Infesting dragon lairs and dark dungeons, these gnome-hating scaly humanoids may seem weak but can be a great addition to your D&D campaign.
As a DM, you might want to know Kobold stat block, AC, strategies and tactics, and maybe even some campaigns that are kobold-centric.
Today you’ll learn all about kobolds…from their stat block to their strategies and tactics, you’ll be a kobold expert by the time you finish your reading…
First, let’s talk about the history of kobolds…
History
Kobold history is a bit obscure, but we’re gonna do our best to provide you with a detailed account of these fearsome creatures.
Maybe you’re wondering why kobolds are in Dungeons and Dragons?
Well, we were curious too…
Outside of D&D, kobolds weren’t associated with dragons, they were closer to boggarts, hobgoblins, and pixies.
Kobolds originated from German folklore, similar to goblins and hobgoblins.
In D&D, kobolds were inspired by other fantasy games which were inspired by the goblins in Tolkien’s The Hobbit.
So let’s take a look at kobolds in 5e…
All About Kobolds
What do kobolds look like? In Dungeons and Dragons, kobolds are reptilian humanoids standing around two to three and a half feet tall, weighing 35-45 pounds. They have scaly reddish brown or black skin, their eyes a burnt orange-red color.
Now for DMs, the kobolds stat blocks:
Stat Block
Winged Kobold (Urds)
- Armor Class: 13
- Hit Points: 7
- Speed: 30 ft., fly 30ft
- Initiative: +2
- Senses:
- Darkvision: 60 ft.
- Passive Perception: 8
- Challenge ¼ (50 XP)
- Proficiency Bonus +2
- Sunlight sensitivity. While in the sun kobolds have disadvantage on attack and wisdom rolls that rely on sight.
- Pack tactics: When an ally of the kobold is within 5 feet of a creature and isn’t incapacitated, the kobold gets advantage on attack rolls against that creature.
- Actions:
- Dagger: Melee Attack +4, reach 5 ft., Damage: 4 (1d4 + 2) piercing
- Sling: Ranged attack +4 to hit, range 30/120 ft., Damage: 4 (1d4 + 2) bludgeoning
Kobold
- Armor Class: 12
- Hit Points: 5
- Speed: 30 ft.
- Initiative: +2
- Senses:
- Darkvision: 60 ft.
- Passive Perception: 8
- Challenge ⅛ (25 XP)
- Proficiency Bonus +2
- Sunlight sensitivity. While in the sun kobolds have disadvantage on attack and wisdom rolls that rely on sight.
- Pack tactics: When an ally of the kobold is within 5 feet of a creature and isn’t incapacitated, the kobold gets advantage on attack rolls against that creature.
- Actions:
- Dagger: Melee Attack +5, reach 5 ft. Damage: 5 (1d4 + 3) piercing
- Dropped Rock: Ranged attack +5 to hit, one target directly below the kobold. Damage: 6 (1d6 + 3) bludgeoning
If you’re looking for some variants for your games this page has a kobold shaman and a kobold warrior stat blocks which can add some variance to kobold encounters. Giving your kobolds spells and other abilities can keep combat more interesting.
Next, let’s talk about how to use these monsters in your D&D campaign to create an epic battle with your PCs…
Strategy and Tactics
How can these week, scared little creatures be used effectively in combat you may ask, well we have some strategies and tips for you.
Similar to goblins, kobolds are weak by themselves and therefore employ the strength in numbers tactic. In smaller numbers, the more cunning of them will set up traps that can overwhelm even high-level parties.
Urds, the flying Kobolds, will perch on high ledges to hurl down rocks at passersby.
Kobolds will often build their lairs with tunnels and traps such as trip wires that launch venomous centipedes at intruders.
If you ever feel like kobolds aren’t strong enough, just read about Tucker’s Kobolds, sometimes it isn’t about the strength of a creature but how they are utilized that makes them a fun and interesting enemy.
Now, where would your PCs even find these monsters?
Ecology
When adventuring it’s important to put your players in situations that make sense to run into the monsters you’ve prepared.
Kobolds make their homes in tunnels they build or find often underground or in mountains inhabiting dungeons. Your party may be traveling and have to go through mountains, or maybe there’s a dungeon they’re clearing out, these are the sorts of places they would encounter kobolds.
They also serve dragons when they can, living in their dragons’ lair if possible. Kobolds will often be sent off to do tasks for their higherups, so they could be used to drop hints to your party about a nearby dragon lair if they run into them among the mountain or raiding a nearby town.
Now, what sorts of treasures and rewards might the PC’s find for their troubles after slaying these creatures?
Treasure
Here are some ideas for what to fill your kobolds pockets and treasure rooms with:
Kobolds will gather treasures and trinkets to create their own tiny hoards imitating dragon hoards.
Typically this will consist of:
- Coins ranging from, copper, silver, and gold
- Gems and precious stones
- Simple weapons
- Random knickknacks
- Occasionally small minor magic items, likely for tribal use
Kobolds are such interesting creatures, but what beings do they worship and why?
Lore
Kobolds aren’t religious persay, more they worship out of fear the most powerful of dragon gods.
Kobolds worship Tiamat the Dragon Queen and other dragons they serve as demigods, but they also worship the lesser god Kurtulmak.
It is said Kurtulmak served Tiamat in the Nine Hells as her vassal until Garl Glittergold, god of gnomes, stole something from Tiamat’s hoard. Kurtulamk was sent to retrieve the treasure but was tricked by the Gnome lord and was trapped in an underground maze forever.
This has led to kobolds having an intense hate of gnomes and pranks. Some of the most devout kobolds will spend their lives as priests tunneling and searching the deepest caverns in search of their lost god.
Some kobolds are born with the ability to fly with their leathery wings. These Kobolds are known as Urds and use their gifts from Tiamat to hide on high ledges to drop rocks on unsuspecting victims. Those kobolds without wings are envious of the urds, so they don’t get along.
Now that we know more about kobolds we have a list of campaigns you can use that have kobolds in them:
List of D&D Campaigns with Kobolds
- Of course, kobolds appear in Hoard of the Dragon Queen and The Rise of Tiamat.
- On EnWorld user Libertad talks about Keep of the Kobold Queen by Benjamin Huffman.
Tokens
Thinking about running your own campaign with kobolds?
Here are some helpful tokens! A few we made ourselves.
Kobold FAQ
Are kobolds humanoid?
Yes, they count as small humanoids.
Can kobolds have wings?
Yes, there is a variation that can fly called Urds.
Can kobolds speak common?
Yes, they speak Common and Draconic.
Can kobolds breathe fire?
Typically no, in standard D&D kobolds don’t breathe fire. Although as a dungeon master one can always homebrew if they find an idea interesting!
How are kobolds made?
The birds and the bees talk? Well when a daddy kobold and a mommy kobold feel like it, the mommy kobold lays an egg that hatches after incubating for 2 months. This is done often as kobolds need a high birth rate to sustain their species.
Who do kobolds worship?
Kobolds worship their dragon master if they reside with one, as well as Tiamat and the lesser god Kurtulmak.
What do kobolds eat?
Kobolds are omnivores so whatever edible plants that grow near that they can scavenge and gather. They also occasionally hunt game for meat.
Can kobolds become dragons?
Dragonkin kobolds will eventually become dragons, but normal kobolds will not become dragons as they are a descendant of dragons, said to possibly be an unwilling spawn of Tiamat. Regardless they are considered their own race.