Crab
Tiny Beast · · CR 0
- Beast
- Tiny
- Tier 1
Ranges across coastal; Crab lists at CR 0 as a tiny beast (unaligned). Sourced from Monster Manual (5e 2014) and Monster Manual (5.5e 2024).
Stat Block
- Challenge Rating
- 0
- Type
- Beast
- Size
- Tiny
- Alignment
- —
- Speed
- —
- Habitats
- Coastal
- Sources
- Monster Manual (5e 2014), Monster Manual (5.5e 2024)
Ecology
Crabs occupy every coastal niche on Toril: tidal pools, kelp forests, mangrove roots, river mouths, even deep-sea volcanic vents. Scavengers and opportunists, they eat anything dead or slow. Crabs molt — shedding their shell to grow — and a soft-shell crab is briefly defenseless. They breathe both air and water, allowing them to forage on shore at low tide. A single beach can support thousands.
Behaviour
Reactive rather than aggressive. A crab pinches when grabbed and otherwise sidles away. Some species cluster in mating swarms; others are solitary. They communicate by claw-clack and posture. Crabs recognize threat shadows from above and respond by scuttling to cover within seconds.
Origin
Crabs are mundane beasts but the Sea Princes of Lantan and the merfolk of the Sword Coast both consider crabs sacred to Valkur (god of sailors and storms). The Calishite saying 'crab-blessed' means lucky in shallow water. Selune's full-moon tides bring 'crab-walks' — mass migrations across beaches that fishermen treat as omens.
Related Monsters
Frequently Asked Questions about Crab
- What is the challenge rating of Crab?
- Crab is rated CR 0. The rating matches a tier-1 group in low-stakes encounters.
- What type of creature is Crab?
- By creature type, Crab is a beast, tiny size.
- Where does Crab live?
- Crab's listed habitats include Coastal.