Let’s Play D&D And Strike First With Cobra Kai
Teach your D&D characters to wax the car and show no mercy when we invite Danny and Johnny from Cobra Kai to play some D&D.
Cobra Kai is a show that I never would have believed would ever be made… but somehow, it’s one of my favorite stupid programs available to stream and about to return for its sixth season. It is one of the most ridiculous, silly shows I have ever seen. I’ve even loved every moment that I sort of hated. It manages to be the perfect next chapter to the Karate Kid franchise that nobody asked for but now everybody needs season three right now. And with characters this likable-but-cheesy, you know we’ve gotta play some D&D with…
Danny LaRusso
Danny’s not a monk because he’s particularly amazing at it. In fact, if he were leaning into what he was really good at, he would probably take his high charisma and silly car commercials and become a bard. No, Danny is a monk because he wants to be one so much. It’s not like he’s bad at it, though, and level 6 is nothing to sneeze at. He’s just no master.
I went light on the weapons with both of these characters since they don’t use many weapons in the show, but Danny is shown practicing with a bo staff, so I thought it would make sense for fantasy adventure Danny to carry one.
Also, you may notice that neither of these characters have armor. That’s because a gi doesn’t provide much in the way of protection. Watching the tournament scenes where none of those kids wore any protective padding or even a mouthguard made it pretty clear that the universe of The Karate Kid may just not believe in armor. Does this make me cringe as somebody who’s studied just enough little martial arts to know better? Yes, I like having all of my teeth. But that’s not the aesthetic Cobra Kai is going for, and nobody looks good with a giant mouthguard.
Johnny Lawrence
I took Johnny in a slightly different direction. He studied karate in a dojo and should have the same generally monkish background as Danny… but that’s not his bread and butter, and we all know it. That said, he does have an interesting character arc throughout Cobra Kai, which made me not want to write him as a one-note fighter character.
For a long time, he was respected by his students as an inspiring leader (hence the feat). Almost despite himself. Sure, his lessons are often misguided or don’t turn out the way he’d hope. But it often feels like he’s doing his best. His best just isn’t great. Also weapons? He doesn’t do weapons. Unless they’re improvised and laying around, then yes to anything that can be used as a weapon.
How would you have made these characters for D&D? What do you think is in store next for Cobra Kai, and honestly, how much do you love hating this show? Or visa versa… What show, movie, comic, game, or book should we make sheets from next time? Let us know in the comments!
Happy Adventuring!
