How to Beat Spider Crab

The Spider Crab telegraphs ("promises") a charge attack. When the charge misses, it skids and is briefly stunned with stars over its head — that post-charge window, not the approach, is where all of your damage goes. Never try to interrupt the charge yourself.

At long range the crab switches to jumping, which is hard to read and burns escape timing. Staying at a small, deliberate distance keeps it on the readable charge pattern.

The white bar under the health bar is escape time. Standing too far away, chasing jumps or wasting seconds drains it even while you are still alive — when it empties, the boss flees and the bait is spent, forcing a full re-summon.

💡 The claws hurt: 3-4 clean claw hits can kill an early-game player. Do not trade head-on.

Buy a Knife ($45) or Brass Knuckles and polish the weapon on the anvil for extra damage. Eat to full health and hunger before summoning and carry a few fish as backup healing. Bare hands work but the fight is significantly harder.

• Keep a small, deliberate distance so the crab chooses the charge instead of jumping.
• Sidestep the charge and let it run out of range.
• Rush in and melee 2-4 times during the stun (adjust count to your weapon).
• Retreat immediately and bait the next charge; repeat until the health bar is gone.

Pick up the Spider Crab shell/meat and hand it to the Lighthouse Keeper to receive the Ship Key — the sign the mission is complete. Grab the Radar (about $10) before setting sail.

💡 Killing the boss is not unlocking: the boat key only appears when the trophy actually reaches the NPC's hands.