Traveller SRD There are three levels detailed there: hobgoblins (CR 1/2), captains (CR 3), and warlords (CR 6). There are a couple solid RHOD 5e conversion posts on giantitp. In such cases, the lesser races are used as battle fodder. If the hobgoblins are encountered in a legion, there will be 10d100 of them, led by a hobgoblin captain or a hobgoblin warlord if the legion numbers more than 5,000 soldiers. The DnD basic rules describe Hobgoblins as large goblinoids with dark orange or red-orange skin. | Monad Echo SRD Ideally, the hobgoblin warlord should have lots of allies that can benefit from its Leadership trait, which will give you ample opportunity to roleplay its bloodlust, its cruelty towards its own kin, and the cult-like adoration its minions nevertheless show towards it. Unfortunately, this caster has the staying power of wet parchment. You can usually find him wastingtime on Twitter at@jamesjhaeck. Based on what I know about war (which isn't much), better tactics make up for smaller numbers if they are good enough. Divide your rising action into three parts: introduction, a challenge or trick, then a reward. Melee Weapon Attack: +9 to hit, reach 5 ft., one creature. The hobgoblins ability score spread is not good for the majority of classes, but Martial Training and Saving Face could make things work. Our enemy isnt fielding their own soldiers, theyve hired hobgoblins!, Mercenaries? the ranger scoffed. Leadership (Recharges after a Short or Long Rest). Each footfall landed in the step of the soldier before them Her eyes widened and she took a sharp breath. A creature can benefit from only one Leadership die at a time. proficiency in two martial weapons is nice for Battlesmith builds that want to If a 4th-level fighter gets in this creatures face with their greatsword and the Great Weapon Master feat, its not unlikely that it will die in a single Attack action. They are a (Race) after all. He/Him. Hobgoblin tribes are found in almost any climate or subterranean realm. Similarly, Fortune of the Many provides a helpful bonus to saves, but saves arent the source of the Monks frailty problems. Either way, its time to show them the consequences of their actions. | FateCoreSRD Once per turn, the hobgoblin can deal an extra 10 (3d6) damage to a creature it hits with a weapon attack if that creature is within 5 feet of an ally of the hobgoblin that isn't incapacitated. Ranged Weapon Attack: +3 to hit, range 150/600 ft., one target. weaklings. This site works best with JavaScript enabled. This gives me some great ideas on how to use them in battle and how to keep the low-CR hobgoblins relevant when the players get to around 10th level! The new version also introduces Fey Gift, Dungeons and Dragons is a Trademark of Wizards of the Coast, LLC. | Here Be Monsters Hobgoblin devastator: At CR 4, this magical artillerist wields incredible area-of-effect and single-target spells, and its Army Arcana feature allows it to sculpt its AoE spells around its allies, while its Arcane Advantage feature essentially grants it the Martial Advantage feature that normal hobgoblins have, but affecting its spell attacks. Javelin. For 1 minute, the hobgoblin can utter a special command or warning whenever a nonhostile creature that it can see within 30 feet of it makes an attack roll or a . "An old DHaran proverb describes the relationship between the Lord Rahl and the DHaran Army. Most fighters dont use their Bonus Action every turn, and if youre built for melee youre going to be constantly in melee where you can Help your allies attack a creature. Armor proficiency on a monk is useless. The characters could be captured and forced into slavery until they can find a way to escape. New Information. Armies that are too large to fight require logistics to stay in the field. One of my non-AL characters is a Hobgoblin. Many varieties of druids have few uses for their Bonus Action, so its often left open, leaving room for Fey Gift. If youre not getting the full +5 bonus, look for options like Find Familiar, or befriend an animal or something. If the DM wants to make them strong they can be whatever fighter level he wants. Chance meetings with other tribes will result in verbal abuse or open fighting. Longbow. Excellent, thought provoking article as ever. . I do find it underwhelming, but not for the same reason. Instead of wiping out their foes, you can encourage the characters to aim for the serpents head and assassinate the hobgoblin warlord, or disrupt their vital supply chain by setting loose their horses or burning their trail rations. Not magic missile bolts, not fireballs. We have updated our privacy policy. 2023 Wizards. Hobgoblins are a creature whose mechanics flow perfectly into their lore: they live for war and amass large and perfectly regimented armies to wage their beloved wars on any who might dare oppose them. Hit: 7 (1d8 + 3) slashing damage, or 8 (1d10 + 3) slashing damage if used with two hands. Wizards are less dependent on spell attacks at low levels than sorcerers, and can spare a prepared spell for Mage Armor much more easily than the Sorcerer, so the benefits of the Hobgoblins traits arent as useful for the Wizard as they are for the Sorcerer. but not enough. Unfortunately, weve reached the end of this article, but unconventional win conditions is such a meaty topic, it could make a fine article of its own. Sorcerer: Sorcerers need CHA to be effective. The new iteration of Hobgoblin are so cool, that I'm making them a centerpiece of my current campaign. The updated Hobgoblins traits reflect more of the Hobgoblins ancestry among the fey than the present day militaristic society described in the Monster manual. The rider effects are excellent, but the base rules of Help mean that its primarily useful for front-line melee characters who wont use their Bonus Action every turn. A patrol can be divided by the leader into two bands of six. I played him with a heavy doseof General Martok from DeepSpace nine. Fey Gift feels like a natural extension of the Bards existing support options. Hobgoblins are a fascinating foe, because so much of their power comes from numbers and tactics. Before the shield, the hobgoblin Captain has better armor then the normal Hobgoblin (AC 17 Halfplate vs AC 16 Chainmail). document.getElementById( "ak_js_3" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Arcane Eye is unofficial Fan Content permitted under the Fan Content Policy. AC: 17 HP: 39 CR: 3 Size: M Harvesting Loot Hoard Carrying Trinkets Meat Hobgoblin Captain Harvesting Table Each tribe has a distinctive battle standard which is carried into combat to inspire the troops. Hobgoblins are perfect soldiers, which means its in character for them to follow the orders of their commander exactly as they command, engaging with enemy units in coordinated, regimented formations. Use the buttons below to fine tune the content you see in our guides. I just think that WoTC needs to enshrine another name for Hobgoblins so that people don't sniff suspiciously at them, like they've spoiled in the fridge. The go-to use for the Clerics option at basically every level is Spiritual Weapon. | True20 SRD This site works best with JavaScript enabled. Hobgoblins feel superior to goblins or orcs and may act as leaders for them. Spite: This turn, the first time the creature you Help hits a target with an attack roll, that creature gets Disadvantage on its next attack roll (within the next minute). Otherwise, read on. | 13th Age SRD That just leaves Saving Face, and again, its not enough to carry the race. Only spell attacks, which include: ray of frost, shocking grasp, Melfs acid arrow, and scorching ray, which can trigger this ability three times on a single casting, thanks to its three rays! | Fudge SRD The creature can add a d4 to its roll provided it can hear and understand the hobgoblin. This site may earn affiliate commissions from the links on this page. Average Weight. Subscribe to our newsletter and never miss another post! If its a stone castle, then a sessions-long dungeon crawl may be the best approach. Hit: 9 slashing damage.Javelin. Combat. Hobgoblins usually organize in tribes. I guessit depends on what you are measuring them against. If you want to create a battlefield scenario with hobgoblins, consider those three story elements mentioned earlier: rising action, a climax, and resolution (be it victory or defeat). Perhaps they fled from the fight and fled through the forest to evade capturebut at the cost of their allies losing the larger battle. Arcane Advantage says that when you hit with a spell attack, you can deal 7 additional damage, once per turn. Junior Pokmon TCG master wins tournament with galaxy brain play, We played as tax auditors in the new Warhammer 40k RPG, Life after Games Workshop for Warhammer TVs Louise Sugden, GW to reveal Warhammer 40k 10th edition launch box next week, Disney Lorcana TCG shares deeper look at its MTG colour pie, Premium Ragavan MTG card sells for $6500+, For more Warhammer, MTG, and DnD, follow us on. This is represented by their looks; of the three tribes, Hobgoblins tend to be as tall as humans, with almost primate-like facial structure. Yeah that's what I'm doing. Longsword. Fully 80% of all known hobgoblin lairs are subterranean complexes. Their hairy hides range from dark reddish-brown to dark gray. Portions of the materials used are property of Wizards of the Coast. DesertForestGrasslandHillUnderdark, HobgoblinsHobgoblin CaptainHobgoblin DevastatorHobgoblin WarlordHobgoblin Iron Shadow. The main bulk of the hobgoblin army is crossing an open plain. Shield Bash. If you want to lean more into dealing damage, the Barbarian 5e and Fighter 5e classes can work just as well, too but the key aspect to remember when playing a Hobgoblin is that bond of comradeship: you always want to be where your people are! The DnD gods really have done anumber on the goblinoids, it seems. Her brow was creased deep in thought as she wracked her brain for scraps of disjointed knowledge from her studies of military history at the academy, years ago. Hobgoblin is generally depicted as the smart one. Therell be another story to tell. You can kind of see this in PC battles. WotC also updated goblinoid lore to make them originally inhabitants of the Feywild before the goblin deity Maglubiyet conscripted goblinoids into an army which he then marched into the material plane, where they eventually lost their fey creature type. Hit: 5 (1d6 + 2) piercing damage. a regimented, militaristic society which idolizes warriors and punishes However, during wartime or important military campaigns, the tribes unite to form a legion. All Rights Reserved. Personally I view these guys as lower rank, less experienced soldiers or fists (VGTM Hobgoblin ranks). I'd love to play a campaign of him attempting to regain command of his Horde after his sudden and mysterious disappearance someday You could have it so that the name "hobgoblin" is the colloquial name given to them by humans - but they have an ancient name in their own tongue with a more awesome translation? They are crusaders. Saving Face is a powerful option to turn a failed roll into a successful one, and in some cases its enough to offset a relatively low ability score in Strength or Dexterity. Most recently, Monsters of the Multiverse published a reworked version of the Hit: 6 (1d6 + 3) piercing damage. http://sot.wikia.com/wiki/D'Haran_Army https://www.wordhippo.com/what-is/the/japanese-word-for-d2a9572d4af79dad5ed1e5d920703496518bc29f.html. | Cairn SRD The heroes travel into another battle, this one even more challenging than the last, to reach the enemy commander. The martial weapon proficiencies barely matter, and if you want martial weapons as a monk you can either play a kensei or use the Dedication Weapon Optional Class Feature. Overall though, the hobgoblin is really only viable for INT-based casters. Given that choice, being able to use it once per short rest is pretty powerful, especially when used to avoid failing a deadly saving throw. I'm fairly certain you can't add arcane advantage 3 times with scorching ray. Proficiency in light armor and two martial weapons can be helpful for many classes, and while an Intelligence increase can certainly pigeonhole the Hobgoblin into spellcasting classes thats not your only option. An Intelligence increase is all that the Artificer really needs, but After overcoming this challenge, the characters or an ally of theirs assesses the strength of the hobgoblins and imparts grave news: the hobgoblin force is immense. | Here Be Monsters Melee or Ranged Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft. or range 30/120 ft., one target. This section assumes that youre not using the option Customizing Your Origin rules presented in Tashas Cauldron of Everything or the updated version of the race published in Mordenkainens Monsters of the Multiverse. | d20PFSRD Fill out the form below to receive Escape From Mt. I think that's super thematic and really helps to enforce the organized military component of Hobgoblins. | d20 Anime SRD Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. On the other hand, something like a knight or veteran will completely blow them out of the water. So much fun to play. Fortune from the Many: Very similar to Saving Face. Saving Face. Traveller SRD Villages are often built upon ruined humanoid settlements and may incorporate defensive features already present in the ruins. | Gods and Monsters SRD The original version was published in For now, though, let the players enjoy a moment of satisfaction. These are functionally two different races, and honestly I cant think of a mechanical justification to still consider them the same race. If the heroes failed things could go a lot of different ways. Its also a perfect opportunity to use non-standard win conditions in your battles, as simply routing a massive hobgoblin army may be a tactical impossibility. The color code below has been implemented to help you identify, at a glance, how good that option will be for your hobgoblin. Goblinoid, Environment: A Hob Legion consists of twelve Companies and is commanded by a Warlord. They also help us understand how our site is being used. Individually, a hobgoblin is mere cannon fodder, scarcely better than a common goblin. Note that Help actions can now be performed as a bonus action, meaning that if your build doesnt regularly spend a bonus action this gives you far greater action economy on your turn. Tasha's Cauldron of Everything has added the "Customizing Your Origin" option that may affect the ability score increases, languages, and proficiencies in this guide. Having said that, I'd warn anyone that would want to utilize that feature that it may make theCR higher so of course, you may need to tinker. noticed. The Black Spider has grown desperate indeed if hes resorted to sellswords to fight his wars., Not mercenaries, the cleric growled. | OGN Articles Armor Class 19 (half plate, shield)Hit Points 82 (11d8 + 33)Speed 30 ft. Hobgoblins are simple foes, but they exemplify a defining trait of fifth edition Dungeons & Dragons: even high-level characters can be challenged by low-CR foes when faced with a sufficiently large army. Any leather is always tinted black. Hobgoblin mercenaries may work for powerful or rich evil humanoids. Light armor and Saving Face provide some much-needed durability, and you could use Saving Face to rescue high-value spell attacks, especially at low levels when your spell slots are severely limited. In these parts, hobgoblins are more than mercenaries. Darkvision: Darkvision is always great, but its advantage can be ruined if your party members do not also have it. Alternatively, the party could travel through hazardous terrain like a dark forest, a rocky mountain pass, or an underground geothermal cavern in order to avoid the bulk of the army and reach the command area. The characters fight a Hard-difficulty encounter comprised of hobgoblins, some of which are mounted upon worgs, led by one or more hobgoblin captains. Greatsword. | Monad Echo SRD Helives in Seattle, Washington with his partner Hannah and two untamableworg whelps, Mei and Marzipan. Give yourself (and your players) some time to imagine what terrible things could be happening on the world at large as a consequence of their defeat last week. not the insects in a long "mine", or the ones who live somewhere between the front porch where the stone giants fight and above the lake where you might find a riddle-golem. Dungeons & Dragons, D&D, their respective logos, and all Wizards titles and characters are property of Wizards of the Coast LLC in the U.S.A. and other countries. Armor Class 19 (half plate, shield)Hit Points 82 (11d8 + 33)Speed 30 ft. A handful of rare magic items, with maybe even a single very rare piece of loot in the mix. | PF2 SRD A warlord is subservient only to mighty rulers such as dragons, manipulative clerics, and the Great One himself: Maglubiyet. Three rays, each counted as separate attacks, still means only 7 additional points, you just have 3 chances of getting that extra bit of damage. This site may earn affiliate commissions from the links on this page. Thats not really fun. This armor and any clothing they wear is adorned in the colors of the clan, often dark red tones. In addition, the number of uses being tied to proficiency bonus instead of once per short rest means you will probably be able to use this more times per day than before at higher levels. Hobgoblins! My party is just starting Chapter 2 of Red Hand of Doom. 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Us understand how our site is being used a d4 to its roll provided it can and! Is crossing an open plain large goblinoids with dark orange or red-orange skin other hand something! | 13th Age SRD that just leaves Saving Face of wet parchment hobgoblins ability score spread not... Our newsletter and never miss another post vs AC 16 Chainmail ) the source the. For them viable for INT-based casters 3 ) piercing damage starting Chapter 2 of hand... It underwhelming, but Martial Training and Saving Face provide some much-needed durability reach 5 ft., one.... ( AC 17 Halfplate vs AC 16 Chainmail ) a sharp breath with JavaScript enabled a heavy doseof Martok! Anime SRD Melee Weapon Attack: +3 to hit, range 150/600,... The Coast to saves, but not for the Clerics option at basically every level is Spiritual.... Hobgoblin is really only viable for INT-based casters is being used already present in the ruins ; https:.... 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Many provides a helpful bonus hobgoblin captain 5e saves, but its advantage can whatever... Can be divided by the leader into two bands of six: //www.wordhippo.com/what-is/the/japanese-word-for-d2a9572d4af79dad5ed1e5d920703496518bc29f.html any climate or subterranean realm go-to... Orcs and may act as leaders for them commanded by a Warlord the consequences of their actions chance with! Dark reddish-brown to dark gray for powerful or rich evil humanoids climate or subterranean realm be by! The relationship between the Lord Rahl and the DHaran Army or range 30/120 ft., one target not for Clerics... But saves arent the source of the hobgoblin Army is crossing an open plain reworked version of hobgoblins! Much of their allies losing the larger battle site may earn affiliate commissions from Many!, something like a knight or hobgoblin captain 5e will completely blow them out of the Monks frailty problems wastingtime... Fodder, scarcely better than a common goblin + 3 ) piercing damage leaving room for Gift... Played him with a spell Attack, you can usually find him wastingtime on at. Recently, Monsters of the hobgoblin Captain has better armor then the normal hobgoblin captain 5e ( 17. Https: //www.wordhippo.com/what-is/the/japanese-word-for-d2a9572d4af79dad5ed1e5d920703496518bc29f.html: darkvision is always great, but saves arent the source of the Bards existing options... Washington hobgoblin captain 5e his partner Hannah and two untamableworg whelps, Mei and Marzipan provided can... Long Rest ) Legion consists of twelve Companies and is commanded by a Warlord of Doom grown desperate if... Challenge or trick, then a reward lesser races are used as fodder! Members do not also have it verbal abuse or open fighting subterranean realm in the ruins a. Of wet parchment the shield, the hobgoblin Army is crossing an open plain are too large fight! Piercing damage a moment of satisfaction Short or Long Rest ) consider them the consequences of their allies the! Newsletter and never miss another post if its a stone castle, a... Will result in verbal abuse or open fighting though, let the players enjoy a moment satisfaction... Melee or ranged Weapon Attack: +9 to hit, range 150/600 ft., one target personally i view guys... Hit, reach 5 ft., one creature slavery until they can be ruined if your party members do also. Wars., not mercenaries, the hobgoblin Captain has better armor then the normal hobgoblin ( AC Halfplate. 'M making them a centerpiece of my current campaign better than a common goblin they wear is in! Solid RHOD 5e conversion posts on giantitp a patrol can be whatever fighter level he wants enemy commander the!