Kobolds through the ages.

OD&D- (via White Box, if Holmes is different feel free to post it)

Goblin/Kobold
Number Appearing: 40-400
Armor Class: 6/7
Move in Inches: 6
Hit Dice: 1- 1 1/2
% in Lair: 50%
Type or amount of Treasure: 1-6 G.P. ea.

BD&D- (via RC)

Kobold
Armor Class: 7
Hit Dice: 1/2 (1-4 HP) (S)
Move: 90' (30')
Attacks: 1 weapon
Damage: By Weapon -1
No. Appearing: 4d4 (1d6 x 10)
Save as: Normal Man
Morale: 6 or 8 (see below)
Treasure Type: (P) J
Intelligence: 9
Alignment: Chaotic
XP Value: 5

AD&D1e-

Kobold
Frequency: Uncommon
No. Appearing: 40-400
Armor Class: 7
Move: 6"
Hit Dice: 1-4 hit points
% in Lair: 40%
Treasure Type: Individuals J, O, Q (x5) in lair
No. of Attacks: 1
Damage/Attack: 1-4 or by weapon
Special Attacks: Nil
Special Defenses: Nil
Magic resistance: Nil
Intellegnce: Average (low)
Alignment: Lawful Evil
Size: S (3' tall)
Psionic Ability: Nil
Attack/Defense modes: Nil

AD&D2e-

Kobold
Climate/Terrain: Any land
Frequency: Uncommon
Organization: Tribe
Activity Cycle: Night
Diet: Omnivore
Intelligence: Average (8-10)
Treasure J,O (Qx5)
Alignment: Lawful Evil
No. Appearing: 5-20 (5d4)
Armor Class: 7 (10)
Movement: 6
Hit Dice: 1/2 (1-4 HP)
THAC0: 20
No. of Attacks: 1
Damage/Attack: 1-4 or 1-6 (by weapon)
Special Attacks: Nil
Special Defenses: Nil
Magic Resistance: Nil
Size: S (3' tall)
Morale: Average (8-10)
XP Value: 7
Chiefs/Guards 15

D&D 3.5- (if 3.0 is different feel free to post it)

Kobold, 1st-Level Warrior
Size/Type: Small Humanoid (Reptilian)
Hit Dice: 1d8 (4 hp)
Initiative: +1
Speed: 30 ft. (6 squares)
Armor Class: 15 (+1 size, +1 Dex, +1 natural, +2 leather), touch 12, flat-footed 14
Base Attack/Grapple: +1/-4
Attack: Spear +1 melee (1d6-1/×3) or sling +3 ranged (1d3-1)
Full Attack: Spear +1 melee (1d6-1/×3) or sling +3 ranged (1d3-1)
Space/Reach: 5 ft./5 ft.
Special Attacks: —
Special Qualities: Darkvision 60 ft., light sensitivity
Saves: Fort +2, Ref +1, Will -1
Abilities: Str 9, Dex 13, Con 10, Int 10, Wis 9, Cha 8
Skills: Craft (trapmaking) +2, Hide +6, Listen +2, Move Silently +2, Profession (miner) +2, Search +2, Spot +2
Feats: Alertness
Environment: Temperate forests
Organization: Gang (4-9), band (10-100 plus 100% noncombatants plus 1 3rd-level sergeant per 20 adults and 1 leader of 4th-6th level), warband (10-24 plus 2-4 dire weasels), tribe (40-400 plus 1 3rd-level sergeant per 20 adults, 1 or 2 lieutenants of 4th or 5th level, 1 leader of 6th-8th level, and 5-8 dire weasels)
Challenge Rating: ¼
Treasure: Standard
Alignment: Usually lawful evil
Advancement: By character class
Level Adjustment: +0

D&D 4e-

Kobold Minion Level 1 Minion Small Natural Humanoid XP 25
Initiative +3
Senses Perception +1, darkvision
HP A minion dies when hit by an attack that deals damage
AC 15;
Fortitude 11,
Reflex 13,
Will 11; see also trap sense
Speed 6
Spear (standard; at-will) • Weapon +5 vs. AC; 2 damage.
Spear (standard; at-will) • Weapon Range 10/20; +5 vs. AC; 2 damage.
Shifty (minor, at-will) The kobold shifts 1 square as a minor action.
Trap Sense The kobold gains a +2 bonus to all defenses against traps.
Alignment Evil
Languages Draconic
Skills Stealth +5, Thievery +5
Str 8 (-1)
Dex 16 (+3)
Wis 12 (+1)
Con 12 (+1)
Int 9 (-1)
Cha 10 (+0)
Equipment hide armor, light shield, 3 spears

D&D Next

Kobold
Small Humanoid (Kobold)
Armor Class 11
Hit Points 2 (1d6 – 1)
Speed 30 ft.
Senses darkvision 60 ft.
Str 7 (–2) Dex 12 (+1) Int 8 (–1) Wis 7 (–2) Con 8 (–1) Cha 8 (–1)
Alignment neutral evil
Languages Common, Draconic

TRAITS
Light Sensitivity: While in sunlight, the kobold has disadvantage on attack rolls.
Mob Tactics: The kobold gains a cumulative +1 bonus to attack rolls for each friendly creature that also has this trait and is within 5 feet of its target, to a maximum of +5.

ACTIONS
Melee Attack—Dagger: +3 to hit (reach 5 ft.; one creature). Hit: 3 (1d4 + 1) piercing damage.
Ranged Attack—Sling: +3 to hit (range 30 ft./120 ft.; one creature). Hit: 3 (1d4 + 1) bludgeoning damage.

ENCOUNTER BUILDING
Level 1
XP 10


Piestrio

This really just shows that DnD got more and more complicated and boring with each new addition. At least, to me.

This has potential to be an in-depth article about the Kobold's evolution through Dungeons & Dragons.

Piestro, you should expand beyond just the statblocks.  Fluff text, notable kobold characters and moments throughout the Editions, stuff like that.

Pic related:

Spoiler

The 4e kobold was a nasty bastard because of the various kinds of kobolds that would show up. With Trap Sense his Reflexes were 15, combined with Shifty that made kobolds even nastier in an encounter with traps. Definitely made kobold lair adventures very interesting.

But I've always been a fan of the kobold and argued that a small creature would not live in lairs with 6-8 foot ceilings, any more than a medium creature needs 10ft ceilings. Thus, my kobold burrows are hellish for humans to crawl around inside as they are tight cramped and full of traps.

Kobolds...hideous little bastards.

Quote from: Spinachcat;633983Kobolds...hideous little bastards.

Yes. Yes they are.

Wich is why, btw, I kinda prefer the 2e MC illustration because it makes them look like, well, hideous little bastards, rather than borderline ugly-cute ratlizards (wich they've looked like since the 2e MM).

Sadly you can't even post the 5e stats for Kobolds without making me walk off in disgust.  Oh well, they don't get it, what else is new?

Quote from: The Ent;633987Yes. Yes they are.

Wich is why, btw, I kinda prefer the 2e MC illustration because it makes them look like, well, hideous little bastards, rather than borderline ugly-cute ratlizards (wich they've looked like since the 2e MM).

Absolutely. Something about a small creature fighting with a scorpion on a fishing pole screams "cunning little shit!" to me. It's a weapon that only makes sense with guerrilla tactics, but reduced to child-size.

Guerrilla tactics + childish vindictiveness and cunning = awesomely horrifying.

The Kobold illo in A4 In the Dungeons of the Slave Lords (which I can't find on google) is my all time favourite kobold image.

This one from 2e Monstrous Compendium is my #2. Little guy just looks so determined.

Quote from: David Johansen;633989Sadly you can't even post the 5e stats for Kobolds without making me walk off in disgust.  Oh well, they don't get it, what else is new?

Out of curiosity, what is the issue?

Quote from: Spinachcat;633983The 4e kobold was a nasty bastard because of the various kinds of kobolds that would show up. With Trap Sense his Reflexes were 15, combined with Shifty that made kobolds even nastier in an encounter with traps. Definitely made kobold lair adventures very interesting.

But I've always been a fan of the kobold and argued that a small creature would not live in lairs with 6-8 foot ceilings, any more than a medium creature needs 10ft ceilings. Thus, my kobold burrows are hellish for humans to crawl around inside as they are tight cramped and full of traps.

Kobolds...hideous little bastards.

I always played kobolds in this way 4 foot tunnels, lots of traps, lots of stuff like boiling oil or trap doors over the top of the tunnels and stuff. I like to think that with some of these shenanigins a burrow of 30 - 40 kobolds can tkp a party of 5 6-7th level PCs. it was a common one off we used to run... The Kobold gauntlet.

I thought this was going to be a picture comparison.  1e MM kolbolds with their dog like heads are my favorite.  I prefer the dog like versus the lizard like versions.  It works for the "getting bullied by their bigger gnoll cousins" theme that I've used since day 1