D&D General Why Do People Hate Gnomes?

[jdrakeh]

I hate their little red hats.

 

[MGibster]

although, when's the last time anyone actually got even vaguely that kind of reaction when any elves were introduced in a game? ironically for something that is based around being a revered icon of nobleness and grandure they're quite treated as an old rag nowadays: common and outdated.

Familiarity breeds contempt. It's tough for anything to seem magical when they've been a regular part of the game for the last 50 years. We see similar problems with the various beings in Call of Cthulhu. Oooh, deep ones? I'm so scared.

 

[jmartkdr2]

although, when's the last time anyone actually got even vaguely that kind of reaction when any elves were introduced in a game? ironically for something that is based around being a revered icon of nobleness and grandure they're quite treated as an old rag nowadays: common and outdated.

I can usually manage it, but I specifically play my elves as haughty in a refined sort of way.

I have played with a lot of people who just wanted the free cantrip, or half-elves that I forgot were half-elves because charisma isn't an elf-exclusive ability.

 

[SpeedyCreek]

From my perspective gnomes are disliked more because they were never really developed and explored in game. They always seemed as though they were just thrown in and I cant think of any good resources that were developed around them. Until Pathfinder grouped them as fey adjacent I dont think that is how they were perceived either. (at least in any game I have been in).

I have one player that absolutely despises them because they are just short elves who like illusion magic to him. In our games they are certainly the most unpopular choice and I can only think of two characters in 30+ years of gaming who were gnomes.

If they were actually portrayed in game as the nature spirits they are often referred to as in European lore they would have a much stronger identity and class affinities as well. I think that if they were characterized as a merry group of benevolent but sneaky nature lovers they would be better received than they are now.

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

Familiarity breeds contempt. It's tough for anything to seem magical when they've been a regular part of the game for the last 50 years. We see similar problems with the various beings in Call of Cthulhu. Oooh, deep ones? I'm so scared.

Yeah, I'm always kind of impressed that Lovecraft fandom is still so into a mythos that fans by this point know every bit about, and have for decades.

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

From my perspective gnomes are disliked more because they were never really developed and explored in game. They always seemed as though they were just thrown in and I cant think of any good resources that were developed around them.

Top Ballista!

I mean, if you want a flying city full of gnomes and nagpas dog-fighting in World War I biplanes over Mystara.

Maybe that wasn't such a good example.

I think that if they were characterized as a merry group of benevolent but sneaky nature lovers they would be better received than they are now.

That's how they are in my game, which has run from 2006 through to today. They're popular PCs and NPCs in the campaign and its spin-offs, run by other DMs. Sneaky and clever little guys is a bit that always has an audience.

 

[DammitVictor]

I have gotten a lot of mileage over the years by combining gnomes with fraal. Little red hats and all.

 

[Mind of tempest]

I have gotten a lot of mileage over the years by combining gnomes with fraal. Little red hats and all.

fraal?

 

[DammitVictor]

fraal?

Alternity player species, AD&D monster:

 

[MNblockhead]

I hate their little red hats.

People like you are the origin story for redcaps.