Burglin’ Gnomes is a cooperative stealth game where patience, teamwork, and smart planning matter far more than speed. While it may look cute on the surface, successful heists require careful movement, distraction tactics, class coordination, and a deep understanding of enemy behavior.
If you’re struggling to escape with valuable loot, this beginner guide covers everything you need to know.
Learn the Noise System First
Noise is the most important mechanic in Burglin’ Gnomes.
The minimap displays your noise level through a sound wave indicator.
Green Wave
- Completely hidden.
- Enemies cannot hear you.
- Ideal stealth state.
Yellow Wave
- Enemies become suspicious.
- Guards start investigating nearby sounds.
Red Wave
- Alarm triggered.
- Enemies know your location.
- Expect pursuit.
Your primary goal during every mission should be keeping the noise meter in the green whenever possible.
Walking Is Usually Better Than Running
Many beginners sprint everywhere and immediately trigger alarms.
Walking
- Silent on most surfaces.
- Best movement option.
- Should be used for most of the mission.
Crouching
- Reduces your profile.
- Helps fit under furniture.
- Reduces sprint noise.
- Useful near patrol routes.
Sprinting
- Fast but noisy.
- Creates detectable sound waves.
- Best reserved for emergency escapes.
As a general rule, if nobody has spotted you, you probably shouldn’t be sprinting.
Master Stone Throws
The Stone Throw is one of the strongest tools available.
Use it to:
- Distract guards.
- Redirect patrol routes.
- Create openings.
- Separate enemies.
Throwing stones at objects such as:
- Glass
- Plates
- Vases
creates a sound source that enemies investigate.
Advanced players often bounce stones off walls to place distractions exactly where they need them.
Choose the Right Class
Before every mission, you’ll select a specialization.
Choosing the right team composition can make a huge difference.
Scavenger (Silentfoot)
Best mobility class.
Strengths:
- Wall climbing.
- Vertical exploration.
- Shortcut access.
- Excellent scouting.
Weaknesses:
- Cannot handle locked chests.
Recommended for players who enjoy exploration and movement.
Safecracker (Mechanic)
The lock specialist.
Strengths:
- Opens safes.
- Solves lock puzzles.
- Detects traps.
- Excellent for loot-focused runs.
Weaknesses:
- Slower movement.
- Generates more noise.
Almost every team benefits from having one Safecracker.
Alchemist (Potion Maker)
Support specialist.
Strengths:
- Brews useful potions.
- Provides crowd control.
- Creates invisibility opportunities.
- Helps bypass difficult encounters.
Weaknesses:
- Fragile.
- Weak in direct confrontations.
The Alchemist becomes increasingly valuable in harder missions.
Use Potions Wisely
Alchemists can create several useful potions.
Lightning Feather
- Silent sprinting.
- Excellent for quick repositioning.
Cat’s Slumber
- Puts animals to sleep.
- Great against patrol pets.
Potion of the Void
- Temporary invisibility.
- Useful for escaping danger.
Rare potions should be saved for difficult objectives rather than used immediately.
Communicate Constantly in Co-op
Burglin’ Gnomes shines when played with friends.
Good communication often matters more than mechanical skill.
Always share:
- Guard locations.
- Trap positions.
- Escape routes.
- Loot opportunities.
A coordinated team can complete objectives much faster than solo players.
Use the Ping System
The Ping System is incredibly useful.
Mark:
- Enemies.
- Safes.
- Objectives.
- Patrol routes.
Frequent ping usage helps your team react quickly without needing constant voice communication.
Learn the Toss Mechanic
One of the most overlooked co-op features is Tossing.
How it works:
- One player enters support stance.
- The second player jumps onto them.
- The player gets launched upward.
This allows access to:
- High shelves.
- Secret routes.
- Hidden loot.
- Alternative paths.
Many shortcuts are only reachable through proper use of this mechanic.
Always Recover Dropped Loot
When a teammate gets stunned:
- They lose 40% of their carried loot.
- The dropped items remain briefly on the ground.
You have roughly 20 seconds to recover the loot before it disappears.
Never abandon dropped treasure unless absolutely necessary.
Learn Enemy Behavior
Different enemies require different approaches.
Humans
Humans have poor downward vision.
Good hiding spots include:
- Under chairs.
- Beneath tables.
- Behind rugs.
Avoid standing around knee height where movement becomes noticeable.
Cats
Cats are among the most dangerous enemies.
They:
- Hear better.
- See in low light.
- Detect crouched movement.
Counter them using:
- Cat’s Slumber
- Yarn distractions
Parrots and Ravens
Flying alarms.
If they spot you:
- Alarm triggers immediately.
- Distraction rarely works.
Avoid exposed windows and open areas.
Watch Out for Traps
Several traps can ruin an otherwise perfect run.
Lego Bricks
- Cause damage.
- Trigger loud screams.
Flypaper
- Massive movement slowdown.
Mousetraps
- Instant stun.
Safecrackers can spot traps more easily, making them valuable scouts.
Prioritize Safecracking
Safes contain some of the best loot in the game.
Easy Safes
Located in:
- Cabinets
- Sideboards
Medium Safes
Found in:
- Jewelry boxes
- Decorative containers
Extremely Hard Safes
Usually hidden:
- Behind paintings
- Inside secret rooms
Bring lockpicks whenever possible for difficult safes.
Use Soft Surfaces
Soft surfaces dramatically reduce noise.
Examples include:
- Carpets
- Rugs
- Curtains
- Fabric furniture
Whenever possible, plan your route across fabric-covered areas.
This can significantly reduce detection chances.
Control Lighting
Light plays a major role in stealth.
You can:
- Break certain bulbs.
- Create darker paths.
- Limit enemy visibility.
Dark areas are especially useful when bypassing patrols.
However, remember that reduced visibility affects you as well.
Save Mushroom Bombs for Emergencies
The Mushroom Bomb is one of the rarest items in the game.
Effects:
- Places nearby enemies into a trance.
- Creates a large opening for escape.
- Can save failed missions.
Because of its rarity, avoid using it unless the entire heist is at risk.
Learn Safe Zones
Every house contains areas where patrols rarely look.
Examples include:
- Behind large clocks.
- Inside shoes.
- Under furniture.
- Behind decorative objects.
As you replay maps, memorize these safe locations.
Experienced players often survive simply because they know where patrols never check.
Best Beginner Team Composition
For new players, the safest setup is:
- 1 Silentfoot
- 1 Safecracker
- 1 Alchemist
This composition provides:
- Mobility
- Lockpicking
- Support
- Crowd control
It can handle nearly every situation encountered during early and mid-game missions.