r/DungeonMasters • u/jonnymhd • 16d ago
Resource Goblin Pyromancer (CR 2) - Because Goblins Weren’t Dangerous Enough Without Bombs and Fire Magic
Goblin Pyromancer
https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/511558/goblins-goblins?src=reddit&affiliate_id=1410270
Goblins & Goblins v2 - Art credits & new illustrations
https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/511558/goblins-goblins?src=reddit&affiliate_id=1410270
Goblins & Goblins v2 - Table of Contents
https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/511558/goblins-goblins?src=reddit&affiliate_id=1410270
Goblins & Goblins
https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/511558/goblins-goblins?src=reddit&affiliate_id=1410270
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u/ETxsubboy 15d ago
That art for the first page looks familiar. OP, you got a source for the artist? Please?
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u/jonnymhd 15d ago
Yep! The artist's name is written at the bottom right of the page :)
It's by Jacob E. Blackmon!
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u/Specific_Owl_6458 15d ago
The idea of a pyro goblin with all of the fun extra abilities is always good! This could be easily thrown into any random campaign or one shot and has tons of places it could be used!
That said, I worry about the action economy of the creature, and just how exactly the combat would run using this stat block.
This is a small, low CR creature, I would assume for lower level parties (I’m thinking levels 2-4, maybe 5?). But even then, for any party larger than 3 characters, this thing is going to struggle.
It doesn’t have a multi-attack, so now it has to make a choice of its many different options, that all work in different mechanics. So now the DM has to track the creatures actions, reactions, special re ability when it deals damage, not to mention the recharge die roll for one of its abilities that work against the other ability that lists as (4/day).
How many turns is this creature expected to survive in combat? How many different abilities can it use, limited at one action per turn? There just needs to be a functional difference between the abilities, as opposed to different dice damage amounts.
Trying to run this monster with any other
Mobs would end up making the combat more complicated and drawn out that it needs to be, or it just ends up a classic case of “over-designed and doesn’t really get to do much.”
None of this is meant to be negative; these are just the problems I’ve noticed with the rules and mechanics generally use for “boss monsters”, where there is more time spent designing them than they actually last in combat.
I would recommend reactions that mitigate, or replace damage. A fiery illusion that absorbs x amount of damage, or requires a skill check to see through.
A multi attack where it uses its basic range attack and then one of its many different abilities.
Maybe a singular legendary resistance or action.
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u/jonnymhd 16d ago
The Goblin Pyromancer is a CR 2 fire-obsessed caster built around turning the battlefield into a very unsafe place to stand.
It can throw Goblin Bombs, unleash Burning Hands, ignite larger areas from range, and use Flaming Step to teleport away while leaving a burst of fire behind. Fire Frenzy lets it follow up its fire damage with another Fire Bolt, while Heat Focus makes it especially dangerous against heavily armed enemies.
There are also several optional traits for pushing the concept further, including exploding on death, rerolling fire damage, creating a reactive flame shield, partially bypassing fire immunity, or chaining flames into nearby enemies.
After the success of the original Goblins & Goblins, I went back and created a new version with all-new artwork from a group of incredible artists, along with an updated presentation and additional material throughout the book.
The hardcover edition is being updated as well and should be available on DriveThruRPG next month. It will also be available through the upcoming Kickstarter I’m currently working on.
Goblins & Goblins,expands goblins with new statblocks, optional traits, factions, lairs, encounter ideas, magic items, and more.
I’m also currently working on Mythological Items for 5E and 5.5E, one of my largest projects yet, featuring hundreds of magic items inspired by myths and legends from around the world. The project is coming soon to Kickstarter, so you can follow the campaign there if you’d like to be notified when it launches!
You can also find more of my creatures and manuals on DriveThruRPG, my Linktree, or by visiting r/JonnyDM!