Sunlight Sensitivity. While in sunlight, the kobold has disadvantage on attack rolls, as well as on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on sight.
Pack Tactics. The kobold has advantage on an attack roll against a creature if at least one of the kobold's allies is within 5 ft. of the creature and the ally isn't incapacitated.
Actions
Dagger. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 4 (1d4 + 2) piercing damage.
Sling. Ranged Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, range 30/120 ft., one target. Hit: 4 (1d4 + 2) bludgeoning damage.
How kobolds fight
A single kobold is the weakest humanoid in the game: 5 hit points, AC 12, and a dagger or sling that does 4 damage. Its strength is numbers. Pack Tactics gives it advantage on attacks against any creature that has another kobold (or any ally) next to it, so a crowd of them hits far more often than their +4 bonus suggests.
Their weakness is the sun. In sunlight they have disadvantage on attacks and on Perception checks that rely on sight, so kobolds fight in tunnels, caves and at night, where their darkvision gives them the edge.
Running kobolds at the table
Swarm one target. Get two or three kobolds next to the same character and every attack has advantage.
Use slings from the dark. Kobolds with darkvision in an unlit tunnel attack characters who can’t see them.
Fight with traps. Kobolds make up for weak bodies with pit traps, rockfalls, murder holes and narrow tunnels only they can fit through.
Serve a bigger master. Kobolds often work for a dragon or a stronger monster, which makes a good reason for the party to fight through them.
Common questions
How many kobolds for a party of four 1st-level characters?
By the Dungeon Master’s Guide’s encounter math, four kobolds is Medium, six is Hard, and seven or more is Deadly. A kobold is worth 25 XP at CR 1/8.
How does Pack Tactics work?
A kobold has advantage on an attack roll if at least one of its allies is within 5 feet of the target and isn’t incapacitated. The ally doesn’t have to be a kobold.
What does Sunlight Sensitivity do?
In sunlight, the kobold has disadvantage on attack rolls and on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on sight. That cancels out Pack Tactics’ advantage.
Can I play a kobold?
Yes. The builder includes the kobold race from Volo’s Guide to Monsters and Monsters of the Multiverse.
Are kobolds related to dragons?
Kobolds claim descent from dragons and speak Draconic, and many serve or worship them. Their stat block has no draconic powers, though.
CR 4. The kind of young dragon a kobold tribe might serve.
How many kobolds for a fight?
A kobold is worth 25 XP. Using the 2024 encounter budgets (SRD 5.2), this is how many kobolds 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
8
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 kobold compares at CR 1/8
Against the 18 other challenge 1/8 monsters in the SRD 5.1, the kobold has more hit points than 2 of them, which makes it one of the frailest at its CR. See every CR 1/8 monster.
Statistic
Kobold
CR 1/8 average
Armor Class
12
12.4
Hit points
5
9
Best attack bonus
+4
+4
2024 stat block: Kobold Warrior
The 2024 Monster Manual revised the kobold, and the SRD 5.2 carries the new stat block. What changed:
It’s called the Kobold Warrior in the 2024 rules.
Its creature type changed from humanoid to dragon.
Armor Class: 12 → 14.
Hit points: 5 → 7.
Gone from it: Sling.
Armor Class
14
Hit Points
7 (3d6 - 3)
Speed
30 ft.
Challenge
1/8 (25 XP)
STR
DEX
CON
INT
WIS
CHA
7 (-2)
15 (+2)
9 (-1)
8 (-1)
7 (-2)
8 (-1)
Senses
darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 8
Languages
Common, Draconic
Gear
Daggers (3)
Traits
Pack Tactics. The kobold has Advantage on an attack roll against a creature if at least one of the kobold’s allies is within 5 feet of the creature and the ally doesn’t have the Incapacitated condition.
Sunlight Sensitivity. While in sunlight, the kobold has Disadvantage on ability checks and attack rolls.
Actions
Dagger. Melee or Ranged Attack Roll: +4, reach 5 ft. or range 20/60 ft. Hit: 4 (1d4 + 2) Piercing damage.
