Honestly, how often have you used gnomes?

[ruleslawyer]

Their coolness.

What exactly *is* so cool about gnomes anyway? Short plus long noses and beards and resemblance to Santa elves or garden gnomes seemed to dictate quite the opposite in the games I've played, for better or worse.

Race that does not come from an austere ancient culture or one-note joke characters from Dragonlance.

Aren't they a one-note joke in Dragonlance?

 

[Angel Tarragon]

I've never played one and as DM I never ran one.

 

[TwinBahamut]

If you don't like elves, it's a campaign choice and a matter of personal preference.

If you don't like dwarves, it's a campaign choice and a matter of personal preference.

If you don't like half-elves, it's a campaign choice and a matter of personal preference.

If you don't like half-orcs, it's a campaign choice and a matter of personal preference.

If you don't like halflings, it's a campaign choice and a matter of personal preference.

If you don't like gnomes, clearly WotC should remove them from the PHB.

Because too many people are Quoting this as Truth, I will present the more correct alternative.

If the majority of players like a race, it should be included in the PHB.

If the majority of players do not like a race, it should not be included in the PHB.

Market research indicated that the majority of players like Tieflings and Humanoid Dragons.

Market research indicated that the majority of players do not like Gnomes.

The more popular Tielfings and Dragonborn are going to be included, and the less popular Gnome is not going to be included.

Nice and logical.

 

[Mark Chance]

Market research indicated that the majority of players do not like Gnomes.

IOW, the only reason to exclude gnomes is because of preference. The matter isn't logical; it is merely a marketing decision based on perceived fashion trends.

 

[beholdsa]

I use gnomes all the time! I'd rather get rid of those pesky halflings.

Gnomes forever!

 

[ruleslawyer]

IOW, the only reason to exclude gnomes is because of preference. The matter isn't logical; it is merely a marketing decision based on perceived fashion trends.

When you're in business to sell stuff to people, banking on those people's preferences *is* logical. There's a reason why the term "preference" plays such a large part in economics, after all.

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

I use gnomes all the time! I'd rather get rid of those pesky halflings.

Gnomes forever!

If they renamed 3E/4E halflings as "kender," which apparently Races & Classes suggests is what they are, I wonder how people would feel about gnomes killing hobbits and taking their stuff.

 

[Cam Banks]

Aren't they a one-note joke in Dragonlance?

We have a whole chapter on them in Races of Ansalon, with the express intent of making people look beyond the stereotype. I think it does the trick. Oh, and we include half-gnomes! Ah, half-gnomes.

Cheers,
Cam

 

[Mark Chance]

When you're in business to sell stuff to people, banking on those people's preferences *is* logical. There's a reason why the term "preference" plays such a large part in economics, after all.

Forgive my pedantry, but it isn't logical. It is sensible. Regardless, the point stands: The only reason gnomes are being excluded is because of subjective judgments. Being curious: Where is this market research? Does it even exist?

 

[Driddle]

Fingledorp Winglestamp, Gnomish Freelance Chartered Accountant, once approached a PC party and offered to manage their finances, invest their treasure as capital, and acquire interests in businesses that would help them in their adventures ...

That's funny. MY gnomish accountant-turned-adventurer was named Kalkulayt Thunderquill.

Gnomes can find something amusing even in math.