Image credit: Jim Holloway
Hobgoblins are a unique type of low-level foe that are similar to both goblins and orcs. They are usually portrayed as having more military organization than orcs and are larger, smarter, and tougher than their goblin cousins.
Here’s a free hobgoblin generator for 5e Dungeons & Dragons to make the creation of customizable bands of hobgoblins easy and fun!
Customize Your Party of Hobgoblins
Hobgoblins are easy to bring to life when you have clear motivation and a set of details to set them apart from one another:
- Backstory: The Maker’s Forge Foe Generator will create a backstory for your hobgoblins that you can modify as needed to fit into the PC’s current situation. Where did this band of hobgoblins come from? What do they want? And most importantly: how does what the hobgoblins want conflict with what the PCs want?
- A name and vivid description: each hobgoblin should have their own names to be revealed during trade, negotiation, threats, or capture. And every hobgoblin should be unique when you describe it to the player that encounters it. Vivid description is the lifeblood of the roleplaying game. What sets this hobgoblin apart from his fellows? Separate from the band itself, what does this hobgoblin want? And what is it prepared to do to get it?
- Weapons and hit points: hobgoblins are a military race and often have sturdy, useful weapons and armor. Not all hobgoblins have the same hit points either, so when you face them, you can never be sure what it will require to take them down.
- Commander: every hobgoblin band has a leader, and most have a veteran soldier that has earned his rank through skill and aggression. What does this commander want? How does he treat those that follow him?
- Hobgoblins and worgs: hobgoblins often work with giant wolves called worgs, either riding them or fighting alongside them in battle. And often among the ranks are veteran soldiers, much tougher and stronger than their fellows.
- Loot: should the PCs win the day, what gear and valuables might the hobgoblins be carrying? What small hints of further adventure might be lurking among the their possessions?
Foe Generator for 5e D&D and Low Fantasy Gaming
So what are you waiting for? Go use the Maker’s Forge Orc Generator to get a jump-start on a party of hobgoblins. It does all the grunt work for you: stats, names, short descriptions, weapons, and HP for each hobgoblins and their worgs, even the loot they’re carrying should your PCs defeat them. All that’s left for you to do is to bring the hobgoblins’ goals into sharp conflict with the PCs and let the sparks fly!