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Keelbreaker Crab

Huge · Monstrosity · CR 9 · Unaligned

Source. Tome of Beasts 2

16 (natural armor)

157 (15d12+60)

Ability Scores

Core attributes and their modifiers.

STR

DEX

CON

INT

-4

WIS

CHA

Overview

Category Monsters

Size Huge

Type Monstrosity

Alignment Unaligned

XP 5000

Initiative Bonus +0

Movement

Walk 40 ft (12.2 m)

Swim 40 ft (12.2 m)

Climb 20 ft (6.1 m)

Crawl 20 ft (6.1 m)

Senses

Blindsight 60 ft (18.3 m)

Passive Perception 15

Skills

Perception +5 Stealth +4

Traits

Amphibious

The crab can breathe air and water.

Living Figureheads

Three magical figureheads adorn the crab’s back. While at least one figurehead remains intact, the crab has advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks and can use its Wail.

Each figurehead is an object with AC 15, 20 hp, resistance to bludgeoning and piercing damage, and immunity to poison and psychic damage. If all the figureheads are reduced to 0 hp, the keelbreaker crab can’t use its Wail action. Damaging a figurehead does not harm the crab.

Siege Monster

The crab deals double damage to objects and structures.

Actions

Multiattack

The crab can use its Wail. It then makes two pincer attacks.

Pincer

+8 to hit, reach 10 ft (3 m). Hit: 3d8+4 bludgeoning damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 17 (3d8 + 4) bludgeoning damage, and the target is grappled (escape DC 16) if it is a Large or smaller creature. The crab has two claws, each of which can grapple only one target.

Wail

As long as at least one if its living figureheads remains intact, the keelbreaker crab can cause the figurehead to wail. Roll a d6 and consult the following table to determine the wail.

d6	Wail
1-2	Frightening Wail. Each creature within 60 feet who can hear the crab must succeed on a DC 16 Wisdom saving throw or become frightened for 1 minute. A creature can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success. If a creature's saving throw is successful or the effect ends for it, the creature is immune to the keelbreaker crab's Frightening Wail for the next 24 hours.
3-4	Maddening Wail. Each creature within 60 feet who can hear the crab must succeed on a DC 16 Wisdom saving throw or take 18 (4d8) psychic damage.
5-6	Stunning Wail. Each creature within 60 feet who can hear the crab must make a DC 16 Constitution saving throw. On a failure, a creature takes 9 (2d8) thunder damage and is stunned until the end of its next turn. On a success, a creature takes half the damage and isn't stunned.

About Keelbreaker Crab

Keelbreaker Crab is a huge monstrosity with a Challenge Rating of 9. It has a unaligned alignment.

In combat, this creature maintains an Armor Class of 16 and possesses 157 hit points (derived from 15d12+60).

GM Tips: Using Keelbreaker Crab

1 tips available

When using Keelbreaker Crab in your D&D 5e campaign, consider these tactical approaches:

Aquatic Combat: This creature can swim at 40 ft. It has advantage in water environments. Consider fighting on land or using water-based spells against it.

Player Guide: Facing Keelbreaker Crab

1 strategies available

When your party encounters this creature, keep these strategies in mind:

Aquatic Combat Defense: This creature can swim at 40 ft! It has advantage in water. Fight on land if possible. Use 'Control Water' or drain water sources to limit its mobility.

Encounter Building Calculator

Standard Party Encounter (4-5 characters):

This creature is a medium encounter for a party of 4 characters of level 9.

Solo Encounter:

A single character of level 12 (up to level 20) can face this creature in a medium to hard encounter.

Experience Point Thresholds:

Medium: 9,000 XP
Hard: 13,500 XP
Deadly: 18,000 XP

Based on D&D 5e Dungeon Master's Guide encounter building guidelines. CR roughly equals party level for medium encounters.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the challenge rating of Keelbreaker Crab?: Keelbreaker Crab has a Challenge Rating of 9, making it appropriate for parties of level 9.0.
What type of creature is Keelbreaker Crab?: Keelbreaker Crab is a Huge Monstrosity, which affects how certain spells and abilities interact with it.