Really, No PC Gnomes! Stop Asking!

[Bolongo]

So, we don't roll for ability scores anymore, so what race you pick really doesn't matter.

Funnily enough, I would argue that it matters even more now.

 

[Ginnel]

You do realize you haven't at all explained why Gnomes are 'unplayable' in your what, 3-4 posts in this thread?

In fact, you've basically just made ludicrous statements the entire time.

I will admit, this did bring me a bit of nostalgia at the posting style of the WoW forums, but....not much else.

Agreed there is no evidence to suggest you can't play a gnome with the rules as given and no evidence has been provided by the original poster also even if there were no rules to support it you could still play one.

Edited for politeness

 

[Lanefan]

Methinks we'll be keeping 5d6 drop 2 lowest and play heroes who actually have the ability to do the job right.

In case anyone cares, here's a few numbers regarding such things:

The standard 4e array of 16-14-13-12-11-10 gives an overall average of 12.7. (well, 12.666666666 actually)
Rolling 4d6 drop the lowest gives an overall average of about 12.2.
Rolling 5d6 drop 2 gives an overall average of about 13.3

So, the array is halfway between the two rolling methods as far as average is concerned, but much less exciting when it comes to the possibility of having 7's and 18's as part of your character's starting stats package. And I for one would far rather play 18-14-13-12-11-7 (avg. 12.5) than the standard array. The 7 makes it fun, and the 18 makes it attractive to have in a party.

As for 4e Gnomes, if they have at-will invisibility as rumoured they're pretty much overpowered right there for a low-level party, given 4e's desire to have all thigns balanced.

Lanefan

 

[MindWanderer]

Another way to look at it is that 4d6 drop the lowest gives you a set of stats worth, on average, 20 points by the 4e method. 5d6 drop the lowest gives you stats worth about 30 points. It's a big difference.

I plan to give players the option of using 4d6 drop the lowest, with a floating +1 they can put anywhere they like. That's worth about 22 points, on average.

 

[baberg]

**Note to mods: I'm copying this short section of the PHB for the purpose of comment and criticism which clearly falls under my Fair Use rights in the US.

It's amazing how you typed out exactly what the PHB says, including every line break despite the fact that the rest of your text didn't use line breaks at all. Congratulations on sticking so close to the "Copy the work exactly" rule.

 

[neceros]

I hate gnomes.

However, you can indeed make a PC gnome from the MM. Tells you how. +2 INT and +2 CHA, etc.

 

[Gort]

Methinks we'll be keeping 5d6 drop 2 lowest and play heroes who actually have the ability to do the job right.

Your method doesn't guarantee PCs with high stats. Surely a higher-powered array would do the job better?

 

[Jer]

So can someone who actually wants to have the discussion in the Subject line explain why the rules in the MM for gnomes aren't enough to make gnomes playable as a PC race? I'm actually curious about the topic and I haven't seen either diddly or squat that makes me think gnomes are unusable as a player race with the guidelines provided in the book.

What is missing from the write-up that is needed to use them as a PC race?

 

[FireLance]

What is missing from the write-up that is needed to use them as a PC race?

I'm guessing (since I don't have the books): your DM's approval.

Oh, and being willing to get over the fact that they aren't in the PH would probably help, too.

 

[Jer]

I'm guessing (since I don't have the books): your DM's approval.

Oh, and being willing to get over the fact that they aren't in the PH would probably help, too.

I'm the DM, so neither one of those are going to be an issue for me

However the OP made a strong claim that:

"Even given the info from the Racial Traits chapter in the MM, there is no way you can play a PC gnome."

That suggests that s/he thinks that there's something missing or broken that NEEDS to be there to run a gnome PC. But there's no indication of what this missing element is. I'd like to know because I have a player who might want to make a gnome this time around - especially given the facelift gnomes have gotten this time around.