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Hi All,
I know this has been beaten about forever now, but I'd like to throw my hat in the ring. I've tried to distill the discussion on the PF kobold and come up with what I think is a reasonable design.
Couple of design notes:
1) I kept the -4 Str -they're only 2.5' tall and 45 lbs max. That's smaller than most 2 year old humans if you count the tail for some of their weight!
2) I know the basic weapon familiarity is lame, but I didn't see any martial weapons that fit thier style too well (except maybe the ranseur). The weaponized version of the pick is too dissimilar to a miner's pick to count as a weapon familiarity IMO. I gave them bola and net as EWP's to reflect their cowardly nature (better to trip or entangle a foe before attacking it).
3) There had to be a good trade off for being a common kobold and I thought free skill focus was good enough. Stealthy or Alertness might also fly.
Anyhoo, opinions would be great. I know this is not likely to ever become official, but someone may get use of it in thier home games.
Kobolds
Kobolds are short, reptilian humanoids with cowardly and sadistic tendencies. They rarely become adventurers, but exceptionally gifted individuals sometimes rise above their stations and evil reputations to become unlikely heroes.
A kobold’s scaly skin ranges from dark rusty brown to a rusty black color. It has glowing red eyes. Its tail is nonprehensile. Kobolds wear ragged clothing, favoring red and orange. A kobold is 2 to 2½ feet tall and weighs 35 to 45 pounds. Kobolds speak Draconic with a voice that sounds like that of a yapping dog.
Kobold Racial Traits
Strength –4, Dexterity +2, +2 Charisma: Kobolds are physically weak but agile, and their draconic heritage makes them natural sorcerers.
Small: Kobolds are Small creatures, and gain a +1 sizebonus to their AC, a +1 size bonus on attack rolls, and a +4 size bonus on Stealth checks.
Nornal Speed: Kobolds have a base speed of 30 feet.
Darkvision 60 feet: Kobolds can see in the dark up to 60 feet.
Keen Senses: Kobolds receive a +2 bonus on sight and touch-based Perception checks.
Natural Armour: Kobolds have a +1 natural armor bonus.
Dungeon Dweller: Kobolds receive a +2 racial bonus on a Craft (trapmaking) and Profession (miner) checks.
Draconic Heritage: Kobolds may select a draconic heritage listed in Pathfinder Chronicles: Classic Monsters Revisited, or choose to be “common” kobolds and gain Skill Focus (any) as a bonus feat.
Light Sensitivity (Ex): Kobolds are dazzled in bright sunlight or within the radius of a daylight spell.
Weapon Familiarity: Kobolds are proficient with spears (including short and long) and crossbows (light and heavy) any treat nets and bolas as martial weapons.
Languages: Kobolds begin play speaking Draconic. Kobolds with high Intelligence scores can choose any of the following: Common, Undercommon
Favored Class: The favored class of kobolds is rogue or sorcerer. This choice must be made at 1st level and cannot be changed.
If you are going to keep the -4 to Strength, I would add a +4 to Dexterity. They have a total of +0 to their ability scores, with your suggestion (poor kobolds !). Plus, they are very agile (able to escape, quick to hide...).
I would go even more far and change it to -2 Str, +4 Dex, no Cha bonus, but this is only my idea...
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If you are going to keep the -4 to Strength, I would add a +4 to Dexterity. They have a total of +0 to their ability scores...
That was intentional. They're still a non-"PHB" race and primarily monsters, so they shouldn't be as attractive an option as the gnome or halfling.
That being said, they're still more robust and playable than SRD/MM kobolds and they have a raft of special abilities to balance out the +0 net ability scores. That 30' movement at size small counts for a heck of a lot. :)
My other thought on weapon familiarity is to allow the miner's pick (only) as an improvised weapon for them without the penalty to hit (like Caught Off Guard without the flat footed bonus). 1d6 or possibly 1d8 piercing damage two handed weapon.
BTW, I think the miner's pick needs to note that its weight scales with size. I can't picture a gnome or kobold using a 10lb pick effectively, nor can I imagine a giant using it well either. :)
