Alignment Usually Lawful Evil Image Wizards.com image | Type Humanoid (Goblinoid) Mythological origins Hobgoblin | |
Stats Open Game License stats | ||
In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy roleplaying game, hobgoblins are a larger, stronger, smarter and more menacing form of goblins. They are smaller and weaker than bugbears, but better organized. Hobgoblins are humanoids that stand nearly 6'6" tall on average, a little taller than orcs. Smarter than other goblinoid races, they are renowned for their brutality and military skill.
Contents
- Publication history
- Dungeons Dragons 1974 1976
- Advanced Dungeons Dragons 1st edition 1977 1988
- Dungeons Dragons 1977 1999
- Advanced Dungeons Dragons 2nd edition 1989 1999
- Dungeons Dragons 30 edition 2000 2002
- Dungeons Dragons 35 edition 2003 2007
- Dungeons Dragons 4th edition 2008
- Religion
- Hobgoblin subraces
- Related creatures
- Hobgoblins in Greyhawk
- History
- Other publishers
- Additional reading
- References
By contrast, hobgoblins in folklore are usually benevolent or merely mischievous.
Publication history
The hobgoblin was one of the earliest creatures introduced in the D&D game.
Dungeons & Dragons (1974-1976)
The hobgoblin was one of the first monsters introduced in the earliest edition of the game, in the Dungeons & Dragons "white box" set (1974), where they were described as large and fearless goblins.
The koalinth, or aquatic hobgoblin, is introduced in Supplement II: Blackmoor (1975).
Advanced Dungeons & Dragons 1st edition (1977-1988)
The hobgoblin appears in the first edition Monster Manual (1977), where it is described as a tribal lawful evil creature found nearly anywhere.
The mythology and attitudes of the hobgoblins are described in detail in Dragon #63 (July 1982), in Roger E. Moore's article, "The Humanoids."
The koalinth returns in Dragon #68 (December 1982).
Dungeons & Dragons (1977-1999)
This edition of the D&D game included its own version of the hobgoblin, in the Dungeons & Dragons Basic Set (1977, 1981, 1983). The hobgoblin was featured as a player character race in the gazetteer The Orcs of Thar (1989). Hobgoblins were also later featured in the Dungeons & Dragons Game set (1991), the Dungeons & Dragons Rules Cyclopedia (1991), the Classic Dungeons & Dragons Game set (1994), the Dungeons & Dragons Adventure Game set (1999), and the Dungeons & Dragons Adventure Game set (2000).
Advanced Dungeons & Dragons 2nd edition (1989-1999)
The hobgoblin and koalinth appear first in the Monstrous Compendium Volume One (1989), and are reprinted in the Monstrous Manual (1993).
The hobgoblin of the Dragonlance campaign setting appeared in the Tales of the Lance boxed set, in the "World Book of Ansalon" booklet (1992).
The hobgoblin is detailed as a playable character race in The Complete Book of Humanoids (1993). The hobgoblin is later presented as a playable character race again in Player's Option: Skills & Powers (1995).
Dungeons & Dragons 3.0 edition (2000-2002)
The hobgoblin appears in the Monster Manual for this edition (2000).
Races of Faerûn (2003) presented the hobgoblin as a player character race for the Forgotten Realms campaign setting.
Dungeons & Dragons 3.5 edition (2003-2007)
The hobgoblin appears in the revised Monster Manual for this edition (2003).
The hobgoblin was detailed in Dragon #309 (July 2003), in the "Ecology of the Hobgoblin", with the hobgoblin presented as a player character race.
The fire hobgoblin appears in Unearthed Arcana (2004), as a player character race. The sunscorch hobgoblins appear in Dragon Magic (2006).
The varag appeared in the Monster Manual IV (2006). The hobgoblin duskblade, the hobgoblin spellscourge, and the hobgoblin warsoul appear in Monster Manual V (2007).
Dungeons & Dragons 4th edition (2008-)
The hobgoblin appears in the Monster Manual for this edition (2008), under the goblin entry, including the hobgoblin grunt, the hobgoblin warrior, the hobgoblin archer, the hobgoblin soldier, the hobgoblin warcaster, the hobgoblin commander, and the hobgoblin hand of Bane.
Religion
Maglubiyet, the god of war and rulership, is the chief deity of both goblins and hobgoblins. However, Nomog-Geaya, the deity of war and authority, is considered the patron deity of hobgoblins specifically. The goblinoid god Bargrivyek encourages cooperation between the goblin races.
Hobgoblin subraces
An aquatic form of hobgoblin, the koalinth, is a feared predator beneath the seas. They have light green skin, webbed hands and feet, and gills. They are sleeker than their hobgoblin kin. They dwell in shallow fresh or salt water in caves. They detest aquatic elves with the same intensity that hobgoblins hate terrestrial elves.
Another related species is the norker, found in the original Fiend Folio.
Related creatures
Hobgoblins in Greyhawk
Hobgoblins are known as hoch jebline or "high goblins" in the Flan tongue and hochebi in the Suloise language. Many hobgoblins dwell in the western Empire of Iuz, Warfields, Redhand, and the Bone March.
History
Hobgoblins were among the armies of the Fiery Kings around 3114 SD (-2400 CY). They were hired along with orcs and goblins as mercenaries by both sides of the Baklunish-Suloise Wars. They fought against elves and dwarves in the Hateful Wars. They rallied to the cause of Iuz and played a significant role in overrunning the Bone March and the Pomarj.
Other publishers
The hobgoblin is fully detailed in Paizo Publishing's book Classic Monsters Revisited (2008), on pages 22–27.