Goblin (Warhammer)
Encyclopedia
Goblins, also known as "Gobbos", are among the smallest of the goblinoid
"greenskin" races in the Warhammer Fantasy
setting.
They are smaller than the Orcs
and the Hobgoblin
s but larger than the Gnoblar race (a cousin to the goblins, rather than a tribe or subculture)
and Snotlings (a tinier type of Goblinoid). While they lack the size and brute force of the Orcs, they are more clever and cunning than their larger cousins.
In the game, there are different subculture
s of Goblins, with varying degrees of autonomy from their Orcish cousins, including the Night Goblin
s and primitive Forest goblins (a tribe of Goblins residing in the Old World's forests and having an appearance reminiscent of stereotypical Native American
s). All Goblins are violent and malicious
, and consider warfare to be a pastime or hobby.
The Hill Goblin is the type most commonly seen in the Old World.
C13 Night Goblins first appeared alongside their now extinct cousins, the Red Goblins, featuring their distinctive cloaks, hoods and shields, and also including fanatics using oversized ball and chain weapons. Whilst rules remain for the ball and chain, no specific profiles for Night Goblins appear in 2nd Edition Warhammer. Night Goblins have adapted to life under the mountains throughout the Old World and the South Lands. Their dress is explained by their a strong aversion to sunlight
so when forced above ground they wear very dark enveloping robe
s to shield themselves from it.
s of The Southlands and in the Old Worlds forests (hence the name Forest Goblin). They have their own Native American-themed culture. Forest Goblins are more primitive than the Goblins of other areas and mainly use weapons and armour made of wood and bone. They worship a third deity next to Gork and Mork, called the Spider God.
In Warhammer fantasy Battles they are best known for the Spider Rider unit, cavalry in the form of Forest Goblins riding giant spiders into battle. In older editions of the game Forest Goblins could be taken on foot, but in the 6th edition they were removed entirely. In 7th edition the goblins hare
as servants or as Dogs of War
. One type of Hobgoblin are Sneaky Gits.
Goblin Warbosses and Big Bosses are the main leader
s of the goblin masses, when a bigger orc leader is not around to boss them. Goblin bosses are chosen purely by either martial prowess or cunning.
Goblin Shaman are the magical counterpart of the Bosses. They wield the powerful force of the Waaagh! power. In game terms they act as the battle wizards
by casting Waaagh! magic
.
The Arachnarok Spider, a gigantic creature, the biggest model in Warhammer, mounted with a howda filled with goblins, a magical idol or a war machine.
Goblinoid
Goblinoids are a category of humanoid legendary creatures related to the goblin. The term originated in the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, in which goblins and related creatures are a staple of random encounters. Goblinoids are typically barbaric foes of the various human and...
"greenskin" races in the Warhammer Fantasy
Warhammer Fantasy (setting)
Warhammer Fantasy is a fantasy setting, created by Games Workshop, which is used by many of the company's games. Some of the best-known games set in this world are: the table top wargame Warhammer Fantasy Battle, the Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay pen-and-paper role-playing game, and the MMORPG...
setting.
They are smaller than the Orcs
Orc (Warhammer)
Orcs are one of the races in Games Workshop's Warhammer Fantasy universe, and are related to goblins. The brutish orcs, though less intelligent, tend to dominate the meeker goblins...
and the Hobgoblin
Hobgoblin (Warhammer)
Hobgoblins in the fictional Warhammer Fantasy are a large type of Goblin.-Description:They are found living on the Eastern Steppes of the Warhammer world where they are ruled over by the Khans, all of whom answer to the Hobgobla-khan, the greatest of the hobgoblin warlords.They are considered so...
s but larger than the Gnoblar race (a cousin to the goblins, rather than a tribe or subculture)
and Snotlings (a tinier type of Goblinoid). While they lack the size and brute force of the Orcs, they are more clever and cunning than their larger cousins.
In the game, there are different subculture
Subculture
In sociology, anthropology and cultural studies, a subculture is a group of people with a culture which differentiates them from the larger culture to which they belong.- Definition :...
s of Goblins, with varying degrees of autonomy from their Orcish cousins, including the Night Goblin
Night goblin
Night Goblins are a subspecies of the Goblins in the Warhammer Fantasy fictional universe.Unlike their cousins, the Common Goblins, Night Goblins live in dark caves under the mountains and generally have a strong aversion to sunlight, so when they come out of their caves they wear dark robes which...
s and primitive Forest goblins (a tribe of Goblins residing in the Old World's forests and having an appearance reminiscent of stereotypical Native American
Indigenous peoples of the Americas
The indigenous peoples of the Americas are the pre-Columbian inhabitants of North and South America, their descendants and other ethnic groups who are identified with those peoples. Indigenous peoples are known in Canada as Aboriginal peoples, and in the United States as Native Americans...
s). All Goblins are violent and malicious
Malice (legal term)
Malice is a legal term referring to a party's intention to do injury to another party. Malice is either expressed or implied. Malice is expressed when there is manifested a deliberate intention unlawfully to take away the life of a human being...
, and consider warfare to be a pastime or hobby.
The Hill Goblin is the type most commonly seen in the Old World.
Night goblin
The range of Citadel MiniaturesCitadel Miniatures
Citadel Miniatures Limited is a company which produces metal, resin and plastic miniature figures for tabletop wargames such as Warhammer Fantasy Battle and Warhammer 40,000....
C13 Night Goblins first appeared alongside their now extinct cousins, the Red Goblins, featuring their distinctive cloaks, hoods and shields, and also including fanatics using oversized ball and chain weapons. Whilst rules remain for the ball and chain, no specific profiles for Night Goblins appear in 2nd Edition Warhammer. Night Goblins have adapted to life under the mountains throughout the Old World and the South Lands. Their dress is explained by their a strong aversion to sunlight
Sunlight
Sunlight, in the broad sense, is the total frequency spectrum of electromagnetic radiation given off by the Sun. On Earth, sunlight is filtered through the Earth's atmosphere, and solar radiation is obvious as daylight when the Sun is above the horizon.When the direct solar radiation is not blocked...
so when forced above ground they wear very dark enveloping robe
Robe
A robe is a loose-fitting outer garment. A robe is distinguished from a cape or cloak by the fact that it usually has sleeves. The English word robe derives from Middle English robe , borrowed from Old French robe , itself taken from the Frankish word *rouba , and is related to the word rob...
s to shield themselves from it.
Forest Goblins
Forest goblins live in the steaming jungleJungle
A Jungle is an area of land in the tropics overgrown with dense vegetation.The word jungle originates from the Sanskrit word jangala which referred to uncultivated land. Although the Sanskrit word refers to "dry land", it has been suggested that an Anglo-Indian interpretation led to its...
s of The Southlands and in the Old Worlds forests (hence the name Forest Goblin). They have their own Native American-themed culture. Forest Goblins are more primitive than the Goblins of other areas and mainly use weapons and armour made of wood and bone. They worship a third deity next to Gork and Mork, called the Spider God.
In Warhammer fantasy Battles they are best known for the Spider Rider unit, cavalry in the form of Forest Goblins riding giant spiders into battle. In older editions of the game Forest Goblins could be taken on foot, but in the 6th edition they were removed entirely. In 7th edition the goblins hare
Hobgoblin
Hobgoblins are the most advanced goblins in the Warhammer world in terms of technology. While they are a type of goblin they do not fight for the Orc & Goblin army, instead they fight for the Chaos DwarfsChaos Dwarfs
Chaos Dwarfs are a fictional race in the Warhammer Fantasy universe in which they are described as being an off-shoot of the Dwarfs who have been corrupted by the forces of Chaos. They are represented within Warhammer Fantasy Battle, Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay, Blood Bowl and other games produced...
as servants or as Dogs of War
Dogs of War (Warhammer)
In the fictional Warhammer Fantasy setting and Warhammer Fantasy Battle tabletop wargame, Dogs of War is a collective term for various mercenary groups...
. One type of Hobgoblin are Sneaky Gits.
Goblin units in the game
The rules and particulars of Goblins are described by Warhammer Armies: Orcs & GoblinsLeaders
- Goblin Warboss and Big Boss
Goblin Warbosses and Big Bosses are the main leader
Leader
A leader is one who influences or leads others.Leader may also refer to:- Newspapers :* Leading article, a piece of writing intended to promote an opinion, also called an editorial* The Leader , published 1909–1967...
s of the goblin masses, when a bigger orc leader is not around to boss them. Goblin bosses are chosen purely by either martial prowess or cunning.
- Goblin Shaman and Great Shaman
Goblin Shaman are the magical counterpart of the Bosses. They wield the powerful force of the Waaagh! power. In game terms they act as the battle wizards
Wizard (character class)
The Wizard is a type of magical character class in certain role-playing games and computer role-playing games. Wizards are considered to be spellcasters who wield powerful spells, but are often physically weak as a trade-off. Wizards are commonly confused with similar offensive spellcasting...
by casting Waaagh! magic
Magic (gaming)
Some role-playing games or game systems can include a set of rules that are used to portray magic in the paranormal sense. These rules simulate the effects that magic would have within the game context, according to how the game designer intended the magic to be portrayed...
.
Infantry
Units of Common Goblins form the backbone of the Goblin hordes, using spears or bows in great numbers. They are not very strong in battle, but make it up with pure quantity.Mounted troops
- Goblin Wolf Riders- Common goblins riding into battle on giant wolves.
The Arachnarok Spider, a gigantic creature, the biggest model in Warhammer, mounted with a howda filled with goblins, a magical idol or a war machine.
- Goblin Wolf Chariot - a chariotChariotThe chariot is a type of horse carriage used in both peace and war as the chief vehicle of many ancient peoples. Ox carts, proto-chariots, were built by the Proto-Indo-Europeans and also built in Mesopotamia as early as 3000 BC. The original horse chariot was a fast, light, open, two wheeled...
drawn by wolves with goblins on board.
- Forest Goblin Spider Riders- Forest Goblins riding giant spiders.
- Night Goblin Squig Hoppers- Brave (or more often insane) night goblins riding squigs.
War machines
- Doom Diver Catapult - a catapult/ballista which fires live goblins as ammunitionAmmunitionAmmunition is a generic term derived from the French language la munition which embraced all material used for war , but which in time came to refer specifically to gunpowder and artillery. The collective term for all types of ammunition is munitions...
. With makeshift wingWingA wing is an appendage with a surface that produces lift for flight or propulsion through the atmosphere, or through another gaseous or liquid fluid...
s tied to their arms, the Doom Divers can steer their flight to some extent, and can thereby maximise the destruction upon the enemy. - Spear Chukka- a crude bolt throwerBallistaThe ballista , plural ballistae, was an ancient missile weapon which launched a large projectile at a distant target....
operated by a goblin crew. - Rock Lobber - a crude catapultCatapultA catapult is a device used to throw or hurl a projectile a great distance without the aid of explosive devices—particularly various types of ancient and medieval siege engines. Although the catapult has been used since ancient times, it has proven to be one of the most effective mechanisms during...
operated by a Goblin crew.