Better Goblins, Kobolds, Etc. [Archive] - Wizards Community

Better Goblins, Kobolds, Etc. [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
shortdog1
02-04-04, 04:48 PM In my campaign, I want to have goblins, orcs, bugbears, hobgoblins, and kobolds form a large nation. However, I want to make better (e.g. CR 1/2, 1, etc) creatures for my players to fight. If anybody could help me with a better goblin (and kobold and orc so on) and maybe lower CR bugbear (and maybe hobgoblin), great*! Thanks!

Right now, I'm thinking (for the goblins) CR 1, +2 Dex, -2 Wis, and other bonuses to bring him to CR 1. Kobolds, CR 1 or 2, +4 Dex, -2 Cha and Wis, and other stuff. Orcs, +4 Strength, -2 Cha and Wis, etc. I would also like at least one race to have an Int bonus.

The rest of the stuff you can feel free to modify - this is a level 10 campaign, but I put the cap at CR 4, to allow for levels. If I need to, I can always advance them.

* - Yes, I know about Dekanter Goblins, and no, I don't like them.
Capn Charlie
02-04-04, 04:53 PM How dos the saying go?

"What do you mean orcs got levels too?"

Keep em as is but replace a humanoid hit die with a level in a pc or npc class.

Hobgoblin fighters are scary. Almost as scary as bugbear asassins.
shortdog1
02-04-04, 05:09 PM I want them to be DIFFERENT. E.g. Kobold with 25 strength*. They need to be RULERlike, as in they are basically rulers of the world. CR 1/4 things aren't very good rulers. Imagine (king being a 5th or so level aristocrat):

"Oh look - it's the king!"
THWACK THWACK
"Oh look - there's the NEW king!"
THWACK THWACK
"I'm just gonna stop taliking now."
THWACK THWACK

As opposed to:

"Oh look - it's the king!"
THWACK THWACK THWACK THWACK THWACK THWACK THWACK THWACK THWACK THWACK THWACK THWACK THWACK THWACK
"Oh look - a pile of dead assasins!

*: Which is not to say I WANT 25 strength kobolds, but just that it will be different and surprise the players. E.g.:
"Oh look - a 5th level kobold aristocrat!!! Let's shoot 'im!!!"
THWACK THWACK THWACK
"Ack... Shouldn't have shot 'im..."
Nifft
02-04-04, 05:26 PM CR 1/4 means that, if it has only 1 level of Warrior (an "NPC class"). If you give a Kobold 4 levels of Sorcerer, it's CR 3. And if you give it 20 levels of Fighter, it's CR 19.

There's no reason to limit your Kobolds to 5th level max.

-- N
Capn Charlie
02-04-04, 05:31 PM Skerrel
Kobold Sor19

Str 16
Dex 18
Con 16
Int 16
Wis 15
Cha 28

Feats: Bloodline Feat, Spell Focus Evocation, Leadership, Enlarge spell, Craft Wondrous item, Maximize spell

Skills: Diplomacy +31, SpellCraft+25, Knowledge Arcana+25, Knowledge Local +25

Posessions: +8 Bracers of armor, Ring of Protection +4, Cloak of Charisma +6, Belt of Str +4, Amulet of Con +2, Rod of Rulership. Skerrel, as a monarch and powerful arcanist, can gain acess to almost any magic item given time, these just represent his iconic items.

[i] Skerrel was born into the warrens of a minor tribe on the borderlands, but showing a natural cunning and innate sorcerous talent he rose quickly within the tribe asssuming leadership at a young age. Within a decade he had ascended through the ranks to the point of being first champion to the throne of the crimson egg, however after an assasination of the previous king he challenged the heir to the throne to arcane duel and slew all who accepted the challenge. Today he rules with a presence that few can deny, though some whisper that he himself was the one that poisened the previous ruler.

Uber templates does not a mighty npc make my friend. If you make the races just like any other then heroes and rulers appear like any other. If the human king is a mighty warrior why not the leader of the hobgoblins?

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
shortdog1 02-04-04, 04:48 PM	In my campaign, I want to have goblins, orcs, bugbears, hobgoblins, and kobolds form a large nation. However, I want to make better (e.g. CR 1/2, 1, etc) creatures for my players to fight. If anybody could help me with a better goblin (and kobold and orc so on) and maybe lower CR bugbear (and maybe hobgoblin), great! Thanks! Right now, I'm thinking (for the goblins) CR 1, +2 Dex, -2 Wis, and other bonuses to bring him to CR 1. Kobolds, CR 1 or 2, +4 Dex, -2 Cha and Wis, and other stuff. Orcs, +4 Strength, -2 Cha and Wis, etc. I would also like at least one race to have an Int bonus. The rest of the stuff you can feel free to modify - this is a level 10 campaign, but I put the cap at CR 4, to allow for levels. If I need to, I can always advance them. - Yes, I know about Dekanter Goblins, and no, I don't like them.
Capn Charlie 02-04-04, 04:53 PM	How dos the saying go? "What do you mean orcs got levels too?" Keep em as is but replace a humanoid hit die with a level in a pc or npc class. Hobgoblin fighters are scary. Almost as scary as bugbear asassins.
shortdog1 02-04-04, 05:09 PM	I want them to be DIFFERENT. E.g. Kobold with 25 strength. They need to be RULERlike, as in they are basically rulers of the world. CR 1/4 things aren't very good rulers. Imagine (king being a 5th or so level aristocrat): "Oh look - it's the king!" THWACK THWACK "Oh look - there's the NEW king!" THWACK THWACK "I'm just gonna stop taliking now." THWACK THWACK As opposed to: "Oh look - it's the king!" THWACK THWACK THWACK THWACK THWACK THWACK THWACK THWACK THWACK THWACK THWACK THWACK THWACK THWACK "Oh look - a pile of dead assasins! : Which is not to say I WANT 25 strength kobolds, but just that it will be different and surprise the players. E.g.: "Oh look - a 5th level kobold aristocrat!!! Let's shoot 'im!!!" THWACK THWACK THWACK "Ack... Shouldn't have shot 'im..."
Nifft 02-04-04, 05:26 PM	CR 1/4 means that, if it has only 1 level of Warrior (an "NPC class"). If you give a Kobold 4 levels of Sorcerer, it's CR 3. And if you give it 20 levels of Fighter, it's CR 19. There's no reason to limit your Kobolds to 5th level max. -- N
Capn Charlie 02-04-04, 05:31 PM	Skerrel Kobold Sor19 Str 16 Dex 18 Con 16 Int 16 Wis 15 Cha 28 Feats: Bloodline Feat, Spell Focus Evocation, Leadership, Enlarge spell, Craft Wondrous item, Maximize spell Skills: Diplomacy +31, SpellCraft+25, Knowledge Arcana+25, Knowledge Local +25 Posessions: +8 Bracers of armor, Ring of Protection +4, Cloak of Charisma +6, Belt of Str +4, Amulet of Con +2, Rod of Rulership. Skerrel, as a monarch and powerful arcanist, can gain acess to almost any magic item given time, these just represent his iconic items. [i] Skerrel was born into the warrens of a minor tribe on the borderlands, but showing a natural cunning and innate sorcerous talent he rose quickly within the tribe asssuming leadership at a young age. Within a decade he had ascended through the ranks to the point of being first champion to the throne of the crimson egg, however after an assasination of the previous king he challenged the heir to the throne to arcane duel and slew all who accepted the challenge. Today he rules with a presence that few can deny, though some whisper that he himself was the one that poisened the previous ruler. Uber templates does not a mighty npc make my friend. If you make the races just like any other then heroes and rulers appear like any other. If the human king is a mighty warrior why not the leader of the hobgoblins?