Kobold Guide 5e

Which 5e Classes Work With Kobolds?

Artificer: Artificers need INT to be effective.

• Updated: Artificers won't care for this race unless they are running a melee build, in which case it is quite good when paired with a subclass like Armorer. Defiance can get you more staying power, Draconic Sorcery gives you some more cantrip options, and Craftiness could fill in the gaps in your party.

Barbarian: Barbarians really want a STR ability score bonus. Reckless Attack should be enough advantage to consider picking a race with a STR bonus.

• Updated: The biggest thing holding back the kobold here is the Small size, as you won't be able to effectively use heavy weapons like greataxes. Reckless Attack also makes Draconic Cry unnecessary.

Bard: Bards need CHA to be effective, although College of Valor and College of Swords Bards do get Extra Attacks to benefit Pack Tactics.

• Updated: Bards in the College of Valor or Swords that like to be in the thick of things can benefit from Draconic Cry, otherwise steer clear. Draconic Sorcery is nice to get something like booming blade or green-flame blade.

Cleric: Clerics need WIS to be at their best, but a DEX-based Cleric can be viable. Pack Tactics is less enticing without Extra Attacks.

• Updated: Not all clerics like to be in the frontlines, but a tanky melee-based one will do well with Draconic Cry and booming blade or green-flame blade from Draconic Sorcery.

Druid: Druids need WIS to be effective.

• Updated: The only real option here is a Circle of the Moon druid, since Draconic Cry is still available in Wild Shape. Other druids want to stay away from melee range making the kobold a poor option.

Fighter: DEX-based fighters are a perfect choice for Kobolds. Pack Tactics works nicely with the Extra Attacks that fighters get. Additionally, fighters can use one action to use Grovel, Cower, and Beg and then Action Surge to still be able to attack in the same turn.

• Updated: Kobolds are still an optimal choice for melee fighters. All of the Kobold Legacy options can be useful to a fighter depending on your needs, though Draconic Sorcery can get you booming blade or green-flame blade, opening up more combat options in battle.

Monk: DEX is the best stat for the monk, but a lack of WIS and CON can be deadly considering their low hit dice. With Ki abilities and Extra Attacks, that can add up to a whole lot of attack rolls with advantage.

• Updated: Monks need their bonus action for a variety of things in combat, so Draconic Cry may not always be the best use of it.

Paladin: A simple DEX bonus is not quite enough for the Paladin to be optimized. If building around DEX, the character will function fine simply due to Pack Tactics.

• Updated: The updated kobold is really good for paladins. Draconic Cry will always be useful as you'll likely be in melee range, and paladins like to buff their allies. Draconic sorcery can get you booming blade or green-flame blade, opening up more combat options in battle and improving your damage beyond the few attacks and smites you can do each turn.

Ranger: DEX is an important stat for rangers, and will work well with Pack Tactics. A WIS bonus here would have made this an ideal choice for the ranger.

• Updated: Rangers won't care too much about what Kobold Legacy can offer, and their bonus action is probably better spent on things like hunter's mark rather than Draconic Cry.

Rogue: Combining Sneak Attack and Pack Tactics means that you have both a chance to trigger Sneak Attack damage and advantage on the attack roll when an ally is near the target. It may seem a bit redundant, but with only one attack per turn, connecting with the target is crucially important. Another interesting concept is to use Grovel, Cower, and Beg followed by Cunning Action to Disengage and get to safety, letting your party members do the heavy lifting for a turn.

• Updated: Draconic Cry gets you advantage with ease, activating your Sneak Attack whenever you wish. Draconic Sorcery an get you booming blade or green-flame blade, opening up more combat options in battle.

Sorcerer: Sorcerers need CHA to be effective.

• Updated: The updated kobold's main draw, Draconic Cry, is really only useful if you're in melee range.

Warlock: Warlocks need CHA to be effective.

• Updated: Hexblades won't mind the melee requirement of Draconic Cry as much as other subclasses. The cantrips from Draconic Sorcery won't be needed, so you'd be better off taking Craftiness or Defiance to round out your character.

Wizard: Wizards need INT to be effective.

• Updated: The updated kobold isn't a bad option for a bladesinger, as they can easily activate Draconic Cry. The cantrips from Draconic Sorcery are probably not necessary due to the wizard's large pool of spells, so you'd be better off taking Craftiness or Defiance to round out your character.