Kobolds Are Supposed To Be Pathetic Combatants

[Dausuul]

The first issue isn't a problem with the kobold, but more with the slayer feat. I don't have a problem with the fighter killing them every turn, but the player not really having anything to do kinda sucks.

Agreed, the feat is the problem here. I'd prefer something like 4E's Cleave, perhaps with an addendum that your attack roll must be good enough to hit the second target in order to damage it (i.e., you can't bypass a tough monster's AC by cleaving through a wussy one). From what I can see, players enjoy it more too; the chance to kill two kobolds is more exciting than the certainty of killing one.

As far as one-shotting kobolds, that's been a standard feature of the game since at least 3E. The 3E kobold had 4 hit points. A 1st-level fighter with a two-handed weapon and Strength 14+ would one-shot a kobold every time.

 

[Mort]

I like my kobolds intelligent and witty, with lots of tricks up their sleves, and the goblins in a similar way. I play kobolds and goblins and it's fun to do whe they aren't shown as idiots.

I also don't like my kobolds or goblins falling down from sneezing at them. You'd need at least hit them full swing once

I don't like regular kobolds being intelligent or witty (7 int 8 wis); they are cunning - which is a big difference.

For example when the group captured on of the kobolds guarding the cave entrance, he was not rico suave under interogation and he barely understood the (in common) rapidfire questions the group was throwing at him!

But, once he realised the group was ignorant of the cave layout, he was more than cunning enough to direct them right into the ogres lair!

 

[Mort]

We are talking first level characters, who are able to stand in the midst of 8 kobolds and barely take a scratch while slaughtering EVERY SINGLE ONE..

Since when? My groups slayer nearly died both when fighting the rats AND when fighting the first group of kobolds(within the cave)! the cleric had to prop him up several times!

We are talking about EVERY hit from the slayer breaking through the kobolds weapon and striking them dead.

So? The slayer is a trained killing machine, I don't see the problem with him taking out 1 kobold a round - even at first level.

The issue isn't that they are weak. I think everyone agrees they should be. The issue is certainly HOW WEAK and WHY SO WEAK when the party is only first level as well.

Kobolds are weak individually, they are not weak on their home turf (traps etc.) and when they outnumber the party significantly - and this is as it should be!

 

[Minigiant]

I don't think many of you understand what kobold tribes look like

10% Kobold young
20% Kobold adult noncombatants
63% Kobold pathetic mooks
5% Kobolds with stats that make them almost worthy enough to hold a real weapon
2% Kobolds worthy to be adventurers.... maybe

 

[Crazy Jerome]

Doesn't the cleave feat come from the slayer theme? If so, then just reverse the order of reaper and cleave: Cleave at first level, reaper at 2nd. It's kind of wussy for 2nd level, but hey, you get cleave that much faster.

Now 1st level fighters have a shot at killing two kobolds. 2nd level fighters have the same shot, with a guarantee of killing at least one. Rationale if you need one:

The 1st level fighter smacks one foe with the intention of getting a weak shot at the first already planned. The cunning 2nd level fighter has learned to react, such that if he misses on his first attack he can redirect the backhand to the same target. Thus reaper becomes--"If you hit, cleave works as normal. If you miss, you cleave your initial target."

 

[Fifth Element]

We are talking first level characters, who are able to stand in the midst of 8 kobolds and barely take a scratch while slaughtering EVERY SINGLE ONE.

If this is the problem as you see it, then it seems there is no problem. Even pathetic mooks are very dangerous in numbers.

 

[am181d]

Wait. How much damage does the miss damage do? Isn't it 3 hp?

If the kobold takes 3 hp of damage, that takes him down to 0. Is there no death's door rule in the 5e rules? Surely, the kobold should be incapacitated but not unconcious (and theoretically able to attack once before taking an hp of bleeding damage).

If that were the case, I'd be all over these rules, because the idea of a lot of mewling kobolds clawing ineffectually at your feat as you stomp through them is pretty awesome.

 

[Mort]

Wait. How much damage does the miss damage do? Isn't it 3 hp?

If the kobold takes 3 hp of damage, that takes him down to 0. Is there no death's door rule in the 5e rules? Surely, the kobold should be incapacitated but not unconcious (and theoretically able to attack once before taking an hp of bleeding damage).

If that were the case, I'd be all over these rules, because the idea of a lot of mewling kobolds clawing ineffectually at your feat as you stomp through them is pretty awesome.

Reaper does 3 HPs (for the playtest fighter as his Str mod is +3), Kobolds have 2 (so even a miss takes them to -1 and out of the combat).

 

[JonWake]

Reaper becomes much less impressive against orcs and bugbears.

 

[Stalker0]

Unless you are planning to throw kobolds at your party for every fight until the end of time, why is it so boring to let the fighter just instakill things once in a while?

To me, that would seem like an awesome change of pace.