Highlights
The runner-up crab in the Minecraft Mob Vote had a unique claw that could have added new gameplay elements, highlighting the need for more claw-like tools in the game.
The popularity of crabs and their pincers in Minecraft highlights the need for players to have extended reach abilities, both for easier building and for increased combat effectiveness. By introducing a mechanic that mimics a crab claw, players would be able to interact with objects that are one block further away, making tasks such as building at high heights or engaging in combat with mobs safer. Moreover, this extended reach could also enable the placement of multiple blocks simultaneously, thereby saving time and turning this ability into an essential tool.
The armadillo was declared the winner of Mojang 2023's Minecraft Mob Vote, but the runner-up crab has brought attention to the lack of claw-like tools for players. As with previous Mob Votes, those who didn't vote for armadillos are left to wonder what the crab's claw and its extended reach could have added to the game. While some players are excited about armadillos and the prospect of crafting wolf armor from their scutes, many others are disappointed, leading to a petition calling for an end to Mob Votes.
The fact that the crab was the runner-up in Minecraft's 2023 Mob Vote is evidence of its popularity among players, particularly due to its claw. Although Minecraft mods have provided a solution, the official absence of crabs will still be strongly felt, as they may never be added to the game like other Mob Vote losers. This emphasizes the need for Minecraft to have an ability similar to the crab's claw, whether it's for aiding in building or introducing new combat potential with extended weapon reach.
Minecraft Needs To Extend Its Reach
Given that the crab was advertised as part of the 2023 Mob Vote, along with its unique claw item that allows for long-distance block placement, it is clear that Mojang recognizes the need for extended reach in Minecraft. This is further supported by existing Minecraft mods, such as the Create mod's "Extendo Grip," which have been developed specifically to increase the player's reach. Despite the history of Minecraft mods becoming official game features and mechanics, and despite the crab losing the Mob Vote, Mojang has not yet added extended reach to the base game.
However, when looking at the larger picture of Minecraft, it is evident that there are many tools and gear that players acquire later in the game which completely change the gameplay experience. These include armor enchantments like underwater breathing and lava resistance, as well as rare items like the Elytra. Therefore, it seems inevitable that a similar tool to extend the player's reach should have been introduced in one of Minecraft's numerous updates. Even if the crab never becomes an official part of Minecraft like other Mob Vote runners-up, its claw and its unique ability should still be added to the game due to the high demand it has already generated.
Minecraft's Claw Tool Could Reach Even Further
Mojang avoided giving specific details about the functionality of the crab claw mechanic, leaving players to create a representation of how it worked in Minecraft. The overall idea was that by equipping this tool, players could interact with objects one block further away. While this may seem like a minor increase in distance, it had the potential to greatly benefit players by allowing them to easily reach pesky blocks just outside their grasp while building or mining. However, the crab claw mechanic had the potential to be much more than just an extended reach feature, similar to Minecraft's Creative Mode. In Survival Mode, the claw could serve as a valuable tool for players, providing increased safety when building at high heights or fighting mobs like Creepers. Additionally, the claw or a similar tool could also have the capability to place multiple blocks within its extended range, saving players time and effort by allowing them to place multiple blocks simultaneously. Ultimately, this would make the tool an essential item that players would always want to have, regardless of their progress in the game.
Minecraft is available now for Mobile, PC, PS4, Switch, and Xbox One.