D&D 5E 5e Hobgoblin stat block

[(Psi)SeveredHead]

Thanks for posting this, Thaumaturge.

I'm very sorry to see the Charisma drop -- it's a pet peeve of mine, but it always feels cheap to me.

One of the consistent ways that evil humanoids are presented in D&D is with a low (sub-human) Charisma.

Bugbear Cha 9
Bullywug Cha 7
Goblin Cha 8
Gnoll Cha 8
Kobold Cha 8
Orc Cha 10
Orog Cha 10

(against the baseline of Human Commoner Cha 10).

All evil humanoids are consequently "dull and possibly uneasy", or not able "to interact with others well"? It's always bugged me. But then I had the Hobgoblin, which in the latest play test materials was

Hobgoblin Cha 13.

Hobgoblins could be confident, eloquent, and leaders. I'm sorry that's being taken away.

Earlier on, monsters that could work well together had higher Charisma scores. Kobolds and hobgoblins, but not orcs, for instance. I'm sad to see that taken away.

 

[Blackbrrd]

From now on, every Hobgoblin will carry a bag of allied rats. Just in case,

Ah, but then they risk the whirlwind+greater cleave combo!

Anyway, I think it would be pretty amusing having a party ambushed by some goblins with some hobgoblins 150' away peppering them with 1d8+1 +2d6 damage arrows.

.... I have a feeling they should have made that 2d6 only applicable with melee weapons.

 

[BryonD]

To me the AC is interesting. AC18 is way up there. (The playtest Asmodeus, pit fiend and stone golem are 17)

I'm not complaining here. Just observing. High AC, low saves.

If you don't like the CHR, change it

 

[el_stiko]

Confused

Am I the only n00b scratching their head over how the longbow can be melee?

 

[Nagol]

Am I the only n00b scratching their head over how the longbow can be melee?

*edit* <stupid response removed>

I think it means the bow attack doesn't suffer for firing if the opponent is next to the hobgoblin (like the old opportunity attack rules or something)

 

[el_stiko]

*edit* <stupid response removed>

I think it means the bow attack doesn't suffer for firing if the opponent is next to the hobgoblin (like the old opportunity attack rules or something)

When the only difference between the two weapons is damage type, I wonder why a DM (or a hobgoblin) would choose to employ the bow at close range...

 

[Nagol]

When the only difference between the two weapons is damage type, I wonder why a DM (or a hobgoblin) would choose to employ the bow at close range...

For when the PCs insanely charge the archers in back ignoring the goblin skirmishers and suddenly the hobgoblin is 5 feet from a pissed off fighter? Change weapons? Nah just let loose with the next volley at point blank range!

 

[Stormonu]

Is that the entire entry or just the combat stat block?

 

[Sword of Spirit]

Initial thoughts.

I like it overall. The numbers make sense and are satisfying. It would be better with more fluff (although I'm hoping that the MM will provide that additional fluff), and I wonder why they don't get any skills.

 

[BryonD]

I jumped to the conclusion that it means the default hobgoblin carries a bow hefty enough to smack someone with it as a 2 handed quarterstaff.

I'd be completely willing to wager 25 cents that I'm right.