EDIT:
Thank you ^technographer for the DD - I appreciate it beeg, and to you the viewer for taking a look at my piece


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Tide Eater Concept: [link]

Pirate-Cultist Concept: [link]

Following the increasingly successful attacks on their merchant towns, which they were promised were more than adequately protected by their architects, the Dominion of the land were soon pressed to develop some sort of offensive means against the pirate cult of Oryptia's new toy. Begrudgingly investing gold into new tank development, the Dominion believed that their vast vaults and educated minds would not only provide the means of obliterating the "shelled nuisances" before they could do damage, but also force the pirates to think twice before intruding on their domain. They would have been correct in believing so...

However, whilst the pirate cult was by all means eager, they were not without atleast a glimmer of foresight. A number of believeably "failed" attacks and "retreats" on some of the bigger towns, were not so much attempts at pillaging, but means of sneaking spies through - their entry masked by the chaos that normally ensues. It were these eyes that caught a glimpse of the armoured monstrosities the Dominion seemed to be driven on spewing out, and it were these hands that went to pains to relay the information to the cult's centre command.

The increased access to gold had already led to the pirate's winning over a couple of the thoughtseer's from the Technocracy; and combined with the cult's keen sense of resourcefulness, sparked the concept of using the dead husks of the local Phalanx Crab pests and bestowing them with some reinforced armoured plating and an engine-soul to counter the Dominions new counter-measure. Topped with a tank-cracking cannon, the seemingly newly awakened Phalanx Crabs were to be manned by 3 crew members, and the already well known (and feared) agility of the Crab was not lost in death - only augmented by necessary joint mechanisms and pumps.

When the Dominion rolled out their new means of enforcing the sands, they were by no means prepared for the sight of massive reincarnated crabs, bursting forth from the dunes and pummeling and crippling their targets from the one point Dominion scientists never expected they would have to arm to combat the Tide Eaters - the sides.

Ontop of the hardy exoskeleton the Phalanx Crab leaves behind, the pirate cult reinforced and hardened areas that were weakened by the elements with armoured plating, but took care to not detract from the focus on speed and manouverability required by an anti-tank vehicle. Not wanting to throw away the potential power the pincers may offer, the claws underwent extensive alterations, which whilst not having the same dexterity as the crab once had, still allowed a platform for crushing power and overturning of objects. The Phalanx Crab is capable of partially submerging itself within most sand areas by means of its walking claws; lowering itself from the barrels of their targets as well as allowing their own weaponry to bear on their victim's wheels or tracks. I incorporated the multiple layered mouth system of the crab to act as the entry point into the vehicle and there is allowed visibility on front and both sides for sideways movement and frontal attack. The armament on top is limited to 180 degree rotation and is stabilized by the crabs leg placement.

Despite the Phalanx Crab's intimidating appearance, it is said amongst the Dominion ranks that it is not the helmet-like visage that heralds the presence of the Crab, but its sickening smell that catches on the sea winds.

tl;dr version:

Its a dead giant crab, made into a walking anti-tank machine.