My PCs are currently clearing out Thistletop and frankly speaking, their only difficulty so far was fighting Ripnugget. One of my PCs is a heavily armored paladin with excellent AC, and the average goblin reeds to roll at least an 18 to hit him. In any case, one of their encounters will involve a combat with at least 8 goblins in a fairly small room. I want them to give my party tank a run for the money, so I would like if you can recommend some tactics/etc. that a goblins could use to bring down a big armored foe. (I was thinking about a liberal use of aid other to help hit the paladin, but I'm open to any suggestions)
RPG Superstar 2008 Top 32
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Possible Goblin Tactics for high-armored opponents or 13 ways to make life hard for the highly armored:
1) Trip
2) Disarm
3) Grapple
All of which might require a feat. However, if said-fighter only takes one AoO a round, have a goblin get a shield, a couple of his buddies assist his AC, then the shield-bearing goblin draws an AoO and the rest of 'em pile on.
Alternatively, you don't worry about it. Let the high-armored PC have his day in the sun...
4) There are opponents like Black Maga coming... "AC?... no, no, no... what's your touch AC?"
5) Heavily armored PC make wonderful targets against giant-thrown boulders. They're shiny, can't move that fast, and make a wonderful clang when they are hit (which is an alarm bell of sorts).
Other things that make life difficult for people that war heavy armor (and thus have lots of armor-check penalties): Swim, balance, move silently, hide, and escape artist checks. Maximize these...
6) Ya gotta cross the narrow beam over the water. Did I mention the slimy blue algae that encrusts the old wood of the bridge?..."
7) the Web and/or grease spell.
8) "So the sneaky full-plate fighter slowly moves up to the door to listen when he kicks a rock with a resounding clang. Roll initiative.."
Nets, longspears, tanglefoot bags and other weapons that reduce the mobility can help a lot too.
9) The goblin throws a tanglefoot bag, touch AC? Gotcha. Now the goblins with the rusty and wet-glistening longspears attack (don't have to be poisoned, but only the GM needs know that!)
10) As you enter the room, the gioblin in corner cackles with glee, pulls a cord, and a net falls. Touch AC? Oh well gotcha again. The goblins attack!
11) Goblin bards do have the whip proficiency... The goblin cracks out his whip and pulls. The other goblins rush you at the same time (cooperatively helping with the trip attempt).
12) alchemists fire also uses a touch AC. As do acid vials and any other caustic substances you can think of....
13) goblin dog could be trained to trip and not attack until their target is down.
Does that help?
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9) The goblin throws a tanglefoot bag, touch AC? Gotcha. Now the goblins with the rusty and wet-glistening longspears attack (don't have to be poisoned, but only the GM needs know that!)11) Goblin bards do have the whip proficiency... The goblin cracks out his whip and pulls. The other goblins rush you at the same time (cooperatively helping with the trip attempt).
One bard on either side of the doorway each whipping a leg to trip him as he walks in... the aforementioned dogpile. the goblin grapples you, fails the goblin grapples you , fails the 3rd goblind grapples you suceeds. goblins 4+5 join in the grapple with dogslicers, you can hear them cackling "Shiny man, hard and strong, we will make him into soup to feed us long!"
I'd emphasize suggestion number 13. I think that the goblin dogs are going to have a much easier time tripping a Medium-sized foe, plus they have their wonderful dander that just requires a Fort save. You might need to advance a couple of the goblin dogs to allow them to pull this off.