D&D MONSTER RANKINGS - KOBOLDS

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Why all the love for kobolds? This deep dive reveals a lot about their lore and examines the kobold entries of 5E.
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  • @Stratplayer05
    @Stratplayer055 жыл бұрын

    Here me, o Kobolds of now and of Yore, of Tucker and Mercer, and e'en edition four... Dance not your waltzes upon pointed swords, but grant us the boon of gold in lost hoards. Here my voice and my cittern as I utter these words, be happy, be merry, and All Hail King Torg. (All Hail King Torg)

  • @dirkbaldorad3634

    @dirkbaldorad3634

    5 жыл бұрын

    ALL HAIL KING TORG!

  • @pocketkobold893

    @pocketkobold893

    5 жыл бұрын

    All hail king Torg!

  • @jarethebear

    @jarethebear

    5 жыл бұрын

    All Hail King Torg

  • @semi-useful5178

    @semi-useful5178

    5 жыл бұрын

    A L L H A I L K I N G T O R G !

  • @kennygarcia8978

    @kennygarcia8978

    5 жыл бұрын

    ALL HAIL KING TORG!!!!!

  • @JoaoPedro-ci5xn
    @JoaoPedro-ci5xn5 жыл бұрын

    Swords and spells are great but nothing beats a scorpion on a stick or a skunk in a cage

  • @RokuroCarisu

    @RokuroCarisu

    5 жыл бұрын

    What about ducks in a barrel?

  • @LjeytlKrue

    @LjeytlKrue

    5 жыл бұрын

    He went splat. but he lives on, as the invincible hero of the future. RIP SPURT :'(

  • @patheronaetherson2860

    @patheronaetherson2860

    5 жыл бұрын

    Have the kobolda use oil in combination with fire traps

  • @thewrustywrench21

    @thewrustywrench21

    4 жыл бұрын

    The virgin sword vs the chad scorpion on a stick

  • @azazelvoidburn672

    @azazelvoidburn672

    3 жыл бұрын

    Ahh, a true kobold

  • @magiv4205
    @magiv42055 жыл бұрын

    >be Kobold inventor >throw beehive at Fire Giant >"You're dead! I WIN!" >*splat* R.I.P. Spurt, you were the best of them.

  • @josharko111

    @josharko111

    4 жыл бұрын

    Sounds like he didn't fare so well. Should've gone for gunsmithing * spins revolver cylinder before closing it again*

  • @jaywebster6933
    @jaywebster69335 жыл бұрын

    Thank you, Kobolds, for your countless sacrifices over the years. The game wouldn’t be the same without you.

  • @josharko111

    @josharko111

    4 жыл бұрын

    No problem, mate :)

  • @ryuudraco592

    @ryuudraco592

    4 жыл бұрын

    @@josharko111 just want to say in the campaign I'm starting soon you will be one of the first encounters. And of course you'll be properly equipped with a scorpion on a stick

  • @josharko111

    @josharko111

    4 жыл бұрын

    @@ryuudraco592 uhhhh thanks...?

  • @rachdarastrix5251

    @rachdarastrix5251

    4 жыл бұрын

    @@josharko111 I'm sorry I accused your people of stealing my enchanted back massager . I realized I was jumping to conclusions without any evidence when I found it neatly put back in its box.

  • @josharko111

    @josharko111

    4 жыл бұрын

    @@rachdarastrix5251 ye no problem. You wouldn't have found me amongst them anyways.

  • @frozenfairy2323
    @frozenfairy23235 жыл бұрын

    Kurtulmak was led into a never ending maze, Glittergold turned around and said "You got gnomed." And he was trapped there for all eternity.

  • @minnion2871

    @minnion2871

    3 жыл бұрын

    Would be funny if it turned out that Kurtlmak was in undermountain the whole time....

  • @Deamons64
    @Deamons645 жыл бұрын

    I love kobolds. I really like using them as barkeeps, despite their lore, and general savage nature. I just think it’s hilarious to walk into a tavern, look behind the counter, and see a rust red kobold standing on a stool, washing a glass.

  • @DaxterL

    @DaxterL

    5 жыл бұрын

    I love them as barkeeps too, they are just cute little rascals.

  • @Quandry1

    @Quandry1

    5 жыл бұрын

    Since their hostility has been toned down a bit in 5e, being more territorial than murderous, I've used them for things like miners or involved in city underworks by playing up the ingenuity aspect to help keep things moving or expanding out of sight and unknown to the general populous.

  • @semi-useful5178

    @semi-useful5178

    5 жыл бұрын

    Like Deekin

  • @Butchcavalier

    @Butchcavalier

    5 жыл бұрын

    I usually tend to tune down the monster manual assigned alignment for different races to make my game more colourful.

  • @theodensuhrie7915

    @theodensuhrie7915

    4 жыл бұрын

    They're just so heccin pathetic! I love the lil lizard bois

  • @worldwar1flyingace645
    @worldwar1flyingace6455 жыл бұрын

    My Kobold Rogue is my all-time favorite character to date. Stealth and Hiding are easy, and Pack Tactics make every attack a Sneak Attack!

  • @maxobrien3104
    @maxobrien31045 жыл бұрын

    My favorite part of dming kobolds is the lore of them being crafty trapmakers. Out in the open, they make for excellent introductory encounters into dnd's more intricate combat mechanics, like difficult and hazardous terrain with some clever use of simple hunting traps. But in their lairs, all of hell breaks loose as suddenly the players are in the territory of dnd's own viet cong, they have the homefield advantage, and they will make use of it to a devilish degree, to the point that even mid level characters can have a rough time in their lairs. My personal favorite kobold trap has always been a false floor that collapses under the weight of a heavily armored adventurer, into a pit with a rust monster waiting at the bottom, oh how fun it is.

  • @mikifauns
    @mikifauns5 жыл бұрын

    Kobolds are one of my favorite player races. They are a kickass and underappreciated race.

  • @MachineHandler

    @MachineHandler

    5 жыл бұрын

    Is that the faun princess?

  • @davecantshutup7446
    @davecantshutup74465 жыл бұрын

    Best Kobold I've ever experienced was a player who was a Kobold Barbarian who didn't know that he was tiny and pathetic.

  • @CyberSaurian

    @CyberSaurian

    5 жыл бұрын

    I once played a kobold warlock.

  • @frankholland3025

    @frankholland3025

    5 жыл бұрын

    Had a friend who played a wild magic Kobold sorcerer....He was a crazy little shit who just loved to blow shit up..."I didnt ask how big the room was, I said I cast Fireball" type of caster.

  • @Aminnels

    @Aminnels

    5 жыл бұрын

    Ive done exactly that. Kobolds are amazing

  • @oldannyboy37

    @oldannyboy37

    5 жыл бұрын

    I encountered a Kobald who wore a pair of broken sunglasses and tattered leather coat. He had absurdly high charisma and was the most popular person in town. His name was Wazi, and my edgelord Ranger rubbed him the wrong way and earned the ire of the entire town for it.

  • @SoulSlugArts

    @SoulSlugArts

    4 жыл бұрын

    I'm going to play a kobold barbarian who's a chaotic evil crazy person who loves fighting and was a huge ego

  • @IndorilNerevar-MoonandStar
    @IndorilNerevar-MoonandStar5 жыл бұрын

    Love this, I am actually starting a campaign today where my players are playing as Kobalds who are minions to an ancient red dragon.

  • @Oolore

    @Oolore

    5 жыл бұрын

    My wife and I will often play as dragonborn and kobald with the dragonborn being a tank and the kobald running some sort of support

  • @thedude2938

    @thedude2938

    5 жыл бұрын

    I play a dragonborn barbarian

  • @VampireBatLord

    @VampireBatLord

    5 жыл бұрын

    i presently have my dragon-serving kobold as a paladin (in training) serving a silver dragon (idea is the silver dragon is the local paladin order's big deity figure)

  • @fullelement4886

    @fullelement4886

    5 жыл бұрын

    That's interesting, a few years back I ran a somewhat similar campaign with my players as kobolds, though the story revolved around the great dragon dying and as a fail safe against death, the dragon had a dracolich brew and phylactory prepared which was used to keep him from truly dying by the arch-mage half dragon in his brood (who died at the end of the administering process) The story revolved around this band of kobolds earning the favor of their dracolich god-figure and helping it get revenge against the powerful adventurers who killed it. (Essentially pulling dangerous pranks and making minor inconveniences for them early on, and then as they grew in power they began to actively work against those adventurers and cause them no end of trouble, while always making sure to avoid ever getting into direct confrontation with them. The campaign ended in a climax in which the adventurers returned to kill the dracolich and the PCs finally got their epic showdown with the adventurers. The PCs all laid down their lives for their god-figure dying in heroic fashion, and in the end the dracolich won out, killing all of the adventurers and even mourning for his lost kobold champions thereafter (or at least lamenting the loss of his useful servants)

  • @snowy1966
    @snowy19665 жыл бұрын

    Kobolds were dragons before dragonborns were ever dragonBORN xD

  • @RoninCatholic

    @RoninCatholic

    4 жыл бұрын

    Considering kobolds first became dragons at the start of 3rd edition and dragonborns were introduced later that same edition, technically yes.

  • @an8strengthkobold360

    @an8strengthkobold360

    4 жыл бұрын

    And are superior to dragon born.

  • @alexhukill838
    @alexhukill8385 жыл бұрын

    I once built an encounter where kobolds trapped the party in a hallway, and then advanced in a phalanx. I gave every kobold a polearm, polearm master, and sentinel. It was awesome.

  • @adriaanschoombie8573

    @adriaanschoombie8573

    3 жыл бұрын

    How did the party survive?!

  • @alexhukill838

    @alexhukill838

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@adriaanschoombie8573 after a few rounds, the half orc barbarian succeeded on an intimidation check to disperse the remaining kobolds. It was a fun little encounter meant to remind the players to not underestimate smaller enemies, but I didn't intend for them to have to fight the whole kobold formation to the death

  • @adriaanschoombie8573

    @adriaanschoombie8573

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@alexhukill838 oh ok. Thats a damn good tactic tho.

  • @alexhukill838

    @alexhukill838

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@adriaanschoombie8573 thanks!

  • @thurismundbotheric7598
    @thurismundbotheric75985 жыл бұрын

    I find Kobolds to be one of the funnest races/monsters in d&d specifically because of how deceptively clever they are, a tunnel system that has been infested with them can quickly become a meat grinder with the proper planning and trap setup

  • @phoenixv8085
    @phoenixv80855 жыл бұрын

    oh so he was a kobold inventor.... rip spurt u managed to leave a standing impression in such little time

  • @kirbycooper9496

    @kirbycooper9496

    5 жыл бұрын

    Poor spurt...

  • @brianb.2357

    @brianb.2357

    5 жыл бұрын

    "MY BOY!!!" Man, that was the most I've laughed at CritRole in a while. It was very well done and I loved every bit of it.

  • @glif1360
    @glif13605 жыл бұрын

    Kobolds is cool because of: 1) they are the weakest sapient creatures in the world, yet they are thinking that they are almost the most powerful creatures in the world, so they all kind of gang of Narutos... Oh, wait! They are kind of gang of CLEVER Narutos. 2) then you start a game first time they show you both something new (not something as stock and common as goblins) and easy understandable (comparing to beholder) 3) they are one of the few creatures in D&D that try to win you by the brain, not by magic/superpowers or brute force.

  • @elzipper716
    @elzipper7165 жыл бұрын

    Esper: Kobolds have a fascinating real-world history and lore that's faithful to their origin and pairs well with mechanics designed for them and- Me: I jus wanna smol lizard gf to pet and buy shiny gifts for.

  • @aratakiitto1273

    @aratakiitto1273

    4 жыл бұрын

    Kobolds are the cutest race of all DnD

  • @TheGribblesnitch

    @TheGribblesnitch

    4 жыл бұрын

    Scalie

  • @arandomzoomer4837

    @arandomzoomer4837

    4 жыл бұрын

    They work for both.

  • @justahologram2230
    @justahologram22305 жыл бұрын

    The 3.5e kobold lore makes them very interesting, born from the original dragons of each scale spilling their blood to create a new race. Then, almost being wiped out as a race by Glitergold because he was jealous of how industrious they were compared to his the playful lazy gnomes.

  • @YourCrazyDolphin

    @YourCrazyDolphin

    5 жыл бұрын

    Also, Dragonborn Kobolds.

  • @justahologram2230

    @justahologram2230

    5 жыл бұрын

    @@YourCrazyDolphin well any race could become dragonborn back then, it was more of a class than a race

  • @YourCrazyDolphin

    @YourCrazyDolphin

    5 жыл бұрын

    @@justahologram2230 I meant Dragonwrought.

  • @justahologram2230

    @justahologram2230

    5 жыл бұрын

    @@YourCrazyDolphin the long life span makes them very interesting to play

  • @YourCrazyDolphin

    @YourCrazyDolphin

    5 жыл бұрын

    @@justahologram2230 Also, breath weapons. EDIT: Wait, that was Pathfinder But the skill bonus was great!

  • @philiphamel8504
    @philiphamel85045 жыл бұрын

    In my world, (Dragons are few but known and prosperous, they run the banks) Kobolds work as attendants and money lenders for the banks.

  • @flibbernodgets7018

    @flibbernodgets7018

    5 жыл бұрын

    Ooh, cool idea. I was just thinking yesterday that traditional banking heavily favors immortal/really frickin old beings, and I wonder if banking would change at all in the DnD world

  • @Erreul

    @Erreul

    5 жыл бұрын

    .. Are they smarter than what's conveyed normally? Because... Jesus, that'd be absolutely horrible to have to deal with a small Draconic accented shit eater. I'd honestly just go to the Dwarfs.

  • @philiphamel8504

    @philiphamel8504

    5 жыл бұрын

    @@Erreul typically yes. The tax collectors are more intelligent. Diggers and tunnelers are less so, but not foolish either.

  • @dashiellgillingham4579

    @dashiellgillingham4579

    5 жыл бұрын

    I love this. I need more details. How does this work? Where are the bank branches? How do people like the draconic banks? Are there other banks? Give me moar.

  • @valasafantastic1055

    @valasafantastic1055

    5 жыл бұрын

    Nice!

  • @Bluecho4
    @Bluecho45 жыл бұрын

    A fascinating observation, about Kobolds as a Jungian archetype representing mankind's varied nature as industrious workers, malicious tricksters, and xenophobic destroyers.

  • @runedoom

    @runedoom

    5 жыл бұрын

    Which, while I don't quite know to phrase it, but in some ways, can't you say the same about gnomes? For an example, they both live in underground holes, they both use trickery to defeat their enemies etc. Which maybe why kobolds hate gnomes in a metasense, as they are similar but different. Again, I dont know how to phrase it.

  • @Bluecho4

    @Bluecho4

    5 жыл бұрын

    @@runedoom There's a certain line of reasoning that all monsters and fantastic creatures are an extension of ourselves. We create these beings as a means of holding a mirror to ourselves, as a species. Then again, I'm of the opinion that ALL Art exists, at least partially, as a tool for understanding our world, including us.

  • @rodrikforrester6989

    @rodrikforrester6989

    5 жыл бұрын

    @@runedoom yeah but gnomes are fucking LAAAAME!

  • @kevinsmith9013

    @kevinsmith9013

    5 жыл бұрын

    @@rodrikforrester6989 but gnomes are the secret dnd illuminati, appearing occasionally as tricksters and weirdo inventors. But in reality, their long lifespans and advanced technologies and illusion magics allow them to subtly control and profit from all the realms.

  • @esperthebard

    @esperthebard

    5 жыл бұрын

    @@runedoom Yeah in a way, all these little humanoid-ish things spawn from the same mythological origin. Kobalos, kobold, goblin, elf, dwarf, gnome, boggart, bogle, puck, brownie, sprite. They are all little capricious spirits that bear influence on everyday lives, work, and tools.

  • @nomdeplume9590
    @nomdeplume95905 жыл бұрын

    I am sorry my players kill so many of you off instead of making peace, kobolds. You are the coolest kind of dragon.

  • @kirbs0001

    @kirbs0001

    5 жыл бұрын

    Kobolds are the greatest, bravest, most amazing dragons ever. And I have killed them by the thousands. They were fighting a war and just wanted to be accepted as a people, not as monsters.

  • @temshop5757

    @temshop5757

    5 жыл бұрын

    UwU

  • @charlottewalnut3118

    @charlottewalnut3118

    5 жыл бұрын

    Leo Cooper Apps Dragonborn could probably talk them down by being more dragony

  • @lukeoutset1959
    @lukeoutset19595 жыл бұрын

    I thank you kobolds for teaching my players that not all is what it seems in the tunnels and that anyone is worth talking to if given the chance.

  • @padmewan
    @padmewan5 жыл бұрын

    Anyone remember D&D Gazeteer 20, "Orcs of Thar" (1988), in which the kobolds' nation mimicked Rome/Byzantine? In that lore, the kobolds' leader eventually rose to global prominence. The love for kobolds goes way back.

  • @yaboiinlouisiana4169
    @yaboiinlouisiana41695 жыл бұрын

    Ahh, good timing. My party of intrepid level 5 adventurers just realized the power of turn economy last night whilst facing a small army of kobolds, all the while being pushed under a falling rock trap by the clever monsters.

  • @ericmumper6821
    @ericmumper68215 жыл бұрын

    What an appropriate time for this to come out. Critical Role just had a Kobald Inventor NPC in the most recent episode. Thanks for doing this ranking.

  • @TheErikM
    @TheErikM5 жыл бұрын

    According to some actual bards, "brevity is the soul of wit". This one could drive a brass dragon to a vow of silence with the overwrought alliteration.

  • @johneastman5681
    @johneastman56815 жыл бұрын

    Ancient civilizations forgotten, corpses rotten, giants rise as the dragons fly. Thine kobolds shall never die.

  • @Merrsharr
    @Merrsharr5 жыл бұрын

    Pun-Pun, the most powerful character in all of D&D (and at level 1 too), is pleased. I am reminded of a tale, I read, of an adventuring party delving into a dungeon, where the first level was inhabited by Kobolds, with secret passages, murder holes in the walls and all that... The party fled deeper into the dungeon and dreaded nothing more than eventually having to go trough the Kobold floor again on the way out (hoping they'd learn to teleport or find a teleport item before that)

  • @Jacob-gy6jl
    @Jacob-gy6jl5 жыл бұрын

    Would you consider doing Monster Rankings for Goblins and Goblinoids?

  • @esperthebard

    @esperthebard

    5 жыл бұрын

    In fact, just last night I was considering Goblinoids and how I would do such a video

  • @justdude2775

    @justdude2775

    5 жыл бұрын

    *BFG Division intensifies*

  • @_knightsbane_3615

    @_knightsbane_3615

    5 жыл бұрын

    There are so many different varieties of goblins. not sure how many types are in 5e though

  • @elgatochurro

    @elgatochurro

    5 жыл бұрын

    I'm gnot a gnoblin

  • @diegogelinck8665

    @diegogelinck8665

    5 жыл бұрын

    @@elgatochurro You're a gnome.

  • @monsieurnothing46
    @monsieurnothing465 жыл бұрын

    Spurt, played by D&D Creative Lead Chris Perkins recently on Critical Role, was very obviously a Kobold Inventor... Great fun

  • @Rannek675

    @Rannek675

    5 жыл бұрын

    Ah, Spurt -- we hardly knew ye.

  • @magiv4205

    @magiv4205

    5 жыл бұрын

    @@Rannek675 Well he wasn't lying when he said he was only going to live 11 days lmao

  • @mortasidhe1992
    @mortasidhe19925 жыл бұрын

    The Kobold Sorcerer mini is my favorite to set on the map. Players, so confident hacking up their foes, suddenly get anxious when one can blast them with spells.

  • @YuubiTimberwolf
    @YuubiTimberwolf5 жыл бұрын

    Play a Kobold Monk, after his dragon master died, he and his clan are left without any purpose....so a parties cleric charmed them into the ways of adventure and glory.... Pure Kobold party is meant to be fun! Nobody expects two kobolds in a trench coat times three!

  • @Reddotzebra

    @Reddotzebra

    5 жыл бұрын

    I normally always play casters, and I have rolled three kobold characters so far. A druid, a sorcerer and a rogue that managed to multiclass his way into Arcane Trickster. My favorite was the druid, since noone ever expected the scrawny lizard to just transform into a bear and maul their face off XD

  • @Necromancist

    @Necromancist

    5 жыл бұрын

    @@Reddotzebra Do Small creatures transform into proportionally smaller versions of animals or not? I'm wondering because a Small dire bear and a Small creature transforming into a regular-sized dire bear are both equally amusing.

  • @Flumpor

    @Flumpor

    5 жыл бұрын

    A friend of mine is actually playing 2 Kobolds at the same time and he is such a skilled player that he pulls it off flawlessly, he isn't the strongest in the party since he also has to split XP around etc. But damn if it isn' t enjoyable when 1 Person plays 2 Kobolds.

  • @Reddotzebra

    @Reddotzebra

    5 жыл бұрын

    @@Necromancist Wildshape actually specifies what size of animal you can change into based on your level, so in my interpretation of the rules it does not matter what size the user is to begin with. (In 3.5e anyway) But as always it's up to the DM.

  • @Necromancist

    @Necromancist

    5 жыл бұрын

    @@Reddotzebra Got it. Thanks!

  • @MadOgre
    @MadOgre5 жыл бұрын

    We're playing a Curse of Strahd campaign and our Party has a Kobold Monk as a member. Certainly adds flavor to the Game!

  • @nuclearchamber9730
    @nuclearchamber97305 жыл бұрын

    This video was great! In addition to ranking the Kobolds, you gave some great insights into the nature of kobolds and some tips for using them. That's like anti-clickbait.

  • @Karagianis
    @Karagianis5 жыл бұрын

    You know, I think DnD could benefit from reintroducing Kobold subraces, based from those 3 classic Germanic Kobold types. The cave Kobold seems to be the one the DnD Kobolds are based on, the idea of forrest Kobolds is interesting (maybe as druids?). But the one I find most intreaging are the Sea Kobolds.

  • @alexanderticonuwu7591

    @alexanderticonuwu7591

    5 жыл бұрын

    Pirate Kobolds, now that's something I want to sea.

  • @valasafantastic1055

    @valasafantastic1055

    5 жыл бұрын

    I think I may just homebrew my own!

  • @jgr7487
    @jgr74875 жыл бұрын

    put a high level party in a well structured Kobold lair and you'll have a satisfying TPK! the non-draconic lizard-like buggers are amazing! edit: if you feel especially evil, join Kobolds and Goblins in the lair. they might both be running away from the same thing and joined forces.

  • @SirCrabthe1st

    @SirCrabthe1st

    2 жыл бұрын

    Well, if you say that goblins are actually just green gnomes... then welp, say goodbye to the goblins.

  • @angelic8632002
    @angelic86320025 жыл бұрын

    Awesome video. Its nice seeing Kobolds getting a comprehensive look like this with origins and everything. And yes, was smiling for most of the video :)

  • @powerspro3553
    @powerspro35535 жыл бұрын

    Dear Kobolds, Teach me your cave-making secrets! (I suck at designing things)

  • @adviel
    @adviel5 жыл бұрын

    I think you underestimate the two abilities of the Kobold Dragonshield. They protect the eggs of a Dragon that means they are the closest to the Dragon at all times. They are constantly effected willingly or accidentally by the two dragon area attacks Frightful Presence and Breath Attack, so they developed resistance to it. In combat a dragon may choose to use its Breath Attack on everyone and the Kobolds will come out of it better then the adventurers.

  • @esperthebard

    @esperthebard

    5 жыл бұрын

    1. A dragon uses frightful presence against its enemies, not allies. 2. Unless the dragon is a wyrmling, its breath weapon would roast the little kobold badly, even with its resistance.

  • @axe11154
    @axe111545 жыл бұрын

    thank you kobolds, you are always close behind the goblins in my games. may you always give my players joy.

  • @jonasherbst2710
    @jonasherbst27105 жыл бұрын

    Best video you made so far, keep it up mate! I never used a single Kobold, but my next dungeon will include an old grumpy kobold that knows all the dungeons secret passages and traps and uses that to stealthyly pickpocket the pary. If they notice him he will have the party work for that information he guards unless they want to die a horrible death. Thinking about giving the little guy a sphere of anihilation ... Open for suggestions :)

  • @kirbs0001

    @kirbs0001

    5 жыл бұрын

    A kobold shouldn't be able to control a sphere of annihilation. Plus it's more fun to figure out ways to sneak around the party while only equipping your kobold(s) with basic tools like shovels and picks

  • @valasafantastic1055

    @valasafantastic1055

    5 жыл бұрын

    If so give him higher INT. And explain (at least secretly to yourself) how and why he has this sphere. And maybe give him a level in sorcerer or airlock. Late reply but some more ideas. Maybe an artificer!

  • @peterbrown7690
    @peterbrown76905 жыл бұрын

    This was probably one of your best up loads for monster tiers. Well done man

  • @R.D.R.NIGHTINGALE
    @R.D.R.NIGHTINGALE5 жыл бұрын

    How have I not seen your channel!!! Amazing lore. Handled with love and affection.

  • @kj01a
    @kj01a5 жыл бұрын

    Kobolds > goblins

  • @justtakingawalk1555

    @justtakingawalk1555

    5 жыл бұрын

    I'm a goblin and I'm upset

  • @randomcustomer4295

    @randomcustomer4295

    5 жыл бұрын

    PREACH ✋🤚

  • @thedude2938

    @thedude2938

    5 жыл бұрын

    WHAT ABOUT NOTT

  • @CyberSaurian

    @CyberSaurian

    5 жыл бұрын

    Yes

  • @TheCinderfang

    @TheCinderfang

    5 жыл бұрын

    Hobgoblins > kobolds

  • @ajdynon
    @ajdynon5 жыл бұрын

    I remember a Pathfinder Society module where the players actually got to play as kobolds defending their lair from a band of adventurers. One of the most memorable games I've played.

  • @HelixJazz
    @HelixJazz5 жыл бұрын

    Thank you Kobolds for all you do! Currently playing a Kobold rogue that was raised by human nobles, it's a lot of fun!

  • @toshomni9478
    @toshomni94785 жыл бұрын

    Great video. I really love reinforcing the link between Kobolds and Dragons by giving them all wings and fly speeds. I've even tied the origin of Dragonborn to mutations arising among Kobold hatchlings.

  • @Eluthane
    @Eluthane5 жыл бұрын

    The below poem is from my character's back story. My tiefling cleric preaches a liberation theology and spread it among some enslaved kobolds. ~Kobold Spring ~ Sitting outside of kobold camp In land called free, these slaves are kept A tiefling priest makes a fire To share Flame's light is his desire He keeps it low, avoids detection From human house, and aggression He hums the songs of his people Their time captive, escape from evil Yet kobold trust is hard to win Owing to abuse and slaver's sin Each night he comes, despite suspicion Empowered by Flame, with renewed ambition Third night approaches small dragon being “What do you want?” they ask the tiefling “My people, like you, were once bound” “By Flame's light, will to resist was found” The kobold turns and beckons preacher Into camp, though outside creature He comes each night, resistance teaching Flame burning bright, their souls reaching One night their slaver hears them singing Roused from sleep, sees fire gleaming Down from the house to put down rabble With posse and chains, to suppress and grapple Kobolds offer prayers, and call the fire Slavers step back, position dire Their path cut off, they plea to go The priest looks down, and answers, “No”

  • @austingockel5552
    @austingockel55525 жыл бұрын

    I have a new respect for these guys now. 10/10

  • @dplonker6140
    @dplonker61403 жыл бұрын

    The opening speech about Kobolds was fantastic. It’s given me a lot of insight on how I want to incorporate them into my world.

  • @jasonmed2119
    @jasonmed21195 жыл бұрын

    Kobold and the Anarchist Cookbook = a ton of fun for the DM and a rough encounter for a party.

  • @geoaltman9344
    @geoaltman93443 жыл бұрын

    Such an awesome video. Nice job man

  • @fuzzythoughts8020
    @fuzzythoughts80205 жыл бұрын

    Yay, more kobold stuff to fuel the fires of my imagination~ I got my 5th Edition book set for xmas and, as someone who has never played D&D (don't even have people to play with) the Kobolds have quickly become my favorite race in D&D from a roleplaying perspective. Personally I hold a little gripe with the fact that kobolds are considered evil, I think lawful neutral would be better as they have so much potential as a force for good if you instead choose to see them as the small, vulnerable race who want nothing more than to be left alone by the tall races that keep delving into their warrens to steal whatever they have of value.

  • @jamesforgie6594

    @jamesforgie6594

    5 жыл бұрын

    I agree. The only reason they’re evil, is because they worship chromatic dragons. I think, if you introduced them to a dragon that wasn’t evil, or maybe had them serve a group of dragonborn, they’d be happy enough to live in peace. All they really want is a good boss, the occasional trinket, and not to get thumped by some random adventurer who wandered into the wrong cave.

  • @isaacmiller3386

    @isaacmiller3386

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@jamesforgie6594 not all of them worship chromatic dragons, they were created by chromatic dragons, so most of them do. Some of them worship metallic dragons.

  • @genxmonk70
    @genxmonk703 жыл бұрын

    I'm having fun playing a kobold way of mercy monk. he's only level 4 and mostly useless; but the rp is loads of fun. the "preface" you provide about how kobolds used to exist in a space of helpful mischief just solidified/validated my character. thank you (backstory, he was found as a hatchling by a group of compassionate firbolg. they raised him, hence the mercy)

  • @Pronessboss
    @Pronessboss5 жыл бұрын

    Reminds me of when I played a Kobald Cleric and he always talked about his Dragon Lord and looked down on all other races. He might have been a Cleric, but most of the healing he did on himself as he figured, “Well I am above everyone else here. Why should I heal them when I need it”

  • @ignaciobarkasz284
    @ignaciobarkasz2845 жыл бұрын

    I say to you my scaly brothers to not despair, for our GLORIOUS race history rest safe in the claws of I, Skrik The Kobold-Bard, Master of the Lute and Song, creator of the first ever blues of Neverwinter ''Mama Got Scales'' and He who play such a beautiful ballad to Tiamat Herself, she decided NOT to invade the Mortal Realm with an army of grey dragons. So rejoice brothers and sisters, for we are relevant, we are loved, and most importantly, we are AWESOME

  • @degadoodle8009
    @degadoodle80095 жыл бұрын

    Woo! Kobolds!

  • @Spiceodog
    @Spiceodog2 жыл бұрын

    I absolutely love the kobald press kobalds. They have a frickin swolbald

  • @00784865
    @007848655 жыл бұрын

    I love those little guys. They are so funny and i currently have a kobold character.

  • @severdislike4222
    @severdislike42225 жыл бұрын

    Would be interested to see you doing a similar series regarding the direction Pathfinder took after Paizo broke off to do it's own thing. There is a fair bit of overlap but there are some amusing leaps into more strange and interesting locales.

  • @alienstar2088
    @alienstar20885 жыл бұрын

    I especially love Kobolds because during my first ever D&D campaign, my dragonborn barbarian named Rudy convinced a clan of Kobolds that he was their king. Of course he had to squash the chief before the others believed him but, after he did so three of the strongest Kobolds followed Rudy everywhere he went and did exactly as they were always told. In the end what started as a tyrannical takeover ended up being a loyal service of lower rank monsters. I love Kobolds and they are easily my favorite monsters, next to dragons of course.

  • @servernomad8111
    @servernomad81115 жыл бұрын

    kobold has always been my fav i love how fragile they are thats why its fun. you might just break them while hugging them alittle too hard. their creativity turning anything they found into possible weapons and traps. they use what they are offered to turn into their better chance of survival.

  • @dannycat3970
    @dannycat39704 жыл бұрын

    You're a Jugian, I called it! His work is simply amazing

  • @MoriShep
    @MoriShep5 жыл бұрын

    my longest running PC was a kobold, just something fun about riding on the shoulders of a paladin throwing lightning bolts and crowd control spells good times...could i have done the same thing with a gnome sure sure...but would it have eaten foes as an intimidation tactic i think not

  • @lamarofgolgotha3071
    @lamarofgolgotha30715 жыл бұрын

    Big epic! thank you kobolds, very cool

  • @joshuabrooks3033
    @joshuabrooks30335 жыл бұрын

    I am currently playing two different kobolds in two different games, They are my favorite race and god this video explains my love for them.

  • @ChemoshKamos
    @ChemoshKamos5 жыл бұрын

    straight up left the video at the 8 1/2 minute mark because I thought it was over. "Leave a comment for the kobold", oh the video's over. Found the video the next day with a half finished progress bar.

  • @wolfboy18
    @wolfboy185 жыл бұрын

    Who doesn't love Kobolds? If I had a house Kobold, I'd do everything in my power to treat them well, and make them happy.

  • @draege626
    @draege6265 жыл бұрын

    Finishing up my backstory for my Draconian bloodlined Kobold Sorcerer tonight. Can't wait to play her.

  • @howtocookyourkids3289
    @howtocookyourkids32895 жыл бұрын

    O kobolds, we thank you for the joy and XP you brought to the party.

  • @legionarybooks13
    @legionarybooks13 Жыл бұрын

    I'm actually playing a Kobold Bard in a campaign we just started. He's a bit of a homebrew, as our DM won't allow him to use pack tactics, but he's not susceptible to sunlight either. I do roleplay that he doesn't like the sun, and always has his hood up when outdoors during the day. I also purposely nerfed him a bit, making his strength rather pathetic (he is only 3' tall and 35 lbs after all), and he's pretty squishy. I also named him Beavis, though he is marginally smarter than his namesake. I also promised the party that I won't do the voice except in combat situations. 😄Cutting Words and the cantrip, Vicious Mockery, are his forte during hostile encounters. Overall, he's a lot of fun to play.

  • @dudewithlaptop8663
    @dudewithlaptop86635 жыл бұрын

    You just made me go from whatever who cares about Kobolds to huh that's an extremely interesting analysis and now I wish to learn more about them. I don't play D and D, I just write and create worlds/beings for fun and now I might want to do something with them. Thank you. That was a great analysis with Jungian psych and the whole tool metaphor. Very interesting and intelligent way to look at a creature.

  • @TheLegoLord100
    @TheLegoLord1005 жыл бұрын

    Currently making a back up kobold pc for a beer and pretzels type campaign, so this helps a bit. The kobold itself is a warlock who caught the attention of an archfey who decided to play a “small” prank on him. Started talking inside the kobold’s head, give it magical powers, etc until it “revealed” itself as a pseudodragon familiar. The archfey speaks through the familiar and has convinced the kobold it’s a mighty dragon from the outer planes and the kobold was chosen as its herald, as only its mind could truly understand it. So basically a paranoid 2 feet high kobold dragging around a catsized dragon, saying it’s its god and blasting eldritch blasts from its mouth

  • @JubileeLongstride
    @JubileeLongstride5 жыл бұрын

    My first experience with kobolds was when i wanted to make a joke character. I hadnt played gor very long and i wanted to do something silly so I made a kobold barbarian, after making them i was looking deeper and deeper into the d&d lore and really started to get an appreciation for the little monsters, now they are my favorite of the monster races and look forward to playing more of them. (Through unforseen circumstances the first one was banished to another realm and i have been playing a kobold wizard that was part of the first ones backstory for the rest of the campaign so far)

  • @TeslaandDragons
    @TeslaandDragons5 жыл бұрын

    Kobolds are one of my favorite races to play

  • @Reddotzebra
    @Reddotzebra5 жыл бұрын

    When it comes to low level monsters in DnD the kobolds have definitely always been my favorite species.

  • @MrCanceleo
    @MrCanceleo5 жыл бұрын

    I was just thinking, "I don't know much about Kobolds" then your video popped on my Recommended list.

  • @giboranak
    @giboranak5 жыл бұрын

    Man... I sure do love your brain. When you mentioned home alone I began writing a chapter in which a single kobold is holding off a party of adventurers giving them hell. I am really excited about it. Love your vids, keep them coming please. P.S you're Hawkesome, stay hawkesome.

  • @anachronity9002
    @anachronity90025 жыл бұрын

    11:24 (along with a lack of mention of dragons at the 3e description at 10:45) implies that the kobolds' strong connection with dragons started in 4th edition. In fact it started with Races of the Dragon in 3.5 alongside dragonborn (you can even see a kobold there on the cover when it's shown near the beginning). Somewhat awkwardly, RotD pretty much starts out their description of the race with "... or that's what they WANT you to think!" regarding the monster manual description, before going on to describe how they're basically tiny little dragon-people.

  • @jashin5252
    @jashin52525 жыл бұрын

    Please do a ranking on giants exclusively! Love these lists.

  • @mrgrimgate3646
    @mrgrimgate36465 жыл бұрын

    I like Kobolds, they are among my favorites of all the races. One of my favorite characters ever was a Kobold Sorcerer, it took me some convincing to get my DM to let me play one but I took him from level 1 to level 14 before the campaign ended. Not only was he one of my favorite characters but one of my strongest, campaigns didn't typically last long enough to gain much ground in my group.

  • @ClaireDeLoon
    @ClaireDeLoon5 жыл бұрын

    Kobolds are my all-time favorite race in D&D. Grovel Cower and Beg is a lot of fun!

  • @pootisbirb6683
    @pootisbirb66835 жыл бұрын

    This is a good reason to explain why I chose to play as a Kobold Artificer for the campaign that I'm currently in.

  • @stephenshawley1768
    @stephenshawley17685 жыл бұрын

    I seriously love your videos

  • @esperthebard

    @esperthebard

    5 жыл бұрын

    Thanks Stephen!

  • @fragamar
    @fragamar5 жыл бұрын

    Thank you for the great Kobold video. They've been a favorite of mine since I read a copy of Races of the Dragon from 3.5e. And if you like Kobold's using using nasty traps and attacking from arrow slits and such, you should look up "Tucker's Kobolds" A story about a DM who made Kobolds the bane of even the highest level and best equiped adventurers

  • @TrueVengefulSoul
    @TrueVengefulSoul5 жыл бұрын

    I always enjoy regaling new friends with the story of the character that one of my players played as. Taklak Learnéd Wing, the Winged Kobold Sorcerer. He who was gifted with the primal and ancient magick of the dragons. His only goal in life was nothing more than to get to a high enough level to be able to cast True Polymorph and become a dragon.

  • @ProThePyro
    @ProThePyro4 жыл бұрын

    A tribute to pay, early in the morning today. Sure I missed the mark of date, 8 months and 18 days is the count that I state. However still, I must give my remark. Kobolds be in my heart, I hark! Sure, this will be buried by a late necrotic post, withered by time and skipped over by most. I give my love even still, for this beast was asked to be respected and that I must fulfill. 🐉 May not have been included with the true dragons, wyrms and drakes. Alas, on it's own is the legend that the Kobold makes.🐉

  • @esperthebard

    @esperthebard

    4 жыл бұрын

    Owen Lachance, a poet most bold. Did inscribe here his comment of gold.

  • @alienking6182
    @alienking61825 жыл бұрын

    Great video! I love Kobolds

  • @adamokerblom
    @adamokerblom4 жыл бұрын

    Thank you Kobolds! How well you guard our stoves, stairs, and halls.

  • @thomaspentecost2189
    @thomaspentecost21895 жыл бұрын

    Hey Esper, I was looking for some homebrew monster online and I found this amazing pdf called Book of Beautiful Horrors which adds a bunch of lore-friendly monsters and expands upon my three favorite types of undead, vampires, ghouls and wraiths. If you’ve played the Witcher game series, you’ll probably recognize a bunch of these baddies, so I recommend you check it out, it’s great read. P.s the newest version is v.1.9, just as a reminder, though the author might update it soon.

  • @ARHigdon
    @ARHigdon5 жыл бұрын

    Kobolds are my favorite race to play~! Skitter, scatter, crunch, and chew!

  • @ponca1813
    @ponca18135 жыл бұрын

    Gosh I always have loved kobolds, I've haven't had the opportunity to play D&D, though I love to hear the podcasts like critical role and some books about it. And since always the little guys have been super appealing I hope to have a Kobold PC the day I finally play DnD

  • @banjams8314
    @banjams83145 жыл бұрын

    Thank you kobold, please bless my campaign and the players within this campaign

  • @pierre-mariecaulliez6285
    @pierre-mariecaulliez62855 жыл бұрын

    Kobolds are interesting to set up. A few isolated scouts or warriors are nothing to worry about, but the full might of the clan/tribe can easily whipe a careless group, regardless of their power level... In fact, IF the group can face against their opponants, it mean SOMEONE dropped the ball. In my opinion, a Kobold lair should be a hazard in and on itself, barely spotting the darn things as they lure you into the next trap ;7

  • @sapphirewingthefurrycritic985
    @sapphirewingthefurrycritic9855 жыл бұрын

    I made a character that is a kobold paladin of Bahamut and he works for a silver dragon. We played through a part of the Parnast campaign and I taught the townsfolk how to make traps.

  • @ChronoShadow69
    @ChronoShadow695 жыл бұрын

    Kobolds, the adorable little murder-lizards~ Happy to leave a comment to make sure they know they're appreciated~

  • @phkun4435
    @phkun44355 жыл бұрын

    All hail the Kobold, and my longstanding, one of the dopest charactrs I ever played with, the kobold paladin Ko, the Bold, be forever remembered and reveared

  • @uglyweirdo1389

    @uglyweirdo1389

    5 жыл бұрын

    For me it was "THE GREAT DRAGON REMUZ."

  • @peteroselador6132
    @peteroselador61323 жыл бұрын

    As one who plays a kobold bard, I'm so happy this video exists

  • @thegoblin2004
    @thegoblin20045 жыл бұрын

    I now have a new goal. MY DRAGONBORN FIGHTER MUST BECOME A KOBOLD TRIBE LEADER!!!

  • @thegoblin2004

    @thegoblin2004

    3 жыл бұрын

    Not good

  • @thegoblin2004

    @thegoblin2004

    3 жыл бұрын

    Nat 1

  • @DLAlucard
    @DLAlucard5 жыл бұрын

    Well this was a delightful video to come across. I've been a long time fan of the Kobolds of DnD and so it was nice to hear them get the praise they deserve. I just wish they'd do more to make them a player race. Maybe with weird race traits, more varients for non lawful evil aligned sub species and official things like that. Personally I think it would be fantastic to play as the Kobold Inventor. Setting traps, using animals in inventive ways and thrown weapons to overcome obstacles. Wouldn't it be cool if the PC had a special trait together animals and bugs from the area or dungeon during a rest to use in upcoming battles? It would of course need a table and DM input to make sense for the area on what the kobold could find, but it could lead to all sorts of inventive and fun encounters. For example the Big Bad of the campaign can't keep castling spells because the Kobold Inventor just nailed them with a jar of flesh eating scarabs and they need to remove them while taking small, but persistent health damage. Oh and that badger the Kobold caught outside the boss' tower and had been using as a mount is now running lose among the trash mobs. Ah and look those reinforcements that were breaking down the door at the end of the corridor just startled the skunk trap set up before the fight and have to save against nausea. That is just a fun little example of the indirect warfare the small PC could employ if they are playing smart.

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