Troop, Hobgoblin Beastmasters

Several snarling, feral beasts are tightly leashed by grim hobgoblin handlers. The hobgoblins are armed with scimitars and javelins, while the beasts wear spiked collars and makeshift barding.

Beastmaster Troop CR 10

XP 9,600
LE Medium humanoid (goblinoid, troop)
Init +7; Senses darkvision 60 ft.; Perception +14

DEFENSE

AC 24, touch 13, flat-footed 21 (+4 armor, +3 Dex, +6 natural, +1 shield)
hp 126 (12d8+72)
Fort +13, Ref +9, Will +8 (+4 vs.

enchantments)
Defensive Abilities troop traits

OFFENSE

Speed 30 ft.
Melee troop (3d6+7 plus trip)
Space 20 ft.; Reach 5 ft.
Special Attacks bay, distraction (DC 21), volley

STATISTICS

Str 24, Dex 17, Con 20, Int 13, Wis 15, Cha 12
Base Atk +9; CMB +16; CMD 29
Feats Combat Reflexes, Improved Initiative, Intimidating Prowess, Iron Will, Lightning Reflexes, Toughness
Skills Handle Animal +16, Intimidate +14, Perception +14, Stealth +4, Survival +11; Racial Modifiers +4 Stealth
Languages Common, Goblin, Infernal

SPECIAL ABILITIES

Bay (Su)

When the beasts within a beastmaster troop howl or bark, all creatures within a 300-foot spread except goblinoids must succeed at a DC 17 Will saving throw or become panicked for 1d4 rounds. This is a sonic mind-affecting fear effect.

A creature that successfully saves cannot be affected by the same troop’s bay for 24 hours. The save DC is Charisma-based.

Devoted Beasts (Ex)

The beasts in a beastmaster troop are fanatically loyal to their handlers.

This troop gains a +4 morale bonus on Will saving throws against enchantment spells and effects.

Volley (Ex)

A beastmaster troop can hurl a volley of javelins as a standard action. This attack takes the form of up to three lines with a range of 100 feet.

These lines can each start from the corner of any square in the troop’s space. Each creature in any of these lines takes 3d8 points of piercing damage per line that hits it (Reflex DC 19 half). The save DC is Dexterity-based.

ECOLOGY

Environment any
Organization solitary, pair, or horde (3–6)
Treasure standard

Every aspect of hobgoblin society finds an application in war, including the natural hobgoblin kinship with feral animals and monstrous beasts. Skilled animal trainers fight alongside their beasts in combat, sometimes joining other trainers in a beastmaster troop. Not every hobgoblin in a beastmaster troop is accompanied by a feral beast, but all have skill in training and handling animals.

The beasts hobgoblins bring to war are varied, and include bears, boars, giant frogs, wolves, worgs, and even giant insects; regardless of the specific nature of the creatures, the beastmaster troop stat block represents disciplined hobgoblins accompanied by their ferocious beasts. These creatures are well trained—usually with relentless beatings and privations—to avoid harming each other or nearby hobgoblins, but attempt to eviscerate any other creatures in reach of their teeth and claws.

Beastmaster troops are primarily deployed in large battlefield engagements for their intimidation factor.

They are ill-suited to engagements where the troop wishes to attack with surprise or capture prisoners. Common soldiers of the troop consider the beastmasters to be just as wild and bloodthirsty as the beasts they lead into combat; the beastmasters encourage this belief to enhance their fearsome reputation. While other hobgoblin soldiers are inured to the chilling howls of the beasts and their handlers, beastmaster troops are nevertheless usually deployed alongside other beastmaster troops to form a massive feral horde.

Hobgoblins within a beastmaster troop are usually armed with a scimitar, a javelin, a chain shirt, and a light shield—though some may have scavenged armor or weapons that differ from this standard outfitting.

Their beasts are often adorned with spiked collars and leather barding with armor spikes and brands. This is meant to both increase their intimidating appearance as well as commemorate notable kills or successful military engagements.