D&D 5E New Statblocks for D&D's Kobolds

The weekend's streaming events at WotC revealed two Kobold-related things! First, they get a new alignment-free stat block; and second, there's a fan-made stablock for Three Kobolds In A Trenchcoat illustration.

The stat block is an unofficial one from Reddit user TamLin123.

On the official front, the site Venturebeat heard from WotC about races other than orcs, and recent discussions about changes to orcs and other previously evil races, and got the following reply:

“Orcs are not prevalent in the adventure, but Rime of the Frostmaiden does feature other creatures that are currently defined in the game as humanoids. Some cleave to a particular alignment, while others defy expectation. We’re of a mind that humanoid creatures, going forward, shouldn’t have prescribed alignments; alignment belongs to each individual. To that end, there’s a new kobold stat block in Rime of the Frostmaiden that identifies the creature as a humanoid of any alignment, which is a departure from the kobolds in the Monster Manual”.

 

[Charlaquin]

“Rime of the Frostmaiden does feature other creatures that are currently defined in the game as humanoids.”

Sounds like some creatures will probably be getting a type change so they can continue having fixed alignments. In particular, I’m guessing gnolls are going to be Fiends now :/

 

[Mercurius]

there are... how many official campaign worlds? and only in one of them are orcs, goblins, drow, gnolls, etc. aren't considered evil by default, that's some real creativity going on there.

In the past, yes. But we're already seeing more variation and will likely see more variation on the default themes. But the point is, campaign settings have always been and will continue to be variations on the default tropes of D&D, and that world designers should feel free to design their worlds with an eye towards internal coherence and creative freedom, and not automatically simply recreate default assumptions. Not sure how that is a controversial idea.

 

[Panda-s1]

In the past, yes. But we're already seeing more variation and will likely see more variation on the default themes. But the point is, campaign settings have always been and will continue to be variations on the default tropes of D&D, and that world designers should feel free to design their worlds with an eye towards internal coherence and creative freedom, and not automatically simply recreate default assumptions. Not sure how that is a controversial idea.

people are already doing that, and have been for a while. how would loosening restrictions on alignment make that less likely?

 

[Jacqual]

there are... how many official campaign worlds? and only in one of them are orcs, goblins, drow, gnolls, etc. aren't considered evil by default, that's some real creativity going on there.

Eberron not evil, Wildmount is also not evil for orcs and drow, as orcs can be part of the human empire and the sailing area of the setting.

 

[Weiley31]

. In particular, I’m guessing gnolls are going to be Fiends now :/

So now they gonna be T'anari.

 

[Weiley31]

So the new stat block for Kobolds, that applies to the playable race as well or just the MM fightable version?

 

[Panda-s1]

Eberron not evil, Wildmount is also not evil for orcs and drow, as orcs can be part of the human empire and the sailing area of the setting.

okay so that's two (I think? is WotC gonna include Wildemount in their "canon" of settings? is that even a thing?)

 

[BRayne]

okay so that's two (I think? is WotC gonna include Wildemount in their "canon" of settings? is that even a thing?)

It already was as of Descent into Avernus

 

[Rikka66]

So the new stat block for Kobolds, that applies to the playable race as well or just the MM fightable version?

PC write-up doesn't have a prescribed alignment, so I imagine it's not included.

 

[Older Beholder]

I'm hoping that the 3 kobolds in a trenchcoat becomes a playable character race at some point.