Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition race
Gnome (Rock)
Gnome (Rock) is a race in Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition: Small inventors whose Gnome Cunning grants advantage on mental saving throws against any magic.
Last reviewed
Key facts
- Speed
- 25
- Size
- Small
- Traits
- Darkvision, Gnome Cunning, Artificer's Lore, Tinker
- Languages
- Common, Gnomish
Overview
The rock gnome exists for Gnome Cunning: advantage on Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma saving throws against magic. Those three cover the overwhelming majority of spells that remove a character from a fight, which makes it arguably the strongest defensive racial trait in the SRD. Intelligence +2 with Constitution +1 points the gnome squarely at the wizard, and the supporting traits are flavor with teeth. Artificer's Lore doubles your proficiency on History checks about magical, alchemical, or technological objects, and Tinker builds Tiny clockwork devices that last 24 hours. Small size and a speed of 25 feet are the price.
How it works
Ability Score Increase: +2 Intelligence, +1 Constitution Size: Small Speed: 25 feet Darkvision: See in dim light within 60 feet as if it were bright light, and in darkness as if it were dim light. Gnome Cunning: Advantage on all Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma saving throws against magic. Artificer's Lore: Double your proficiency bonus on History checks related to magic items, alchemical objects, and technological devices. Tinker: Proficiency with tinker's tools. You can spend an hour and 10 gp of materials to build a Tiny clockwork device (a clockwork toy, a fire starter, or a music box) that works for 24 hours.
Tips and playstyle
Best Classes: Wizard (Intelligence plus a save profile that patches the class's biggest weakness), Rogue (Small size, stealth, and Cunning), and any character expecting to face spellcasters. Character Concepts: Eccentric inventor, curious scholar, clockwork enthusiast, alchemist, archivist adventurer, researcher testing a theory in the field. Why Choose Rock Gnome: Gnome Cunning is the reason. Advantage on three save categories against all magic protects a low-Wisdom wizard from precisely the effects that would otherwise end their turn, and unlike a damage bonus it never stops mattering.
Frequently asked questions
How strong is Gnome Cunning?
Very. Most save-or-lose spells target Wisdom, Charisma, or Intelligence, and advantage on a save is worth roughly a +5 bonus. A wizard with a poor Wisdom score is normally fragile against enchantments, and this trait removes that weakness outright.
Is Tinker worth using?
It is mostly flavor, but it is flavor with mechanical hooks: a clockwork toy, a fire starter, or a music box each last 24 hours and can create a distraction, light a fire without a tinderbox, or pull a guard's attention. Treat it as a problem-solving tool rather than a damage source.
Gnome or High Elf for a wizard?
The high elf brings a bonus cantrip and Dexterity +2 for a better armor class, while the rock gnome brings a better Constitution for concentration and far better saves against enemy magic. Take the elf for offense and the gnome for survivability.