Why Gnomes (supposedly) rock
by Mike Schramm 
Dec 18th 2007 at 4:00PM
I can't say I agree with the premise of this post that reader Syp wrote and sent to us (I'm Horde to the core, so for me, Gnomes only rock when eaten with a side of fries and Horde soda), but I can't really argue with most of his points. He sets out 10 reasons why Gnomes rock, and I have no doubt that they're sure to inspire lots of cross-faction discussion.I do have to admit-- the Gnome mount is one of my favorites, and engineering has gotten to be lots of fun. Escape Artist is an excellent ability (especially since it went instant a little while ago), and I have missed out on the fun that I hear is Toshley's Station-- I'm trying to work my little Gnome Warrior up to the mid-60s so I can get in on the Star Wars references, too.
But I do take issue with Syp's "underdog" and "conformity" points. If you really want to play a race/gender that doesn't get a lot of love, try a Dwarf Female.
Filed under: Gnomes, Engineering, Analysis / Opinion, Fan stuff, Virtual selves, Humor
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
mark Dec 19th 2007 9:53AM
The Toshy's Station event is actually in reference to Starship Troopers I believe.
If you've ever seen the end scene where they defend the base from millions of bugs coming at it, then you'll recognize it. They have tons of ravagers invade the base and the gnomes defend it. Really funny.
Sylythn Dec 18th 2007 4:22PM
ROFL - I'm worrying my co-workers with the laughter at the moment. And oh wow, I now totally miss my Gnome Rogue that was my first ever character. I still fully maintain, that should Death Knights be open to any race and the unlocking of them be cross-faction - I WILL be rolling a Gnome Death Knight.
Mort Dec 18th 2007 4:37PM
I dunno, I think the undead have better mounts, and the belf paladin, and the warlocks (which gnomes can be), and the orcs.
As far as the engineering flying mount goes... cool but the most annoying mount hands down in the game. I find myself moving away from people who have it out to get away from that annoying sound.
As far as engineering goes... boom > all. I would prefer to blow things up personally. Dr. Boom after all is very tough unless you use the boom.
You want to talk about humiliation? When a troll priest kills you, or back before warlocks were OP (or so everyone keeps telling me) and one killed you, that was humiliating.
Toshley’s Station... meh, starwars... meh.
Racials? WotF... is there any racial more hated and loved? Besides maybe the new belf one.
Avatars... Eh, as long as it is not a human or nelf male, it is all good. Cleft Lips and overgrown forearms.
The murder bit? Well, you expect the forsaken to murder don't you... so you just kinda shrug and let it go.
With all the gnome rogues, warriors, mages, and locks I see, conformity seems to be the gnomes.
Gnomes don't rock, unless you are punting them and then they certainly do roll (when they finally land).
Naix Dec 18th 2007 4:42PM
Every time I see a gnome I must attack. Does not matter where I am I am looking for gnome blood. I am a Rogue. What is your game?
Brian Carnell Dec 18th 2007 4:45PM
Playing on PVP server. Nothing better than ganking a Tauren Warrior with my Gnome Rogue. Wait 5 mins. Warrior logs on to his second account or friend's account and makes an alliance toon with nonsense characters apparently just to spit scornful tells at me.
Mission accomplished.
Brian Carnell Dec 18th 2007 4:46PM
BTW, the article cites the mount. I hate that f'ing mount. Cool for the first 20 levels or so after you get it, but then it really started to get to me. Traded up for the PVP cat mount.
hpavc Dec 18th 2007 11:08PM
Even if you don't like their racial mount, they look amazing on most other mounts. The raptor, tiger, elf cat, ram, the elek especially.
kenney Dec 18th 2007 4:55PM
I'm mystified by the author's apparent belief that playing a gnome makes him a unique snowflake... Gnomes are dime-a-dozen on my server and in my guild. Much more common than dwarves and humans.
I agree with a lot of the points (my dwarf main rides a mechanostrider because he secretly dreams of being a biker)- namely that gnomes have good art direction and strong racials. The only thing I disagree with is that they are rare. And picking on Blood Elves for being paladins makes as much sense as picking on night elves for being druids.
Dree Dec 18th 2007 5:18PM
"But I do take issue with Syp's "underdog" and "conformity" points. If you really want to play a race/gender that doesn't get a lot of love, try a Dwarf Female."
Thank you! I'm in a guild of over 400 members, and I am one of FIVE female dwarves. I wish I were exaggerating. Of those five, I am the only rogue, three are hunters, and one is either a priest or a paladin. I forget.
We get no love.
Sanska Dec 18th 2007 5:38PM
Oh, but you do... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JimT0UTQ71U
That video actually convinced to roll a female Dwarf as my next char. Complete with whirling braids.
Dree Dec 18th 2007 5:51PM
Oh, you've just made my day. :D One of my good friends also plays a blood elf male so this is a double entendre!
Ametrine Dec 18th 2007 10:04PM
The only race I've ever been able to stomach dealing with long Alliance-side is Dwarf Females.
The rest of that faction can kiss the boniest portion of my butt.
I would LOVE to start up an all-female Dwarf guild, but I can never find enough of them, and I could never think of a good name.
Squishy Dec 19th 2007 8:40AM
You deserve no love. *rim shot*
(Full disclosure, I'm one of those disgruntled types that does indeed have a femme dwarf and hates Blizzard for taking away my fear ward.)
Hazerduz Dec 18th 2007 5:50PM
The Female Dwarf comment made me laugh, cause I rolled one of each class race and sex, and I happened to name mine Furrytractor. (Obvious Anchorman influences) Now though I tell everyone her name is because she's a dwarf so she's got lots of hair, and she loves to get plowed |-)
Thingy Dec 18th 2007 7:06PM
There's one thing many people seem to be forgetting here. There is no such thing as a female dwarf.
As in the screenshot linked, I too have a beardless dorf with grey braids that fly around when I'm casting my healing spells.
Epiny Dec 18th 2007 7:23PM
What I don't understand is why Alliance got gnomes and we didn't get Goblins?
Morlock Dec 18th 2007 11:49PM
goblins are specifically neutral. if you had gobs we wouldn't have cities related to undermine that we all can enjoy.
they've been privateers since way back. they wouldn't ally officially with anyone.
thecapuchin Dec 18th 2007 8:01PM
No offense to those who like the ugly little bastards, but I f'ing hate gnomes of all classes with the fiery passion of a thousand suns.
The mount is by far the most annoying and the race itself should be purged.
Sorry, I tend to go a little overboard when it comes to the little blighters.
Morlock Dec 18th 2007 11:48PM
i love my gnome mage, i've never had as much fun playing ANY other race/class combo. i almost quit the game after playing my human priest for my first few months on and off. but then i made a gnomish mage, put him into engineering, and i've had the time of my life. i'm thinking of making another one just so i can try out fire spec and play through again.
i've ever understood why people hate gnomes so much. they are hardcore little buggers that won't back down from a fight. i love the lore the most...they didn't participate in the second war because they were trying to clean up their own backyard...and they did it on their own. thats heart, thats guts, and thats what i call having a pair the size of dalaran.
they aren't getting rid of gnomes, theya re expanding their story, so stop bitching. we're here to stay. if you don't like it, stop asking for food, water, and f'in healthstones all the time.
robotrock Dec 19th 2007 12:41AM
I think the best reason for a gnome is its hard to click on 'em when in a BG....
unlike fat cow taurens :o