Forest gnome. huh?

[Harrassed DM]

Our group was creating characters when one player decided to play a gnome. Looking in the MM at the gnome entry we noticed the forest gnome as an alternative.

What are the drawbacks for taking this little runt?

The abilities it gains over a normal gnome are:
Pass without trace at will (self only)
+1 to hit orcs and reptilian humonoids
Elven and sylvan instead of common
+4 racial ability to hide (+8 in wooded areas)
the ability to speak to forest animals at a basic level

They lose
the ability to cast speak with animals (burrowing mammal) 1/day

does this sound balanced in any way

this little runt is starting with a hide of 15 at first level. I know the GM has final say but we prefer to follow the rules. Have we missed something?

 

[Dinkeldog]

I don't see them listed in the DMG as a monster race. You could always give him an ECL of +1

 

[nsruf]

If you take the entry literally, the little fellow gets even better:

both the forest and rock gnome provide a +1 bonus to hit kobolds and goblinoids, and the forest gnome entry does not state that it replaces the standard gnome's abilities - so strictly by the rules, he gets +2 to hit

Even if you fix that, there seems hardly a reason to play a rock gnome - unless you desperately need to speak with burrowing mammals who don't live in the forest

Odd.

 

[rtricher]

Well the fact that he can't speak to anyone unless they speak elven has to be a drawback.. ANd he's still small.

 

[nsruf]

Well the fact that he can't speak to anyone unless they speak elven has to be a drawback..

All he needs is an Int 12+ to speak Common as well.

ANd he's still small.

So all gnomes suck, but forest gnomes suck less

 

[Dax Doomslayer]

Hi,
Actually the Forest Gnome is in the Races of Faerun book. It basically breaks down as follows:

They have all the characteristics of a gnome in the PHB except as follows:

+4 racial bonus to hide checks; (Increases to +8 in forest settings). This is in addition to bonus for Small size.

+1 racial bonus on attacks vs. kobolds; orcs; goblinoids and reptilian humanoids.

Auto Languages: Common; Gnome; Sylvan.
Bonus Languages: Draconic; Elven; Goblin; Halfling; Treant and Orc.

Spell-Like Abilities: At will - pass without trace and speak with animals. Treat as if cast by Druid of Forest Gnome's level. This is in addition to the Gnome ability to cast cantrips. Gnome can only use on himself.

Favored class: Illusionist

+1 Level Adjustment

Hope this helps!!

 

[the Jester]

Favored class: Illusionist

Well, there you go! For all the 3.5-haters- use FOREST GNOMES!!!