Gnome (2024) Guide 5e

What is this guide?

This guide is meant to give you an idea of whether or not the gnome (2024) will be right for your 5e character build.

The color code below has been implemented to help you identify, at a glance, how good that option will be for your gnome (2024). This color coding isn’t a hard and fast rule; there are plenty of sub-optimized options out there that will be viable to your party and will be fun to play.

• Red : Isn’t going to contribute to the effectiveness of your character build at all
• Orange : Situationally good, but a below-average option otherwise
• Green : A good option
• Blue : A great option, you should strongly consider this option for your character
• Sky Blue: An amazing option. If you do not take this option your character would not be optimized

What are Gnomes in 5e?

Gnomes may be little in stature, but they’re brimming with boundless curiosity and a drive for endless invention. Born from divine magic, gnomes first kept to secluded forests and hidden burrows, where they wove clever traps and enchanted paths to fend off intruders.

Gnomes are lively and lighthearted, their homes abuzz with the hum of whirring gears and the occasional pop or sizzle of experimentation gone awry. Every gnome community is a blend of busy creation and laughter, with gnomes finding joy in crafting, tinkering, and discovering new wonders in life. Their personalities are as vibrant as their wild, frizzy hair and carefully trimmed beards. Standing just over three feet, they boast large eyes and broad smiles that mirror their enthusiasm for life.

Even outside their hidden homes, gnomes carry their talents into human lands, often as gemcutters, inventors, or wise tutors. Their long lives, often stretching over four centuries, allow them to deeply connect with generations of human families. In all things, gnomes approach life with unbridled dedication, whether inventing new machines, perfecting their crafts, or sharing a good joke. For them, life’s a grand adventure, best enjoyed to the fullest, and they’ve no plans to waste a moment of it.

Gnome (2024) 5e Traits

Size: A Small size comes with some drawbacks, such as wielding certain weapons and grappling. On the other side, Small creatures are better at hiding and can more easily move around the battlefield.

Speed: It’s worth noting that, despite their Small size, Gnomes have a 30-foot speed like all the other races in the 2024 Player’s Handbook, rather than the 25-foot speed they had previously.

Darkvision: 60 feet of Darkvision will always come in handy.

Gnome Cunning: Advantage on saving throws that target Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma is an amazing ability and can be very useful when facing enemy spellcasters.

Gnomish Lineage:

• Forest Gnome: Minor Illusion is a great cantrip. While it may not be a huge damage dealer, it has a ton of utility. Speak with Animals can be helpful, but it also isn’t always going to be useful.
• Rock Gnome: Mending and Prestidigitation are situational spells that won’t have a huge effect on your combat abilities. They will come in handy outside of combat, though. Also, you can craft a Tiny clockwork device that mimics the effects of Prestidigitation. I quite like this, just from the realm of shenanigans. Its main limitation will be how creative you are with it.