Gnomes of Golarion Worth the Cost?


Pathfinder Player Companion


I picked up Dwarves of Golarion and was satisfied with it because it had a number of new feats, traits, and weapon options for the race. The reviews for GoG are less enthusiastic, though, so I'm wondering if anyone has a little more insight that what the product reviews offer. Anyone feel like there's some choice material in the gnomes guide?


Is this for PFS? If yes, then yes

Dark Archive

4 people marked this as a favorite.

Well, I would ask you what you think of gnomes? I mean, if you love gnomes and want to know Pathfinder's take on them, then absolutely yes. There is some indispensible information in the book about the gnomish aging process. Like for example, there is a way (with GM permission) to make an immortal (as per the Druid's timeless body) gnome at 1st level. But, other gnomes will be freaked out at best and try to kill you at worst. Because you are cursed. And white... completely white. White skin, white hair, white eyes... you are... quite literally, bleached out. Freeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeaky!!!! Furthermore, becoming a said 'bleached' gnome is something that can (and if they don't actively work to not let it happen, WILL) happen to all gnomes, and it's their biggest fear. Most don't survive the process in fact (and not in the same way as humans don't... it's totally possible for a gnome to be dead at middle age.) Those that do, well... they no longer care and that even further freaks the other gnomes out.

I myself own the actual book and the PDF (got them when I used to sub) and so I really like them now (same with Goblins of Golarion... Paizo's fun new rewrite of Goblins made them much more fun!) even though I was never much a fan of gnomes in the past, I've been looking into making a gnome sometime if I ever play. A bleached gnome stygian slayer. Hahaha.


1 person marked this as a favorite.

Gnomes are never worth the cost. ;-)


1 person marked this as a favorite.

Well thanks for the (albeit conflicting) advice guys. I'll probably pick it up. I really liked the dwarves one because I'm a big fan of dwarf PCs, and I've been looking into Gnomes lately because the whole illusion bonus thing really interests me.


3 people marked this as a favorite.

Gonna second Zelda. Paizo made Gnomes worth playing and gave them flavor that wasn't just that wretched not-elf not-dwarf not-halfling mish-mash they got in D&D.

Scarab Sages

Mechanically, Gnomes of Golarion is the weakest *race* of Golarion book released. There are a few gems such as gnome weapons and bewildering koan, and a lot of really bad options, including one of the worst feats ever written for pathfinder, Caustic Slur.

On the other hand, it's awesome for flavor and lore.


an odd question to go with everything in here: do you think they will ever re-print the book? PDFs are nice, but I don't have a way to easilly access them with the group I play with so in some cases having the physical copy of something is very nice.

Grand Lodge

Pathfinder PF Special Edition, Starfinder Roleplaying Game Subscriber
SilvanOrion wrote:
an odd question to go with everything in here: do you think they will ever re-print the book? PDFs are nice, but I don't have a way to easilly access them with the group I play with so in some cases having the physical copy of something is very nice.

Not likely. check with your local gaming store, Amazon, or Compleat Strategist in Manhattan.


Well, if you can hold out until they release Races of the Inner Sea, you'll probably get a lot or most of what you would get in Gnomes of Golarion. But updated...and in a shiny hardcover...with a lot of other races and ethnicities.


I think that most of this information will be in the new Races of the Inner Sea that is supposed to come out in September, correct?

Scarab Sages

I have loved gnomes since the days of 3.0, Gnomes of Golarion in my opinion is worth the cost because it gives you some fun insight and lore to the setting specific gnomes of Golarion.

For PFS it adds a handfull of nice things.
Some exotic weapons like the Ripsaw glaive, piston maul, and flickmace.
Some Traits such as Brastlewark Businessman, Collector, First Memories, Excitable, and Rapscallion to name a few.

If you were already a fan of gnomes, definitely pick it up, but if you never plan on playing one give it a pass.


Gnomes will never be worth it in my eyes. Buy Kobolds of Golarion instead!


Do you have any intention of getting the Inner Sea Races hardcover? If so then don't bother getting the Gnomes of Golarion, the ISR will have reprinted and updated info on Gnomes and a lot of other races.


2 people marked this as a favorite.
Dragon78 wrote:
Do you have any intention of getting the Inner Sea Races hardcover? If so then don't bother getting the Gnomes of Golarion, the ISR will have reprinted and updated info on Gnomes and a lot of other races.

Not experiencing GoG's colour scheme would be a shame, though.

Liberty's Edge

I was never interested in Gnomes before. As in REALLY not interested.

GoG made me want to play one, even to add Gnominess in scenarios and APs.

Nuff said.

Community / Forums / Pathfinder / Pathfinder First Edition / Pathfinder Player Companion / Gnomes of Golarion Worth the Cost? All Messageboards

Want to post a reply? Sign in.
Recent threads in Pathfinder Player Companion