Honestly, how often have you used gnomes?

[Simon Marks]

I've never played a Gnome. In games I've run, no-one has ever played a Gnome.

That's in - gosh - 20 years.

 

[WhatGravitas]

I like Eberron's take on gnomes... and use them there as NPCs... otherwise they get thrown out.

Cheers, LT:

 

[Creamsteak]

I had an entire campaign centered around gnomes as the rulers of a great evil empire that spanned the world. I've also otherwise used them fairly frequently.

 

[Perun]

I've played gnomes ever since I got in D&D some 15 years ago.

Mechanically, gnomes and halflings share two problems: low speed and Strength penalty. These two penalties can really make some character roles difficult to pursue.

Flavour wise, I always thought halflings had less flavour than gnomes. It's true that gnomes are somewhere between dwarves and elves, but they're actually neither. Halflings, on the other hand, come in three varieties: human halflings (lightfeet -- or hairfeet in earlier editions), dwarf halflings (stouts) and elf halflings (tallfellows).

But, halflings have one advantage over gnomes -- they're "sexy". They, like elves, are always portrayed or described as handsome or athletic (well, in 5(.5)e, anyways ). Just look at the character line-up in the 3(.5)e PH.

Gnomes, OTOH, in 1e/2e looked like large-nosed elderly men, and in 3e they've got exaggerated, child-like features . Plus they have the whole Dragonlance tinker gnome baggage thing going on (halflings are also somewhat haunted by the kender heritage, but it's significantly less annoying than the baggage of tinger gnomes).

The initial 3e favoured class: illusionist didn't help either. The 3.5e had the right idea with bard as the favoured class, but bard has problems of its own, and the choice didn't really help much.

That's another point for the halflings. The big four of adventuring groups -- tank, healer, blaster, scout/trapfinder. Gnomes don't really have a defined part in any of those roles (half-eves are similar in that regard, but they at least have a 30-ft. speed ).

 

[Ander00]

Gnomes feature prominently in my homebrew campaign world. And I'm playing a gnome in another campaign at the moment. So yes, I have been using them (about as often as any other demi-humans actually). Other members of my group have played gnomes as well.


cheers

 

[Jinete]

A friend once played a Gnome bard. He played him as an irresponsible, quick witted, silver tongued wanderer, who liked to drink a tad too much. Great character, really funny. Got creamed in the first round of the first encounter.

 

[(Psi)SeveredHead]

I played a gnome wizard once... just for the Small size and +2 Con. There was no flavor consideration. My Eberron halfling wizard was much more fun (had a touch of Dark Sun in him).

Eberron gnomes are kind of cool. I haven't seen cool gnomes in any other settings (regardless of edition) but have seen very uncool gnomes in Dragonlance.

 

[Wormwood]

tl;dr

Been playing D&D since 1979

I only recall one gnome being played in all that time.

That character's name was "Uncle Bignose". Steve, if you are reading this, drop me an email!

 

[Wolfspider]

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.

Quoted for bringing the essence of the issue into focus.

 

[Calico_Jack73]

Some of my favorite characters have been Gnomes. I for one will miss seeing them as a character option...