D&D General On the subject of Hobgoblins

[Kobold Avenger]

Hobgoblins might have a bit of an identity issue in D&D as in many ways they're sort of "Organized Orcs" in many interpretations. And while I certainly go with the idea that they're just another offshoot of the Goblinoid races which are quite genetically adaptable given the number of various Goblin subraces including Blue, Koalinth, Bugbears, Dekanter, Nilbogs, Bakemono and so on, I feel that many other people probably have Hobgoblins as a hybrid race like half-Goblin half-Human or Orc. So in many ways it comes down to if Humans are this, and Orcs are that, than what are Hobgoblins?

 

[Goblyn]

I always figured that halfling(or gnome) - human - orc was paralleled by goblin(or kobold) - hobgoblin - bugbear. So, in my mind hobgoblins are the 'humans' of the goblinoids.

 

[akr71]

I view hobgoblin's as the Spartans of the goblinoids. Take that comparison with a grain of salt, but what I mean is that military and combat training core to their culture and society. Strength, law, order and hierarchy are important, but intelligence, wisdom and new ideas are not ignored.

 

[Minigiant]

In my home setting, I use Hobgoblins as a fey descendant race like Elves. Their dark reflection. Elves are the beautiful side of fey-men made humaniods. Hobgoblins are the dark side. Summer to Winter.

In more generic world, I see Hobgoblins as goblins with the base cowardice stripped out and it explained as it because they are man sized. Hobgoblins are what goblins would be if they were bigger and stronger. Their inner selves would turn orderly and martial if they were able to fight threats head on and not rely on sneakiness.

 

[Weiley31]

They are Samurai Goblins/Klingons.

If Goblins are seen as chaotic and disorganized, then Hobgoblins are the more Order-Centric disciplined version of the Goblinoid race. If the Goblinoids, as a whole, were to ever unite under a single banner: The Hobgoblins would be the binding center of it all.

 

[Mercurius]

Yes, Klingons, but more Law oriented.

Alternately, hobgoblins could either consider themselves "true" goblins, of which goblins are the degenerated form, or they were genetically modified goblins from some past empire. Lots of ways to "lore it up."

 

[Stormonu]

Until 4E, I didn't even have a use for hobgoblins and just used goblins & orcs.

However, I feel recent editions have done a good job of making them feel different - goblins have a lot of Pictish warrior in my eyes to hobgoblin's Roman Centurion and orc's Nordic raider/Germanic berserker stereotype.

 

[Tonguez]

They’re organized Orcs

imc Goblins are amphibians and scavengers who evolved in the swamp and later moved into the sewers of larger cities. I also used the GURPS idea that Goblin tadpoles adapt according to their environment. Most are the small, sneaky scavengers. However some grow bigger to Hob and even Ogre* size, but generally they are too few to organise their own society and thus though Hobgoblins might be encountered they will be one or two bullying the seething mass of riotous goblins

Bugbears imc are beastmen NOT goblins

 

[Helldritch]

Until 4E, I didn't even have a use for hobgoblins and just used goblins & orcs.

However, I feel recent editions have done a good job of making them feel different - goblins have a lot of Pictish warrior in my eyes to hobgoblin's Roman Centurion and orc's Nordic raider/Germanic berserker stereotype.

Wow... I felt exactly the same. When they gave them a martial theme I jumped in that wagon with both feet. I started to play them a lot more intelligently and tactically oriented and guess what? My players are more afraid of 10 hobgoblins than they are of 10 orcs now.

 

[Micah Sweet]

I once a campaign based on the political dynamics from Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, and I used hobgoblins to represent the Cardassian point of view. Just as advanced as any other major civilization, but living in a resource-scarce region, which led to a militaristic, expansionist mindset.