[RPG] How has the relative combat prowess of Bugbears as opposed to Goblins changed over time

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Bugbears are the big bad goblinoids. A single average bugbear has always been more than a match for a single average goblin, in a straight up fight (which sort of fighting neither generally employs). As Dungeons & Dragons has changed and evolved over its many varied editions, the mechanisms of combat, the values of the statistics of the creatures involved, and the special properties of both Goblins and Bugbears have wandered significantly.

When I've got a band of bugbears running the show (as opposed the more leader-y hobgoblins), I usually want only to allow them to command about as many of their smaller cousins as they, as a group, could defeat at once in combat in favorable terrain conditions. Basically, the idea is that when the bugbears are outnumbered beyond a certain point it makes them and the goblins uncomfortable, because they are worried about potential rebellion (which would result in a goblin-led group with a couple bugbear warriors) and neither group likes the political instability (though individuals within the group might) nor the increased class tension and Bugbear-on-Goblin violence it brings.

That said, I have been wondering in what edition of D&D I might best be able to run an adventure with a largish group of goblins run by a smallish group of 8 adult bugbears such that the bugbears are most outnumbered by the goblins yet would be able to hold their own against the smaller kin in a chokepoint battle.

The bugbear leader and the secret ambitious goblin would-be king will have special stuff ala class levels or other upgrades as dependent upon edition paradigm, but the rest of each group is average.

What edition of D&D gets me the most Goblins per Bugbear?

Best Answer

4E, assuming you're fighting Minions.

So, for the sake of simplicity...we're going to use Average damage outputs for your Goblins and Bugbears, and are going to assume "basic" versions of these...because you can always soup up goblins and bugbears to make them stronger. My math here is ignoring crits for simplicity's sake across editions.

My results are based on consecutive one-on-one fights (i.e. I assume the bugbears are smart enough to make use of chokepoints and cover from archery fire)...but this will also reflect relative power between editions in event that a bugbear is mobbed. Note, my numbers are also pure averages and do not account for "wasted" damage...because that's much harder to simulate.

However, with the same 'lack' in all of the simulations...they will still accurately provide a 'which one has the biggest power disparity' answer.

I'm also rolling 1E, 2E, and 3E into their 'advanced' versions...because the monster manual didn't change all that much between those editions, as far as I am aware.

AD&D1

Goblin: AC 6, HP 4, THAC0 20 for 1d6 damage

Bugbear: AC 5, HP 14, THAC0 16 for 2d4 damage

This works out to Goblins dealing an average of 0.88 damage per round to the Bugbear, while the Bugbear does 2.75 damage per round to a Goblin.

In consecutive one-on-one duels, the Bugbear will die at the end of the 16th round, after killing 8 goblins (one every other round).

AD&D2

Goblin: AC 6, HP 4, THAC0 20 for 1d6 damage

Bugbear: AC 5, HP 14, THAC0 17 for 2d4 damage

This works out to Goblins dealing an average of 0.88 damage per round to the Bugbear, while the Bugbear does 2.50 damage per round to a Goblin

In consecutive one-on-one duels, the Bugbear will die at the end of the 16th round, after killing 8 goblins (one every other round)

3.5e

Goblin: AC 15, 5HP. Best attack option: Morning Star (+2 to hit, 1d6 damage)

Bugbear: AC 17, 16HP. Beat attack option: Morning Star (+5 to hit, 1d8+2 damage)

This works out to Goblins dealing an average of 1.05 damage per round to the Bugbear, while the Bugbear does 3.58 damage per round to a Goblin.

In consecutive one-on-one duels, a Bugbear could survive for an average of 15 total rounds (dying on the last one), killing 7 goblins.

4E

Goblin Cutter: AC 16, 1 HP, +5 Attack for 4 damage

Bugbear Warrior: AC 18, 76 HP, +10 Attack for 2d8+7 damage (not that it matters...as the Cutter only has 1 HP and thus only has to connect.

Cutters deal an average of 1.60 damage per round to Bugbears. Bugbear will hit and kill a Cutter 75% of the time in a single round.

In consecutive one-on-one duels, a Bugbear could survive for 48 rounds, killing 36 goblin cutters before dying

5E

Goblin: AC 15, HP 7, +4 to hit for 1d6+2 damage

Bugbear: AC 16, HP 27, +4 to hit for 2d8+2 damage

This gives Goblins an average DPR of 2.48 against Bugbears, and Bugbears an average DPR of 5.50 against goblins.

In consecutive one-on-one duels, a Bugbear could survive for 11 rounds, killing a goblin roughly every other round, thus killing 5 goblins.

Naturally, 4E is far ahead here, allowing you to take down 36 goblins instead of the 5-8 of all the other editions. This is the massive change rolled in by the addition of Minions to the game, aimed for more cinematic combat.

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