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
tenth encounter. We get it: hit and run, duck and hide; yawn!
so 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
surprise you in twenty different ways, with twenty defferent
make a Dexterity (Stealth) check in an attempt to
varients.
hide.
Unseen Attackers. When a creature can’t see
ALTERNATE STAT BLOCK you, you have advantage on attack rolls against it.
The goblin’s base stats are remaining largely the same, with When you make an attack, you give away your
the following two exceptions: location whether the attack hits or misses.
Half Cover. A target with half cover has a +2
Š Their hit points increase to 10 (originally 7).
bonus to AC and Dexterity saving throws.
Š Their speed increases to 40ft (originally 30ft).
Three-Quarters Cover. A target with three-
Goblins traditionally use a kind of hit-and-run warfare via quarters cover has a +5 bonus to AC and
their Nimble Escape ability, striking at the party’s heels and Dexterity saving throws.
diving into bushes. Total Cover. A target with total cover can’t be
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, A goblin confidently backflips out of the
as multiple traits would make them too powerful. Here’s the tree where they were hiding and lands

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

traits 11-20 are psionic in nature, using special mind powers scimitar at you.

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

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.
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.
5 Better Goblins
 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.
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
Start A Quest!
The only way to get this free PDF is by signing
up to the Start A Quest email newsletter, so:
thank you for your support! If you got these
gobbos in your inbox some other way, like
aboard a pirate ship, that’s OK :) But please join
us!
Sign up for free at start-a-quest.com.
7 Better Goblins