Bugbear Grunt

Bugbear Grunt CR 2 (Combatant)

XP 600
CE Medium humanoid (goblinoid)
Init +2; Senses blindsense (scent) 60 ft., darkvision 60 ft.; Perception +7

DEFENSE

HP 25
EAC 13; KAC 15
Fort +4; Ref +6; Will +1; +2 vs. fear

OFFENSE

Speed 30 ft.
Melee tactical dueling sword +10 (1d6+6S)
Ranged azimuth laser rifle +7 (1d8+2F, critical burn 1d6), or stickybomb grenade I +7 (explode [10 ft., entangled 2d4 rounds, DC 12])

STATISTICS

Str +4; Dex +2; Con +1; Int +0; Wis +0; Cha -1
Skills Athletics +7, Intimidate +7, Stealth +12
Languages Common, Goblin
Gear freebooter armor, tactical dueling sword, azimuth laser rifle with 2 batteries (20 charges), 2 stickybomb grenade I

ECOLOGY

Environment any
Organization solitary, pair, gang (3-6), or warband (7-12 plus 1 hobgoblin lieutenant)

Bugbears are a subspecies of goblinoids that – despite their massive size – are graced with stealth and a sadistic glee in stalking and murder. The largest of the goblinoids, these humanoid creatures have large bodies covered in usable muscle and thick fur. Their bodies have an almost ape-like quality, with shorter legs and longer arms than other goblinoid species.

Bugbears function in the paramilitary societies of hobgoblins as the special forces. They are sent in small squads to handle dangerous and “near-impossible” missions that hobgoblin commanders do not want to waste in the deaths of valuable soldiers. The bugbears are seen as expendable assets. Often, one or two hobgoblin officers will be sent with the bugbear squad to ensure the team stays “on mission.” Otherwise, the natural stalking instincts of the bugbears will cause them to stalk and terrorize their targets for longer than is acceptable to missions parameters.

Bugbears Troopers, as we move to annex this world for the glory of our Imperial Sovereign (Long May He Reign!), I want to talk about the locals. Down there is a world of goblins. And I hear you chuckling right now, thinking about easy target practice.

And that’s just what -you’ll- be, if you don’t pay attention. Gobbos come in three types. Those little green [expletive deleted] who can strip a ship in under an hour. The highly-militant hobgoblin soldiers who are going to fill the battlefield in front of you… Then there is the third kind who you won’t see until their breathing in your face with a vibro-blade buried in you backside.

These are the bugbears. Big, ugly gobbos, aren’t they? Well, despite their size, and dense frame, these things are the stealth-assassins you fear in the night! And they are good at their job. The gobbos use them as expendable “suicide squads” to get the dirty work done that no hobgobbo soldiers can do. Each one is a trained killer at range and close-combat.

So watch your backside, and watch for snipers, because it’s what you don’t see that will getcha.