D&D 5E (2014) Kobold Preview

[Boarstorm]

http://media.wizards.com/2014/downloads/dnd/MM_Kobold.pdf

Nothing new stat-wise, but the art is interesting. Kind-of a blend of the pre-3E and post-3E looks.

 

[Plaguescarred]

I like the the bio info, artwork and accuracy boost!

 

[Roger]

They look good enough. Not really crazy about them speaking Common by default; might strip that off so the PCs who know Draconic can feel a little more useful. Might think about making them stunty dragonborn instead.

 

[Wrathamon]

I like how the original look is blended with the more modern look. I wish their tails were more rat-like and less dragonlike ... I've always really liked the original look. I'm ok with no ears.

 

[Sacrosanct]

This just screams to be made into a mega-campaign plot with an all kobold party

Kurtulmak’s most devoted worshipers dedicate themselves to finding and releasing
their lost god from his prison-maze

 

[Minigiant]

Look okay.
Disappointed with the lack of elite kobolds like dragon shields and alchemists. To me, there is a little too much focus on kobolds' use of traps and not the creature themselves. Kobolds kind of now function as beings to just reset traps and die. Little display of special powers or features. Just

 

[Sacrosanct]

Look okay.
Disappointed with the lack of elite kobolds like dragon shields and alchemists. To me, there is a little too much focus on kobolds' use of traps and not the creature themselves. Kobolds kind of now function as beings to just reset traps and die. Little display of special powers or features. Just

This came up a while ago, and my solution is really, really easy. Just double their CR for <1 CR creatures, and give them a feat.

There you go. Done. Rather than have a bunch of individual stat blocks that take up real estate, just follow that simple guideline.

so a 1/8 kobold goes to 1/4 CR and has the magic initiate feat. Now you have your kobold shaman. Or have it with the shield master feat. There's your dragonshield. Same basic rule for goblins, orcs, whatever.

 

[Garrand]

Re: Elite kobolds issue. I admit I haven't been following things as closely until we started playtesting 5e as a group recently, but will 5e have rules for adding class levels to monsters (I thought I saw something to that effect)? If so, there are your elite kobolds. Add levels of sorcerer, rogue, etc to get some elite :leader" types, job's done.

Damon.

 

[ephemeron]

Looks like the kobolds have been putting in a lot of time at the gym!

 

[Juriel]

Oh look, another monster that just hits you. It hits you slightly better with someone next to you.

Sigh.