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D&D 2024 Species GuideGnome Guide: Lineages, Classes and Builds

Which gnomish lineage to pick, the best classes for a gnome in the 2024 rules, and two builds ready to play.

2024 RULES 2014 RULES
Thrain Mapcarver
Resident DM · Updated October 21, 2026

Overview

At a glance
Size
Small
Speed
30 ft
Darkvision
60 ft
Best lineage
Forest Gnome
CasterTricksterUtility

The gnome has one of the best defensive traits in the game. Gnomish Cunning gives Advantage on Intelligence, Wisdom and Charisma saving throws, which are the saves against the spells and monster powers that charm, frighten, banish or take control of you. On top of that you get a lineage with free magic, Darkvision, and 30-foot speed despite being Small.

Your background sets your ability scores, so a gnome is no longer limited to Intelligence classes. Any class that fears losing its turn to a spell will like it.

Thrain's take

The mind flayer does not care how many hit points you have. It cares what you roll on that Intelligence save, and a gnome rolls it twice. I have watched the smallest one in the party be the only one who did not walk off a cliff. Take Forest Gnome unless you have a very good reason to build toys.

Strengths
  • Gnomish Cunning: Advantage on three of the six saving throws, the three that stop mind control
  • Forest Gnome gets Minor IllusionMinor IllusionIllusion cantripCastingActionRange30 feetDuration1 minuteYou create a sound or an image of an object within range that lasts for the duration. See the descriptions below for the effects of each. The illusion ends if you cast this spell again. and free Speak with AnimalsSpeak with Animals1st-level DivinationRitualCastingActionRangeSelfDuration10 minutesFor the duration, you can comprehend and verbally communicate with Beasts, and you can use any of the Influence action's skill options with them. casts
  • Small size with a full 30-foot speed
  • Lineage spells use Intelligence, Wisdom or Charisma, whichever your class casts with
Weaknesses
  • No help with Strength, Dexterity or Constitution saves
  • Rock Gnome's tinkering is mostly flavor
  • Small size limits which creatures you can grapple and ride

Gnome Traits

Darkvision

60 feet.

Gnomish Cunning

Advantage on Intelligence, Wisdom and Charisma saving throws. That covers charm, fear, most mind-affecting spells and banishment.

Gnomish Lineage

Choose Forest Gnome or Rock Gnome, and pick Intelligence, Wisdom or Charisma as the spellcasting ability for its spells.

Gnomish Lineages, Rated

Legendary: build around it Epic: excellent Rare: good Uncommon: works Common: weak fit
Forest Gnome
Minor IllusionMinor IllusionIllusion cantripCastingActionRange30 feetDuration1 minuteYou create a sound or an image of an object within range that lasts for the duration. See the descriptions below for the effects of each. The illusion ends if you cast this spell again. is one of the best cantrips in the game: a fake crate to hide behind or a sound to pull a guard away. You also always have Speak with AnimalsSpeak with Animals1st-level DivinationRitualCastingActionRangeSelfDuration10 minutesFor the duration, you can comprehend and verbally communicate with Beasts, and you can use any of the Influence action's skill options with them. prepared and can cast it without a slot a number of times equal to your Proficiency Bonus per Long Rest.
Epic
Rock Gnome
MendingMendingTransmutation cantripCastingMinuteRangeTouchDurationInstantaneousThis spell repairs a single break or tear in an object you touch, such as a broken chain link, two halves of a broken key, a torn cloak, or a leaking wineskin. and PrestidigitationPrestidigitationTransmutation cantripCastingActionRange10 feetDuration1 hourYou create a magical effect within range. Choose the effect from the options below. If you cast this spell multiple times, you can have up to three of its non-instantaneous effects active at a time. Sensory Effect., and you can spend 10 minutes casting Prestidigitation to build a Tiny clockwork device that repeats one of the spell's effects. You can keep up to three at a time. Charming, occasionally clever, rarely decisive.
Rare

Best Classes for a Gnome

Wizard
Advantage on top of your Intelligence and Wisdom save proficiencies, plus Charisma saves against banishment. The party caster rarely loses a turn to an enemy spell.
Legendary
Warlock
Charisma-cast Minor Illusion, Advantage on the mental saves, and talking animals for spies. A strong trickster warlock.
Epic
Sorcerer
Sorcerers have good Constitution and Charisma saves already. The gnome adds Advantage on Wisdom and Intelligence saves too.
Epic
Rogue (Forest Gnome)
Minor Illusion creates cover to hide behind, and the mental saves protect the one character the party sends in alone.
Epic
Bard
A Charisma caster who cannot afford to be turned against the party. Speak with Animals turns the local wildlife into witnesses.
Epic
Druid (Forest Gnome)
Speak with Animals is already a druid spell, so the free casts save slots.
Rare
Cleric
Clerics are proficient in Wisdom and Charisma saves already. Advantage still helps, and Intelligence saves are covered too.
Rare
Ranger
A Forest Gnome ranger talks to animals and shoots from behind illusions. A good scout who resists being charmed.
Rare
Monk
Works, and the monk's own save features cover more ground later on. Small size does not slow you down.
Uncommon
Fighter
Fighters have bad Wisdom saves, so the cunning helps. You need Strength 13 for heavy melee weapons, same as anyone in 2024.
Uncommon
Paladin
Fine, but the paladin's aura already shores up saves, so the gnome's best trait overlaps.
Uncommon
Barbarian
You cannot cast lineage spells while Raging, and the barbarian has no use for the illusion.
Common

Gnome Builds

Gnome wizard
CasterThe Clockwork Evoker
Lineage
Rock Gnome
Class
Wizard (Evoker)
Background
Sage (Magic InitiateMagic InitiateOrigin featChoose a level 1 spell from the same list you selected for this feat's cantrips. You always have that spell prepared. You can cast it once without a spell slot, and you regain the ability to cast it in that way when you finish a Long Rest.)
8STR
14DEX
14CON
17INT
12WIS
10CHA

A blaster who does not fail the save that turns them against the party. Mending and Prestidigitation are free, so the wizard cantrips can all be for fights.

Build this gnome
Free to start. No card needed.
Gnome rogue
StealthThe Little Illusionist
Lineage
Forest Gnome
Class
Rogue (Thief)
Background
Criminal (AlertAlertOrigin featWhen you roll Initiative, you can add your Proficiency Bonus to the roll.)
8STR
17DEX
15CON
12INT
13WIS
10CHA

Make a crate with Minor IllusionMinor IllusionIllusion cantripCastingActionRange30 feetDuration1 minuteYou create a sound or an image of an object within range that lasts for the duration. See the descriptions below for the effects of each. The illusion ends if you cast this spell again., duck behind it, and Sneak Attack from inside it. Alert gets you into the fight first.

Build this gnome
Free to start. No card needed.

Gnome FAQ

Is the gnome good in D&D 2024?

Yes. Gnomish Cunning gives Advantage on Intelligence, Wisdom and Charisma saves, which protects you from charm, fear and mind control. With a free illusion or utility cantrip and 30-foot speed, it is one of the best species for casters.

What is the best gnome lineage in D&D 2024?

Forest Gnome for most characters. Minor Illusion is a top cantrip for stealth and tricks, and you get free casts of Speak with Animals. Rock Gnome gives Mending, Prestidigitation and small clockwork devices, which are more flavor than power.

Do gnomes get an Intelligence bonus in D&D 2024?

No. In the 2024 rules ability score increases come from your background. A gnome can be any class without falling behind.

Can a gnome use heavy weapons in D&D 2024?

Yes. In the 2024 rules Small size no longer matters for Heavy weapons. You only need a Strength of 13 or higher for Heavy melee weapons, the same as any other species.

Keep reading

Wizard Guide: Build, Spells and RatingsD&D 2024 Class Guide
How to Build a TricksterD&D Build Guide
Halfling Guide: Traits, Classes and BuildsD&D 2024 Species Guide

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This guide includes material from the System Reference Document 5.2 by Wizards of the Coast LLC, licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. TableForge is not affiliated with Wizards of the Coast. Full licenses.