# Gnome (starting race)
You can play NetHack as a gnome: G.  You will see yourself as @ (unless you have showrace turned on), but you are actually considered to be letter G for other purposes.
According to the guidebook:

Gnomes are smaller than but generally similar to dwarves. Gnomes are known to be expert miners, and it is known that a secret underground mine complex built by this race exists within the Mazes of Menace, filled with both riches and danger.

Contents

1 Racial benefits and restrictions
2 Gnomish items
3 Variants

3.1 SLASH'EM
3.2 dNetHack

4 References

Racial benefits and restrictions
Gnomes have infravision and can use uncursed touchstones as if they were blessed, like an Archaeologist. As a gnome, you will also find the gnomish inhabitants of the Gnomish Mines to be generally peaceful.
Gnomes are always neutral. They can be Archeologists, Cavemen, Healers, Rangers, or Wizards. From an attribute perspective, they are mostly average, with moderate strength and high intelligence. The following table outlines their maximum (unaided) attribute levels.

Race

Strength

Dexterity

Constitution

Intelligence

Wisdom

Charisma

Gnome
18/50
18
18
19
18
18

Gnomish items
Gnomish Rangers start with a crossbow instead of bow, and crossbow bolts instead of arrows.  Gnomes receive a +1 multishot bonus for firing crossbow bolts from a crossbow.[1]

Variants
SLASH'EM
In SLASH'EM, gnomes can also be Flame Mages, Ice Mages, or Undead Slayers. Gnomes start with the vanish technique. At level 5, they gain stealth. When they reach level 7 they gain tinker, which allows them to upgrade certain items.

dNetHack
In dNetHack, gnomes get low-light vision with double radius, as do orcs.

References

↑ src/dothrow.c in NetHack 3.6.6, line 177