Famous for their discipline and martial prowess, these goblinoids are rumored to hail from the Feywild originally. The hobgoblin race was first published in Volo’s Guide to Monsters (VGtM), and an updated version was more recently published in Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse (MPMM). This is a separate version and does not overwrite the original, it just presents a different way of playing a hobgoblin using more current design conventions.
A martial people
Hobgoblins are physically the Goldilocks of goblinoids, being larger than goblins but nowhere near the height and musculature of bugbears. In contrast to their cousins, they are renowned for their discipline and martial prowess, creating an organized military force that can even incorporate powerful spellcasters into their ranks.
Goblinoids as a whole are rumored to have their origins in the Feywild, however, other tales speak of their creation by the god Maglubiyet, either way this god is said to have imparted the discipline and talent for soldiery that makes hobgoblins famous. This leads hobgoblins to often form tight-knit communities with deep ties to each other, be it in the martial legions they create or more civilian lifestyles.
Disciplined soldiers: Playing a hobgoblin
Playing a hobgoblin gives you the following traits:
Ability Scores – Con +2 Int +1
Size – Medium
Creature Type – Humanoid
Speed – 30 ft.
Age – Hobgoblins have a similar lifespan to humans, living a century or less.
Darkvision – You can see in dim light within 60 feet of you as if it were bright light, and in darkness as if it were dim light. You can’t discern color in darkness, only shades of gray.
Martial Training – You are proficient with leather armor and two martial weapons of your choice.
Saving Face – When you miss an attack roll or fail a saving throw or ability check you can add a bonus to the roll to potentially succeed instead. This bonus is equal to the number of allies within 30 feet that you can see, up to a maximum of +5. You can do this once per short or long rest.
Languages – You can speak, read, and write Common and Goblin.
In formation: Playing an MPMM hobgoblin
Playing a hobgoblin from MPMM gives you the following traits:
Ability Scores – You can increase one ability score by 2 and a different score by 1, alternatively you can increase three different ability scores by 1.
Size – Medium
Creature Type – Humanoid but you are also considered a goblinoid.
Speed – 30 ft.
Age – The typical life span of a player character in the D&D multiverse is about a century, assuming the character doesn’t meet a violent end on an adventure.
Darkvision – You can see in dim light within 60 feet of you as if it were bright light, and in darkness as if it were dim light. You can’t discern color in darkness, only shades of gray.
Fey Ancestry – You have advantage on saves against, or to end, being charmed.
Fey Gift – You can use the Help action as a bonus action a number of times per long rest equal to your proficiency bonus. At 3rd level, you choose one of the following benefits that will enhance this ability:
- Hospitality – Both the creature you help and yourself gain 1d6 + your proficiency bonus temporary hit points.
- Passage – Both the creature you help and yourself gain a 10 ft. walking speed boost until the start of your next turn.
- Spite – The first creature hit by someone you Help, before the start of your next turn, has disadvantage on the first attack it makes within the next minute.
Fortune from the Many – When you miss an attack roll or fail a saving throw or ability check you can add a bonus to the roll to potentially succeed instead. This bonus is equal to the number of allies within 30 feet that you can see, up to a maximum of +3. You can do this a number of uses per long rest equal to your proficiency bonus.
Languages – You can speak, read, and write Common and one other language that you and your DM agree is appropriate for your character.
We hope that you’ve enjoyed your time marching to the beat of the war drum. Have you played a hobgoblin? Are you planning to? If you want to learn more about other race options, check out our races section, or if you want to understand the world’s greatest roleplaying game better, then check out our how to play section. Good luck out there adventurers and until next time, remember your friends are watching!
What are Hobgoblins in DnD 5E?
Hobgoblins are a race of goblinoids in DnD 5E. They are known for their discipline, their military prowess, and their love of order.
What classes are best for Hobgoblins in DnD 5E?
Hobgoblins are well-suited for classes that don’t natively get proficiencies in armor or martial weapons but have ways to make use of them. Such as a Sorcerer being able to avoid Mage Armor and using a martial weapon with a cantrip like Booming Blade.
How do Hobgoblins fit into the world of DnD 5E?
Hobgoblins are often portrayed as disciplined and organized soldiers in the world of DnD 5E, and are known for their martial prowess and their love of order. They are often found in military organizations and are well-suited for adventures that require martial prowess and strategic thinking.
