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Message: <blockquote data-quote="James Gasik" data-source="post: 9014764" data-attributes="member: 6877472">I like Halfling warriors.  I've played Halfling Barbarians, Fighters, Monks, and even (in 4e), a Hybrid Assassin/Blackguard.  For me, I'm always amused by the idea of a person about the size of an 8 year old (or shorter, depending on edition) wielding oversized weapons and being able to kick monster tail, even with their disadvantages (in a similar vein, I have a 2e Gnome Fighter/Priest dubbed "The World's Strongest Gnome").Not only are smallfolk popular in D&D just for their size, but I think for many players, they present a way to play a "kid hero" without ruffling feathers (I recall an incident where someone wanted to play a Child Vampire in V:tM, and several other players, who have children of their own, were not ok with the idea).A quick Google image search will find you a sea of short heroes, so obviously someone finds them popular.  No, they're not as edgy as Tieflings, born with cursed blood.  Or as pretty as Elves.  Or have wings (because some players just want feathers).  But Halflings have their fans, and 7th most popular out of, what, 50 odd races?  That sounds about right to me.In fact, other smallfolk have devoted fanbases as well, such as Goblins and Kobolds.  As for why Gnomes get the, forgive the pun, short shrift here, I think it has to do with the same issues that have plagued the race since AD&D- their niche is ill-defined.There's overlap between Gnomes and several other, more popular races.  They burrow underground.  They live in forests in harmony with nature.  They are magical and long-lived.  They are small and known for being good folk, if mischievous.Once the cap was thrown off on what races were allowed to be magic-users, the Gnomes became pretty bland, with only their role as mad scientists and alchemists remaining (which has always been badly supported in D&D, with many players despising anything more advanced than bastard swords or articulated plate armor).Certain settings, like Dragonlance and Eberron have given Gnomes a unique place, but in generic D&D?  They're just, there, man.I'm not giving Halflings a free pass either; their culture is either a ripoff of Tolkien, nomadic river people (sometimes who travel in Romani-style caravans for extra cringe), or, thanks to Dark Sun and Eberron, wild savages.  In fact, the most unique thing about Halflings is that they are not really unique; they hang out in human settlements, adopt human culture, and are basically like us, but smaller.  But ironically, I think that gives them an edge because they are also familiar.  It doesn't take a lot of effort to figure out how to play a Halfling.You don't have to put yourself in an alien, detached mindset (like being a long-lived Elf) or be grumpy and grouchy (like the stereotypical Dwarf).  You don't even need to worry about whether or not you'll eat your best friend today or tomorrow (yes, I still despise lizardmen)!</blockquote>

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