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Evolution of the Kobold, which do you prefer

Started by Sacrosanct, August 23, 2012, 05:06:11 PM

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Sacrosanct

August 23, 2012, 05:06:11 PM
Below are images from each version of D&D.  Which do you prefer.  I imagine most will be for nostalgia, which is ok.  After all, my first description of a kobold and image before I knew what they were was the most captivating.

AD&D 1:



AD&D 2e:


3e:


4e (I think this is 4e):
D&D is not an "everyone gets a ribbon" game.  If you\'re stupid, your PC will die.  If you\'re an asshole, your PC will die (probably from the other PCs).  If you\'re unlucky, your PC may die.  Point?  PC\'s die.  Get over it and roll up a new one.

Sacrosanct

#1
August 23, 2012, 05:07:47 PM
For me, I prefer 1e.  Kobolds were always "dog faced", just like orcs were pig-faced.  Later editions made them more reptilian instead of dog, so they never really clicked.
D&D is not an "everyone gets a ribbon" game.  If you\'re stupid, your PC will die.  If you\'re an asshole, your PC will die (probably from the other PCs).  If you\'re unlucky, your PC may die.  Point?  PC\'s die.  Get over it and roll up a new one.

beeber

#2
August 23, 2012, 05:38:13 PM
grew up with the 1e/moldvay basic version, but actually like the 3e redesign more.

The Bronze Falcon

#3
August 23, 2012, 05:48:09 PM
The picture for 4th Edition is actually from 3rd Edition, perhaps the Races of the Dragon book, though I'm not sure.  It might've been used for 4th Edition too, since some art was re-used.

Anyway...

Normally I'd say the original OD&D/AD&D Kobold is my preference, though I do rather like that picture from 2nd Edition.  It might just be the art style, but it hits the right spot for me.  Expressive, odd and definitely not human, while not just being a little dragon like Kobolds eventually became for some reason.

Skywalker

#4
August 23, 2012, 05:49:12 PM Last Edit: August 23, 2012, 05:51:50 PM by Skywalker
Of those pictures, the 4e one appeals to me more. I still often visualise them as dog faced though.

The reptilian change didn't really appeal to me in concept until D&D started utilising this to give them a relationship with other reptilian critters, such as Dragons, for good effect.

Skywalker

#5
August 23, 2012, 05:51:15 PM
Quote from: The Bronze Falcon;575897Normally I'd say the original OD&D/AD&D Kobold is my preference, though I do rather like that picture from 2nd Edition.  It might just be the art style, but it hits the right spot for me.  Expressive, odd and definitely not human, while not just being a little dragon like Kobolds eventually became for some reason.

Tony DiTerlizzi certainly manages to give them a Jim Henson Labyrinth vibe in that picture, which is cool.

Justin Alexander

#6
August 23, 2012, 06:03:31 PM
Quote from: The Bronze Falcon;575897The picture for 4th Edition is actually from 3rd Edition, perhaps the Races of the Dragon book, though I'm not sure.  It might've been used for 4th Edition too, since some art was re-used.

It was used in the 4E Monster Manual entry for kobolds.

Quote from: beeber;575893grew up with the 1e/moldvay basic version, but actually like the 3e redesign more.

Ditto for me. I loved the little dog-faced freaks during my early days, but when I came back to D&D with 3rd Edition the pint-sized reptilians completely clicked for me.
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Sacrosanct

#7
August 23, 2012, 06:06:59 PM
Quote from: Skywalker;575901Tony DiTerlizzi certainly manages to give them a Jim Henson Labyrinth vibe in that picture, which is cool.

I know it's sacrilege to a lot of folks, but I don't really like Tony D's work in D&D.  Great children's illustrator, but not what I wanted in D&D.  None of the monsters looked scary.  They all looked like something you'd see in a toy or doll.
D&D is not an "everyone gets a ribbon" game.  If you\'re stupid, your PC will die.  If you\'re an asshole, your PC will die (probably from the other PCs).  If you\'re unlucky, your PC may die.  Point?  PC\'s die.  Get over it and roll up a new one.

Opaopajr

#8
August 23, 2012, 06:12:22 PM
2e, by far. 1e is second. Something about cunning canid-esque humanoids using murderholes and skirmish guerrilla tactics to take down larger threats to their domain. That and how can you not love the devious nature of using a scorpion on a fishing pole?! Now that's just plain lovable ornery evil. "Go attack the human wrapped in metal? No! You attack him!" "I got a better idea, let's drop a scorpion inside his metal wrap as he walk by our tunnels!" Like a second race of evil kindergartners.
Just make your fuckin\' guy and roll the dice, you pricks. Focus on what\'s interesting, not what gives you the biggest randomly generated virtual penis.  -- J Arcane
 
You know, people keep comparing non-TSR D&D to deck-building in Magic: the Gathering. But maybe it\'s more like Katamari Damacy. You keep sticking shit on your characters until they are big enough to be a star.
-- talysman

Skywalker

#9
August 23, 2012, 06:16:24 PM
Quote from: Sacrosanct;575909I know it's sacrilege to a lot of folks, but I don't really like Tony D's work in D&D.  Great children's illustrator, but not what I wanted in D&D.  None of the monsters looked scary.  They all looked like something you'd see in a toy or doll.

I think this Kobold is a good example of that. The 2e picture is cool in its own way, but its not my favourite of the samples pretty much for the reasons you state.

jeff37923

#10
August 23, 2012, 06:22:14 PM
Imagewise, I'm indifferent.

However, I like the Ecology of the Kobold written by Paizo for Dragon magazine and the Kobold entry for Gods of the Humanoids written by James Bond in a much earlier Dragon. I'm more tuned into the fluff of teh monster than the picture on this one.
"Meh."

RandallS

#11
August 23, 2012, 06:25:40 PM
The 1e version.
Randall
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Doom

#12
August 23, 2012, 06:41:28 PM
They all have their charms, but making them reptilian was a good example of how new stuff can be cool.

Still, I rather wish there was an electric blue race of the things.
(taken during hurricane winds)

A nice education blog.

J Arcane

#13
August 23, 2012, 07:11:25 PM
I prefer the Kobolds Ate My Baby version.
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jeff37923

#14
August 23, 2012, 07:18:45 PM
Quote from: J Arcane;575930I prefer the Kobolds Ate My Baby version.

Kovalic Kobolds are awesome....
"Meh."
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