HOBGOBLIN WARLORD – 5e stats

Medium humanoid (goblinoid), lawful evil

Armor Class 20 (plate, shield)
Hit Points 97 (13d8 + 39)
Speed 30 ft.

Proficiency Bonus +3
Proficiency Bonus +6 (5th Edition Advanced Mode)

STRDEXCONINTWISCHA
16 (+3)14 (+2)16 (+3)14 (+2)11 (+0)15 (+2)

Saving Throws Int +5, Wis +3, Cha +5
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 10
Languages Common, Goblin
Challenge 6 (2300 XP)

Martial Advantage. Once per turn, the hobgoblin can deal an extra 14 (4d6) damage to a creature it hits with a weapon attack if that creature is within 5 feet of an ally of the hobgoblin that isn’t incapacitated.

ACTIONS

  • Multiattack. The hobgoblin makes three melee attacks. Alternatively, it can make two ranged attacks with its javelins.
  • Longsword. Melee Weapon Attack: +9 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 7 (1d8 + 3) slashing damage, or 8 (1d10 + 3) slashing damage if used with two hands.
  • Shield Bash. Melee Weapon Attack: +9 to hit, reach 5 ft., one creature. Hit: 5 (1d4 + 3) bludgeoning damage. If the target is Large or smaller, it must succeed on a DC 14 Strength saving throw or be knocked prone.
  • Javelin. Melee or Ranged Weapon Attack: +9 to hit, reach 5 ft. or range 30/120 ft., one target. Hit: 6 (1 d6 + 3) piercing damage.
  • Leadership (Recharges after a Short or Long Rest). For 1 minute, the hobgoblin can utter a special command or warning whenever a non hostile creature that it can see within 30 feet of it makes an attack roll or a saving throw. The creature can add 1d4 to its roll provided it can hear and understand the hobgoblin. A creature can benefit from only one Leadership die at a time. This effect ends if the hobgoblin is incapacitated.

REACTIONS

  • Parry. The hobgoblin adds 3 to its AC against one melee attack that would hit it. To do so, the hobgoblin must see the attacker and be wielding a melee weapon.

5th Edition Advanced Mode
Limiting the power of a character and making the overall difficulty of the game harder, does not reduce the creativity, indeed it does quite the opposite.
The Game Master has the option to use any and all of the instances proposed in this guide, or just some of them according to their preference.

It is the lack of something that move and motivate characters, not the abundance of it


DESCRIPTION

A hobgoblin warlord is the supreme leader of a hobgoblin legion, a large and organized army of hobgoblins and their allies. Hobgoblins are a race of humanoid creatures that resemble muscular humans with dark skin, red faces, and black hair. They are fierce and disciplined warriors who value strength, honor, and conquest. They wear heavy armor and wield powerful weapons, such as greatswords, longbows, and javelins.

A hobgoblin warlord is a master of combat and strategy, who has risen to the top of the hobgoblin hierarchy by proving his or her skill and cunning in countless battles. They command respect and fear from their followers, and often have loyal sub-chiefs and captains as their advisors and bodyguards. A hobgoblin warlord is adept at using martial advantage, a technique that allows them to deal extra damage to an enemy that is distracted by another hobgoblin ally. They are also capable of inspiring their troops with their leadership, granting them a bonus to their attack rolls or saving throws.

Hobgoblins are a warlike race that constantly seek to expand their territory and resources by conquering other lands and peoples. They view other races as either enemies or potential slaves, and have no mercy for the weak or the cowardly. They are especially hostile to elves, dwarves, and humans, whom they consider inferior and unworthy. Hobgoblins have their own language, which is related to the goblin tongue, but they also speak Common to communicate with their allies or foes. Hobgoblins often ally themselves with other goblinoids, such as goblins, bugbears, and worgs, as well as other savage creatures, such as ogres, trolls, and giants.

Hobgoblins live in large and well-defended settlements that are usually located in hills or mountains. They have a strict social order based on rank and merit, which is determined by their performance in battle and their loyalty to the warlord. Each hobgoblin legion has its own name, symbol, and color scheme, and is fiercely competitive with other legions. Hobgoblins rarely cooperate with each other unless they face a common threat or join a larger military campaign. In such cases, they form massive armies that are led by the most powerful and influential warlords in the region.

Hiring a Hobgoblin Legion

If you are looking for a large and formidable army to fight for your cause, you might consider hiring a hobgoblin legion. Hobgoblins are a race of militaristic and disciplined humanoids who value strength, honor, and conquest. They are skilled and ruthless warriors who can wield a variety of weapons and armor. They are also cunning and loyal, following the orders of their warlord without question.

However, hiring a hobgoblin legion is not a simple or cheap task. Hobgoblins are not mercenaries who will fight for anyone who pays them. They have their own ambitions and agendas, and will only ally themselves with those who can offer them something more than gold. They also have a strict code of honor, which means they will not betray their contract or their warlord, but also expect to be treated with respect and dignity.

To hire a hobgoblin legion, you will need to do the following:

  • Find a hobgoblin warlord who is willing to negotiate with you. This might require some research, diplomacy, or espionage to locate the nearest or most suitable hobgoblin settlement. You will also need to have a good reason to approach them, such as a common enemy, a mutual benefit, or a challenge to their honor.
  • Meet with the hobgoblin warlord and present your offer. You will need to convince them that your cause is worthy of their support, and that you can provide them with something they desire, such as land, resources, glory, or revenge. You will also need to agree on the terms of the contract, such as the duration, the objectives, the rewards, and the penalties for breaking the agreement.
  • Pay the hobgoblin warlord a hefty sum of gold as a sign of good faith and commitment. The exact amount will depend on the size and quality of the legion you want to hire, as well as the difficulty and danger of the mission. A rough estimate is that each hobgoblin soldier costs 10 gp per day, while each hobgoblin captain costs 20 gp per day. A hobgoblin warlord costs 100 gp per day. Therefore, hiring a legion of 1000 hobgoblins commanded by a warlord would cost 11,000 gp per day, or 330,000 gp per month.
  • Provide the hobgoblin legion with adequate supplies and equipment for the duration of the contract. This includes food, water, weapons, armor, ammunition, mounts, tents, and anything else they might need or request. You will also need to provide them with transportation to and from the battlefield, unless they have their own means of travel.
  • Respect the hobgoblin legion’s autonomy and authority in combat. You will not be able to micromanage their tactics or strategies, as they will follow the orders of their warlord and their own military traditions. You will also not be able to interfere with their treatment of prisoners, spoils, or enemies, as they will follow their own code of honor and justice.

Hiring a hobgoblin legion is a risky but potentially rewarding venture. If you can afford it and manage it well, you will have a powerful and loyal army at your disposal. However, if you fail to meet their expectations or honor your contract, you might find yourself facing a new and deadly enemy.

The Hobgoblin Legion: A Breakdown of the Goblinoid Army

Hobgoblins are a type of goblinoid, a race of humanoid creatures that share a common ancestry with goblins and bugbears. Hobgoblins are larger and more muscular than goblins, but smaller and less brutish than bugbears. They have dark orange or red-orange skin, and hair ranging from dark red-brown to black. Their eyes are usually yellow or red, and their teeth are sharp and pointed. Hobgoblins have a strong sense of discipline and hierarchy, and value martial prowess and cunning above all else. They are often found in well-organized armies or warbands, led by powerful warlords or captains. Hobgoblins are ruthless and pragmatic in combat, using tactics and strategies to gain an advantage over their enemies. They have no qualms about enslaving or exploiting other races, especially those they consider weak or inferior.

A typical hobgoblin legion consists of 1000 individuals, divided into four main divisions: infantry, cavalry, artillery, and special forces. Each division is led by a sub-chief, who reports to the chief, who in turn reports to the warlord. The warlord is the supreme leader of the legion, who commands the entire army with charisma and cunning. The legion also has various allies and war machines that support its operations and enhance its capabilities.

The following is a detailed breakdown of the different types and numbers of hobgoblin soldiers and allies in the legion:

  • Hobgoblin Warlord (1): The supreme leader of the legion, a charismatic and cunning commander who inspires fear and respect among his troops. He wields a magic weapon and wears a magic armor, and has access to some spells. He is usually guarded by a squad of elite hobgoblins or other allies.
  • Hobgoblin Chief (5): The second-in-command of the legion, a loyal and capable lieutenant who oversees the daily operations and logistics of the army. He is also a skilled warrior and a master of martial advantage. He reports directly to the warlord and can take over the command if the warlord is absent or incapacitated.
  • Hobgoblin Sub-Chief (20): The leaders of the four main divisions of the legion: infantry, cavalry, artillery, and special forces. They are responsible for training, equipping, and deploying their respective units. They are also formidable fighters and tacticians who can coordinate their attacks with their allies. They answer to the chief and the warlord.
  • Hobgoblin Captain (80): The officers of the legion, each commanding a squad of 10 hobgoblins or other soldiers. They are experienced and respected veterans who can boost the morale and effectiveness of their subordinates. They are also proficient with various weapons and armor, and can use martial advantage to deal extra damage. They follow the orders of their sub-chiefs, chief, and warlord.
  • Hobgoblin (600): The rank-and-file soldiers of the legion, each wearing chain mail and shield, and wielding a longsword or a longbow. They are disciplined and organized warriors who fight in rigid ranks and perfect lockstep. They can use martial advantage to deal extra damage when they have an ally nearby. They obey their captains, sub-chiefs, chief, and warlord without question.
  • Hobgoblin Devastator (40): The spellcasters of the legion, each wearing a robe adorned with arcane symbols, and wielding a staff or a wand. They are adept at using destructive evocation spells, such as fireball or lightning bolt, to blast their enemies from afar. They can also use martial advantage to deal extra damage when they have an ally nearby. They are usually assigned to the artillery division.
  • Hobgoblin Iron Shadow (40): The stealth operatives of the legion, each wearing a leather armor and a hooded cloak, and wielding a shortsword or a dagger. They are experts at infiltration, assassination, sabotage, and espionage. They can use martial advantage to deal extra damage when they have an ally nearby. They can also use ki to perform various feats, such as stunning strike or shadow step. They are usually assigned to the special forces division.
  • Worg (200): The mounts and companions of the legion, each resembling a large wolf with red eyes and black fur. They are ferocious and loyal beasts who can communicate telepathically with their riders or handlers. They can bite their enemies with their sharp teeth, or knock them prone with their pounce attack. They are usually assigned to the cavalry division, or used as scouts or trackers by other units.
  • Bugbear (50): The shock troops or elite guards of the legion, each wearing hide armor and wielding a morningstar or a javelin. They are savage and brutal fighters who enjoy crushing their enemies with their strength or their surprise attack. They are often loyal to their hobgoblin leaders, but can also be rebellious or treacherous if they sense weakness or opportunity.
  • Goblin (10): The servants and slaves of the legion, each wearing ragged clothes and carrying a sling or a club. They are weak and cowardly creatures who perform menial tasks such as cooking, cleaning, repairing, or carrying supplies for the army. They are often mistreated and abused by their hobgoblin masters, who consider them inferior and expendable.
  • Ogre (10): The heavy hitters or siege weapons of the legion, each wearing a loincloth and wielding a greatclub or a rock. They are powerful and resilient fighters who can smash their enemies with their brute force or their hurl attack. They are often hired or coerced by the hobgoblins, who provide them with food and loot in exchange for their services.
  • Ballista (4): The large crossbows of the legion, each mounted on a wheeled platform that can be moved by a team of hobgoblins or worgs. They fire massive bolts that can pierce through armor or walls. They are operated by a crew of two or three hobgoblins, one to aim and fire, and the others to load and reload. They are used to attack enemy fortifications or large creatures from a safe distance.
  • Catapult (4): The devices that launch projectiles of the legion, each mounted on a wooden frame that can be assembled or disassembled by a team of hobgoblins or goblins. They launch rocks, barrels, or firebombs over a long range. They are operated by a crew of four or five hobgoblins, one to aim and release, and the others to load and crank. They are used to bombard enemy positions or cause chaos and destruction among their ranks.
  • War Wagon (4): The large wagons that are reinforced with metal plates and spikes, and equipped with weapons such as crossbows, spears, or blades. They are pulled by a team of worgs or ogres, and driven by a hobgoblin captain or sub-chief. They are manned by a crew of six to eight hobgoblins, who can fire from the windows or deploy from the doors. They are used to break through enemy lines or transport troops and supplies across the battlefield.

The total number of individuals in this reorganized hobgoblin legion is 1059: 1 warlord + 5 chiefs + 20 sub-chiefs + 80 captains + 600 hobgoblins + 40 devastators + 40 iron shadows + 200 worgs + 50 bugbears + 10 goblins + 10 ogres + 4 ballistas + 4 catapults + 4 war wagons.