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Goblins are the bane of every adventurer’s existence. Always coming at the most inopportune moments, they are the perfect filler monster for anyDungeons & Dragonscampaign. Although weak in physique and stature, goblins usually attack in roving packs, setting up ambushes on roads and valleys.
But how should Dungeon Masters approach managing a goblin ambush? From judging the troop size to organizing the placement of their weapons, there are many things to consider when throwing this tricky obstacle in the way of a party. Nonetheless, goblins are an excellent diversion to test a party’s teamwork and communication!
Everything About Goblins
While not the strongest creature around, Goblins are notorious for beingnimble and tricky. Like a squirrel running up a tree, Goblins can move and scurryaround any obstacle, often using the nearby terrain to their advantage.
With a15 Armor Classandseven hitpoints, all it takes is one good hit to knock them down forever. On the flip side, Goblins have an extra+6 Stealthand60ft of Darkvision, so adventurers should watch every corner before deeming their environment safe.
Dungeon Masters can supply Goblins withany arrangement of simple weaponssuch as daggers, shortswords, shortbows, and hand crossbows. Alternatively, if you want to challenge your players,have a Goblin charge with a dagger in one hand and anignited oil flask in the other.
Occasionally, Goblins can be foundon the back of wolves,using an entire wolf pack to hunt and ambush their targets more effectively. Perhaps as an ominous warning to your players, have someone with a keen earhear the sound of a wolf howling in the distance, only to surprise them with Goblins charging in with a pack.
When it comes to why Goblins attack adventurers, the reason is always the same:gold and greed.Seeking to get shiny objects to please their stronger warlords (often Orcs, Ogres, or other Goblins), all it takes to make them happy isa stash of coins for them to cheer over.
Setting Up The Ambush
For Dungeon Masters,setting up an ambush on a grid is a rewarding experience.Not only do you get to plan ahead for what your party will face, but it gives you a chance to judge your party’s strengths and weaknesses to test them.
Since ambushes typically occur onnarrow roadsor at thebase of a valley, the middle path is usually between one and three tiles wide (five to fifteen feet). Occasionally, they cantake place in the center of an abandoned town, allowing you to plot a town square on your battle grid as a setting and build from there.
Goblins will set things likepitfall traps beneath a pile of loose sticks and leavesor aim arow of ballistas hidden in the trees.Simply mark one or two spots where they would have a trap on the road and line-of-sight points for your ranged weapons on the grid.
Since you don’t want to spoil the party that an ambush is coming instantly, I would hold off on showing them the battle grid until it is activated.
Goblins are considered Challenge Rating ¼ creatures. As a rule of thumb,use three Goblins for every four PC levels that are in a party. For example, if you have a party of four level five characters, using eighteen Goblins will turn it into a hard-scale encounter (leaning in favor of the party), making it an even fight.
Goblins can be positionedvirtually anywhere on the battle grid, as their whole concept is swarming their target from every direction using any tactic they have. This can includebeing tied to the trees above themorusing bushes as makeshift disguises.
Goblin Attacks & Ambush Strategy
Ambushes are usuallytriggered by an action or event.This can be a trap going off, someone stepping in a certain position, or a horn being blown in the distance. On the Dungeon Master’s end, once said trigger has been active,role initiative for the partyand release your Goblins.
When an adventurer is pinned by positioning or being caught in a trap,Goblins will swarm the group from all angles. However,don’t send all of them at once.
While one group of Goblins will attack with anything they can pick up,another may attack from a distancewith ranged weapons from the trees.
Speaking of multiple groups,Goblins tend to set up multiple traps.After a group of adventures falls into a pitfall, why not have a squad of Goblinsroll a massive log in their direction to finish off the rest?
Occasionally,you may need to give your players a break, as they are either being overwhelmed or utterly defeated. There can be a variety of ways to do this, either by combining story elements or by using the resources of the world, such as:
With a mixture of stealth, traps, close/ranged attacks, and attacks in waves,Goblins can be a dangerous force to be reckoned with.All of which requires a party to work together and fight back strategically to ensure they will survive!
