BETTER GOBLINS Some rules reminders

This document refrences a few rules from the

Goblins are fun! But these green boys lose their charm by the
Player’s Handbook. Here are some reminders so
tenth encounter. We get it: hit and run, duck and hide; yawn!
you don’t have to switch back-and-forth.
So this document is my attempt to spice ‘em up, but keep
Disengage. If you take the Disengage action,
them in the newbie-friendly encounter zone. These goblins
your move-ment doesn’t provoke opportunity
will rain down a hail of arrows upon you, fire eyebeams of
attacks for the rest of the turn.
concentrated force right through your favourite NPCs, and
Hide. When you take the Hide action, you make
surprise you in twenty different ways, with twenty defferent
a Dexterity (Stealth) check in an attempt to hide.
varients.
Unseen Attackers. When a creature can’t see
you, you have advantage on attack rolls against it.
ALTERNATE STAT BLOCK When you make an attack, you give away your
The goblin’s base stats are remaining largely the same, with the location whether the attack hits or misses.
following two exceptions: Half Cover. A target with half cover has a +2
bonus to AC and Dexterity saving throws.
Š Their hit points increase to 10 (originally 7).
Three-Quarters Cover. A target with three-
Š Their speed increases to 40ft (originally 30ft).
quarters cover has a +5 bonus to AC and Dexterity
Goblins traditionally use a kind of hit-and-run warfare via saving throws.
their Nimble Escape ability, striking at the party’s heels and Total Cover. A target with total cover can’t be
diving into bushes. targeted directly by an attack or a spell.
Nimble Escape. The goblin can take the
Disengage or Hide action as a bonus action on
each of its turns.

These goblins shouldn’t just be nimble though; they should

be cunning too! So to illustrate the way goblins can adapt to
any habitat, their knobbly skin shifting in colour to match
their environment, we’re giving goblins the passive Natural
Camouflage trait.
Natural Camouflage. A goblin obscured by regular
half cover is considered to have three-quarters
cover, and a goblin obscured by regular three-
quarters cover is considered to have total cover.

The original goblin stat block gives them both a melee

scimitar and a ranged shortbow, but I prefer goblins be
specialists in their weaponry. So the twenty goblin variants
listed here either a dedicated scimitar wielder or a dedicated
shortbow wielder, not both.
Š Goblins use a melee weapon with this sword symbol:
Š Goblins use a ranged weapon with this arrow symbol:Â

Goblins use either a scimitar or a shortbow:

Goblin Scimitar Attack. Melee Weapon Attack:
+4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 5 (1d6 + 2)
slashing damage.
Goblin Shortbow Attack. Ranged Weapon
Attack: +4 to hit, range 80/320 ft., one target. Hit:
5 (1d6 + 2) piercing damage

heyitsmattyp.com 2
MODULAR TRAITS Flippy Goblin
Goblinç
Below are additional traits you can use to modify your goblins.
Each goblin should only have one additional trait, as multiple A goblin confidently backflips out of the
traits would make them too powerful. Here’s the thing, though: tree where they were hiding and lands in

there are two different kinds here. Goblin traits 1-10 are front of you, grinning. They bow, waiting
mundane, regular gobbos using martial skills, and traits 11-20 for applause before brandishing a scimitar

are psionic in nature, using special mind powers to do heaps of at you.

wacky stuff.
Š A goblin is psionic with this filled-in star symbol:∂ The Flippy Goblin’s long jump is 25 feet and their high jump is
Š A goblin is mundane with this blank star symbol:ç 10 feet. The goblin gains this reaction
reaction.

Leap Away! When a creature makes an attack

Read this super important bit! against the goblin and misses, the goblin may use
When the traits refer to granting cover, Natural their reaction to jump twenty feet away in a straight
Camouflage has already been factored in. So if a line without provoking opportunity attacks.
trait says it provides half cover, it provides half
cover; no conversion required. Charred GoblinÂ
Goblin Âç
I would generally recommend planning these encounters
ahead of time, but if you’re feeling spicy and want to roll on You can smell the acrid scent of pitch and
smoke, as a shimmering fire illuminates a
a random table, use the Better Goblins Table below. For a
row of sharp teeth. Laughter follows a
meanigful encounter, though, you might be better off just
burning arrow speeding towards you.
picking the traits that spark joy.
Better Goblins Table The Charred Goblin gains this bonus action.
action
D20 Trait Difficulty Page
1 Flippy Easy 3 Light ‘em Up! The goblin ignites their next attack
2 Charred Medium 3
with fire. If the attack hits, it deals an additional
3 Poisoner Medium 3
4 Boom Boom Medium 4 2 (1d4) fire damage, and the target must succeed
5 Deadeye Hard 4 on a DC 11 Dexterity Saving throw or catch fire.
6 Spelunking Easy 4 When on fire, at the end of the target’s next turn,
7 Jeering Medium 4 they take 2 (1d4) fire damage and are no longer on
8 Slimy Easy 4 fire. The target or a creature within 5 feet of the
9 Filthy Medium 4
target can spend a bonus action to douse the fire
10 Hustler Medium 5
11 Blaster Hard 5 and end the effect early.
12 Timey-Wimey Medium 5
13 Buffed Hard 5 Poisoner GoblinÂ
Goblin Âç
14 Duplicator Easy 6
15 Phantom Deadly 6
16 Wormhole Medium 6 Giggling under their breath, this goblin
17 Shielded Easy 6 applies a vial of green liquid to their
18 Telekinetic Hard 6 arrowheads, readying for battle.
19 Mind-Reader Medium 6
20 Big Brain Deadly 7
The Poisoner Goblin gains this passive trait.
trait

I Don’t Feel So Good... If the goblin is hidden

from its target before making an attack, they deal
an additional 2 (1d4) poison damage on a hit and
the target must make a DC 11 Constitution Saving
throw or suffer the poisoned condition until the
end of the goblin’s next turn.

3 Better Goblins
Boom Boom Goblin
Goblinç
The ground rumbles beneath your feet as
a grinning goblin pops up from the ground
and throws a small explosive at you,
before disappearing beneath the earth.
The Boom Boom Goblin has a burrow speed of 20 feet. The
goblin gains this passive trait.
trait
Special Delivery! Whenever the goblin uses
Nimble Escape to disengage, the goblin may toss
a small explosive to deal 2 (1d4) fire damage to a
creature within 5 feet of them before moving.
Deadeye GoblinÂ
Goblin Âç
Covered in leaves and mud, the goblin
perches in the trees, shortbow in its grip.
You hear the snap of a bowstring before a
hail of arrows streaks from the tree line
towards you and your friends.
The Deadeye Goblin gains this passive trait.
trait
In My Sight... If the goblin is obscured by at least
three quarters cover before they make an attack,
they gain an additional +2 to hit and +2 to damage
on all their attacks.
Spelunking Goblin
Goblinç
Abseiling down from the ceiling is a
goblin outfitted in a ridiculous amount of
climbing gear. The goblin salutes you with
a pickaxe before running away, dropping
pitons behind itself.
The Spelunking Goblin has a climb speed of 40 feet. The
goblin gains this passive trait.
trait
Piton Pile! Whenever the goblin uses Nimble Escape
to disengage, they leave a pile of pitons in the 5
foot space they vacated. The space is considered
difficult terrain and non-goblin creatures moving
through the space take 1 piercing damage.
heyitsmattyp.com
Jeering Goblin
Goblinç
A series of jeers and jibes ring out across
the battlefield. Popping up out of the
shrubbery, a goblin hurls insults at you
before running off, taunting you to chase
them.
The Jeering Goblin gains this passive trait.
trait
Smell Ya Later! Whenever the goblin uses Nimble
Escape to hide, before taking the hide action, they
may choose a creature they can see within 30 feet to
insult. The target makes a DC 11 Wisdom Saving
throw. On a failed save, they are taunted by the
goblin, and have disadvantage on attack rolls against
other goblins until the end of their next turn.
Slimy Goblin
Goblinç
Sneezing and rubbing snot covered hands
on its pants, this goblin runs ahead of the
hoard with a big grin waving a scimitar
over its head.
The Slimy Goblin is immune to being grappled or restrained.
The goblin gains this passive trait.
trait
Gross! Whenever the goblin is hit by a melee
attack, they deal 1 acid damage to the attacker.
Filthy Goblin
Goblinç
A goblin covered in dirt and grime rises
out of the undergrowth unseen. It quickly
attacks and then make its immediate
retreat, leaving a cloud of dust behind it.
The Filthy Goblin gains this passive trait.
trait
Pocket Sand! Whenever the goblin moves 20 feet
or more in a straight line, they may choose to kick
up dust around themselves in a 10 foot radius
at the end of their movement. Each non-goblin
creature in the area must make a DC 11 Dexterity
Saving throw or suffer the blinded condition until
the end of their next turn.
4
Hustler Goblin
Goblinç
You hear the crack of a whip as a goblin
wearing a ten-gallon hat comes striding
into battle, a sly smirk on its lips as it
threatens to crack its whip again.
The Hustler Goblin wields a whip (1d4 slashing damage and
reach 10 ft). The goblin has gains this bonus action.
action
Scatter to the Winds! The hustler cracks their
whip and yells to their fellow goblins to find cover.
Each goblin within 30 feet of the hustler can use
their reaction to move up to half their speed and
take the hide action if they end this movement
behind cover.
5 Better Goblins
Blaster GoblinÂ
Goblin Â∂
Slamming their hands together, the goblin
concentrates for a single moment. Its eyes
glow hot-white as it shoots a lancing beam
of shinning green light towards you.
The Blaster Goblin gains this action
action.
Eye Beam. Ranged Spell Attack: +4 to hit, range
80 ft., one target. Hit: 5 (1d6 +2) force damage.
If the attack hits, the goblin chooses whether the
target is pushed up to 15ft directly away or pulled
up to 15ft directly towards the goblin.
Timey-Wimey Goblin Â∂
The goblin curses as their sword swings
past the hero’s chest, barely missing. Clock
faces swirl around another goblin as they
reach out with their hands.Time rewinds
for a moment, and then restarts, the sword
now striking true!
The Timey-Wimey Goblin gains this reaction
reaction.
Rewind (2/day). After a creature within 30 feet of
the goblin makes an attack roll, ability check or
saving throw, the goblin can force them to reroll.
Buffed Goblin
Goblin∂
Swollen with psionic strength, muscles
rippling, this creature marches through
the battlefield menacingly, smaller
goblins chasing their heels.
The Buffed Goblin is medium sized, their hit points increase to
20, and they are immune to being knocked prone. The goblin
gains this passive trait.
trait
Big! Goblins within 5 feet of the Buffed Goblin
have half cover.
Duplicator Goblin
Goblin∂
A swarm of similar-looking goblins
approach you. One by one, they disappear
into mist, obscuring the real goblin
sneaking up behind you.
The Duplicator Goblin gains this action
action.
Mirror Image (1/day). The goblin casts the Mirror
Image spell.
Phantom Goblin
Goblin∂
Laughter echoes all around you, seemingly
from nowhere. Suddenly a goblin launches
out of a wall, their form shimming, claws
angled for your throat!
The Phantom Goblin gains this passive trait.
trait
Incorporeal Mischief! The goblin can move
through other creatures and objects as if they were
difficult terrain. If the goblin ends its turn inside an
object, the goblin takes 4 (1d8) force damage. The
goblin cannot end its turn inside another creature.
Wormhole GoblinÂ
Goblin Â∂
Lurid green motes of light drift around
this cackling goblin as they open a portal
beneath your feet.
The Wormhole Goblin gains this reaction
reaction, which they can take
when they are targeted by an attack or spell.
Thinking with Portals (2/day). The goblin targets
another creature it can see within 30 feet. If the
creature is willing, the goblin and the target swap
positions and the target suffers the effects of the
attack or spell in the Wormhole Goblin’s place.
If the target is unwilling, they make a DC 11
Intelligence saving throw. On a failed save they
swap positions as above.
heyitsmattyp.com
Shielded Goblin
Goblin∂
As a rapier thrusts towards their throat,
the goblin raises their hands and a
shimmering psionic shield appears, pushing
the sword back.
The Shielded Goblin gains this reaction
reaction.
Shield (2/day). The goblin casts the Shield spell.
Telekinetic GoblinÂ
Goblin Â∂
Rocks and dust swirl around the feet of
this goblin as they shift terrain around
it, creating perfect hiding spots for its
sneering brethren.
The Telekinetic Goblin gains this action
action.
Shift Terrain (2/day). The goblin moves terrain
with their mind. It can either shift an established
piece of terrain (such as a stone pillar) within 30
feet of itself, or pull up a new boulder from the
earth. The goblin can place the object in an empty
space on the ground at a point 60 feet. The object
can be up to 10 by 10 feet in size.
Mind-Reader GoblinÂ
Goblin Â∂
A goblin stands far back from the
battlefield, a single claw pressed to their
temple, while its nearby allies move with
unnatural prescience.
The Mind-Reader Goblin is resistant to psychic damage. The
goblin gains this passive trait.
trait
Telepathic Bond. Each goblin within 60 feet of the
mind-reader can see and hear through any other
goblin’s senses within 60 feet of the mind-reader
for the purposes of line of sight.
6
Big Brain Goblin
Goblin∂
The glowing bright green brain of this
goblin protrudes from its skull; eyes
burning with psionic energy as it leads its
awful friends into battle.
The Big Brain Goblin is resistant to psychic damage. The
goblin gains this action
action.
Mind Blast (2/day). As an action the goblin
chooses a point within 60 feet of them and blasts
it with psionic energy. Each creature in a 15-foot-
radius-sphere centred on that point must make a
DC 11 Intelligence Saving Throw. A target takes
7 (2d6) psychic damage on a failed save and is
knocked prone. On a successful save they take
half as much damage and are pushed 15 feet
directly away from the goblin.
7
CREDITS
Writer: Roman Penna (@ Romantheflash)
Gold Patrons: Amaran Nicole, Arno, Ashley Greatorex, Bass
Levesque, Beth Goff, bob bobby, BonusParentBaba, cameron
pearson, Carmen Knutson, Christopher LeFever, Conor
Kennedy, Cosmo Van Buren, Craig Savage, Daniel Dyer,
Darien Barnes, Dean Dunston, Elaine Fernandes, Ernie Evans,
Ethan Rodgers, Flannel Knight Gaming, GentlemanJimGM,
harmen van lith, James Lawson, JauntyJay, JawaSparky,
Jeremy B, Jeroen, Jerry Jordan, Joe Jones, Jonathan Allen,
Justin Rossman, Karlo Melendez Pena, Kevin Donville, Koli_
Deveras, Kyle Somers, Laura Drummer, Leo Champney, Lord
Jiraiya, Luis Gilbert Villarreal, Mahle Andras, Mario Zetina,
Marsha Alexander, Meximan, nicolas tzicuris, Patrick Walzer,
Paul S, Ricardo Valadares Gontijo Lanna Valle, Sergio Collins,
SonOfSofaman, Spencer Murphy, Sushi Squad, The 2nd most
Epic Wizard from Mt. Skullzfyre, Titans plice, Tonerde,
TwinkleToes, vishal muralidharan, WanderingStar, West
Coffin, Wouter van der Hoeven, Zac, Zachary Shapiro
Originally Published: 18/06/2024
Latest Version: 18/06/2024
LEGAL
This work includes material taken from the System Reference Document 5.1 (“SRD
5.1”) by Wizards of the Coast LLC and available at https://dnd.wizards.com/
resources/systems-reference-document. The SRD 5.1 is licensed under the Creative
Commons Attribution 4.0 International License available at https://creativecom-
mons.org/licenses/by/4.0/legalcode
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