Garden Gnome

The Garden Gnome, or simply Gnome, is a prop garden gnome from Half-Life 2: Episode Two. The Gnome is found in the first area of chapter one, To The White Forest, just under the bunk bed in the communications building. To earn the Little Rocket Man achievement, the Gnome needs to be carried all the way to White Forest and placed in the rocket's nose cone. The nose cone door must then be closed in order to earn the achievement.

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 you have reached the Muscle Car.

Riding Shotgun
The Garden Gnome is difficult to transport in the Muscle Car, so drive slowly. When the Hunter-Chopper attacks, you can 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.

Our Mutual Fiend


The achievement can only be earned by placing the Gnome inside the rocket's hatch and closing the hatch door.

Trivia



 * The gnome can also be seen in ApertureScience.com on top of the mantelpiece and it may move randomly on its own.
 * A similar gnome also makes an appearance in Valve's upcoming Left 4 Dead 2, when an achievement requires the gnome to be 'rescued' from the Dark Carnival campaign.

List of appearances

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