Leveling a Centaur

[Andrew-Kent Snyder]

So I have a few friends who have wanted to play a 3.5 Centaur, but you really can't have essentially a 6th level character play with 1st level characters.

I have heard about making Monster levels set up as class levels. I would like opinions on my layout of monster levels for a Centaur found in the link below. If anyone knows how to show the spreadsheet on the forum itself I would appreciate the advice :D

[link]https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1G4QXwC5ZiwODkh1pVjQApq93u9PBCDQMG90 a9PlXgIw/edit?usp=sharing[/link]

Thanks for the help in advance guys :D I am looking for brutal honesty as I really want to find a good balance if I allow players this option.

[boring7]

"Sorry, the file you have requested does not exist."

Honestly? I'd make everyone else Level 2, and make the centaur level 1 with no racial hit dice. Simple, quick, not necessarily balanced but easy. It's not like the Centaur has totally breakable spell-like abilities like "I can teleport at will". It's just really good stats and a high base speed.

Hell, the biggest problem is fitting inside dungeons.

[CommandoDude]

Centuars were stated for PCs in the Advanced Race Guide - so I advise you check that out.

Although, even if you subtract some of the Centuar's extra stat boosts, you're still looking at a race much more powerful than the CRB. I wouldn't say "one level" of power more powerful, but you should keep in mind any centuar characters will have an edge vs their non-centuar companions.

[moon glum]

You could create your own centaurs that were compatible with 1st level characters. Here is what you would have to do:

1. Their horse body and their human torso have different strengths. The horse part gets human strength +6. That strength can be used for hoof attacks, overrun, and bullrush, and for their carrying capacity, but not for grapple checks, weapon attacks, and such.

2. The get 2 hoof attacks for 1d4 as secondary natural attacks.

3. They are large, with a reach of 5'.

4. They have a base speed of 40' (not has fast as horses).

Then you would just add to the above the normal adjustments for a player character race. Maybe +2 con, +2 wis, -2 char, proficient with bows and lances, +2 to survival.

That would be a totally playable centaur race. Let them make their hooves primary natural attacks as a feat.

[Andrew-Kent Snyder]

I am not sure why the link https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1G4QXwC5ZiwODkh1pVjQApq93u9PBCDQMG90 a9PlXgIw/edit?usp=sharing doesn't work. I have tried it on multiple computers that don't have access to my Google accounts and it loaded up for me...

[IMG]http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c284/Andrek79/CentaurLevels_zps0beb6d50.p ng[/IMG]

I hope that image shows up. If not you can find what I have done to create a level 1-6 Racial/Monster levels for the creature. I hope this link will allow you to find it in Photobucket if the image doesn't show up: http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c284/Andrek79/CentaurLevels_zps0beb6d50.p ng

Thanks for the willingness to help already eveyone :D

[boring7]

Personally, I think losing 2 hit dice is kind of heavy and might add a d8 on level 5, but I am a powergamer with no sense of proportion.

Otherwise I can't think of anything wrong with it. Looks good.

[Trace Coburn]

FWIW, zerzix has already worked up racial levels for a lot of former 'monster' races, and the project is being refined and expanded as time goes on. You can find a link to the latest release-version of his work, including racial levels for centaurs, in this post of his "Savage Species Rulebook Conversion" thread. ;)

[Andrew-Kent Snyder]

Thanks for that link Trace.

I have been hounded for 15 years by my players to get a book of the world and homebrew stuff I have put on Amazon. So I am finally giving in and hoping to get some good feedback on some of the ideas as I get time to put them up for the community to tear apart.

I appreciate all the help you guys offer :D

[Mechagamera]

In 4e, there is a spell "Mare's Body" that mechanically makes you large and increases your speed, while fluffwise turning you into a centaur-like creature for a combat. Any auras you have would be centered on the medium-sized humanoid top half. I would say that would be worth a feat to permanently have this on you. And that way, you could have an elf centaur, a dwarf centaur, or an orc centaur instead of just a human centaur.