Delve into Darkness with Style! Explore the optimal class choices for Deep Gnomes, renowned for their subterranean prowess.
These classes amplify a Deep Gnome’s strengths, offering exciting gameplay options from stealthy maneuvers to powerful magic. Embrace the darkness with these top picks!
Best Classes for Deep Gnomes
5. Barbarian
Primary Ability Score – Strength
Secondary Ability Scores – Constitution, Dexterity to a lesser extent
Armor Proficiencies – Light, Medium, Shields
Weapons Proficiencies – Simple, Martial
Why the Barbarian?
Deep Gnome Barbarians will mostly take a +2 in Strength and +1 in Dexterity or the other way around to boost Dexterity in the early game.
Barbarians benefit from a Deep Gnome’s Gnome Magic Resistance to brush off mental saves, which most Barbarians usually struggle with.
Darkvision and Svirfneblin Camouflage also allow you to go for a more stealthy route, and the spells you unlock work just fine as they’re only useful out of combat for the most part.
Recommended Barbarian Primal Paths
- Totem Warrior
- Wild Magic
4. Cleric
Primary Ability Score – Wisdom
Secondary Ability Scores – Constitution
Spellcasting Ability – Wisdom
Armor Proficiencies – Light, Medium, Shields
Weapons Proficiencies – Simple
Why the Cleric?
Depending on the build, a Deep Gnome Cleric can take +2 in Wisdom and +1 in Charisma or Dexterity.
Standard Clerics don’t have Disguise Self or Nondetection on their spell lists, meaning these spells cover a gap that can’t be covered without choosing specific subclasses or multiclassing.
You don’t have to play a stealthy/charismatic Cleric as a Deep Gnome, but with the innate abilities you receive, it’ll be the best course of action.
Recommended Cleric Divine Domains
- Knowledge Domain
- Trickery Domain (Most fitting choice)
3. Ranger
Primary Ability Score – Dexterity
Secondary Ability Scores – Constitution, Wisdom
Spellcasting Ability – Wisdom
Armor Proficiencies – Light, Medium, Shields
Weapons Proficiencies – Simple, Martial
Why the Ranger?
Deep Gnome Rangers will stick to +2 Dexterity and +1 Wisdom to become the party’s Scout.
The abilities of a Deep Gnome help a Ranger compete with a Rogue for the Scout role, aided by innate spellcasting and the option of recasting the spells with unused spell slots.
Svirfneblin Camouflage also allows Rangers to essentially have Expertise for Stealth, as it provides advantage whenever you make a Dexterity (Stealth) check (advantage can be used a number of times equal to your proficiency bonus).
Recommended Ranger Archetypes
- Drakewarden
- Gloom Stalker (Thematically appropriate)
- Swarm Keeper
2. Bard
Primary Ability Score – Charisma
Secondary Ability Scores – Constitution, Dexterity
Spellcasting Ability – Charisma
Armor Proficiencies – Light
Weapons Proficiencies – Simple, Shortswords, Rapiers, Longswords, Hand Crossbow
Why the Bard?
Deep Gnome Bards mostly take +2 Charisma and +1 Dexterity to act more like the party’s Scout/Face.
Since Bards get Expertise, you can combine it with Svirfneblin Camouflage or gain advantage with Stealth and some other skill appropriate to your build.
Similar to the Ranger, Bards can recast the innate spells of a Deep Gnome, adding to the Bard’s number of known spells.
Recommended Bard Colleges
- College of Lore
- College of Whispers (Thematically appropriate)
1. Rogue
Primary Ability Score – Dexterity
Secondary Ability Scores – Constitution, Intelligence (For Arcane Tricksters)
Armor Proficiencies – Light
Weapons Proficiencies – Simple, Shortswords, Rapiers, Longswords, Hand Crossbows
Why the Rogue?
Deep Gnome Rogues are very common, usually taking +2 Dexterity/Intelligence and +1 Dexterity/Intelligence (choose a different score for +2 and +1).
Rogues also have Expertise, making their position regarding Svirfneblin Camouflage similar, as they can become stealthy monsters if they wish.
Gnomish Magic Resistance is excellent for durability, and the innate spellcasting is great, especially if you play an Arcane Trickster Deep Gnome.
Recommended Rogue Archetypes
- Arcane Trickster (Best choice)
- Mastermind
- Scout
Final Thoughts
Whether you favor the stealth and cunning of a Rogue, the divine powers of a Cleric, or the primal rage of a Barbarian, each class offers unique opportunities for role-playing and adventure.
Consider your Deep Gnome’s background, personality, and party dynamics when choosing a class, and remember, the best class is the one that allows you to delve deep into the mysteries of the Underdark and emerge victorious.