Martial Advantage. Once per turn, the hobgoblin can deal an extra 7 (2d6) damage to a creature it hits with a weapon attack if that creature is within 5 ft. of an ally of the hobgoblin that isn't incapacitated.
Actions
Longsword. Melee Weapon Attack: +3 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 5 (1d8 + 1) slashing damage, or 6 (1d10 + 1) slashing damage if used with two hands.
Longbow. Ranged Weapon Attack: +3 to hit, range 150/600 ft., one target. Hit: 5 (1d8 + 1) piercing damage.
How hobgoblins fight
A hobgoblin is a CR 1/2 goblinoid soldier: 11 hit points but AC 18 from chain mail and a shield, a longsword (1d8 + 1) and a longbow (1d8 + 1). On its own it’s unremarkable. What makes hobgoblins dangerous is Martial Advantage.
Once per turn, a hobgoblin deals an extra 2d6 damage to a creature it hits with a weapon attack if one of its allies, any ally that isn’t incapacitated, is within 5 feet of that creature. In a group that means nearly every hit deals 1d8 + 1 + 2d6, about 12 damage, which can drop a 1st-level wizard in one blow.
Running hobgoblins at the table
Fight in pairs. Two hobgoblins on the same target both get Martial Advantage. Formations, shield walls and flanking are the whole point.
Use their minions. An ally doesn’t have to be a hobgoblin. Send goblins in first so the hobgoblins behind them get the extra damage.
Retreat in order. Hobgoblins are soldiers, not raiders. When a fight turns, they fall back to a prepared position instead of fleeing.
Shoot at mages. The longbow gets Martial Advantage too if an ally is next to the target, so archers focus on whoever the front line is engaging.
Common questions
How does Martial Advantage work?
Once per turn, when the hobgoblin hits a creature with a weapon attack, it deals an extra 2d6 damage if an ally of the hobgoblin is within 5 feet of that creature and isn’t incapacitated. It works with ranged attacks too.
Why does a hobgoblin have AC 18 but only 11 hit points?
It wears chain mail (AC 16) and carries a shield (+2). It’s a trained soldier, not a big creature: hard to hit, but it goes down fast when you do.
How many hobgoblins for a party of four 1st-level characters?
Hobgoblins are 100 XP each. By the Dungeon Master’s Guide’s encounter math, two are a Hard fight and three are Deadly for four 1st-level characters. With Martial Advantage, the Deadly label is deserved.
Can I play a hobgoblin?
Yes. The builder includes the hobgoblin race from Volo’s Guide to Monsters and Monsters of the Multiverse.
Where are the hobgoblin captain and warlord?
The hobgoblin captain is in the SRD 5.2, so it has a page here with its 2024 stat block. The warlord is in the Monster Manual but not the SRD, so it isn’t on this site; a knight or veteran makes a good hobgoblin commander.
CR 1/2. Same challenge, but a chaotic raider whose kills fuel extra bites.
How many hobgoblins for a fight?
A hobgoblin is worth 100 XP. Using the 2024 encounter budgets (SRD 5.2), this is how many hobgoblins fit each difficulty for a party of four characters of the same level. A dash means even one would be over the budget.
Party level
Low
Moderate
High
1st
2
3
4
2nd
4
6
8
3rd
6
9
12+
4th
10
12+
12+
Budgets add up every monster’s XP, so you can swap some for other creatures of the same total. Try other party sizes and mixes in the encounter calculator.
How the hobgoblin compares at CR 1/2
Against the 32 other challenge 1/2 monsters in the SRD 5.1, the hobgoblin has more hit points than 1 of them, which makes it one of the frailest at its CR. See every CR 1/2 monster.
Statistic
Hobgoblin
CR 1/2 average
Armor Class
18
12.3
Hit points
11
21
Best attack bonus
+3
+4
2024 stat block: Hobgoblin Warrior
The 2024 Monster Manual revised the hobgoblin, and the SRD 5.2 carries the new stat block. What changed:
It’s called the Hobgoblin Warrior in the 2024 rules.
Its creature type changed from humanoid to fey.
New in its stat block: Pack Tactics.
Gone from it: Martial Advantage.
Armor Class
18 (half-plate armor, shield)
Hit Points
11 (2d8 + 2)
Speed
30 ft.
Challenge
1/2 (100 XP)
STR
DEX
CON
INT
WIS
CHA
13 (+1)
12 (+1)
12 (+1)
10 (+0)
10 (+0)
9 (-1)
Senses
darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 10
Languages
Common, Goblin
Gear
Half Plate Armor, Longbow, Longsword, Shield
Traits
Pack Tactics. The hobgoblin has Advantage on an attack roll against a creature if at least one of the hobgoblin’s allies is within 5 feet of the creature and the ally doesn’t have the Incapacitated condition.
