Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Takei 01-13-06, 03:50 AM	I'm just playing around with the new HeroForge and it says that a 1st level centaur character just gets one feat. Is that right? Reading the Bright Sands Sourcebook gives me the impression that they get two; one for being a 1st level character (as per Table: 2_5 in the PHB), and one from the centaur 'class' table in Races of the Wild.
Kheldren 01-13-06, 04:16 AM	This came up before, but I can't find the thread. :( IIRC the answer is "no" - the one listed for centaur 1 IS the feat for being a first level character. Because they don't get 1 HD/Level in the centaur class they don't get the automatic feats at 1/3/6 - the class shows where they get them. The class has extra levels in to give the effect of Level Adjustment, which, of course, does not grant feats or skills. Check he class out in Races of the Wild for details.
Takei 01-13-06, 05:29 AM	Thanks Kheldren. Yes, the class table shows them getting a second feat at 4th level when they get their third hit die. So this means that they get an ability increase when they reach 6th level (4HD), even though it's not shown on the table?
Madfox11 01-13-06, 05:31 AM	Yes.
Takei 01-13-06, 07:33 AM	So my next question :) Once you've gotten all 6 monster levels and you level again you can take a regular class level; what row on Table 2-5 in the PHB do you use? I'm guessing it's 5th as you would then be a 5HD character? Basic questions I know, but I'm hoping to start the Bright Sands arc for my home group.
Gelth 01-13-06, 10:56 AM	Thanks Kheldren. Yes, the class table shows them getting a second feat at 4th level when they get their third hit die. So this means that they get an ability increase when they reach 6th level (4HD), even though it's not shown on the table? No. You do not get +1 stat bumps for hitdice that are part of a base monster class. The specific ruling is I believe in the Monster Manual under advancing creatures, and is very explicit on this point. Savage Species (which the Centaur rules also refer you to) also confirms this. Basically, for the first 6 levels, you get the stuff on the Centaur class chart and nothing else. From the SRD: "Ability Score Improvement Treat monster Hit Dice the same as character level for determining ability score increases. This only applies to Hit Dice increases, monsters do not gain ability score increases for levels they "already reached" with their racial Hit Dice, since these adjustments are included in their basic ability scores." --Penn, Ket Triad
Gelth 01-13-06, 10:58 AM	So my next question :) Once you've gotten all 6 monster levels and you level again you can take a regular class level; what row on Table 2-5 in the PHB do you use? I'm guessing it's 5th as you would then be a 5HD character? Basic questions I know, but I'm hoping to start the Bright Sands arc for my home group. Yep, on taking your first non-centaur you are treated as a 5th level character for the purposes of getting abilities, and as a 7th level character for how powerful you are (APLs and such). That's the basic breakdown. You get your first non-set stat bump at 8 hitdice which will be at 10th level, and your next free feat at 6 hitdice which is 8th level. --Penn, Ket Triad
wagnert 01-13-06, 02:29 PM	For those playing a Centaur and not yet aware of the Yahoo Group, there is a Yahoo Group for people playing Centaurs dedicated to answering questions about playing a Centaur. The stat, skill, feat progression is discussed there, as well as builds beyond 6th level. I believe there is at least one Centaur with a basic class already and several getting close. The group name is LGCentaur and the website is: http://games.groups.yahoo.com/group/LGCentaur/ Tom Wagner LGCentaur Moderator
redgamer 01-13-06, 05:17 PM	I met a player online whose centaur was level 6 by early summer. He very well may have run out of TUs before reaching lvl 7 however.
Takei 01-13-06, 05:24 PM	Thanks for the heads up Tom. I've joined the list.
SgtHulka 01-13-06, 08:36 PM	Since we're on the subject of Centaurs, and since I know this question has been asked at least a hundred times before so I don't dare create a new thread for it, do Centaurs do double damage with a lance when charging? It says they do in the Monster Manual, but I haven't found anything of the sort in the Races of the Wild, so I assume the answer is "no".
Gelth 01-14-06, 02:36 PM	Well, there's two basic sources for Centaurs, Races of the Wild and the Monster Manual. RotW is the more recent, but MM is the definitive one for dealing with monsters. Short answer: I don't know. Long answer: It depends on your judge, until someone official makes a ruling. I tend towards yes, but it's a judge call. I wouldn't depend on the tactic. --Penn, Ket Triad
Norman R. Thallheimer 01-22-06, 05:55 AM	Since we're on the subject of Centaurs, and since I know this question has been asked at least a hundred times before so I don't dare create a new thread for it, do Centaurs do double damage with a lance when charging? It says they do in the Monster Manual, but I haven't found anything of the sort in the Races of the Wild, so I assume the answer is "no". I'd assume that since the MM says yes, and no other source (RotW, BoBSSB) even addresses the issue (at least not AFAIK, and yes I am considering the "no mounted combat feats" ruling), that the answer is "yes". If a player can show me where it says he can, and I can't find where it says he can't, it becomes difficult to justify a "no". Norman R. Thallheimer Keep your bowstring dry.