"Goblin troops stiffened with Hobgoblin leaders" Topic

I have a couple of Hobgoblins with whips that I would like to add to some goblin units to encourage them.

I'm using Dragon Rampant.

The hobgoblins would be treated as key figures.

What adjustments would you suggest?

I wouldn't tweak beyond the rules, otherwise risk spoiling the balance

So the unit could be elite, it could have the poison bonus (extra damage), just call it a whip bonus. There are several others that could be used

John

Or, you could try Oathmark and use them as Unit Leaders!!!

Assuming the goblins are Light Foot, whips at the back might indicate that they have the Offensive option (making them better at attacking).

Some good ideas. I was thinking along the lines of a bonus to move roll or perhaps one for morale rolls.

Offensive makes them more likely to charge and I'm that sure a whip will influence their willingness to face the enemy.

Changing the stats should change the points. I take it "key figures" is a second edition thing? Speaking from ignorance, I'd suggest a roll when the unit takes casualties, loss of hobgoblins affecting morale.

Tolkien's rare blunder. Mythically hobgoblins are _smaller_ goblins not larger, something he later acknowledged.

David F Brown

Another thought on my part. Keep all the stats the same, but allow a re-roll for a failure.

No reason why smaller goblins, especially if possessing whips, couldn't lead bigger ones – look at Napoleon.

Final decision. I will treat the hobgoblins with whips like the special characters listed on page 72 of Lion Rampant. The only difference will be the +1 will be for movement tests (not courage). They will be at a cost of 1 point per unit.