D&D General 5.5 PHB Species Options

[Zardnaar]

Yeah, it’s not the mechanical efficacy

Gnomes have always-on advantage on all mental saves vs magic, which is most mental saves.

The main things that drive popularity is vibes and aesthetics, which is driven by visual and narrative identity.

Its not always on as such. Its a situational advantage with no player agency to use it.

You might not even encounter those saves or rarely. Same with dragonborn energy resistance. You can go several levels without having to use them.

Halfling luck is essentially always on. Every time you roll a d20.

Dragonborn breath weapon. Player decides when to use it. Same with various spells if you're an elf. Or ability to fly on tap.

Situational benefits will always be weak if they don't fire regularly or at all. Everything a d20 rolled trumps when DM decides to use that ability and targets you and the opponent doesn't get killed first.