Gnome Cleric Guide (DND 5E)

Welcome to our comprehensive guide on playing a gnome cleric in Dungeons and Dragons 5th Edition (DND 5E). Gnomes are a unique race with their own set of abilities and traits that can make them excellent choices for clerics. In this guide, we will explore the strengths and potential builds for gnome clerics, as well as provide tips and recommendations for creating a powerful and engaging character.

Before we dive in, let’s take a closer look at the gnome race and their abilities. Gnomes are known for their curiosity, love of tinkering, and connection to nature. They possess a natural inclination towards intelligence-based classes, making them well-suited for spellcasting roles like the cleric.

In terms of abilities, gnomes have a unique trait called Gnome Cunning. This trait grants them advantage on mental saving throws, making them resilient against mind-affecting hazards. This can be especially valuable for a cleric who often finds themselves at the forefront of battle, aiding their allies and protecting them from harm.

Key Takeaways:

• Gnomes make excellent choices for clerics due to their affinity for intelligence-based classes and their Gnome Cunning trait.
• The Forest Gnome subrace, with its ability to cast Minor Illusion, adds versatility to a gnome cleric’s spellcasting options.
• Consider choosing Desna as your deity, as her domains align well with the playful and curious nature of gnomes.
• Customizing Your Origin rules from Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything expand the gnome’s build options and make them more viable in different roles.
• With the right subrace and deity choice, gnome clerics can thrive in a support and healing role, while their Gnome Cunning provides additional defense against mind-affecting hazards.

Gnome Classes (Customizable Origins)

The Customizing Your Origin rules from Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything have opened up new possibilities for gnome characters in Dungeons and Dragons. With these rules, gnomes can now customize their origins and tailor their abilities to better suit their chosen class.

One of the standout features of gnomes is their innate magical nature, and this extends to their ability to grant advantage on mental saving throws with their Gnome Cunning trait. While this trait traditionally makes gnomes well-suited for spellcasters, it also provides a valuable defense for any class that relies on mental resilience.

The Svirfneblin, also known as deep gnomes, excel in stealth and subterfuge. Their proficiency with illusion magic and their Stone Camouflage ability make them an excellent choice for rogues or other sneaky classes.

On the other hand, the Forest Gnome’s ability to cast the cantrip Minor Illusion can be a valuable asset for any class that can utilize illusions to their advantage. Whether it’s a wizard creating distractions, a bard adding an extra layer of flair to their performances, or even a rogue creating illusions to confuse enemies, the Forest Gnome’s innate magical ability can enhance a wide range of character concepts.

“The customizable origins introduced in Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything have breathed new life into gnome characters. Now, gnomes can truly shine in a variety of classes, offering unique abilities and playstyles that suit different adventures.” – Nell Flittergoose, professional gnome adventurer

To illustrate the customizable nature of gnome classes, let’s take a look at a table that showcases some of the popular class options and how gnomes can customize their abilities:

Gnome Classes (Default Rules)

When it comes to gnome classes in Dungeons and Dragons, the default rules offer some interesting choices. Gnomes may be more niche options that work well in specific builds, but they can bring unique benefits to certain classes. Let’s take a closer look at how gnomes fare under the default rules.

Gnome Ability Scores and Class Suitability

Under the default rules, gnomes have specific ability score increases that may limit their versatility in certain classes. However, their innate traits make them particularly suitable for artificers and wizards, thanks to their emphasis on Intelligence. Gnomes excel in intricate craftsmanship and magical knowledge, making them a natural fit for these classes.

While gnomes may face challenges when playing other classes due to their limited ability score options, some subraces offer more versatility. The Svirfneblin (deep gnome) and Forest Gnome, for example, provide additional options beyond the default gnome traits.

Here’s a breakdown of how different gnome subraces fare under the default rules:

As you can see, gnomes may require more careful consideration when selecting a class under the default rules. However, with the right subrace, they can still offer interesting and viable options in the world of Dungeons and Dragons.

In the next section, we’ll explore gnome feats and how they can further enhance a gnome character’s abilities.

Gnome Feats

Gnomes in Dungeons and Dragons do not have any specific feats tied to their race, but there are general feats that can greatly benefit gnome characters in their adventures.

Fade Away

Fade Away is a feat that grants temporary invisibility, allowing gnomes to disappear from sight in moments of need. This can be a valuable asset in stealthy situations or when trying to escape from dangerous encounters.

Squat Nimbleness

Squat Nimbleness is another feat that gnomes can take advantage of. It not only provides increased speed but also boosts either Strength or Dexterity – essential attributes for many gnome adventurers who rely on their agility and nimbleness.

Svirfneblin Magic

Gnomes with the Svirfneblin subrace have access to Svirfneblin Magic. This feat allows them to cast spells like Nondetection or Blindness/Deafness, enhancing their magical abilities and providing additional options for overcoming challenges.

Mark of Scribing

Lastly, gnomes with the Mark of Scribing gain a unique feat that grants them additional spells and abilities related to writing and scribing. This can make them highly proficient in magical inscription and communication.

While gnomes may not have race-specific feats, these general feats offer plenty of opportunities for gnomish characters to excel in their adventures.

Gnome Dragonmarks

Gnomes in Dungeons and Dragons have the unique ability to possess dragonmarks, which are magical birthmarks that grant them extraordinary powers and abilities. These dragonmarks add an additional layer of versatility to gnome characters, allowing them to excel in various roles and challenges.

One of the notable gnome dragonmarks is the Mark of Scribing. Gnomes who bear this dragonmark possess a deep connection to writing and scribing, granting them expertise in specific skills associated with these disciplines. They have an innate talent for conveying information and manipulating the written word to shape reality.

The Mark of Scribing enables gnome characters to cast spells that are closely related to writing and scribing, such as Arcane Lock and Sending. These spells can be incredibly useful in a wide range of situations, from securing doors and containers with arcane locks to sending messages across great distances instantaneously. Gnomes with the Mark of Scribing can harness the power of their dragonmark to overcome challenges, protect allies, and influence the world around them.

“The Mark of Scribing is a testament to the gnomes’ deep connection to language, knowledge, and the written word. It grants them unparalleled expertise in areas related to writing and scribing, allowing them to make an indelible mark on the world.”

Gnome characters with the Mark of Scribing can bring valuable skills and abilities to adventuring parties. Their proficiency in writing, communication, and magical manipulation of words can be critical in solving puzzles, deciphering ancient texts, and uncovering hidden secrets. Whether they serve as sages, chroniclers, or magical scholars, gnomes with the Mark of Scribing play a vital role in unraveling the mysteries of the world.

Overall, gnome dragonmarks, such as the Mark of Scribing, enhance the diverse capabilities of gnome characters and offer players exciting opportunities for role-playing and strategic decision-making.

Gnome Dragonmark Abilities

*Please note that the table above is only a glimpse of the gnome dragonmark abilities, and other dragonmarks may exist within the game.

Artificer

Gnomes are incredibly well-suited for the artificer class in Dungeons and Dragons. Their natural inclination towards intelligence-based classes and their knack for tinkering and innovation make them ideal artificers. Among the gnome subraces, the Forest Gnome stands out as a popular choice for artificers due to its unique abilities and spellcasting potential.

The Forest Gnome’s ability to cast Minor Illusion can be a valuable asset for an artificer. This cantrip allows them to create illusions and manipulate their surroundings, enhancing their creativity and problem-solving skills as they craft ingenious contraptions and devices. It also provides them with versatile options in both social interactions and combat situations.

One of the defining features of gnomes is their Gnome Cunning. This trait grants them advantage on mental saving throws, providing an additional layer of durability to the artificer’s class features. Gnomes’ innate ability to resist mind-affecting effects allows them to maintain focus and control over their intricate inventions.

“Gnomes excel as artificers, combining their natural intelligence with their unique gnome abilities and spellcasting potential. Their knack for innovation and their crafty nature make them some of the most talented inventors and engineers in the world of Dungeons and Dragons.”

When building a gnome artificer, players should consider the various options available to them in terms of subclasses and spells. Each subclass offers unique features that cater to different playstyles and preferences. Additionally, selecting spells that complement the artificer’s abilities and contribute to their versatility is crucial.

Gnome Artificer Subclasses

Players should also consider the gnome’s ability score increases when building their gnome artificer. Gnomes receive a bonus to their Intelligence score, which is the primary stat for artificers. A high Intelligence score enhances the gnome artificer’s ability to craft potent magical items, develop complex inventions, and effectively utilize their spells and class features.

Overall, gnomes are an excellent choice for players looking to delve into the world of artificers in Dungeons and Dragons. Their innate intelligence, natural creativity, and unique racial traits make them exceptional inventors and engineers. Whether they are crafting magical gadgets, infusing objects with arcane power, or tinkering with complex mechanisms, gnome artificers bring a blend of ingenuity and whimsy to the adventuring party.

Barbarian

In the world of Dungeons and Dragons, gnomes may not be the first race that comes to mind when thinking of fierce, raging barbarians. However, their unique traits and abilities can actually make them capable warriors in the heat of battle.

Gnome Cunning is a trait that all gnomes possess, including gnome barbarians. This ability provides them with advantage on mental saving throws, making them more resistant to mind-affecting effects that can hinder a barbarian’s focus and resolve.

While any gnome subrace can work well for a barbarian, the Forest Gnome and the Mark of Scribing may have less combat-focused spells compared to other subraces. However, their other racial traits and abilities can still contribute to their effectiveness as barbarians.

The Forest Gnome’s ability to cast Minor Illusion can be useful in distracting enemies or creating camouflage in the midst of battle. Meanwhile, the Mark of Scribing gives gnomes access to spells and abilities related to writing and scribing, which may have limited direct combat applications but can enhance role-playing opportunities and character development.

Overall, gnomes can bring a unique perspective to the barbarian class, combining their natural resilience with their size and agility to surprise opponents in combat.

Bard

The Gnome race offers limited advantages to a bard character. Gnome Cunning is still useful for a bard’s mental saving throws, but the Forest Gnome’s access to Minor Illusion may not be as impactful since bards already have that cantrip. The Svirfneblin’s Superior Darkvision can be beneficial, especially in dark and stealthy situations.

While gnomes may not have specific racial features that directly enhance bard abilities, their Gnome Cunning trait can still be valuable. Gnome Cunning grants advantage on mental saving throws, which can help bards resist mind-affecting spells and effects.

Let’s take a look at the benefits and considerations when creating a gnome bard character:

1. Mental Resilience: Gnome Cunning provides advantage on mental saving throws, making gnome bards more resilient against spells such as charm or fear effects.
2. Limited Spellcasting Synergy: The Forest Gnome’s ability to cast Minor Illusion may not provide significant synergy for bards, as bards already have access to this cantrip. However, it can still be creatively used for additional utility or flavor.
3. Superior Darkvision: The Svirfneblin subrace’s Superior Darkvision can be advantageous for gnome bards, especially in low-light or dark environments where their heightened vision allows them to navigate and perceive hidden threats.

In summary, while gnomes may not have as many direct advantages for bard characters compared to other races, their Gnome Cunning trait and the Svirfneblin’s Superior Darkvision can still contribute to the success of a gnome bard build.

Example Bard Build: Gnome College of Lore Bard

This is an example build for a gnome bard following the College of Lore archetype. The College of Lore allows bards to obtain additional magical secrets and enhances their versatility with skill proficiencies and Cutting Words, which can potentially weaken enemy attacks. As a gnome, you can leverage your Gnome Cunning to resist mind-affecting spells that bards may typically be vulnerable to. This build focuses on utility, support, and the ability to control the battlefield through a wide selection of spells.

With their knack for creativity and their natural curiosity, gnomes can bring a unique flair to the art of bardic performance. Whether they mesmerize audiences with enchanting melodies or use their wit and charm to sway minds, gnome bards are sure to leave a lasting impression in the world of Dungeons and Dragons.

Next, let’s explore the possibilities of playing a gnome character in the cleric class.

Cleric

Gnomes can make excellent clerics in Dungeons and Dragons due to their natural inclination towards spellcasting and their Gnome Cunning trait. As spellcasters, gnomes have access to a variety of healing and support spells that can aid their allies in combat and provide utility outside of combat situations.

One of the gnome subraces that are particularly well-suited for the cleric class is the Forest Gnome. The Forest Gnome’s ability to cast Minor Illusion adds versatility to a cleric’s spellcasting options. Minor Illusion can be used creatively to create distractions, illusions, or even to enhance role-playing encounters. It allows the gnome cleric to bring an extra layer of strategy and problem-solving to the party.

When it comes to choosing a deity for your gnome cleric, one popular choice among gnomes is Desna. Desna is associated with dreams, luck, and chaos, which aligns well with the playful and curious nature of gnomes. The followers of Desna often seek adventure, travel, and exploration, making them a perfect fit for gnome clerics who are always eager to learn, discover, and embrace new experiences.

Here’s a quote from a gnome cleric who follows Desna:

“I invoke the blessings of Desna, goddess of dreams and luck, to guide us on our journey. With her divine favor, we shall overcome any obstacle that stands in our way!”

If you’re interested in creating a gnome cleric build, here’s a suggested ability score distribution:

This suggested ability score distribution focuses on maximizing your Wisdom score, which is crucial for a gnome cleric’s spellcasting abilities. It also places a decent emphasis on Constitution and Charisma, which can improve your durability and social interactions respectively.

Spells

As a gnome cleric, you have access to a wide range of spells that can be used for healing, protection, and offensive purposes. Here are some core spells that can be beneficial for your gnome cleric build:

• Healing Word – A great spell for quickly healing your allies during combat.
• Shield of Faith – Enhances the AC of a target, providing extra protection.
• Bless – Grants your allies a bonus on attack rolls and saving throws.
• Guiding Bolt – Deals radiant damage and grants advantage on the next attack against the target.
• Spirit Guardians – Summons protective spirits to damage and deter enemies.
• Revivify – Brings a dead ally back to life, within a minute of their demise.

Remember to choose spells that match your playstyle and the needs of your party. A well-rounded gnome cleric build should focus on a balance between support, healing, and offensive capabilities.

Given its relevance and connection to the section, the image has been placed here alongside the detailed notes. It showcases a gnome cleric in action, strengthening the visual appeal and relevance to the topic.

Be sure to check out the other sections of our gnome cleric guide to explore different class options and build ideas for your gnome character in Dungeons and Dragons!

Druid

Gnomes can make interesting druids due to their natural curiosity and connection to nature. With their innate connection to the earth and affinity for small creatures, gnomes thrive in the role of druids. The Forest Gnome, in particular, possesses abilities that enhance the role-playing and thematic elements of a gnome druid character.

The Forest Gnome’s ability to Speak with Small Beasts enables them to communicate with and understand creatures such as rabbits, squirrels, and birds. This allows gnomes to gather information from the natural world and seek guidance from their animal allies.

Additionally, the Forest Gnome’s Minor Illusion can enhance the magical nature of a gnome druid. By creating illusions of natural elements, gnomes can deceive enemies or create distractions to aid their allies.

Furthermore, the Gnome Cunning trait, which grants advantage on mental saving throws, can be particularly beneficial to gnome druids. They can use their cunning to resist mental influences and maintain control over their spells and abilities, even in the most challenging situations.

Nature’s Ally

When playing a gnome druid, you have the opportunity to fully embody the role of a harmonious guardian of the natural world. Uniting the gnome’s innate curiosity and connection to nature with the druid’s deep understanding of the natural order, you can create a character that is both whimsical and powerful.

“As a gnome druid, I take delight in exploring the forests, discovering hidden groves, and communing with the spirits of nature. With my knowledge of Druidic magic and the Forest Gnome’s abilities, I strive to protect the balance of the natural world and ensure its growth and prosperity.”

If you choose the path of the gnome druid, you will contribute a unique perspective to the world of Dungeons and Dragons. Embrace the playfulness and connection to nature that gnomes embody and let your character shine as a true avatar of the natural world.

Fighter

Gnomes can be formidable fighters in the world of Dungeons and Dragons. Despite their smaller stature, gnomes possess unique traits and abilities that can make them effective on the battlefield. One of these traits is the Gnome Cunning, which grants them advantage on mental saving throws. This can provide a significant advantage when facing mind-affecting spells and abilities.

While gnomes may have limitations when it comes to wielding heavy weapons, they can still excel as fighters by utilizing versatile weapons or focusing on other combat styles. The choice of subclass can also greatly impact a gnome fighter’s effectiveness.

Rune Knight Subclass

The Rune Knight subclass, introduced in Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything, offers gnomes a unique advantage in combat. Gnomes who choose this subclass can harness the power of ancient giant runes, gaining access to powerful abilities and augmentations. With the right combination of runes, a gnome fighter can increase their strength, durability, and battlefield presence.

One notable feature of the Rune Knight subclass is the ability to grow in size. As a gnome fighter, this can give you a temporary increase in stature, making you more imposing and granting you additional combat advantages. It’s a great way to overcome the inherent disadvantages of being a smaller race.

Aside from the Rune Knight subclass, gnomes can also benefit from their subrace’s unique abilities. For example, Deep Gnomes have the advantage of their natural abilities to hide and see in the dark, making them excellent candidates for stealthy and tactical fighters. Forest Gnomes, on the other hand, can utilize their innate spellcasting ability to enhance their combat strategies and create illusions to confuse and distract opponents.

Here’s a table showcasing the different abilities of gnome subraces that can be advantageous for gnome fighters:

As a gnome fighter, it’s crucial to make use of your unique traits and abilities to overcome your size disadvantage. Remember to choose a subclass that complements your playstyle and take advantage of the strengths offered by your gnome subrace. With the right build and strategic approach to combat, you can prove that size doesn’t always determine skill on the battlefield.

Conclusion

Gnomes in Dungeons and Dragons can bring a unique flavor and versatility to a cleric character. With the right subrace, such as the Forest Gnome or a gnome with the Mark of Scribing, gnomes can thrive in a support and healing role. Their Gnome Cunning trait, which grants advantage on mental saving throws, provides additional defense against mind-affecting hazards.

When building a gnome cleric character, it’s important to consider the deity choice. Desna, with her domains of dreams, luck, and chaos, aligns well with the playful and curious nature of gnomes.

Whether you’re exploring the gnome race for the first time or looking to optimize your gnome cleric build, understanding the abilities and potential of gnomes in Dungeons and Dragons will enhance your gaming experience. Embrace the magic and whimsy that gnomes bring to the cleric class!