Gnomish Ability Scores

[Hand of Vecna]

So I'm thinking up a new character for a new campaign, and I was thinking of making a Gnomish Illusionist or Rogue. I saw that Gnomes get a +2 to Con, but a -2 to Str.

However, I remember that, in 2nd Ed., Gnomes got a +2 to Int, and a -2 to Wis.

So, I'm curious: why the change? Anyone know?

 

[kramis]

gnomis illusionist

I had a problem with this too ... gnomes currently suck, and are quite useless. Halflings make better illusionists.

It's a little better if you use the Arcane Gnome from Dragon Magazine. Same as a normal gnome except you lose the ability to talk to animals, but have, in addition to other modifiers, +2 Int, -2 Wis, and you get Use Magic Device always as a class skill.

You may ask your DM for some other small changes ... like losing the combat bonuses which are weird for a race that is magical and into jokes. Scent might be a good replacement, or +2 saves to all magic not just illusions. Or a bonus metamagic feat at 1st level that only applies to illusions spells. just some thoughts. Talk to your DM.

 

[FANGO]

I am actually pretty angry about the changes to gnome stats in 3e. In 2e, at least in the complete guide to gnomes & halflings (I was my group's official 'lover of the little people'), gnomes were described as extraordinarily strong for their size, and that was the reason they didn't get the str penalty (something which I've seen backed up in other fantasy sources). The int was because they were smart and good with illusions, and int was the spellcasting stat for wizards in 2e, and the wis was because they were pretty foolish and their pranks would backfire or have unintended results (as a result of them not planning far enough ahead, etc. etc.). The reason these stat mods were changed for 3e is because wizards seems to have had a problem with giving any PHB races a bonus to mental stats (though they also state that bonuses to mental stats are supposedly weaker then bonuses to physical stats, so if the reason was because they were concerned about overpowering pc races then they're just a bunch of hypocrites). Also, str -2 is standard for almost all small size creatures, and I suppose they gave the con bonus just so they could give gnomes a different stat mod than halflings got. The rest of the gnome abilities I don't mind much, but I really think they screwed up big time when they switched the stat mods. Personally, if anyone ever tries to play a gnome in my campaign, I am going to use the old stat mods...and I refuse to play a gnome myself with the 3e mods too.

On a side note, that arcane gnome doesn't sound too bad...the +2 con (and the -2 str, sort of) is still a mystery though.

 

[Shin Okada]

Gnomes and Halflings have Str penalty. But arcane casters do not need Str at all. So Gnome and Halfling casters do not suck. It is hard to choose Con or Dex. High Con gives you high HP, high Concentration skill, high Fortitude Save (covers the weak point of arcane casters). Dex gives you high initiative modifier, high AC, and good ranged (touch) attack bonus. Both high Con and high Dex are important for arcane casters.

 

[Eternalknight]

Well, if you don't like the ability score modifiers, simply change them. It surprises me how many people whinge and carry on when all you have to do is make a house rule about it.

 

[Hand of Vecna]

True enough, Eternalknight, but people wouldn't have to make House Rules if WotC hadn't made unclear/stupid/bewildering decisions in the first place...