Garden Gnome

The Garden Gnome, also known as Gnome Chompski, is a prop from Half-Life 2: Episode Two. Whilst seeming insignificant at first, it is in fact part of a popular achievement which requires the player to carry the gnome to the final location of the game (White Forest) and place it within a rocket - hence the achievement name: Little Rocket Man.

It can be found in the first area of chapter one, To The White Forest, just under the bunk bed in the communications building.

This Vortal Coil
The Gnome can be left in the chamber with Alyx and the Vortigaunts.

Freeman Pontifex
Do not leave the Gnome in the room overlooking the settlement with the monitor and sniper rifle. This room cannot be returned to after descending into the settlement. However, if the gnome is placed leaning against the door facing the bridge, it will fall through once the door is opened from the far side. Alternatively, rather than carry the gnome through the infested settlement, it is possible to use the Gravity Gun to fire the gnome onto the near or far side of the bridge and retrieve it once the Muscle Car is reached.

Riding Shotgun
The Garden Gnome is difficult to transport in the Muscle Car, so drive slowly. When the Hunter-Chopper attacks, destroy it by firing its mines back at it with the Gravity Gun. Another Chopper will appear in the next section. Do not leave the Gnome in the car when entering the barn. The Muscle Car may be moved to make room for the Combine APC that arrives after the barn encounter, and the Gnome may be lost.

It is possible to leave the gnome on the ground at the barn when escaping the Hunter-Chopper. Proceed to the next loading point in the train tunnel, then reverse to the previous stage. Drive back to the barn and pick up the gnome. The Chopper will not be present, making it easier to transport the gnome through this section.

Alternatively, place the Gnome behind the passenger seat so that it will only drop out of the car if the brakes are slammed hard enough. Do not leave the Gnome when the car's engine catches fire, be sure to carry it into the yard for the Chopper fight. It can be placed under a boxcar for safekeeping for the duration of the fight.

[|Under The Radar]
The gnome can be left in the garage with Alyx and the rebels. It will be there after you destroy the gun. When you have to hit the road again, you may want to ignore the item caches that appear on the radar. During the combine ambush at the cabins, leave the gnome in the house while you disable the shields. Don't forget to pick it up again when you leave. You may also want to drop the gnome down the hill before driving down it. Once this is all done, all you have to do is continue on the road, up the river, and at White Forest.

Our Mutual Fiend
The achievement can only be earned by placing the Gnome inside the rocket's hatch and closing the hatch door. Another way of achieving it is by using "ent_setname gnome" on any pickable entity (e.g a bucket).

Trivia

 * The gnome can also be seen in ApertureScience.com on top of the mantelpiece and it may move randomly on its own.
 * The gnome also makes an appearance in Left 4 Dead 2, known as Gnome Chompski. An achievement requires the Gnome, like in Episode Two, to be carried all the way to the rescue vehicle in the Dark Carnival campaign. Doing so gives the player the achievement "Guardin' Gnome".
 * The achievement will not be disabled if you use cheats.

List of appearances

 * ApertureScience.com
 * Half-Life 2: Episode Two