LA +0 Hobgoblin: who would you do it?

[WhatGravitas]

Honestly, I'm kinda leaning the same way as Drowbane and Nadaka---I don't want to do too much to take away the (already, admittedly pretty weak) flavor that the hobgoblin rules already have, and I honestly feel that the net positive ability bonus modifiers aren't any better than the human's bonus feat, for example. So I guess maybe I'm answering my own question here that the hobgoblin doesn't really need much in the way of adjusting.

I've seen a quite good solution for the Hobgoblin (LA +0): Don't give them their 1st level feat. I've still seen a player, who played a hobgoblin despite that drawback, but it wasn't powerful enough to activate the munchkin-alert.

Cheers, LT.

 

[Nifft]

So I guess maybe I'm answering my own question here that the hobgoblin doesn't really need much in the way of adjusting.

Do you use Favored Class rules in your game?

Cheers, -- N

 

[Tonguez]

1. I agree using the Hobs as PCs stats Hobgoblins should be LA +0 as is, there is nothing about them that makes them uber. If need be take away the move silently bonus and call it done.

2. There isn't much that is inherently monstrous about them either. They are tall, muscular humanoids with orange-tinge to the skin and possibly fangs. They could easily pass for a offshoot of humans (even moreso than Orcs). Really if they are relatively common then they should be viewed along racist lines rather than monstrous ones.

3. I once used a mountain based nation of city states in which humans and hobgoblins were equal citizens (the humans having a role as Clerics). They also recruited Ogres into their armies equiping them with iron armour and weapons - they were a major military force in the world.

4. IMC Bugbears became neutral and were given brachiation and so have become the worlds Apemen (Mangani) swinging through the jungle. They are not related to goblins of Hobs in any way

 

[Desdichado]

Do you use Favored Class rules in your game?

No, not really. What is the Hobgoblin's favored class anyway? I don't even know.

 

[Nifft]

No, not really. What is the Hobgoblin's favored class anyway? I don't even know.

Fighter. I figured you were keeping that, so my version is contrasted with Humans who also get Favored Class: any.

Anyway, good luck.

Cheers, -- N

 

[Aaron2]

Is it actually possible to create a way to work out an LA of 0.5? Like giving out the average of 1rst and 2nd level XPs.

 

[Evilhalfling]

I've seen a quite good solution for the Hobgoblin (LA +0): Don't give them their 1st level feat. I've still seen a player, who played a hobgoblin despite that drawback, but it wasn't powerful enough to activate the munchkin-alert.

Cheers, LT.

I like this solution balance-wise, but it is terrible for the *highly trained and militarized* flavor of a hobgoblin. For the same reason drop the hide bonus - hobgoblins should be wearing armor, not trying to keep up with goblin sneaks. I say no skill bonuses. The complete lack of non-combat skill is flavor. hmm perhaps not good flavor....

 

[Maldor]

i'd leave them alone they are a fighter race so you should judge them VS other fighter races that warforged and dwarfs i'd say they are pretty close to warforged as is but not as good as dwarfs if you just feel like you must weaken them i'd drop the MS to +2 but i wouldn't

P.S. they have the MS bonse becuase all goblin have it the race is as a whole sneaky like elfs as a whole are agile.

 

[Klaus]

Hobgoblin (MM, as is) LA 0.

Its just not game-breaking (hell, the PHB Dwarf is probably still a better race ). Be sure to have NPCs react to the "monster" appropriately.

What he said.

Instead of tons of racial abilities, the hobs get better ability modifiers.

Anyone interested in hobgoblins, check out Pozas Art Pack: Hobgoblins (link in sig) for how I see hobgoblins.

 

[Drowbane]

For Drowbane; the reason I'm asking this is that I'm noodling around with a campaign setting in which the goblinoids (minus bugbears, probably) and orcs aren't "monsters" they're just part of the racial tapestry that already exists, and should be LA +0 PC playable races from the get-go. So there could certainly be some racial "issues", but hobgoblins wouldn't be considered "monsters" per se.

Ahh, I see. Very cool.

With that in mind... I still advocate leaving them mostly "as is". I agree with the idea about dropping the MS bonus, and I'm considering doing that in my Homebrew now as well (where Hobgoblins are a "PC Race"... for LA +0).

Anyone interested in hobgoblins, check out Pozas Art Pack: Hobgoblins (link in sig) for how I see hobgoblins.

Always a pleasure to see new (new to me at least, been awhile since I've visited your site) Pozas.