In Search for Gnomes, players attempt to remember as many gnomes as possible in about 15 seconds time. Each round, every player tries to find the right amount of gnomes for each mission played, and after six rounds (in a two-player game) or four rounds (with four players) whoever has the most points wins. To set up a round, the starting player shuffles the twenty mission tiles face down, then shuffles the 25 forest tiles face up, placing them in a 5x5 grid. Everyone tries to remember as many gnomes and colors as possible, then after 15 seconds, they turn the forest tiles face down. Then each player in turn takes and reveals a mission tile after which a bidding round begins, with players bidding on how well they can complete the mission tiles.