Neonchameleon
Legend
Not really. 1e gnomes were in what is now the wood elf niche as elves expanded with about fifty different subraces. 3e gnomes were dwarf wannabes (underground rather than forest dwelling, speak with burrowing animal, dwarflike crafting). It's separate concepts because the elves took the gnomes homeland until 4e. And in 3.5 as if the gnomes weren't the butt of enough jokes they made them have their favoured class as the most mocked class: the bard. (Yes, bards rock - sometimes literally - but they were definitely mocked).I disagree that they are too much like dwarves or elves; they have an identity all their own. (The mere fact that both similarities are argued should be a clue.) Though I will agree that the nerfing of Illusionists in 2e was a major disappointment that affected them sorely.