Explore the whimsical world of Baldur’s Gate 3 with our comprehensive guide to the Gnome race, a clever and energetic choice for adventurers. Known for their cunning and magical prowess, gnomes bring unique abilities and subraces—Rock, Forest, and Deep—that cater to various playstyles. Whether you aim to master spells or stealth, understanding the strengths and characteristics of this fascinating race will enhance your journey through Faerûn’s vibrant landscapes. Delve into the intricacies of gnome features, from their innate advantages in saving throws to their distinctive subrace traits, and discover why these small but mighty beings are perfect for your next character creation.
Basic stats and race abilities
Gnomes in Baldur’s Gate 3 possess unique racial traits and ability score increases that enhance their gameplay. Basic Stats: Gnomes receive a +2 bonus to Intelligence, reflecting their innate cleverness and affinity for magic. Additionally, they gain a +1 bonus to Dexterity, making them agile and adept at avoiding danger. Race Abilities: Gnomes have access to special abilities such as “Darkvision,” allowing them to see in dim light as if it were bright light, and “Gnome Cunning,” which grants them advantage on all Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma saving throws against magic. These traits make gnomes versatile characters capable of excelling in various roles, particularly as spellcasters or support classes.
After leaving early access, BG3 abandoned the mechanic of adding bonuses to stats depending on race. From now on, every player can choose a 1 and 2 bonus to any stat, regardless of race. This means that choosing a race will mainly influence the appearance of your character and the presence of appropriate race abilities.
Base race speed : The distance you can travel each turn is 7.5 meters.
Gnome Cunning
The natural sharpness of gnomish minds gives them an advantage on Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma saving throws.
This feature makes it much easier for the Gnome characters to resist the results of enemy spells, charms, or other negative effects.
Subraces
Gnomes in Baldur’s Gate 3 are divided into three distinct subraces, each offering unique traits and abilities that enhance gameplay. Rock Gnomes are known for their resilience and affinity for craftsmanship, gaining advantages in history checks and possessing darkvision. Forest Gnomes, smaller and more reclusive, excel in magic and can communicate with animals, also benefiting from darkvision. Lastly, Deep Gnomes thrive in the Underdark, utilizing superior darkvision and stealth skills to navigate their shadowy environment. These subraces allow players to tailor their gnome characters to fit various playstyles, whether focusing on combat, magic, or stealth.
Rock Gnome
Famous throughout Faerun for their excellent skills in processing and working with metal. Their technical skills manifest through the racial trait Artificer’s Lore. It grants Rock Gnomes twice proficiency bonus to History checks. This is a passive skill that activates automatically with appropriate rolls.
Additionally, this subrace is able to see up to 12 meters in the dark thanks to Darkvision.
Forest Gnome
Gnomes that live in the depths of the forest wilderness, away from prying eyes and the problems of other races. Their close relationship with nature means they naturally know the first-level spell, Speak with Animals. The latest game of Larian Studio includes numerous situations in which the ability to talk with an animal may prove useful or at least interesting/funny.
Like their rock cousins, Forest Gnomes can see up to 12 meters in the dark.
Deep Gnome
Clever inhabitants of the Underdark. Decades spent in the hostile underground have resulted in mastering the ability of Stone Camouflage, which provides them with an advantage in stealth check.
Their eyes, accustomed to darkness, also allow them to see in the dark, up to 24 meters away, thanks to Superior Darkvision.
The best class for a Gnome
Gnomes in Baldur’s Gate 3 are versatile characters, making them well-suited for several classes, but the best class for a Gnome largely depends on their subrace. Deep Gnomes excel as Rogues due to their high Dexterity and abilities like Stone Camouflage, which enhances their stealth capabilities. Forest Gnomes also thrive as Rogues or Rangers, leveraging their natural affinity for magic and communication with animals. Meanwhile, Rock Gnomes shine as Wizards, benefiting from their higher Constitution and the ability to maintain concentration on spells longer. Overall, the combination of Gnome traits and class abilities allows for a dynamic and engaging gameplay experience in Baldur’s Gate 3.
The grand intellectual potential of Gnomes makes representatives of this race seem to be fantastic material for Mages. The high Intelligence of this class goes well with, for example, the Resistance guaranteed by Gnome Cunning, or the bonus to the History checks of the rock subrace.
What are the unique abilities of each gnome subrace
In Baldur’s Gate 3, gnomes are a versatile race with three distinct subraces, each offering unique abilities that enhance gameplay. Here’s a breakdown of the unique features of each gnome subrace:
Rock Gnome
- Darkvision: Can see in dim light as if it were bright light and in darkness as if it were dim light, up to 12 meters.
- Artificer’s Lore: Gain double proficiency bonus on History checks related to magical, alchemical, or technological items, making them adept at recalling useful information about such topics.
Forest Gnome
- Darkvision: Similar to Rock Gnomes, they can see in the dark up to 12 meters.
- Speak with Animals: This innate ability allows them to comprehend and verbally communicate with beasts, providing unique opportunities for interaction and strategy in encounters.
Deep Gnome (Svirfneblin)
- Superior Darkvision: Enhanced vision that allows them to see in the dark up to 24 meters.
- Stone Camouflage: They gain advantage on Stealth checks when in rocky terrain, making them exceptional at sneaking and ambushing enemies.
These subrace features not only define the gnome’s role within a party but also enhance their individual playstyles, whether through crafting and knowledge, nature-based interactions, or stealthy maneuvers in combat.
What are the strengths and weaknesses of each gnome subrace
In Baldur’s Gate 3, each gnome subrace offers distinct strengths and weaknesses, shaping their roles in gameplay. Here’s an overview of the strengths and weaknesses of Rock Gnomes, Forest Gnomes, and Deep Gnomes:
Rock Gnome
Strengths:
- Artificer’s Lore: Provides a significant bonus on History checks related to magical and technological items, making them excellent for crafting and knowledge-based roles.
- Gnome Cunning: Advantage on Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma saving throws enhances their resilience against mental effects, which is beneficial for classes vulnerable to such attacks.
Weaknesses:
- Limited Combat Options: Their small size restricts the effective use of heavy weapons, limiting their combat versatility compared to larger races.
- Niche Role: While they excel in specific builds (like artificers), they may not be as versatile across all classes due to their ability score increases focusing primarily on Intelligence.
Forest Gnome
Strengths:
- Speak with Animals: This ability allows for unique interactions with beasts, enhancing role-playing opportunities and providing tactical advantages in encounters.
- Minor Illusion Spell: Access to a useful cantrip that can aid in stealth or deception tactics, making them adaptable in various situations.
Weaknesses:
- Stealth Limitations: While they have stealth capabilities, they do not possess the same level of stealth bonuses as Deep Gnomes, making them less suited for stealth-focused roles.
- Less Combat Focused: Their abilities lean more towards utility and support rather than direct combat effectiveness, which may limit their impact in battle scenarios.
Deep Gnome (Svirfneblin)
Strengths:
- Superior Darkvision: Allows them to see in complete darkness up to 24 meters, making them highly effective in subterranean environments or dark areas.
- Stone Camouflage: Advantage on Stealth checks when in rocky terrain enhances their capabilities as scouts or ambushers, making them ideal for stealthy builds like Rogues.
Weaknesses:
- Situational Stealth Advantage: While their stealth abilities are strong, they may not always be applicable depending on the environment, limiting their effectiveness outside rocky areas.
- Limited Utility Outside Stealth: Compared to Rock and Forest Gnomes, they may lack broader utility options that can be leveraged in various gameplay scenarios.
Overall, each gnome subrace brings unique advantages to character builds while also presenting specific challenges that players must navigate based on their chosen class and playstyle.
