Giant Sand Crab Working Draft
Sand Crab, Giant
Large Vermin (Aquatic)
Hit Dice: 9d8+48 (88 hp)
Initiative: +2
Speed: 40 ft. (8 squares)
Armor Class: 18 (-1 size, +1 Dex, +8 natural), touch 10, flat-footed 17
Base Attack/Grapple: +6/+20
Attack: Claw +11 melee (1d8+9)
Full Attack: 2 claws +11 melee (1d8+9) and bite +6 melee (1d10+3)
Space/Reach: 10 ft./10 ft.
Special Attacks: Constrict 1d8+9, improved grab, powerful claws
Special Qualities: Amphibious, darkvision 60 ft., scent, vermin traits
Saves: Fort +11, Ref +4, Will +3
Abilities: Str 22, Dex 12, Con 21, Int –, Wis 10, Cha 2
Skills: Hide +1, Spot +4
Feats: Toughness (B)
Environment: Temperate coastal
Organization: Solitary
Challenge Rating: 5
Treasure: None
Alignment: Always neutral
Advancement: 10-13 HD (Large), 14-27 HD (Huge)
Level Adjustment: —
This massive crablike creature moves on four legs, scuttling with surprising speed and grace for its size. It also has two powerful claws and crushing mandibles.
Giant sand crabs are close kin to normal monstrous crabs (see Stormwrack). They scavenge along beaches, and usually lair in burrows or caves just at the water line. They are more likely to forage for food at night on lonely beaches at low tide. Like other monstrous crabs, giant sand crabs are scavengers, feeding upon the reeking bodies of dead sea creatures that wash up on shore.
A giant sand crab has a body up to 10 feet across and a legspan of 15 to 20 feet. They normally weigh 1500 to 3000 pounds.
Combat
Giant sand crabs are fierce creatures, but normally fight only in self defense or to protect their lairs. They are not above attacking wounded but still-living creatures if they are hungry. Straightforward combatants, these crabs scuttle forward with surprising speed to attack with their claws and mandibles. Once it has food or a living opponent in its claws, a giant sand crab tries to retreat into its lair to eat. Creatures held in its claws when it does so will soon drown if they can't breathe water.
Constrict (Ex): With a successful grapple check, a giant sand crab can crush a grabbed opponent, dealing 1d8+9 points of bludgeoning damage.
Improved Grab (Ex): If a giant sand crab hits an opponent that is at least one size category smaller than itself with a claw attack, it deals normal damage and attempts to start a grapple as a free action without provoking an attack of opportunity. If it gets a hold, it also constricts on the same round.
Powerful Claws (Ex): A giant sand crab always applies 1.5 times its Strength modifier to damage inflicted with its claws. Additionally, it gains a +4 racial bonus on grapple checks.
Vermin Traits: A giant sand crab is immune to all mind-affecting effects (charms, compulsions, phantasms, patterns, and morale effects). It also has darkvision (60-foot range).
Skills: A giant sand crab has a +4 racial bonus on Hide and Spot checks.
