Kobold (Dungeons &amp; Dragons)Kobold (Dungeons &amp; Dragons) Kobold (Dungeons & Dragons) Kobolds are a fictional race of humanoid creatures, featured in the "Dungeons & Dragons" roleplaying game and other fantasy media. They are generally depicted as small reptilian humanoids with long tails, distantly related to dragons. In fantasy roleplaying games, kobolds are often used as weak "cannon fodder" monsters, similar to goblins, but may be cunning and strong in groups. Depictions. Kobolds appeared as monsters alongside goblins, orcs, and trolls in the 1971 wargame "Chainmail", as part of Gary Gygax's "fantasy supplement" inspired by "The Hobbit" and other fantasy novels. This supplement inspired the first editions of "Dungeons  & Dragons" (1974), where kobolds appear again. In these early appearances, they are only described as creatures similar to goblins. Kobolds were first depicted as hairless humanoids with small horns in Gygax's "Monster Manual" (1977) for "Advanced Dungeons & Dragons" ("AD&D"), which describes them as aggressive, tribal creatures living in dark forests or subterranean settings. In 1987, Roger E. Moore published the editorial "Tucker's kobolds" in the magazine "Dragon", describing a game scenario where a horde of well-prepared kobolds uses guerrilla tactics to significantly challenge a far more powerful party of adventurers. This editorial became popular among roleplaying fans , and helped kobolds gain traction. Later editions of the game emphasized more draconic aspects, and suggest that kobolds are biologically related to dragons, and view them as an object of worship and servitude. The AD&D 2nd Edition "Monstrous Manual" (1993) introduced "Urds", a race similar to kobolds with batlike wings. In the 3rd edition, the original kobolds were replaced henceforth by the new draconic ones. A notable kobold character in media adaptations of "Dungeons & Dragons" is Deekin Scalesinger, an aspiring bard introduced in "" expansion pack for the role-playing video game "Neverwinter Nights" developed by BioWare. Deekin is originally a  follower of the white dragon Tymofarrar, who orders Deekin's kin to travel to a small village called Hilltop located in the Silver Marches and attack a dwarven wizard named Drogan Droganson. Deekin encounters and assists the protagonist of "Shadows of Undrentide", an apprentice of Drogan, and later persuades the adventurer to take him along as a traveling companion. Deekin returns as a henchman in the second "Neverwinter Nights" expansion pack, "", where he is depicted as growing in power and stature, even manifesting dragon-like abilities and features as a Dragon Disciple. Deekin makes a cameo appearance in "Neverwinter Nights  II" developed by Obsidian Entertainment. Reception. "Screen Rant" compiled a list of the game's "10 Most Powerful (and 10 Weakest) Monsters, Ranked" in 2018, calling this one of the weakest, saying "When a dungeon master has run several low-level "Dungeons & Dragons" adventures, they will inevitably grow weary of using the same creatures from before and will want to shake things up. That's the moment when they prepare to paint over the serial numbers and replace the goblins with kobolds." The kobold was considered one of the "five main 'humanoid' races" in "AD&D" by Paul Karczag and Lawrence  Schick. Journalist David M. Ewalt highlighted that kobolds have often been the first combat encounter for new players of "Dungeons & Dragons", from its beginnings to the current 5th edition. Kimberley Wallace of "Game Informer" considered Deekin to be one of best video game characters developed by BioWare. Kobold (Dungeons & Dragons) Kobolds are a fictional race of humanoid creatures, featured in the "Dungeons & Dragons" roleplaying game and other fantasy media. They are generally depicted as small reptilian humanoids with long tails, distantly related to dragons. In fantasy roleplaying games, kobolds are often used as weak "cannon fodder" monsters, similar to goblins