The Little Rocket Man achievement is one of the most iconic—and most frustrating—achievements in Half-Life 2: Episode Two. Your goal? Carry a garden gnome (Gnome Chompski) from near the start of the game all the way to the rocket at the end and safely place him inside before launch.
This guide walks you through each major section of the game, offering practical strategies to keep your gnome safe and secure while minimizing pain and backtracking.
Where to Find the Gnome
The gnome is located underneath a table in the room where Alyx first makes contact with Dr. Magnusson. You’ll find it shortly after entering White Forest’s first interior.
Pro Tip: Save frequently. Set manual save points at the beginning of every new area and especially before vehicle sections or intense fights.
Initial Sections: Antlion Caves & Vortal Coil
In the antlion caves, place the gnome in well-lit areas while you deal with enemies. Avoid setting it in water—it’s easy to lose in low visibility.
During the Vortal Coil mission, place the gnome behind the vortigaunt guarding Alyx. You’ll leave it there while you battle antlion waves and go retrieve the larval extract.
Return to Alyx afterward, pick up the gnome again, and proceed up the elevator.
Surface & Vehicle Section Begins
After dispatching the two antlion guards near the final thumper, you’ll reunite with Alyx and the vort. Soon after, you’ll split up and retrieve the car.
Important Note: Do not try to slip the gnome under the metal door you open for Alyx. There’s not enough time to recover it before the door closes again.
Driving with the Gnome: Methods
This is where the real challenge begins. You now have to manage the gnome while also operating the car.
Common Strategies:
- Cabin Method: Try to wedge the gnome in the dashboard or rear cab window. It’s risky, as it often falls out during bumpy rides.
- Gnome Passing: Shoot or throw the gnome ahead with the Gravity Gun, drive up to it, repeat. This is safer but slower.
Use whichever method works best for you—or alternate between them depending on terrain.
Hunter Ambush and Advisor Encounter
When reaching the White Forest Inn, leave the gnome in the car while you power up the gate and fight off hunters.
Keep doing the same through the Advisor scene. Return to the car and resume your gnome-passing or careful driving afterward.
Hunter Chopper Chase – The Hardest Part
This high-speed sequence is the trickiest. You need to outrun the chopper while not losing the gnome.
- Recommended Approach: Gnome-pass in bursts, taking cover between stretches.
- The trainyard is especially rough; be ready to reload saves.
Once the chopper is destroyed, stow the gnome under an awning or safe spot and finish the fight.
Garage Sequence
After the chopper fight, you’ll head into a garage where your car is upgraded. Leave the gnome upstairs, out of the main repair area—otherwise, it may despawn when the car teleports in.
Pick the gnome back up after the Combine battle and the garage cutscene.
Final Vehicle Sections
From here, it’s more driving, stopping, and gnome-passing. You’ll get roadblock help from Dog and eventually race him to White Forest.
Note: If you’re aiming for the Pedal to the Metal achievement, do it on a separate playthrough. Focus here on gnome safety.
Final Step: The Rocket
Inside the White Forest base, follow the resistance members through the facility. Eventually, you’ll reach the rocket.
Place the gnome inside the hatch on the left side of the rocket and close the hatch.
The achievement only triggers once the hatch is sealed.
Conclusion
Congratulations—you’ve earned Little Rocket Man and sent your tiny plastic companion into orbit. It’s a quirky and surprisingly heartfelt challenge that rewards persistence and patience.
If you made it this far, swing by our community Discord to share your success or drop a comment about what part of the journey gave you the most trouble. And as always, consider subscribing for more in-depth achievement guides!
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