Norwegian developer Dani built Crab Game in roughly two weeks and released it free on Steam on 29 October 2021, giving it a deliberately odd name to stay clear of Netflix's lawyers. Lobbies hold up to 35 players who run rounds of childhood games until one survivor is left, and the store page lists 28 maps. Reviews sit at 91 percent positive across about 83,000 ratings.
Choosing the right build shapes your entire experience. This guide breaks down every option: what they're good at, what they struggle with, and which one matches your playstyle. For optimized builds with full gear sets, see our builds guide.
Quick Comparison
| Build | Tier | Playstyle | Best Equipment | Beginner Friendly? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Speedrunner | A | Balanced | Pistol | Yes |
| Hider | A | Balanced | Knife | Yes |
| Brawler | A | Balanced | Katana | Yes |
| Pack Follower | A | Stay in the middle of the pack rather than the front or the back. On Stepping Stones this is worth more than any personal skill, because every wrong panel is paid for by someone else. | Pipe | Yes |
| Objective Holder | B | Do not fight for the peak in the opening seconds while the whole lobby is stacked on it. Arrive second, swing at whoever is already occupied, and take the ground they lose. | Baseball Bat | No |
New player? Start with Hider. See our beginner's guide for why.
Speedrunner
Speedrunner is a strong option in Crab Game.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Playstyle | Balanced approach |
| Best Equipment | Pistol |
| Stat Priority | Balanced stats |
| Core Gear | Best available |
| Key Mechanic | Round by round elimination |
Strengths
- Highest overall performance across all content types
- Solid all-around choice
- Pairs well with Pistol
Weaknesses
- Popular choice, competition for resources
- Needs specific gear to reach full potential
Recommended Progression
- Start in Red Light Green Light to learn Speedrunner-specific mechanics
- Focus on Round by round elimination. It's this build's primary system
- Prioritize Pistol as your first major upgrade
- See our full Speedrunner build guide for the optimal gear progression
Hider
Hider is a strong option in Crab Game.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Playstyle | Balanced approach |
| Best Equipment | Knife |
| Stat Priority | Balanced stats |
| Core Gear | Best available |
| Key Mechanic | Momentum based sliding |
Strengths
- Most versatile, adapts to any situation
- Solid all-around choice
- Pairs well with Knife
Weaknesses
- Lower peak damage than S-tier options
- Needs specific gear to reach full potential
Recommended Progression
- Start in Red Light Green Light to learn Hider-specific mechanics
- Focus on Momentum based sliding. It's this build's primary system
- Prioritize Knife as your first major upgrade
- See our full Hider build guide for the optimal gear progression
Brawler
Brawler is a strong option in Crab Game.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Playstyle | Balanced approach |
| Best Equipment | Katana |
| Stat Priority | Balanced stats |
| Core Gear | Best available |
| Key Mechanic | Proximity voice chat |
Strengths
- Best survivability for learning hard content
- Solid all-around choice
- Pairs well with Katana
Weaknesses
- Slower progression speed
- Needs specific gear to reach full potential
Recommended Progression
- Start in Red Light Green Light to learn Brawler-specific mechanics
- Focus on Proximity voice chat. It's this build's primary system
- Prioritize Katana as your first major upgrade
- See our full Brawler build guide for the optimal gear progression
Pack Follower
The safest way to learn the game. You let the lobby find the safe panels, the correct route and the timing, and you follow half a second behind whoever is confidently wrong or right.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Playstyle | Stay in the middle of the pack rather than the front or the back. On Stepping Stones this is worth more than any personal skill, because every wrong panel is paid for by someone else. |
| Best Equipment | Pipe |
| Stat Priority | Reading other players, then reaction speed |
| Core Gear | No items, positioning only |
| Key Mechanic | Player hosted servers |
Strengths
- Excellent in group and cooperative content
- Stay in the middle of the pack rather than the front or the back. On Stepping Stones this is worth more than any personal skill, because every wrong panel is paid for by someone else.
- Pairs well with Pipe
Weaknesses
- Less effective solo
- Requires deep game knowledge to use effectively
Recommended Progression
- Start in Red Light Green Light to learn Pack Follower-specific mechanics
- Focus on Player hosted servers. It's this build's primary system
- Prioritize Pipe as your first major upgrade
- See our full Pack Follower build guide for the optimal gear progression
Objective Holder
For King of the Hill and Hat King, where points accumulate from holding something rather than from surviving. Everyone is armed with bats on the hill, so this is the most physical approach in the game.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | B |
| Playstyle | Do not fight for the peak in the opening seconds while the whole lobby is stacked on it. Arrive second, swing at whoever is already occupied, and take the ground they lose. |
| Best Equipment | Baseball Bat |
| Stat Priority | Positioning on the peak, then swing timing, then stamina management |
| Core Gear | Baseball Bat on King of the Hill |
| Key Mechanic | Randomised weapon rounds |
Strengths
- Highest skill ceiling with unique mechanics
- Do not fight for the peak in the opening seconds while the whole lobby is stacked on it. Arrive second, swing at whoever is already occupied, and take the ground they lose.
- Pairs well with Baseball Bat
Weaknesses
- Steep learning curve, punishing mistakes
- Requires deep game knowledge to use effectively
Recommended Progression
- Start in Red Light Green Light to learn Objective Holder-specific mechanics
- Focus on Randomised weapon rounds. It's this build's primary system
- Prioritize Baseball Bat as your first major upgrade
- See our full Objective Holder build guide for the optimal gear progression
Which Build Should You Pick?
For Beginners
Hider is the clear winner. It's forgiving, teaches core mechanics, and remains competitive into endgame. Follow our beginner's guide for the best first-session experience.
For Maximum Performance
Speedrunner is the top pick once you understand the game's mechanics. Pair it with Pistol for the strongest overall setup.
For a Challenge
Objective Holder offers the highest skill ceiling. It's punishing when misplayed but incredibly rewarding when mastered. Only recommended after you've completed the game with another build.
For Group Play
Pack Follower shines in cooperative content with utility and team support capabilities.
More Crab Game Guides
- Crab Game Crab Game Overview
- Crab Game Best Builds
- Crab Game Tier List
- Crab Game Walkthrough
- Crab Game Beginner's Guide
- Crab Game Tips & Tricks
- Crab Game Weapons Guide
- Crab Game Combat Guide
- Crab Game Boss Guide
- Crab Game Maps & Locations
- Crab Game Crafting Guide
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