, with a stinging attack that can inflict poison and the ability to buff its attack power in addition to standard attacks. As a rare enemy, it also deals ScratchDamage and causes you to fall over on contact. |
| 331 | * ''VideoGame/TalesOfSymphonia'' had a [[ShiftingSandLand desert]] that featured these. |
| 332 | * The second act of ''VideoGame/TitanQuest'', set in Egypt, is full of large scorpions (black ones as large as a men and yellow ones [[AttackOfThe50FootWhatever big as grown elephants.]]) as well as the Scorpos, a hybrid of man and scorpion. Their king is the boss that protects one of the artifacts necessary to continue the story. |
| 333 | * ''VideoGame/{{Terraria}}'' has giant Sand Poachers that appear in the Underground Desert during Hardmode, which are capable of climbing walls at very fast speeds and are capable of inflicting the Acid Venom debuff whenever they hit the player. Regular non-giant scorpions appear as well, but they're a subversion since they just wander around and are completely incapable of harming the player. |
| 334 | * In ''VideoGame/{{ULTRAKILL}}'', the Hideous Mass is a [[OurDemonsAreDifferent Greater Demon]] that can be best described as a grotesque, scorpion-shaped amalgamation of meat and statues. According to its [[MonsterCompendium Terminal Data]], these rare demons are the result of a single shell filled with an excessive amount of Hell mass, causing the mass to burst open the shell and flow through the seams. It's also a formidable foe, thanks to its [[DamageSpongeBoss massive health]], damage-proof stone carapace, the ability to fire rains of Hell energy, and the ability to fire its [[BewareMyStingerTail stinger tail like a harpoon]]. Thankfully, [[StationaryBoss it only stays in one spot]], and [[AttackItsWeakPoint attacking its weak spots]] (such as the underbelly and [[AttackTheTail tail]]) deals extra damage. |
| 335 | * In ''VideoGame/UnemploymentQuest'', you play as a young man named Chris who's trying to get a job, and fights monsters that take the form of his negative emotions. The one representing Laziness looks like a scorpion. |
| 336 | * ''VideoGame/{{Vectorman}} 2'' has giant scorpion enemies that inhabit [[LethalLavaLand Stage 5, "Fired"]]. When Vectorman defeats them, they leave behind power-ups that briefly give him a scorpion tail to attack with, also making him temporarily immune to lava. |
| 337 | * ''VideoGame/VentureKid'': Scorpions are an enemy encountered in the pyramid level. They go down in about 1-to-2 shots. |
| 338 | * ''VideoGame/{{Warcraft}}''[='=]s conjurers had the ability to summon scorpions. |
| 339 | ** They make a reappearance in ''Warcraft 3'' under the name of [[CallARabbitASmeerp Arachnathid]] and covered in fur, in the [[MisplacedWildlife polar regions]] for some reason. |
| 340 | ** Giant scorpions also make a reappearance in ''VideoGame/WorldOfWarcraft'', this time called Scorpids. Hunters can tame them as pets. There are also regular sized scorpions as critters in some areas, and one scorpion non-combat pet, and now a scorpion ''[[HorseOfADifferentColor mount]]''. The arachnathids have [[SarcasmMode inexplicably]] disappeared. |
| 341 | ** Fire scorpions appear in the Firelands, and Druids of the Flame can transform into them. |
| 342 | ** The Iron Juggernaut in the Siege of Orgrimmar resembles a scorpion. Its claws have a drill and buzzsaw on them, and there is a laser mounted on its tail. |
| 343 | ** Skorpyron, the first boss of the Nighthold, is a massive arcane scorpion with magical powers. |
| 344 | * The Endegras from ''VideoGame/TheWitcher2AssassinsOfKings'' are a mix of this trope and GiantSpider; they all have pincers but only Warriro Endegras also have stingers. |
| 345 | [[/folder]] |
| 346 | |
| 347 | [[folder:Web Animation]] |
| 348 | * ''WebAnimation/{{RWBY}}'': |
| 349 | ** The [[NamesToRunAwayFromReallyFast Deathstalker]], an armored scorpion the size of ''several'' vans. The first one we see takes the combined efforts of four main characters to bring it down. |
| 350 | *** ''Videogame/RWBYAmityArena'' makes for a different kind of "Scary": the Baby Deathstalker is much smaller than the one in the show, but it's [[ZergRush a whole swarm]] with really quick attack, and thus can destroy what's on their path in the blink of an eye. |
| 351 | ** Tyrian Callows, a Scorpion [[LittleBitBeastly Faunus]] with a poisonous stinger that serves as [[BigBad Salem]]'s primary enforcer and assassin. A SerialKiller that terrorized multiple kingdoms, he worships Salem as a literal goddess and takes great pleasure in serving her in whatever way she desires. Even the other members of Salem's group consider him disturbing, with Tyrian just as eager to torment his "allies" as his enemies when given the opportunity. Insane and melodramatic as he is, Tyrian is far more cunning and intelligent than he seems -- able to manipulate his victims and psychologically torment them before ending their lives. Inspired by the fable, ''"The Scorpion and the Frog"'', Tyrian is a sadist capable of turning the tables on the unwary, even when seemingly captured and helpless. |
| 352 | [[/folder]] |
| 353 | |
| 354 | [[folder:Webcomics]] |
| 355 | * Vriska from ''{{Webcomic/Homestuck}}'' corresponds to the [[WesternZodiac astrological sign]] of Scorpio, though she's more closely related to spiders. Still most definitely [[TokenEvilTeammate scary]]. |
| 356 | * In ''Webcomic/MenInHats'', Aram terrorizes Gamal by [[http://meninhats.com/d/20020823.html casually tossing a scorpion onto his face]]. When Beriah [[http://meninhats.com/d/20040405.html finds a scorpion on his face]], however, he [[http://meninhats.com/d/20040421.html befriends it]] and names it Robert. |
| 357 | * In ''Webcomic/TheOrderOfTheStick'' [[http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0692.html #692]], a large desert scorpion threatens Belkar's pet cat Mr. Fluffy. Belkar kills it and roasts it over a campfire. |
| 358 | * ''Webcomic/StarPower'': [[https://starpowercomic.com/comic/robo-scorpions "Robo-Scorpions"]]. AntagonistTitle strip about a foe in a ShowWithinAShow and a [[spoiler:real enemy]] facing Danica. |
| 359 | * Played with in a strip of ''Webcomic/ThePerryBibleFellowship'' has a SugarBowl world with forest cutesy anthro animals, including a cutesy scorpion called Scorpy. When they play going in a circle holding tails, Scorpy accidentally poisons a raccoon who held on his dart. Scorpy is in tears at what he caused. |
| 360 | [[/folder]] |
| 361 | |
| 362 | [[folder:Western Animation]] |
| 363 | * ''WesternAnimation/AdventuresOfSonicTheHedgehog'': |
| 364 | ** In "[[Recap/AdventuresOfSonicTheHedgehogS01E41AttackOnPinballFortress Attack on Pinball Fortress]]", Robotnik attacks Sonic, Sergeant Doberman, and Wes Weasely with Boss Scorpion, a giant robot scorpion who serves a stand-in for Scorpius, the boss of Toxic Caves from ''[[VideoGame/SonicTheHedgehogSpinball Sonic Spinball]]''. |
| 365 | ** In "[[Recap/AdventuresOfSonicTheHedgehogS01E55TheMobius5000 The Mobius 5000]]", one of Robotnik's Race-Bots is Scorpion, a robot who stings his enemies with his scorpion tail. |
| 366 | * In ''WesternAnimation/TheFairlyOddParents'' episode "Mr. Right", Timmy wishes he was always right and comes across Francis to state that a scorpion is behind his back. The scorpion appears out of nowhere and stings Francis in the palm, causing his hand to swell up in size. Francis eventually gets back at Timmy in the end with a jar full of scorpions, as well as a [[WickedWasps wasp nest]] and a female wrestler (the former two Timmy has wished to use against Francis prior to the scene). |
| 367 | * The ''WesternAnimation/{{Fangface}}'' episode "Snow Job Jitters" features a criminal mastermind called the Scorpion as its villain of the week. He has a lot of scorpion-themed gadgets and even a helicopter that looks like a scorpion. |
| 368 | * Six and Bobo encounter a nest of giant scorpions in the ''WesternAnimation/GeneratorRex'' episode "Breach". |
| 369 | * One episode of ''WesternAnimation/GodzillaTheSeries'' had Zilla battle giant mutant scorpions being bred by a top-secret US military facility to kill him. The same episode also featured a disturbing vision from one of the characters foreshadowing the scorpions' origins, where he sees a giant human-headed scorpion and faceless soldiers with scorpions' tails attacking him. |
| 370 | * In one episode of ''WesternAnimation/TheGrimAdventuresOfBillyAndMandy'', Grim and {{Dracula}} find themselves stranded in the desert and are attacked by scorpions, which they end up eating. It's shortly revealed that the scorpions were babies belonging to a horrified giant {{mo|nsterIsAMommy}}ther scorpion, who attacked them in retaliation. |
| 371 | -->'''Giant Scorpion:''' My babies!''\ |
| 372 | '''Dracula:''' Well, maybe if you didn't make your babies so delicious, Dracula wouldn't have had to eat 'em! |
| 373 | * In the ''WesternAnimation/HerculesTheAnimatedSeries''/''WesternAnimation/AladdinTheSeries'' crossover "[[Recap/HerculesTheAnimatedSeriesS1E44HerculesAndTheArabianNight Hercules and the Arabian Night]]", Jafar conjures up a giant scorpion to take on Hercules. Jafar says it is the perfect counter to Hercules, because of its incredible speed. Fortunately, Hercules anticipated this and he and Aladdin had disguised themselves as each other. Aladdin easily evades the scorpion's attacks with his agility, then he and Hercules destroy Jafar's staff of power, [[NoOntologicalInertia making the scorpion disappear]]. |
| 374 | * In the ''WesternAnimation/JonnyQuest'' episode "The Curse of Anubis", a desert scorpion menaces the Quest team, but Race Bannon kills it with a whip. |
| 375 | * ''WesternAnimation/KaBlam'': Averted and then played straight in the Sniz & Fondue cartoon "A Toxic Tail". Fondue buys a Madagascar Scorpion to keep Sniz out of his room. Sniz tells him that he's not scared since the scorpion is in a tank. Once it gets loose though, everyone freaks out since "one sting and it kills." |
| 376 | * ''WesternAnimation/KulipariAnArmyOfFrogs'' has Lord Marmoo, an EvilOverlord who desires to destroy the Amphibilands so he can create his own empire, the Arachnilands. |
| 377 | * A scorpion serves as a recurring enemy in ''WesternAnimation/KungFuPandaLegendsOfAwesomeness.'' In her backstory she was actually a [[SubvertedTrope subversion]] of this, being a kind healer before she accidentally stung herself with a hypnotic potion. |
| 378 | * In ''WesternAnimation/TheLionGuard'', Simba gets stung by a scorpion assassin [[spoiler:sent by Scar's spirit]] on his tail. As a result, he becomes deathly ill. Kion and his friends go on a quest to find the cure. |
| 379 | * ''WesternAnimation/MightyMax'': The episode "Scorpio Rising" shows giant scorpions attacking a city in the desert. We eventually find the scorpions grew to their size after being exposed to radiation, and they are loyal to the crazy Dr. Scorpio, himself also exposed to radiation. Scorpio himself has named the scorpions and treats them like pets. |
| 380 | * A giant scorpion ([[ScoobyDooHoax actually a robot]]) shows up in an AncientEgypt episode of ''Franchise/ScoobyDoo''. |
| 381 | * Scorpia from ''WesternAnimation/SheRaAndThePrincessesOfPower'' is a subversion: she's a big, muscular [[ScorpionPeople scorpion-woman]] with pincers and a stinger tail, working for the evil Horde, but she has such a [[AffablyEvil nice, affable personality]] that she barely qualifies as a villain. [[spoiler: (She even [[HeelFaceTurn defects]] to the side of good!)]] [[BewareTheNiceOnes She can still put up a fight, though]]. Played straight when [[spoiler: Scorpia is [[BrainwashedAndCrazy chipped]] by Horde Prime--turns out that with her free will and personality being overridden by a narcissistic maniac, her strength and [[ShockAndAwe lightning powers]] make her actually kind of scary. It's still downplayed, though--she doesn't speak or change facial expressions while chipped (unlike Micah and Spinnerella, who seem to display much more sadism and/or creepiness when under Prime's control), and she manages to subtly resist Prime's control more often than other chip victims]]. |
| 382 | * ''WesternAnimation/TeenTitans2003'' introduces Terra by having her running from/fighting a giant scorpion. |
| 383 | * ''WesternAnimation/XiaolinShowdown'': |
| 384 | ** One episode was actually about Kimiko accidentally setting an evil scorpion demon named Sibini free after accidentally smashing a Shen Gon Wu called the "Mosaic Scale" (also Sibini's [[SealedEvilInACan supposed prison]]) to pieces, and as a result, she and her partners had to put it back together again before Sibini wreaked havoc upon the entire world. |
| 385 | ** Another episode featured a Shen Gon Wu called the "Emperor Scorpion", which actually served as some sort of mind-control device. |
| 386 | [[/folder]] |
| 387 | |
| 388 | [[folder:Real Life]] |
| 389 | * A discovery in 2020 determined that some of the first animals to venture from water onto land were probably primordial scorpions, evolved to crawl on the sea floor like modern crustaceans. This adaptation made it easy for them to venture onto land, and at the time, there would have been no animal competition on land to counter them. That's ignoring the fact that scorpions are the longest lived predators on Earth, having been around for over '''''[[TimeAbyss 435 million years]]''''', [[TimeAbyss nearly]] ''[[TimeAbyss triple]]'' [[TimeAbyss the time non-avian dinosaurs have lived and having (so far) never once switched their diets to herbivory]] or the fact that they're most likely ancestors of the [[SpidersAreScary spiders]] the same way dinosaurs are ancestors to the birds. |
| 390 | * Smaller scorpion species, such as the desert scorpion, are pretty dangerous. Should you come across one, the best thing to do is not to give it an excuse to attack you. But even then, it'd be no worse than a bee sting. Yes it would hurt, but it probably won't kill you unless you're allergic. |
| 391 | * The Emperor Scorpion, probably the largest and most iconic scorpion species, is often used as the model for this trope, but fall for the RealityIsUnrealistic trap. [[AvertedTrope They're one of the friendliest and]] [[GentleGiant least venomous species of scorpions]]. In general, the biggest scorpions, like the Emperor and the few others kept in the pet trade, are minimally venomous. This is because their claws are so big they can kill their prey with brute force and don't ''need'' venom, whereas the smaller scorpions do. [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a-9hjciUlqg This video]] demonstrates how docile this species is, showing a keeper handle a very curious, adventuring emperor scorpion, without once being grabbed, stung, or bitten. |
| 392 | * A lot of scorpion species actually avoid using their venom in self defense, relying instead on their powerful claws and protective exoskeletons to protect themselves. This is because they want to conserve their venom for when they need it (like killing prey). |
| 393 | * Make no mistake, though -- there are a few scorpions whose venom is potentially deadly, especially to less healthy individuals and children. Those include some fattail scorpions (the genus' Latin name is ''Androctonus'', which translates to [[NamesToRunAwayFromReallyFast "man killer"]]), the equally appropriately named Deathstalker scorpion (whose venom is by far the most potent of any species in the world), the Indian red scorpion, and the Arizona bark scorpion (the latter of which being the most venomous species of scorpion found in North America). |
| 394 | * The aforementioned Deathstalker is one of the most dangerous species with an extremely painful venom. While very painful, though, it probably won't kill you. The venom of the Deathstalker, known as Chlorotoxin, is a heavy target of medical research. It does two, remarkable things. One, it can actually help the body regulate insulin, which can help fight diabetes. Two, a synthetic version of the toxin can be used to target brain tumors. When lined with fluorescent molecules, the venom highlights cancer cells, which makes removing them significantly easier. The venom has been known to highlight instances of cancer only ''200 cells strong.'' 200 seems like a big number, but when you talk about brain cells, it's probably not enough to see with the naked eye. |
| 395 | * While modern scorpions are strongly associated with arid environments like deserts, savannahs and scrublands, the Eurypterids, a group of ancient arthropods informally known as Sea Scorpions, lived, as the name suggests, in the ocean and other aquatic habitats. These grew to be much larger then any living scorpion, the biggest of them being ''8 ft 2 in''. They went extinct during the Permian-Triassic extinction event. Despite the name, they weren't actually scorpions -- although their closest living relatives would be arachnids -- and only resembled them in their elongated body plan and their front limbs ending in large claws. They didn't have a sting (their bodies ended in flat paddles for swimming) and would have used their claws as their primary weapons. |
| 396 | * Several actual species of giant scorpions have been found in the Paleozoic fossil record. |
| 397 | ** ''Pulmonoscorpius'', from the Carboniferous, grew to be a solid 70 cm (28 in) long, in large part thanks to the atmosphere's higher oxygen content at the time[[note]]most arthropods breathe by absorbing air through holes in their skin and letting it disperse through their bodies, which limits their maximum size based on the oxygen content at any given time, as above a certain size they can't oxygenate all their tissue properly[[/note]]. |
| 398 | ** ''Brontoscorpio'' was even bigger, reaching nearly a meter in length. One of the earliest scorpions known, it is also though to have been a strictly marine animal. Unfortunately, it’s only known from a single claw, thus making exact measurements impossible. |
| 399 | * There's a scorpion in the sky too: the zodiacal constellation of [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scorpius Scorpius]], that in the past was even bigger -- the neighboring constellation of Libra was once its claws. |
| 400 | * The [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scorpio_(weapon) scorpio]] was a giant crossbow-like Roman SiegeEngines used to kill enemies at hundreds of meters. |
| 401 | * The [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thelyphonida Whip Scorpion]] is a [[SubvertedTrope subversion]]. They look like really creepy scorpion-like creatures, but are biologically closer to spiders due to being tetrapulmonates, making them more of a SpidersAreScary case instead. |
| 402 | [[/folder]] |
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