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Archives of Nethys

Archives of Nethys

Pathfinder RPG (1st Edition) Pathfinder RPG (2nd Edition) Starfinder RPG

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PFS StandardHermit Crab Swarm

When hermit crabs find a shell that is too large, they lie in wait for others to arrive and move into the shell, abandoning a possible replacement. This can form a large chain of queuing crabs waiting to upgrade their shells. Interruptions can aggravate the crabs, resulting in attacks against the unfortunate source of disruption.

Recall Knowledge - Animal (Nature): DC 19
Unspecific Lore: DC 17
Specific Lore: DC 14

Elite | Normal | Weak
Proficiency without Level

Hermit Crab SwarmCreature 4

Legacy Content

N Large Amphibious Animal Swarm 
Source Bestiary 3 pg. 58
Perception +11; darkvision, tremorsense (imprecise) 15 feet
Skills Athletics +12
Str +4, Dex +2, Con +3, Int -4, Wis +1, Cha -1
AC 19; Fort +13, Ref +10, Will +7
HP 42; Immunities precision, swarm mind; Resistances piercing 5, slashing 5; Weaknesses area damage 5, splash damage 5
Speed 30 feet, swim 15 feet
Swarming Snips [one-action] Each enemy in the swarm's space takes 2d8 piercing damage (DC 20 basic Reflex save). Creatures that fail this save also take 1d4 persistent bleed damage.

All Monsters in "Crab"

NameLevel
Giant Crab2
Giant Hermit Crab5
Hermit Crab Swarm4

Crab

Source Bestiary 2 pg. 57 2.0
Crabs are scavenging crustaceans known for their hard shells and iconic sideways gait. They use their claws to defend themselves, hunt, and fight other crabs for territory. When confronted with threats from outside their species, most crabs prefer to flee, but when retreat isn't possible, they clamp on to their foes as tightly as they can.

Hermit crabs have hard exoskeletons like other crabs, but with much weaker abdomens. They find and “wear” shells as homes and protection, getting around with their front legs and claws. Surprisingly fierce, hermit crabs fight for new shells as they grow bigger, using an assortment of hollow alternatives as substitutes when shells of the right size can't be found.

Sidebar - Related Creatures Crab Species

Crabs can be found along all of the world's coastlines, from relatively small creatures like the king crab or the coconut crab, to truly oversized monsters like the great reef crab, shark-eating crab, or the lumbering shipwrecker crab.

Sidebar - Related Creatures Never Alone

Hermit crabs often form symbiotic relationships with sea anemones, attaching them to their shells. The anemones help protect the crabs while feasting on leftovers from the crabs' meals. When hermit crabs change shells, they often take their anemone partners with them to continue their lifelong adventure.