https://old.theforsakenlands.com/main/wiki.pl?RaceClass
Having recently played a Gnome, I noticed that they a very interesting race for meeles that can't be approached by other races, but their size and stats completely dismerits them. They have a huge mana pool, which can be great for some melee approaches, but their small size makes them vulnerable to lag and invalidates some size dependent skills like bash.
None plays them for combos other than mages, because frankly they are horrid in melee. But perhaps they could be strengthened in their melee department without ever touching their casting combos. Gnome meele combos are: Thief Warrior Ranger Bard.
Their physical stats are 18 STR and DEX, this places them bellow Elves 18 STR 23 Dex and most races. 10 years ago parry and most defenses used to include an opposing check of Attacker STR vs Defender STR to determine a modifier to defenses. Some defenses used STR, some DEX, some both, some none. We have no idea which is one these days, but I have a feeling this kind of check is still there, due to the crap defense and offense of my massive hit/dam gnome. I won't argue to change the physical stats, but there are somethings we can do.
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Gnomes could have a racial weapon, just like halfling got. I suggest maces. It would improve offense for gnome warriors and their defense. I hardly ever seen a Mages use maces. Gnomes are tinkerers, and should be at ease with a bolt wrench aka small mace.
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Gnomes can't compete on size and thus should not have to. It would ruin variety if all combos were copies of one another. They should empower themselves in other ways. I suggest magic. Yes magic. But in the form of magical devices. The ideal would be Wands. The racial skill of wands. This would grant them a very easy form of sanctuary and flight. Frankly wands are pretty underdeveloped in the mud compared to Herbs.
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Gnomes could have an innate mastery at shield block (because the shield covers most of their body) or dodge, because it's harder to hit smaller things.
The objective is not to have gnomes be on par with giants, but to make them at least a bit more decent, and interesting so that they provide an interesting choice for and handicap combo.
Gnomes and halflings receive the addict perk for free as an innate racial bonus.
Faerie thief traps have +2 spellvl.
Gnomes learn brambus needler for free as a thief mechanism.
Gnomes automaster ranger staff, bowyer and fletcher skills (103% max prof).