Goblins are the bane of every adventurer’s existence. Always coming at the most inopportune moments, they are the perfect filler monster for any 168澳洲幸运5开奖网:Dungeons & Dragons campaign. Al✤though weak in physique and stature, goblins usually attack in roving packs, setting up ambushes on roads and♊ valleys.

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But how should Dꩵungeon 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

Three goblins stand on a rocky cliffside
Via Wizards of the Coast

While not the strongest creature around, Goblins are notorious for being nimble and tricky. Like a squirrel running up a tree, Goblins can move and scurry around any obstacle, often using the nearby terrain to the꧟ir advantage.

With a 15 Armor Class and seven hitpoints, all it takes is one good hit to knock them down forever. On the flip side, Goblins have an extra +6 Stealth and 60ft of Darkvision, so adventurers should watch every corner before deemi𒆙ng their environment safe.

Dungeon Masters can supply Goblins with any arrangement of simple weapons such 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 an ignited oil flask in the other.

A goblin in gogges staring at alchemical equipment in D&D art.
Izzet Chemister by Svetlin Velinov

Occasionally, Goblins can be found on 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 ear hear the sound of a wolf howling in the distance, only to suﷺrprise them with G♊oblins 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 is a stash of coins for them to cheer over.

Setting Up The Ambush

Dungeons and Dragons - goblins ambushing a human warrior
Goblinoid Ambush by Mark Behm

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 stre🀅ngths and weaknesses to test them.

Since ambushes typically occur on narrow roads or at the base of a valley, the middle path is usually between one and three tiles wide (five to fifteen feet). Occasionally, they can take place in the center of an abandoned town, allowing you𓃲 to plot a town square on your battle grid as a setting a𒉰nd build from there.

Goblins will set things like pitfall traps beneath a pile of loose sticks and leaves or aim a row 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 weap♔ons on the grid.

Since you don’t want to spoil the party that an ambush is coming instantly, I would hold off on showing t𝓰hem 🐟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 le🦂vel 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 positioned virtually anywhere on the battle grid, as their whole concept is swarming their target from every direction using any tactic they have. This can include being tied to the trees above them or using bushes as makeshift disguises.

Goblin Attacks & Ambush Strategy

Dungeons & Dragons: In Swarming Goblins by Andrew Mar, goblins attack from a canyon
Swarming Goblins by Andrew Mar 

Ambushes are usually triggered 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 party and 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 distance with 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 Goblins roll a massive log in their direction to finish off the rest?

Dungeons & Dragons Artwork, Showing a tavern brawl betwen a dwarf, a tiefling an elf and a goblin.
Brawl at the Yawning Portal by Scott Murphy

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 ﷺways to do this, either by combining story elements or by using the resources of the world, such as:

  • Another group of adventurers comes in to save them, helping them reach the next town.
  • A Dragon flies in to scare the goblins for their gold and prompt flies away.
  • A mysterious figure blows a horn in the distance, causing the Goblins to back off. This can have excellent foreshadowing elements for your campaign later on.

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 b﷽ack strategically to ensure they will survive!

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