Hobgoblins as a PC Race

[PieAndDragon]

I'm currently running a campaign in a homebrew where hobgoblins are quite common. While mostly evil, there are many who operate as mercenaries and monks in civilized lands and I wanted the option for them as PCs.

After looking at the MM entry for hobgoblins I don't think Martial Advantage would be a good fit for a PC race ability.
Has anyone got suggestions for other powers which would fit hobgoblins or point me to an already written up 5E hobgoblin race?

 

[steeldragons]

Can I ask why you think that? Does it seem Over-/under-powered?

Extra damage with an ally within 5' seems like it would be great for a PC...though perhaps too great.

On the flip side, from a PC story perspective, if you are doing a hobgoblin PC who is not raised from/in a hobgoblin tribe/culture it does not make much sense. And, as a PC, it does seem to press for a melee character...which is limiting for character creation.

So I'm not sure if it's overpowered/ok or not.

 

[PieAndDragon]

I consider an extra 2d6 damage per round to be a little too strong for a Racial ability, although I'm considering a 1d6 version.
There is also the possibility that extra damage each round is too attractive and I'd see quite a few hobgoblin PCs for martial classes!

 

[steeldragons]

Those are both true.

I'm kinda at a loss. I know there have been several Hobgoblin PC write ups over on the Custom Build and/or Homebrew sub-forums.

I, myself, did "Hobs" as a sub-race to a Goblin PC race. But I honestly don't recall which thread or what I gave them as abilities. I think I had Sunlight Sensitivity as a Goblin thing and one of the things that made Hob's different was that they didn't have that. But as a "special ability" I honestly don't remember. Maybe I can find it again...lemme have a looksee.

 

[steeldragons]

Ah! Here it is. Seems it was one of my own threads. Heh heh.

Seems I didn't do anything with Hobgoblins except make them capable of operating in sunlight and some weapon profs. Not glamourous, but certainly doable for a PC...as designed to match other sub-races, not a "race" all their own.

As a sub-race of Goblin, though, I suppose they would have the Shadow Stealth [advantage to stealth in dim light] and Goblin Guile [essentially the Rogue's Cunning Move ability for all goblins] [EDIT: and Darkvision (60'), of course /EDIT]

http://www.enworld.org/forum/showthread.php?378948-Make-New-Races-Wingin-It/page2

 

[trentonjoe]

I would consider making Hobgoblin a "class".

1st level 1d8 hit points- all armor and weapons, 2 skills, +2 to STR, 1d6 martial damage dice, darkvision 60'
2nd level- +2 to CON
3rd level- +2 to DEX, 2d6 martial damage

After 3rd level they would need to take a PHB class.

I think this makes them weaker than standard classes but keeps the Hobgoblin feel from the MM. Something else should probably be added at level 2.

 

[RufusDaMan]

I made all goblinoid race as a PC race here on my blog check them out if you want http://hedgegm.blogspot.hu/2014/12/d-5th-edition-goblinoid-player-races.html

 

[ceiling90]

I like your version of the Hobgoblin @RufusDaMan.

But, I would change that bonus action to add damage to the attack instead of making it another attack, because TWF already covers this.

Alternatively, in general:

I would just give the Hobgoblins Sneak Attack that isn't stackable.

Martial Advantage: As long as the target of your attack is a hostile creature and is adjacent to an ally, you deal an additional 1d6 damage once per turn. Use this bonus or your Sneak Attack class feature, if you have it.

 

[GreenTengu]

You know... my version is in the Homebrew Library and has been for about a year now. Does no one even look at that thing?

 

[cmad1977]

I would consider Martial Madvantage to come from regular drilling and training with the same group pretty much to the exclusion of all other activity. I don't necessarily see a PC hobbo with that background so would eliminate it or replace it with something else.