Greetings!
In my campaign world of Thandor, I don't tend to use "Monocultures" when detailing various races and cratures. Much like humans, while perhaps less diverse, the Elves, Dwarves, and so on generally do not have merely one racial culture that predominates them, though despite sharing many features and traits, most such humanoid races also embrace some differentiation through having at least a few cultural variations. In this manner, I also have applied these concepts to Goblins. I have a barbaric, savage Goblin culture--mostly typified by Gremlins; Green-skinned Goblins with larger heads, and wide mouths full of savage teeth, much like sharks. The Gremlins are warlike and hateful, and embrace all manner of evil and wickedness. Then, I have a "Civilized" Goblin culture--I suppose they are a subrace related to the Gremlins, though physiologically similar, but also different. The "Civilized" Goblins have more refined physiques and features, and are in general more civilized. The "civilized" Goblins have a broader range of alignments typically available to them, and they are also more technologically and magically advanced than their Gremlin relatives. In short, I suppose the Gremlins are definitely Dark Faerie/Grim Dark, while the Urban Goblins are more Light Faerie/Whimsical.
These distinctions provide me as the DM with some neat racialized and cultural distinctions for the goblins, as well as a wide selection of character types and styles of play, whether as NPC opponents or some kind of allies for Player Characters. In addition, such flexibility and scope also provides space for a Player Character to have a Goblin character if they desired such a character. I think Goblins offer some different approaches and styles from Elves, Dwarves, Halflings, and Gnomes. In general, obviously, they share some commonalities especially with the Dwarves, Halflings, and Gnomes, and yet are still able to be fresh and distinctly different.
How have you used Goblins in your campaigns? Have you done something different with Goblins? Or are they merely the masses of Green-skinned lawn-mower fodder for bands of adventurers? Have you played as a Goblin character? Have any of your players played Goblin characters?
Semper Fidelis,
SHARK