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Archives of Nethys

Archives of Nethys

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PFS StandardGiant Hermit Crab

Lucky hermit crabs with plentiful resources can live for decades and grow to tremendous sizes, often with magical help. Too large for most natural shells, giant hermit crabs use a variety of debris instead, including wagons, boats, treasure chests, and even abandoned pieces of giant armor.

Recall Knowledge - Animal (Nature): DC 20
Unspecific Lore: DC 18
Specific Lore: DC 15

Elite | Normal | Weak
Proficiency without Level

Changes from being Weak are marked in red below.
NOTE: The -2 damage penalty to non-strike offensive abilities (-4 if the ability is limited, such as spells) is NOT factored in.

Weak Giant Hermit CrabCreature 4

Legacy Content

N Large Amphibious Animal 
Source Bestiary 3 pg. 57
Perception +13; darkvision, tremorsense (imprecise) 15 feet
Skills Acrobatics +7, Athletics +13, Stealth +7
Str +6, Dex +2, Con +4, Int -4, Wis +2, Cha +0
AC 19; Fort +13, Ref +7, Will +7
HP 99; Weaknesses bludgeoning 5
Protective Pinch [reaction] Trigger A creature adjacent to the hermit crab attempts to Strike the hermit crab while it is Retracted; Effect The hermit crab makes a big claw Strike against the triggering creature.
Speed 20 feet, climb 10 feet, swim 15 feet
Melee [one-action] big claw +13 [+8/+3], Damage 2d8-2+8 piercing plus GrabMelee [one-action] claw +13 [+9/+5] (agile), Damage 2d4-2+8 piercingConstrict [one-action] 1d8+6 bludgeoning, DC 20Retract [one-action] The hermit crab curls fully into its shell to protect itself. This gives it a +4 circumstance bonus to AC, removes its weakness to bludgeoning damage, and grants it resistance 5 to piercing and slashing damage. The only actions the hermit crab can use while in this state are Protective Pinch and Interact to come out of its shell.

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.