Kobold, Variant (4e Monster)

Kobolds (Variant)
Kobolds are dinosaur-like reptilian humanoids that are extremely dexterous and clever trapmakers. Some kobolds have evolved more idealistic approaches to acquiring new combat skills, such as mounting on the backs of dragons, leading a battalion of kobold underlings, or summoning kobold spirits to harry their foes.

Kobold Skirmisher Tactics
Like its lesser counterparts, kobold skirmishers take advantage of its environment to hole their enemies into a tight group to use Mob Attack.

Kobold Dragonshield Tactics
Like their lesser counterparts, dragonshields keep the fight away from their weaker allies to take advantage and to turn the tide against their enemies whenever they get the chance. They are fierce fighters, and they will fight to the death if they have to.

Kobold Dragon Sorcerer Tactics
With a plethora of spells and knowledge, the dragon sorcerer functions as a magic buffer-- striking its opponents with volatile twines of lightning or delivering fiery blows with its beloved staff. It utilizes its movements to force its enemies to think differently before committing to a single plan.

Kobold Brute Tactics
A bit taller than an average human, these creatures look more like troglodytes. Their brute force makes them fierce, and it's their ground-shaking slam that adds to their ferocity.

Kobold Battle Chief Tactics
Adept in warfare, the battle chief leads into battle with its battle cry, which empowers its allies. It will use Relive the Moment sparingly and only when it is absolutely needed. They are also good solitary fighters, but prefer the battle to be as close to its allies as best as it can.

Malgeby Tactics
As the ringleader of his clan, Malgeby is a close range and distant adversary and a difficult moving target. He uses Darkness on the Horizon whenever he has his enemies grouped together to confuse them of their surroundings. When he's in a tight spot, he'll use Thunder Leap to get out of harm's way quickly. In a tight battle, he'll use whatever power he can to suffice the change in morale, even when things could look grim. He is a sophisticated individual, so he is best suited for sophisticated campaigns.

Kobold Dragon Rider Tactics
True to its name, the Kobold dragon rider enters combat mounted on a Large or Huge dragon or dragon-related beast. If it doesn't have a creature to mount on, it gets itself close to one to utilize Dragon Empathy. Once mounted, the kobold and its creature it is riding begin to wreak havoc by combined melee and ranged attacks, making it a deadly duo for both combat tactics.

Kobold Spirit Caller Tactics
The kobold spirit caller is the shaman of the kobold clans, and their innate ability to summon minor kobold underlings gives them an utter advantage as a leader. They also use some of these spirits to bog down their enemies' guard. When a spirit caller becomes low on health, it will use Soul Drain-- taking off some of its adversaries' vitality to fuel its own.

Kobold Spirit Tactics
Not having much control over themselves, the kobold spirits will deliver attacks and give other kobold allies the benefit of Mob Attack.

Kobold (Variant) Lore
A character knows the following information with a successful Arcana or Nature check.
 * Nature DC 15: Kobolds are just as adabtable as any other race, and this is especially true in the case of finding more ways to take on hordes of enemies or to just intimidate the common folk. The brutes are the workhorses of the kobold militias, as they punch their way through the ranks with their mighty fists and earth-shattering stomps.
 * Arcana DC 15: Dragon Sorcerers are arcane fetters-- willing to educate themselves about the powers of the dragons and their influence upon the world at large. They are themselves scholars as they are combatants.
 * Nature DC 20: Kobold Battle chiefs are mighty leaders of many dragonshield brigades, and will come into battle with a horde of dragonshields and sometimes one dragon rider. They lead the way by encouraging their allies to press on, even when the situation is dire.
 * Arcana DC 20: Great leaders often represent themselves amongst the ranks. As Murkultak was Kurtulmak's personal assassin and bodyguard, Malgeby is the loremaster of all Kurtulmak's resources fall upon. Malgeby is a wicked wizard with many tricks and challenges up his sleeves.
 * Nature DC 25: Sometimes, a kobold loves to play games with other creatures, so the dragon rider paved the way to initiate combat differently. They appear on the backs of dragon or dragon-like beasts most of the time, and their innate ability allows them to ride such creature without worry. This proves their natural talent of adaptability.
 * Arcana DC 25: Some kobolds have learned to tap int the divine and sometimes primal resources of the world to draw about them the spirits of their fallen kin. Thus the spirit caller was called in to act as a barrier between the armies and their own souls. The spirits they draw upon are simple ghost with nothing more than pure vengeance on their minds.

Encounter Groups
The kobolds presented in these encounters are what you may find when you explore or come close to their territories-- which may seem larger than a normal kobold's sanctuary. With more variability in their tactics, these kobolds are perfectly able to take on even the hardiest of adversaries (and put up a good fight as well).

Level 14 Encounter (XP 5,400)

 * 2 Kobold Dragonshields (Level 12 Soldiers)
 * 2 Kobold Brutes (Level 14 Brutes)
 * 1 Kobold Battle Chief (Level 14 Elite Soldier-- Leader)

Level 14 Encounter (XP 6,000)

 * 3 Kobold Skirmishers (Level 11 Skirmishers)
 * 2 Kobold Dragonshields (Level 12 Soldiers)
 * 1 Kobold Dragon Sorcerer (Level 13 Artillery-- Leader)
 * 1 Kobold Battle Chief (Level 14 Elite Soldier-- Leader)

Level 16 Encounter (XP 8,800)

 * 3 Kobold Dragonshields (Level 12 Soldiers)
 * 1 Redspawn Belcher (Level 12 Artillery)
 * 1 Kobold Dragon Sorcerer (Level 13 Artillery-- Leader)
 * 1 Kobold Battle Chief (Level 14 Elite Soldier-- Leader)
 * 1 Kobold Dragon Rider (Level 17 Elite Skirmisher)

Level 17 Encounter (XP 16,200)

 * 1 Kobold Dragon Rider (Level 17 Elite Skirmisher)
 * 1 Adult Red Dragon (Level 15 Solo Soldier)
 * Malgeby, Scion of Kurtulmak (Level 16 Solo Controller)

Level 18 Encounter (XP 17,000)

 * 3 Kobold Skirmishers (Level 11 Skirmishers)
 * 2 Kobold Dragon Sorcerers (Level 13 Artillery-- Leader)
 * 3 Kobold Spirits (Level 14 Elite Minions)
 * 1 Kobold Spirit Caller (Level 19 Elite Controller-- Leader)
 * Malgeby, Scion of Kurtulmak (Level 16 Solo Controller)