Bugbear
Huge, hairy goblins standing about 6 feet tall with darkish brown eyes
Basic Fantasy Role-Playing Game
| Armor Class | 15 (13) |
|---|---|
| Hit Dice | 3+1 |
| Number Appearing | 2d4, Wild 5d4, Lair 5d4 |
| Attacks | 1 weapon |
| Damage | 1d8+1 or by weapon +1 |
| Movement | 30' Unarmored 40' |
| Save As | Fighter: 3 |
| Morale | 9 |
| XP | 145 |
| Treasure Type | Q, R each; B, L, M in lair |
Bugbears look like huge, hairy goblins, standing about 6 feet tall. Their eyes are usually a darkish brown color and they move very quietly. They are wild and relatively fearless, and bully smaller humanoids whenever possible.
Bugbears prefer to ambush opponents if they can. When hunting, they often send scouts ahead of the main group. Bugbear attacks are coordinated, and their tactics are sound if not brilliant. They are able to move in nearly complete silence, surprising opponents on 1-3 on 1d6. In order to remain silent, they must wear only leather or hide armor, as indicated in the Armor Class scores above. Bugbears receive a +1 bonus on damage due to their great Strength. As with most goblinoid monsters, they have Darkvision with a 30’ range.
Special Abilities
Variants
One out of every eight bugbears will be a hardened warrior. Bugbears gain a +1 bonus to their morale if they are led by a hardened warrior or chieftain.
| Hit Dice | 4+4 |
|---|---|
| Damage | 1d8+2 or by weapon +2 |
| XP | 240 |
In lairs of 16 or more bugbears, there will be a chieftain. Bugbears gain a +1 bonus to their morale if they are led by a hardened warrior or chieftain. In the lair, bugbears never fail a morale check as long as the chieftain is alive.
| Hit Dice | 6+6 |
|---|---|
| Damage | 1d8+3 or by weapon +3 |
| XP | 500 |
A shaman is equal to an ordinary bugbear statistically, but possesses 1d4+1 levels of Clerical abilities.
| Hit Dice | 3+1 |
|---|---|
| Damage | 1d8+1 or by weapon +1 |
Other Sources
Old-School Essentials Classic Fantasy
| Armor Class | 5 [14] |
|---|---|
| Hit Dice | 3+1 |
| Number Appearing | Dungeon 2d4, Wilderness 5d4 |
| Attacks | 1 × weapon (2d4 or by weapon +1) |
| THAC0 | 16 [+3] |
| Move | 90' (30') |
| Morale | 9 |
| Alignment | Chaotic |
| XP | 50 |
| Treasure Type | B |
Special Abilities
Old-School Essentials Classic Fantasy
| Armor Class | 5 [14] |
|---|---|
| Hit Dice | 3+1 (14hp) |
| Number Appearing | 2d4 (5d4) |
| Attacks | 1 × weapon (2d4 or by weapon +1) |
| THAC0 | 16 [+3] |
| Movement | 90' (30') |
| Saving Throws | D12 W13 P14 B15 S16 (3) |
| Morale | 9 |
| Alignment | Chaotic |
| XP | 50 |
| Treasure Type | B |
Special Abilities
OSRIC
| Armor Class | 5 |
|---|---|
| Hit Dice | 3+1 |
| Number Encountered | 6d6 |
| Attacks | 1 |
| Damage | 2d4 or by weapon |
| Move | 90-ft |
| Alignment | Chaotic evil |
| Intelligence | Low to average |
| XP | 3/135+4/hp |
| Size | Large (7-ft tall) |
| Frequency | Uncommon |
| Lair | 25% |
Bugbears tend to form bands and live near goblins, a distant relative. Although bugbears have 60-ft infravision, they can live both above and below ground. Bugbears are quite stealthy and surprise at 50%; and a “hear noise” roll will not detect them.
Bugbears use a variety of weapons usually gathered from fallen opponents. These include axes, morning stars, hammers, swords, spears and missile weapons.
Bugbears speak hobgoblin and goblin as well as chaotic evil and their own cursed speech.
Special Abilities
Variants
Bugbear hunting parties (12+ creatures) always have a leader who fights as a 4 Hit Dice creature.
| Armor Class | 4 |
|---|---|
| Hit Dice | 4 |
| Damage | 2d8+1 |
The chief is a 4 Hit Dice creature.
| Armor Class | 3 |
|---|---|
| Hit Dice | 4 |
| Damage | 2d8+2 |
The sub-chief fights as a leader.
Same stats as Leader
If absolutely necessary, females fight as hobgoblins.
Fights as hobgoblin
Young fight as kobolds.
Fights as kobold