Kobold Starter Guide (PHB‑Only) Level 4 • 2014 5e
Quick Contents
Scope & Table Assumptions
Goal: Help you join a campaign as a Level 4 Kobold using 2014 rules, with No Druid and No Paladin.
Rules scope for this document: PHB-only (Player’s Handbook options for classes, subclasses, spells, feats, and equipment). Your Kobold race is allowed by your DM.
Note: Many tables also allow feats and multiclassing. If your DM hasn’t said, ask. This guide keeps feats as optional suggestions.
Character Basics (What matters at the table)
Your character is defined by ability scores, race, class, background, equipment, and level. In play you will mostly use:
- Attack rolls (d20 + proficiency + ability modifier) to hit
- Damage (weapon/spell dice + ability modifier where applicable)
- Armor Class (AC) to avoid being hit
- Saving throws to resist spells and hazards
- Skills (Stealth, Perception, etc.) for exploration and social scenes
Ability Scores (quick reference)
| Ability | Usually affects… |
|---|---|
| STR | Melee brute force, Athletics, heavy weapons (Kobolds are weak here) |
| DEX | AC (light armor), initiative, Stealth, ranged attacks (Kobolds excel) |
| CON | Hit points and concentration checks |
| INT | Wizard spellcasting, Investigation, knowledge |
| WIS | Perception, Insight, Cleric spellcasting |
| CHA | Bard/Sorcerer/Warlock spellcasting, social skills |
Kobold Traits (2014-era)
Kobolds are small, tactical, and pack‑oriented. The key play pattern is teamwork + positioning.
| Trait | How it plays |
|---|---|
| +2 DEX, −2 STR | Choose DEX builds; avoid STR-based weapons and grappling plans |
| Pack Tactics | Stand near an ally attacking the same target → you gain advantage on attacks |
| Sunlight Sensitivity | In direct sunlight you often have disadvantage on attacks and sight-based Perception |
| Grovel, Cower, and Beg | When you need the party to land key hits, spend an action to help allies |
| Darkvision | Night/tunnels are your home turf |
Beginner tip: If sunlight becomes a big issue, fight from shade/cover, choose indoor routes, and coordinate so your allies engage targets in places you can see clearly.
Campaign Hook: Blue Scales vs Green Scales
Premise: The Dragon Queen is missing. The “dirty green scales” are moving to loot her treasure. As loyal blue scales, do you defend the hoard—or join the looters?
Blue Scales (Loyalists)
- “The hoard is sacred.”
- Protect traps, tunnels, and rituals that guard the treasure.
- Hunt green-scale raiders; recover stolen relics.
Green Scales (Looters)
- “No queen means no rules.”
- Break wards, steal gems, sell artifacts, flee.
- They might be villains—or desperate kin.
Roleplay prompt: Decide what you fear more: the Queen’s wrath if she returns… or a life of poverty if you stay loyal.
Level 4 Choices (ASI/Feats)
At level 4 you get either an Ability Score Improvement or (if allowed) a feat.
Common Kobold picks
- +2 DEX (best all-around for most builds)
- +1 DEX +1 CON (balanced offense + survivability)
- Casters: +2 to your casting stat (INT/WIS/CHA) if spells are your main impact
PHB feats that often help
- Sharpshooter (ranged damage builds)
- Alert (go earlier in combat; avoid surprise)
- Mobile (hit-and-run melee)
- Lucky (general safety net)
PHB‑Only Example Builds (Level 4 Kobold)
These are templates, not strict rules. Pick what sounds fun and fits the party.
Rogue 4 — Thief / Assassin
- Subclass: Thief (mobility) or Assassin (ambush)
- Skills: Stealth, Perception, Investigation, Acrobatics
- Level 4: +2 DEX
- Loop: fight near allies → advantage → Sneak Attack every round
Ranger 4 — Hunter / Beast Master
- Subclass: Hunter (simple, strong) or Beast Master (companion play)
- Style: Archery
- Spells (PHB examples): Hunter’s Mark, Goodberry, Cure Wounds
- Level 4: Sharpshooter (if allowed) or +2 DEX
Fighter 4 — Battle Master / Champion / Eldritch Knight
- Subclass: Battle Master (tactical), Champion (simple), Eldritch Knight (magic)
- Weapons: shortbow or rapier + shield
- Level 4: +2 DEX (or Sharpshooter for archers)
- Loop: steady attacks; spend maneuvers when it really matters
Monk 4 — Open Hand / Shadow / Four Elements
- Subclass: Open Hand (simple), Shadow (stealth), Four Elements (spell-like)
- Level 4: +2 DEX or Mobile feat
- Loop: hit, spend ki to reposition/defend, stay near allies for accuracy
Sorcerer 4 — Draconic Bloodline / Wild Magic
- Subclass: Draconic (thematic durability) or Wild Magic (chaos fun)
- Metamagic (lvl 3): Quickened + Twinned (popular)
- Spells (PHB examples): Shield, Magic Missile, Web, Scorching Ray
- Level 4: +2 CHA
Wizard 4 — Any School (PHB)
- Schools: Divination, Illusion, Evocation, Abjuration, etc.
- Spells (PHB examples): Mage Armor, Shield, Detect Magic, Web, Hold Person
- Level 4: +2 INT
- Loop: win fights with control; let allies finish targets
Bard 4 — Lore / Valor
- Subclass: Lore (versatile) or Valor (martial support)
- Spells (PHB examples): Healing Word, Faerie Fire, Dissonant Whispers, Suggestion
- Level 4: +2 CHA (or Inspiring Leader if allowed)
- Loop: inspire allies, debuff enemies, patch-heal as needed
Warlock 4 — Fiend / Archfey / Great Old One
- Patron: Fiend (survivable), Archfey (trickery), Great Old One (weird utility)
- Invocations: Agonizing Blast (core), then utility of choice
- Spells (PHB examples): Hex, Armor of Agathys, Misty Step (if available to you), Darkness (table-dependent tactics)
- Level 4: +2 CHA
Cleric 4 — Light / Trickery / War / Life (etc.)
- Domain: Light (flashy), Trickery (sneaky), War (tough), Life (heals), and more PHB domains
- Spells (PHB examples): Bless, Healing Word, Guiding Bolt, Aid
- Level 4: +2 WIS
- Loop: Bless early; keep allies alive; contribute with spells
Barbarian 4 — Berserker / Totem Warrior (optional)
- Why optional: STR penalty hurts. Choose if you love the fantasy anyway.
- Subclass: Totem Warrior (very durable) or Berserker (aggressive)
- Level 4: +2 STR (to offset) or +2 CON (to survive)
- Loop: Rage, soak hits, and protect the squishier kobolds
PHB-only reminder: If you keep everything to PHB subclasses and PHB spells, you’re safe even at strict tables.
Beginner Combat Checklist
- Before combat: know your AC, hit points, main attack bonus, and main damage roll.
- Round 1: get into position near allies to trigger Pack Tactics.
- Each turn: move → action (attack/cast) → bonus action (if you have one) → reaction (if triggered).
- When in sunlight: use shade/cover/indoors; consider helping allies if your own attacks are disadvantaged.
- Ask questions: “Do I have advantage?”, “Am I in sunlight?”, “Is an ally within 5 ft of the target?”