D&D 5E Kobold Preview

[Khaalis]

Special Sling ammunition:
Blackscale Acid Pot: 5(2d4) acid damage, and 2(1d4) acid damage to anyone within 5 feet of target. If the target is missed it takes 2(1d4) acid damage and no damage to anyone else.

I don't recognize the layout of these damage numbers. Are you saying the Acid Pot deals 5*2d4 (10-40 damage or 10d4)? Why the odd layout?

 

[Steely Dan]

I don't recognize the layout of these damage numbers. Are you saying the Acid Pot deals 5*2d4 (10-40 damage or 10d4)? Why the odd layout?

Oh, come on, who cares, considering the source regarding 5th Ed.

 

[Leatherhead]

I don't recognize the layout of these damage numbers. Are you saying the Acid Pot deals 5*2d4 (10-40 damage or 10d4)? Why the odd layout?

It's average damage, then the damage dice. They were following the book format. I have no idea why WotC lists it like a math problem.

 

[Khaalis]

It's average damage, then the damage dice. They were following the book format. I have no idea why WotC lists it like a math problem.

AH ok. I get it now. I'd expect a space between. It might have made more sense to list it "2d4 (5) damage".
Thanks.

 

[Steely Dan]

It's average damage, then the damage dice. They were following the book format. I have no idea why WotC lists it like a math problem.

Yes, acid damage (death) should transcend level.

 

[Paraxis]

Oh, come on, who cares, considering the source regarding 5th Ed.

What is this supposed to mean?

The damage is listed as per the monster stat blocks in the book, so yes the first number is average damage value. I edited my post and added a space to help clear things up. Also added dragon shields, and some notes on modifying CR and XP values.

 

[UngeheuerLich]

Seriously how hard would it be to just give us the basic kobold and then include the following.
EDIT: format and added a couple things

Optional abilities: If you give them one increas CR to ¼, two CR ½ and give them 2 extra h.p per option.

Shifty: may disengage as a bonus action.

Draconic Ancestry: the kobold gains resistance to one of the following energy types fire, lightning, acid, poison, or cold, scale color usually matches a chromatic dragon with the same type of resistance.

Flight: gain fly speed of 30 feet, increase Dexterity to 16 which increases AC to 13, and gives them a +1 to hit and damage. They can make ranged attacks with advantage against targets on the ground.

Superior Weapons: give them a short sword 5 (1d6+2) and use the dagger as an off hand attack for 2 (1d4).

I am abit sad, that in the basic article and some previews a lot of optional stuff did not survive the playtest.

One example was the giant lizard:

You could give it clamping jaws power and call it crocodile, give special weapons to lizardmen etc. Maybe adding little things that increased powers was too much given the inflexibility of the CR system. You could not simply add a few xp to the monster budget. Maybe it was convenience, because a crocodile was a little bit harder to find that way.

But I question: why no index, that redirects crocodile to giant lizard. And wyhy does the CR system have to be that inflexible? Why not just add a few xp? At least for calculating the difficulty of an encounter. We already have weighting factors.

Your Idea of the kobold fits mine: not too fancy racial powers, but some optional ideas.
And some example equippment options to make things interesting.

 

[Minigiant]

Increasing the XP and CR. The kobold could just be the basic kobold an remove the urd. In the Urd's place you get creature options like wings, pots, & shields.

Thanks for hinting the idea the whole play test and not putting in the MM, guys.Now I gotta do it.

 

[Sacrosanct]

I am a bit sad and honestly surprised that some folks, despite the fact that when the kobold text says their behavior is shifty, need to have it explicty spelled out in a list what that means in play. Really? And to use phrases like the current text is pretty much just a blank piece of paper and the designers are making you do all the work to figure out that kobolds can use items?

What next, warning lables on the PHB that say "do not eat"?


There are no boring monsters. (especially when behavior is explained for you already.) There are only boring DMs. And yes, being a DM does require some work. If you don't want to put in even a basic effort in being creative with your monsters, either don't DM or don't complain. Accusing the designers of copping out for your (general you) laziness is poor form. IMO of course.

 

[Zaukrie]

Some of the responses here are incredibly condescending. New DMs have never heard of Tuckers kibolds. All some of us are asking for is options. To say we are lazy or stupid or whatever, is rude. We want something different than you. And that makes us lazy? So sad.