Crimson B.A.T. — G.I. Joe Classified Series #60

Overview

The Crimson B.A.T. is figure #60 in the G.I. Joe Classified Series, Wave 9, 2023 at $24.99. The third B.A.T. variant in the Classified programme — following the standard Wave 7 (#33) and Python Patrol Target exclusive (#41) — and the first B.A.T. variant at standard retail pricing. The Crimson colour scheme connects the android unit visually to the Crimson Guard display programme, creating a coherent Crimson faction that includes both human elite infantry and android support.

The Crimson Guard Connection

The strategic value of the Crimson B.A.T. is its visual integration with the Crimson Guard (#50) and its commanders Tomax and Xamot (#44, #45). A Crimson Guard display that incorporates android heavy support through the Crimson B.A.T. gains both a distinctive visual element and a functional combat role that human infantry figures don’t fill. The red colour across both the guard and the android creates faction coherence.

Accessories

Same interchangeable forearm attachments as the standard B.A.T. — flamethrower and claw/grapple options. The tooling investment made in the original B.A.T. is fully realised across each subsequent variant.

B.A.T. Variant Ecosystem

By Wave 9, the B.A.T. variants covered three distinct display contexts: standard Cobra infantry support (#33), Python Patrol specialist unit (#41), and now Crimson Guard support (#60). The Iron Grenadier B.A.T. (#134, 2025) would later add a fourth. The android’s versatility across different Cobra operational factions is one of the design elements the Classified programme used most effectively.

Verdict

Crimson B.A.T. #60 is the army builder variant that completes the Crimson Guard display programme. The red android alongside the red guard infantry creates immediate visual coherence. Essential for Crimson Guard collectors; interesting for B.A.T. variant collectors.

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Part of G.I. Joe Classified Series | Wave 9 | 2023. Related: B.A.T. #33 | Crimson Guard #50 | Tomax #44.

B.A.T. Variants and Cobra Display Strategy

The Crimson B.A.T.’s position in Wave 9 completes a display programme that the line built across three years: standard B.A.T. (#33) as the baseline android, Python Patrol (#41) as the specialist unit, and Crimson (#60) as the elite faction support. Each variant serves a distinct display context, and together they demonstrate the B.A.T. platform’s versatility across Cobra’s operational arms.

For collectors who’ve invested in the Crimson Guard programme — multiple Crimson Guards (#50), Tomax and Xamot (#44, #45), and the Crimson Strike Team (#82) — the Crimson B.A.T. is the final piece that completes the faction’s coherent visual identity. A Crimson formation without android support is missing the heavy firepower that the B.A.T.’s interchangeable forearm weapons provide.

Army Builder Economics

At $24.99 retail, the Crimson B.A.T. represents accessible army building within the Crimson Guard programme. One or two Crimson B.A.T.s per display is the appropriate ratio — enough to suggest android support without overwhelming the human infantry count. Secondary market prices typically run $28–40.

Transparent Chest Detail in Crimson

The transparent chest panel reads differently in Crimson colouring. The red surrounding the transparent window creates more visual contrast than the yellow/gold of the standard version, making the interior mechanical detail more prominent. This is a specific detail that collectors who examine the figures closely will appreciate. The Crimson B.A.T. also pairs well with any Iron Grenadier display given the red and gold colour family relationships across both Cobra factions.

Crimson Guard Programme Timeline

The Crimson Guard display programme in the Classified line developed in three distinct phases: Wave 8 delivered the Crimson Guard figures (#50) alongside Tomax and Xamot (#44, #45) to establish the command structure; Wave 9 added the Crimson B.A.T. (#60) for android heavy support; PulseCon 2023 delivered the Crimson Strike Team 3-pack (#82) with a ceremonial Baroness alongside additional Crimson command figures. Together these three waves constructed the most coherent faction-specific display programme in the Classified line’s history. The Crimson faction has a complete visual identity, a functional command hierarchy, heavy support, and ceremonial presentation — every element of a properly constructed military display sub-group.

Crimson B.A.T. in the Classified Catalogue

The Crimson B.A.T. figure at position #060 in the Classified catalogue represents the 2023 programme’s commitment to building out the Cobra roster comprehensively. At $24.99, the figure delivered the android support identity that collectors needed for a complete display, and the design execution reflects the line’s mature approach to character translation from the vintage ARAH format to the premium 6” scale.

The Classified line’s consistent pricing progression — from $19.99 at launch to $24.99 for most 2023 releases — reflected both inflation and the increased accessory investment the programme was making. At $24.99 for a figure with this design quality, the value equation remained competitive with comparable collector figure lines.

The 2023 Programme’s Breadth

The 2023 Classified programme was the most diverse single year in the line’s history: Wave 8 through Wave 10 at standard retail, Tiger Force and Python Patrol via Target, Night Force via Walmart, Fan Channel multi-packs, Pulse exclusives, Amazon exclusives, and SDCC. The Crimson B.A.T. figure was one piece of a programme that delivered more distinct character representations in a single year than many comparable collector lines achieve in their entire runs. For collectors engaged with the full programme, 2023 was both the most rewarding and the most demanding year the Classified line produced.

The Crimson B.A.T.’s standard retail availability — unlike the Python Patrol B.A.T.’s Target exclusivity — gave collectors straightforward access at launch without acquisition complications. Both variants are available on the secondary market at moderate premiums; the Crimson version’s retail accessibility kept its secondary market price lower than the Target exclusive Python Patrol equivalent.