It should really come as no surprise to you all after the last couple of weeks that I really enjoy the humble goblin. They are just such a versatile monster. As I’ve shown over the last couple of weeks (and in the past) there are plenty of niches that these creatures can fill in your encounters and in your game worlds. In fact, if you ask me, that is the third best thing about them.
The second best thing about them is that whenever I run them, I get the chance to break out my patented “goblin voice.”
And the number one best thing about goblins? When I create their stat blocks, I get to call their abilities things like “big rock.”
The regular goblin does have ranged support in the form of a shortbow, but more ranged support is never a bad idea for a group of monsters taking on adventurers – especially when that ranged support can inflict conditions like blinded and stunned on any would be heroes that find themselves on the wrong side of their sling. These goblin mudslingers aren’t incredibly powerful creatures on their own, but as is often the case, there is strength in numbers. And all it takes is the wrong PC to fail their saving throw against one of their abilities to quickly turn the tide of battle against them as their melee capable allies move in for the kill.
This entry is also further proof that a monster stat block doesn’t have to complex to be fun to run at the table. This mudslinger is about as simple as it gets – true, the recharge abilities add a little bit of additional bookkeeping, but they could easily be changed to 1/encounter abilities without losing any of their functionality at the table.
So what do you think? Any fun niches that you’ve had goblins fill in your campaigns?
Ben Erickson
