Hobgoblins are a creature whose mechanics flow perfectly into their lore: they live for war and amass large and perfectly regimented armies to wage their beloved wars on any who might dare oppose them. Hobgoblins are simple foes, but they exemplify a defining trait of fifth edition Dungeons & Dragons: even high-level characters can be challenged by low-CR foes when faced with a sufficiently large army. A battalion headed by a captain is further transformed by their leader’s masterful tactics and commanding presence. When unified in a battalion, however, every single hobgoblin soldier is refined by their martial training into an efficient killing machine. Individually, a hobgoblin is mere cannon fodder, scarcely better than a common goblin. “I can get us there faster than those hobgoblin slugs,” the ranger said with a cheeky grin. We need to hurry to Phandalin and set up a perimeter-and fast. “The only thing these warmongers listen to is the sound of steel. “No, I doubt seducing their warlord will do much for us this time,” the fighter said, laughing. Every drop of blood they spill advances his evil schemes.” They fly the iron-fisted banner of Maglubiyet, and love only the thrill of battle in his unholy name.

“In these parts, hobgoblins are more than mercenaries.

He turned and affixed the ranger with a solemn, piercing gaze. “The Black Spider has grown desperate indeed if he’s resorted to sellswords to fight his wars.” “Hobgoblins! Our enemy isn’t fielding their own soldiers, they’ve hired hobgoblins!” She whirled to face the rest of her party, a shadow of fear hanging over her face. Each footfall landed in the step of the soldier before them…” Her eyes widened and she took a sharp breath. “And each soldier marched in perfect lockstep. Her brow was creased deep in thought as she wracked her brain for scraps of disjointed knowledge from her studies of military history at the academy, years ago. “These tracks are in four rigid ranks,” the fighter mused, looking at the boot prints dug into the mud. How to Play Hobgoblins like Perfect Soldiers

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