Everything is Crab Beginner Guide
Learn early decisions, Affinity choices and Mutagen, then compare three beginner build concepts and common mistakes. Use this page to understand the basic decision loop.
Three priorities for a first run
- 1 Consider Imposing for durability. Read More Mass and Body Slam as a possible direction, without treating the sequence as a guaranteed boss clear.
- 2 Keep Mutagen in reserve before a boss. Keep enough for the choices you expect to need; the old fixed reserve of 5–10 points is unverified.
- 3 Evaluate an evolution’s effect as well as rarity. A high-rarity choice can help if it fits. Alpha and Body Slam are examples to inspect, not mandatory rewards that guarantee a win.
Runs last roughly 20 minutes, making repeated attempts a useful way to learn. Experiment with an Imposing-focused plan for a run or two if you want a clear starting direction, and use each loss to identify what the build lacked.
Opening (legacy Wave 1–2)：Choose an early direction
- ▸ Start by considering either Imposing or Predator as your main direction
- ▸ Take useful choices that support that direction. The old +10% per level weighting figure has not been verified.
- ▸ Read Smol and Sharpen before taking them; neither is automatically beneficial in every build
- ▸ Use a reroll when the current choice is unsuitable and its displayed Mutagen cost is worthwhile
Middle (legacy Wave 3–4)：Look for useful Rare or Epic choices
- ▸ Prioritize a Rare evolution when its effect supports the build you are making
- ▸ Compare the displayed upgrade cost with the benefit rather than assuming a fixed ten-point threshold
- ▸ If health is insufficient, inspect health and resistance options
- ▸ An Epic choice such as Alpha may suggest a clearer direction; rarity alone does not complete the build
Before the first boss (old Wave 5 label unchecked)：Prepare for the fight and review Mutagen
- ▸ Keep Mutagen available for a useful upcoming choice; the old 5–10 point rule is unverified
- ▸ Add damage only when the actual effect supports your attacks
- ▸ Consider whether Size or evasion choices address your current survival problem
- ▸ On a first attempt, prioritize learning the boss’s visible attack cues
How the run is structured
The four biomes have different animals and environmental conditions. The old description of fixed biome-by-biome Waves and a guaranteed Branching choice after every boss has not been verified; follow the actual run timer, encounters and evolution screen.
Affinity labels help describe evolution directions. Choose a useful direction early, such as Imposing or Predator. The old fixed +10% appearance chance per level is not a verified current value.
Imposing
（Durability） Beginner optionA health-focused approach. Body Slam is one possible attack direction.
Tip: Check More Mass and Body Slam requirements in the Codex; three copies are not a verified prerequisite.
Gregarious
（Social）An ally-focused approach. Tail Wag and Alpha are example choices to inspect.
Tip: Managing allies can take practice; try it once the basic controls feel familiar.
Predator
（Predator） Beginner optionAn aggressive physical approach. Inspect Claws, Sharpen and Jaws rather than assuming they form a mandatory three-step route.
Tip: Supporting health choices can address a weakness in an offensive plan.
Carcinisation
（Carcinisation）Check the current The Crabtain condition; a mandatory seven-evolution, single-Affinity restriction is unverified.
Tip: Consider learning another direction first if this is difficult to manage.
Prey
（Prey）An evasion and movement direction. Scavenger was an unverified Affinity name in the old draft.
Tip: Choose supporting effects according to the actual evolution descriptions, rather than a fixed two- or three-pick rule.
Trickster
（Trickster）An ability-focused direction. Wandering was an unverified Affinity name in the old draft.
Tip: Inspect the selected abilities and their stat scaling before pairing them with Predator.
Affinity weighting: what to check
The old guide claimed +10% for each matching selection and an almost guaranteed matching offer after two or three picks. These probabilities have not been verified. Read the Codex and judge the actual offered effects rather than treating that claim as a guarantee.
| Use | Cost | Effect | When to consider it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reroll | 1 point (old value; unchecked) | Replace the offered evolution choices; check the current screen | Early run (old Wave 1–5 labels) |
| Rarity upgrade | 10 points (old value; unchecked) | Check the current screen for which choices and rarity levels are affected | Middle to late run (old Wave 6+ labels) |
Opening (old Wave 1–3 labels)
Consider rerolling an unsuitable set of choices. The old one-point cost and two-to-three-reroll allowance are unchecked; compare the displayed cost before spending.
Middle phase (old Wave 4–6 labels)
Compare an upgrade with saving Mutagen for later choices. Do not assume that ten points always upgrades a Common set to Rare or Epic.
Late run and boss preparation
Keep resources for an important decision. The old 5–10 point reserve and guaranteed post-boss Branching reroll are unverified; Wings is not automatically the best choice for every build.
Imposing-focused concept (beginner option)
Main plan: Imposing main, Predator support
Evolutions to inspect first
Combine health-focused choices with a suitable attack such as Body Slam. Check Sharpen’s current effect and whether Size choices support your plan; the old critical-hit and guaranteed-survival claims are unverified.
Room for mistakes and a clear development goal
May need additional mobility or range
Gregarious-focused concept (allies)
Main plan: Gregarious main, mobility support
Evolutions to inspect first
Let allies fight while you manage positioning. Check Pollinator, Alpha and Pack individually; do not assume Pollinator provides automatic Charm or Pack provides a specific unverified survival effect.
A different and engaging way to manage combat
Can be awkward before the necessary ally effects are available
Predator-focused concept (offense)
Main plan: Predator main, Imposing support
Evolutions to inspect first
Use physical damage to clear suitable animals efficiently. Read Jaws and Muscular Tissue for their actual roles rather than assuming a fixed area-attack or sustained-damage effect.
Can support efficient early kills and progression
May leave health or defense low; address the weakness with suitable supporting choices
For a closer look, see the build guide . It covers durable, ally-focused and Carcinisation directions, with their limitations and checked scope.
These six examples pair a common decision problem with a possible response. They are practical checks rather than a claim of measured improvements to first-run success rates.
Why it can fail: Taking unrelated effects can leave no clear answer to the threats you face. It does not prove that Affinity weighting has stopped working.
Response: Decide which roles the build needs and add support deliberately. A fixed two-main/one-support limit is an editorial suggestion, not a game restriction.
Why it can fail: Repeated early rerolls can leave nothing for an important later choice.
Response: Keep the next important decision in mind. The old first-boss Wave 5/five-point minimum has not been verified.
Why it can fail: Read the current tradeoffs and The Crabtain condition before committing resources. The old four-to-five versus seven evolution requirement has not been verified.
Response: Choose it when its effects support your goal; there is no verified rule that you must take all of it or none of it.
Why it can fail: A damage-focused build still needs enough health, defense or evasion for the hits it cannot avoid.
Response: Inspect More Mass and Plating as possible support. A fixed one- or two-pick health requirement has not been verified.
Why it can fail: A branching choice can change how an evolution functions. Read the alternatives and any choice restrictions shown in the current version before selecting one.
Response: Check Wings’ actual terrain-related effects rather than treating it as universal damage immunity. Use a reroll only if the current choice and cost permit it.
Why it can fail: Food and level-up timing can affect your next choices. The old claim that eating before a boss prevents a later level-up choice has not been verified.
Response: Experienced players can consider resource timing; new players should first focus on surviving and learning the run loop.
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