Claw. Melee Weapon Attack: +3 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 4 (1d6 + 1) bludgeoning damage, and the target is grappled (escape DC 11). The crab has two claws, each of which can grapple only one target.
How many giant crabs for a fight?
A giant crab is worth 25 XP. Using the 2024 encounter budgets (SRD 5.2), this is how many giant crabs fit each difficulty for a party of four characters of the same level. A dash means even one would be over the budget.
Party level
Low
Moderate
High
1st
8
12
12+
Budgets add up every monster’s XP, so you can swap some for other creatures of the same total. Try other party sizes and mixes in the encounter calculator.
How the giant crab compares at CR 1/8
Against the 18 other challenge 1/8 monsters in the SRD 5.1, the giant crab has more hit points than 17 of them, which makes it one of the toughest at its CR. See every CR 1/8 monster.
Statistic
Giant Crab
CR 1/8 average
Armor Class
15
12.3
Hit points
13
8
Best attack bonus
+3
+4
Giant Crab 2024 stat block
The 2024 Monster Manual revised the giant crab, and the SRD 5.2 carries the new stat block. What changed:
Ability scores: DEX 15 → 13.
Armor Class
15
Hit Points
13 (3d8)
Speed
30 ft., swim 30 ft.
Challenge
1/8 (25 XP)
STR
DEX
CON
INT
WIS
CHA
13 (+1)
13 (+1)
11 (+0)
1 (-5)
9 (-1)
3 (-4)
Senses
blindsight 30 ft., passive Perception 9
Languages
None
Traits
Amphibious. The crab can breathe air and water.
Actions
Claw. Melee Attack Roll: +3, reach 5 ft. Hit: 4 (1d6 + 1) Bludgeoning damage. If the target is a Medium or smaller creature, it has the Grappled condition (escape DC 11) from one of two claws.
