D&D 5E: Kobolds for Every Occasion-Shield Champions, Wardogs and Spellstabbers

Next time your 5^th edition gang of adventurers meet some kobolds, throw these tyrannical devil dogs at them and see what happens….the kobold shield champion, wardog and spellstabber will make for some impressive combatants against a party used to the same old 5 hit point kobolds in the Monster Manual.

Each of these stat blocks was created according to the guidelines in the DMG (page 282-283).

Kobold Shield Champion (Fighter Champion level 8)
LE small humanoid

STR 14, DEX 18, CON 14, INT 10, WIS 12, CHA 8; HPs 58; AC 18 (chainmail and shield); Speed 30

Saves: Str +5, Con +5

Kobold Traits: sunlight sensitivity, pack tactics, small size, dark vision 60 feet

Fighter Features: Dueling (+2 dmg), second wind (1D10+8), action surge, champion archetype

Proficiencies: athletics +5, Perception +4 (passive 14), Intimidation +2, Survival +4

Languages: common (Middle Tongue), draconic

Attacks:

Action Surge: gain 1 attack as an additional action once during the combat.

Multiattack: make two sword or sling attacks

Shortsword (one target; +7 attack, 1D6+6 damage, crit on 19-20, finesse weapon)

Sling (one target; +7 attack, 1D4+4 damage, crit on 19-20, range 30/120)

CR 3 (700 XP)

The kobold shield champion is a towering monster among his kind, almost four feet tall and bristling with tiny but spring-loaded muscles, ready to terrify Halflings and gnomes everywhere. He is a dedicate to Tiamat, and believes that in the next life he will reincarnate as a dragonborn, or perhaps even a drake of some sort. Anything is better than being a kobold…

Kobold Wardog (Fighter Champion level 4)
LE small humanoid

STR 12, DEX 16, CON 14, INT 8, WIS 10, CHA 12; HPs 30; AC 14 (drake hide); Speed 30

Saves: Str +3, Con +4

Kobold Traits: sunlight sensitivity, pack tactics, small size, dark vision 60 feet

Fighter Features: Great Weapon Style (reroll damage on 1 or 2), second wind (1D10+4), action surge, champion archetype

Proficiencies: athletics +3, Perception +2 (passive 12), Intimidation +3, Acrobatics +5

Languages: common (Middle Tongue), draconic

Attacks:

Action Surge: gain 1 attack as an additional action once during the combat.

Warhammer (one target; +3 attack, 1D10+4 damage 2-handed, crit on 19-20, reroll 1-2 on damage, versatile weapon)

Sling (one target; +5 attack, 1D4+3 damage, crit on 19-20, range 30/120)

CR 1/2 (100 XP)

The kobold wardogs represent a special subculture of kobold warriors who believe they channel the spirit of the rabid fire drakes, barking like mad beasts as they charge into battle swining their mighty warhammers about like crazed berserkers. Wardogs are literally trying to become drakes in their minds, hoping this will let them get closer to spiritual reincarnation as the next echelon of draconic being after they perish.

Kobold Spellstabber (Fighter Eldritch Knight level 5)
LE small humanoid

STR 9, DEX 16, CON 10, INT 16, WIS 13, CHA 8; HPs 34; AC 16 (chain shirt, defense); Speed 30

Saves: Str +2, Con +3

Kobold Traits: sunlight sensitivity, pack tactics, small size, dark vision 60 feet

Fighter Features: Defense (+1 AC), second wind (1D10+8), action surge, Eldritch Knight archetype (spells)

Proficiencies: acrobatics +6, Perception +4 (passive 14), Intimidation +2, Arcana +6

Languages: common (Middle Tongue), draconic

Spell Casting Ability: Save DC 14, Spell Attack Modifier +6; 2 level 1 spell slots, 2 cantrips

Cantrips Known: firebolt, poison spray

Level 1 Spells Known: color spray, shield, magic missile

Attacks:

Action Surge: gain 1 attack as an additional action once during the combat.

Multiattack: attack one or two times per round with a melee or ranged attack.

Eldritch Bonded Scimitar (one target; +6 attack, 1D6+3 damage, crit on 19-20, finesse weapon; can summon weapon to hand as a bonus action)

Sling (one target; +6 attack, 1D4+3 damage, range 30/120)

CR 1 (200 XP)

The kobold spellstabbers are a breed apart. Worshipping tiamat but harboring a clever intelligence and cunning for magic far above their brethren, the spellstabbers have formed an elite order of eldritch knights within the larger kobold societies, serving in many cases to dominate behind the scenes. Spellstabbers aren’t terribly formidable by the standards of elven and human mages, but their reliance on cunning and surprise, as well as fielding plenty of wardogs and shield champions ahead of them while they bombard with magic from afar has given them a well-earned reputation. 

A note about encumbrance: each of these kobolds is below the gear threshold for the optional encumbrance rules, but in some cases only a bit. As such, a successful gang of kobold raiders will quickly start to slow down if they drag too much loot away from a raid. They usually drag along lots of normal kobolds to do that job.