Kobold 5e Guide: Legacy and MotM Traits

Rules edition: this guide compares the legacy Kobold from Volo’s Guide to Monsters with the revised Kobold in Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse (MotM). MotM can be used with compatible class rules, including 2024 classes when the DM allows it. The 2024 Player’s Handbook does not reprint Kobold as a core species. Choose one version’s complete traits; do not mix them.

Both versions support team play, but they do it differently. Legacy Kobolds gain Pack Tactics and have Sunlight Sensitivity; MotM Kobolds gain Draconic Cry and choose one benefit from Kobold Legacy. For a class-specific example, see our 2014 Kobold Rogue build, MotM Kobold with 2024 Rogue one-shot, or legacy Kobold Monk guide.

Traits Shared by Both Versions

Both player options are Small, have a 30-foot walking speed, and have darkvision out to 60 feet. In the 2014 rules, Small characters have disadvantage on attack rolls with heavy weapons; this does not prevent them from wielding those weapons, but it can make another weapon a better choice. Both Kobold options have draconic flavor, but your character’s attitude toward dragons and their community is a roleplay choice.

Legacy Kobold: Pack Tactics and Sunlight Sensitivity

The Volo’s Guide Kobold has a +2 Dexterity increase under its errata-corrected 2014 traits; the former −2 Strength penalty was removed. It has Pack Tactics, Sunlight Sensitivity, and Grovel, Cower, and Beg. It also speaks Common and Draconic.

Pack Tactics: You have advantage on an attack roll against a creature if at least one of your allies is within 5 feet of that creature and the ally isn’t incapacitated. Your ally needs to be beside your target; being near you is not enough. The trait can help qualifying weapon or spell attacks, but it does not grant advantage on every attack.
Sunlight Sensitivity: You have disadvantage on attack rolls and on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on sight when you, your target, or what you are trying to perceive is in direct sunlight. Campaign frequency matters, so ask how much play takes place in direct sunlight.
Grovel, Cower, and Beg: As an action, you distract nearby foes. Until the end of your next turn, your allies have advantage on attack rolls against enemies within 10 feet of you that can see you. You can use this trait once per short or long rest.

Pack Tactics can make coordinated attacks more reliable, especially when a melee ally can safely stay beside the target. Sunlight Sensitivity can counter that advantage on attacks in its stated circumstances, so do not assume the legacy traits are an unconditional damage boost.

MotM Kobold: Draconic Cry and Kobold Legacy

The MotM Kobold has no fixed ability-score increases in its species traits. Its Draconic Cry lets you use a bonus action to give you and your allies advantage on attack rolls against enemies within 10 feet of you until the start of your next turn. You can use it a number of times equal to your Proficiency Bonus, regaining all uses after a long rest. Unlike Pack Tactics, this is an activated feature with limited uses.

Kobold Legacy offers three mutually exclusive choices. Pick one:

Defiance: gain advantage on saving throws to avoid or end the frightened condition.
Insightful: gain proficiency in Arcana, Investigation, Medicine, Sleight of Hand, or Survival.
Draconic Sorcery: learn one cantrip from the Sorcerer spell list. Choose Intelligence, Wisdom, or Charisma as its spellcasting ability.

The MotM Kobold does not have the legacy version’s Pack Tactics or Sunlight Sensitivity. Its choice of Kobold Legacy is one benefit, not both a skill or tool proficiency and a cantrip. The official D&D Beyond Kobold overview also explains the revision.

Class, Feat, and Background Choices

Rogues can use either version’s teamwork trait to set up qualifying attack rolls for Sneak Attack, provided the exact trigger is met. A caster choosing Draconic Sorcery can select a cantrip that fits the character’s class and chosen spellcasting ability. An artificer might choose Insightful if one of its listed skill proficiencies fills a gap, or Draconic Sorcery if a cantrip fits the build. For a legacy martial build, remember that heavy weapons impose disadvantage for a Small character under 2014 rules.

Feats are optional. Legacy-era choices such as Squat Nimbleness or Crossbow Expert can support a particular 2014 build, but check each prerequisite and use its full text. MotM Kobolds used with 2024 character creation take ability-score increases from the background rules the campaign uses; do not apply legacy racial increases or 2014 background benefits automatically.

For example, legacy Pack Tactics can trigger when a non-incapacitated ally stands within 5 feet of your target. Draconic Cry instead spends your bonus action and one of its limited uses to help you and allies attack nearby enemies. That timing can compete with a Rogue’s Cunning Action or other bonus-action feature. Choose the version that fits the campaign’s source rules and the action economy of the class you want to play.

Playing a Kobold as an Individual

Kobolds are not required to be cowardly minions, dragon worshippers, or trapmakers. Decide what your character learned from their community and what they kept, changed, or rejected. Pack tactics, a draconic cantrip, tool proficiency, or a cry that rallies allies can support many personalities and motivations. Let the setting establish how others respond to Kobolds rather than assuming every campaign uses the same lore.

Official Rules Sources

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