Many soulslike games keep alive trends started by Fromsoft’s games, andAnother Crab’s Treasurecarries the torch on by giving you the classic tough-yet-optional early game boss: the Royal Shellsplitter. This seemingly undead lobster wanders the edge of the map, and packs a unique ability.

Fitting with their design as an executioner, they wield a lock like a guillotine and can inspire fear in those around them with their terrifying visage. While you don’t have to beat the Royal Shellsplitter to progress, beating this boss can net you some valuable rewards if you’re willing to face the fear.

Kril being afflicted by Frightened as the Royal Shellsplitter uses their Fear Gaze in Another Crab’s Treasure.

How To Beat The Royal Shellsplitter

The Royal Shellsplitter is anoptional boss, and you’ll find them in thelower right corner of The Shallows, in an areamarked by two trash bags on the map.

Whilethey’re a Lobster like Nephro, they have amuch different movesetthat’s moresimilar to the Comb Crabsyou can find near Nephro’s boss area.

Kril jumping and dodging to the side as the Royal Shellplitter uses their Lock Drop attack in Another Crab’s Treasure.

Guillotine

Short

Grabs Kril anduses the lock to clamp downon him.Unblockableandif you’re wearing a shell, it willget broken.

Lock Drop

Uses thebottom of their lock to slam downdirectly in front of them.

Lock Combo

Short/Medium

Uses their lock andslams down three times in a rowwhile moving forward.

Lock Slam

Medium

Uses their lock toslam down directly in a line in frontof them.

If youhaven’t fought Magista yet, this is likely going to be yourfirst time dealing with a status effectin the game, and it’scalled Frightened.

Kril getting caught in a Guillotine attack by the Royal Shellsplitter in Another Crab’s Treasure.

When afflicted with Frightened, Kril willtemporarily be unable to fight or use skills, and will eitherrun away while crying or hiding in his shellfor around five seconds.

Overall, the Royal Shellsplitter is a dangerous opponent, and yourprimary obstacle in this fight will be his Lock Combo, Guillotine, anddealing with Fear Gaze and the Frightened status effect.

Keep to his back and sideduring this fight as you dodge his attacks ashe lacks a back kicklike Nephro, so you’refairly safe to stay in that areafor damage dealing.

For both theLock Combo and the Lock Slam, you’ll want tododge to the side instead of forwardto avoid it.

When the Royal Shellsplitteruses his Fear Gaze, ensure to eitherduck in your shell or run out of its radius, as this will lower the build-up of Frighten.

If you’vegotten to the Moon Cavesand unlocked both skills and the ability to use Umami,skills like Skewer, Parry, and Streamlinecan helpgive you an edge in this fight.

You canParry both his Lock Drop and Lock Slam, whileStreamline can help you get closeto him if youopt to dodge his Lock Slam. BothSkewer and Parrycan also help youget extra damage to knock them down, and get some big damage in.

If you run out of Heartkelp Pods, you’re able to find asingle Heartkelp Plant in some grassnear the edge of the map.

HisGuillotine is an unlockable attackhe does occasionally, but it has ashort wind upof himrunning at Kril with his clawopen.

Eitherdodge and run if you see thishappen, then go back in for damage. If you are hit by the attack, it’lldo around 75 percent of your health, but itwon’t do any damage to your shellhealth.

If youdon’t have a shellequipped, theGuillotine attack will one-shot youinstead of just doing damage to you.

As long as youkeep an eye on your Frightened build upandavoid their Guillotine attack, the Royal Shellsplitter can be defeated, and as areward for beating them, you’ll get750 Microplasticsand aClothesclaw worth 1,000 Microplastics.