Revision Spotlight on Gnomes

[Murrdox]

Okay, this favored class change cheeses me off.

When I think "Gnomes" the things I think of are Illusionists, Alchemists, Tinkerers, Inventors, and the like. That's what Gnomes DO. Sure, they can sing, dance, and party with the best of them as well... but their skills revolve around magic and alchemy.

In my mind, changing the favored class to Bard makes NO sense whatsoever, and there is no justification for it. The only thing I can think of is that they want to highlight the changes in the Bard class, and they wanted the favored class to match the class of the new "Iconic" character.

Not that this is going to affect our group that much, not many people in our group play Gnomes, and even LESS play multiclassed gnomes.

If they keep this rule when 3.5 comes out, as far as I'm concerned, my players will be able to keep Illusionist as their favored class. I'm not holding onto a sacred cow here, I just think making "Bard" the favored class goes against everything that is common knowledge about gnomes.

It's like changing a Dwarf's favored class to Wizard.

 

[the_mighty_agrippa]

nertz, i'm playing a gnome illusionist - figgle de fey - and i steady rock the game. +1 dc? nootch!

 

[Spatzimaus]

The Favored Class for Gnomes really DID need a serious change. I mean, every other race got a full class, and they only get a subclass?
IMC we made Gnome FC be Sorcerer and switched Elves to Psion, but that's just because we removed Wizard as a class (don't ask.)

What gets me, though, is how they seem to be mixing the "small" races. To me, if anyone should be a Bard race, it's the Halflings. But hey, I'm just glad they're doing something to TRY to fix the problem. I've grouped with a couple Gnomes, and in every case someone made the comment "you know, you'd have been much better as a Human"

 

[Darklone]

Okay, this favored class change cheeses me off.

When I think "Gnomes" the things I think of are Illusionists, Alchemists, Tinkerers, Inventors, and the like. That's what Gnomes DO. Sure, they can sing, dance, and party with the best of them as well... but their skills revolve around magic and alchemy.

IMHO this fits the bard class better than any other class. It's the only class with enough skillpoints for tinkering/alchemy/inventing and knowledge, they cast illusions like any mage (at least prolly in 3.5) and they are not the serious hardworking type like the wizard.

I have the impression that most peoples problem with this change is due to their restrictive view of the bard class

If they'd consider the bard as Jack of all Trades instead of simply minstrel, it would fit the gnomes pretty well.

 

[Murrdox]

IMH
If they'd consider the bard as Jack of all Trades instead of simply minstrel, it would fit the gnomes pretty well.

The problem here is that a "singing minstrel" trait is what sets the bard apart from the other classes in the first place. Yes, they are "Jack of all Trades" as well, but first and foremost they are singers and performers.

And Rogues still get more skill points in 3.5, as far as we know.

 

[RigaMortus]

Okay, this favored class change cheeses me off.

When I think "Gnomes" the things I think of are Illusionists, Alchemists, Tinkerers, Inventors, and the like. That's what Gnomes DO. Sure, they can sing, dance, and party with the best of them as well... but their skills revolve around magic and alchemy.

So are you suggesting that a Gnome Bard can not be a good illusionist, alchemist, tinkerer, or inventor? Not all Bard's need to sing and dance or do poetry. That's like saying, when I think of Rogue I think of Thieves or Assassins. That isn't very open minded, is it?

Besides, it's not like you can't play a Gnome Illusionist anymore. It's just not their Favored Class. The only time that will come into play is during multiclass situations. If you were intent on making a "Gnome Illusionist" to begin with, then why are you multiclassing?

 

[RigaMortus]

They actually slaughtered a sacred cow. Wow.

They already slaughtered a sacred cow when they decided to nerf Harm. I am sure there are a few sacred cows they slaughtered in the 2e/3e conversion to. Paladin as only Humans comes to mind. So it's not like it's anything new.

 

[Staffan]

And Rogues still get more skill points in 3.5, as far as we know.

But likely not the appropriate class skills.

 

[RigaMortus]

The problem here is that a "singing minstrel" trait is what sets the bard apart from the other classes in the first place. Yes, they are "Jack of all Trades" as well, but first and foremost they are singers and performers.

And Rogues still get more skill points in 3.5, as far as we know.

To say Bards are singers and performers first and foremost, is like saying Rogues are thieves and assassins first and foremost. A very narrowminded view of a class.

 

[Caliban]

This week's 3.5 Spotlight is on the revised gnome race. It can be found here.
Changes include:
Add +1 to the Difficulty Class for all saving throws against illusion spells cast by gnomes.

Weapon Familiarity: Gnomes may treat gnome hooked hammers as martial weapons rather then exotic weapons.

Favored class is Bard.

Gnomes now use CHA instead of INT to get their inate spells.

Boy, conversion is going to suck for a multi-classed gnome illusionists.

Gnome ftr2/ill6 welcome to 20% XP penalty land.

Gnome Ftr2/Rog3/Ill6 welcome to 40% xp penalty land! Whee!