I am using the Centaur monster class from RotW, which factors in 4HD plus 2LA over six levels. The LA may or may not be bought off as per UA rules, meaning that I will end up with Druid14 or Druid16.
Because I will have 6 lvls before even getting spellcasting, and the fact that there are only 4HD over those 6 lvls, d8s at that, I am not looking for him to be a frontline fighter or charger, more a skirmishy type relying on reach weapons and missile weapons. I would like to give him Combat Reflexes to take advantage of the reach weapon.
I am thinking of using a Longspear (mainly because the mini I have painted has one) and a Composite Longbow (eventually +4 Str for the bonus damage).
So anyway, starting stats are:
Str 10 (18)
Dex 15 (17)
Con 14 (18)
Int 10
Wis 18 (20)
Cha 8
Numbers in brackets indicate increases from monster levels. Starting stats not fixed - I can adjust on a point-for-point basis.
Feats - I don't really have a clear idea of what to take pre-druid. I thought maybe:
Centaur1 = Combat Reflexes
Flaw1 = Dodge
Flaw2 = Centaur Trample
I will have one more feat at Centaur4 before getting feats based on HD+CL (not terribly clear on whether that means I will get the lvl6 feat at Centaur6/Druid2 or not)
Also don't know when I will get the stat increases that would normally occur at lvls 4,8,12 etc
Any advice on pre-druid feats and combat tactics would be welcome!
Maybe Ranger/Druid?
Also Centaurs/Bariurs are considered self mounted so you could essentially grab Mounted combat feats with little to no problems, Spirited charge comes to mind, Ride by attack?, or go Range fighting and get Shot on the run?.
I would only go Druid for the Exalted Wildshape. The idea of turning into a blinkdog to escape things just gives me the giggles.
Or maybe go a Say ummmm, Arcane Heirophant meleeish type?
Centaur druid is not really optimal. Considering that you will have decent physical stats, maybe even shapeshift variant (replaces wild shape, PHB2) might work and you'll get it sooner (with your first druid level). Also, druidic avenger variant (UA/srd) dumps animal companion for fast movement and rage.
I would make it a melee monster, maybe dumping dex, possibly even wis (blasphemy!!), maxing str, taking power attack, maybe some charging feats, shapeshift, rage + some druid spells for buffing/utility/versatility. (26 Str, 12 Dex, 17 Wis.
You get feats/stat increases depending on your HD+class levels, LA does not count here.
Bariaur would play more similar to "normal" druids.
I might consider turning Mr Centaur into a melee druid with the alternate class features listed by cru above, especially since spellcasting would otherwise be several levels behind the rest of the party (not to mention the bad guys).
Maybe something like:
Str 18 (26)
Dex 10 (12)
Con 15 (19)
Int 10
Wis 14 (16)
Cha 8
Feats:
Centaur1 = Power Attack
Flaw1 = Ride-by Attack
Flaw2 = Spirited Charge
1) The LA may or may not be bought off as per UA rules
2) Combat Reflexes to take advantage of the reach weapon a Longspear
3) Flaw1 = Dodge
Flaw2 = Centaur Trample
4) I will have one more feat at Centaur4 before getting feats based on HD+CL (not terribly clear on whether that means I will get the lvl6 feat at Centaur6/Druid2 or not)
5) Also don't know when I will get the stat increases that would normally occur at lvls 4,8,12 etc
First, I think Centaur are a very good race if you can deal with the whole "I can't climb" deal of being a horse. A druid (with wild shape) deals well with it.
The Hit Dice are pretty good (full BAB) so you are not losing out a lot. Plus the only non-evil race with more racial ability mods in game is a Murrlurk (3 HD 1 LA) in Sandstone page 170 ish. Well, at least of the LA 1 or 2 variety.
1) It's pretty good if you can buy it off. It puts you in the game (at a lower level) and is worth it. I allow it in games, but not all DM's do.
2) Good choices, but I like Guisarme better than Longspears.
3) Why these? Why not like Stand Still and Improved Trip (with a guisarme?)
4) Feats and Ability Stat increases are based off Character Level. A 4 HD 2 LA Centaur is Character Level 4. When you add two more Druid levels (ECL8 CL6) you get your 6th level feat. When you add two more you get your 8th level stat bump (ECL 10.)
5) You would get the stat bumbs based on your Character Level not your ECL.
First, I think Centaur are a very good race if you can deal with the whole "I can't climb" deal of being a horse. A druid (with wild shape) deals well with it.
The Hit Dice are pretty good (full BAB) so you are not losing out a lot. Plus the only non-evil race with more racial ability mods in game is a Murrlurk (3 HD 1 LA) in Sandstone page 170 ish. Well, at least of the LA 1 or 2 variety.
1) It's pretty good if you can buy it off. It puts you in the game (at a lower level) and is worth it. I allow it in games, but not all DM's do.
2) Good choices, but I like Guisarme better than Longspears.
3) Why these? Why not like Stand Still and Improved Trip (with a guisarme?)
4) Feats and Ability Stat increases are based off Character Level. A 4 HD 2 LA Centaur is Character Level 4. When you add two more Druid levels (ECL8 CL6) you get your 6th level feat. When you add two more you get your 8th level stat bump (ECL 10.)
5) You would get the stat bumbs based on your Character Level not your ECL.
I find judging ECL to be better than LA alone. Usually, I'd rather take a +2 LA that a 3 HD. Say, for example, +2 LA 1 HD vs. +0 LA 4 HD. Unless those hit dice are Outsider or Dragon I'm not likely to take option two.
Or maybe go a Say ummmm, Arcane Heirophant meleeish type?
that leaves him at least lvl13 to get to that, and lvl14 before he gets WS and 3rd lvl spells. i don't know, but that seems pretty expensive to me (though, normally, AH is AWESOME).
if you want your animal companion to keep-up, you'll need Natural Bond, and maybe a level of Beastmaster (though, that loses you a caster level)
but yeah, you'll definitely need to be martial-oriented.
I find judging ECL to be better than LA alone. Usually, I'd rather take a +2 LA that a 3 HD. Say, for example, +2 LA 1 HD vs. +0 LA 4 HD. Unless those hit dice are Outsider or Dragon I'm not likely to take option two.
You will never see a +0 LA 2 or more HD race.
Also a +x LA 1 HD race would have the HD dissolve when you take class levels.
You will never see a +0 LA 2 or more HD race.
What about advanced Dwarf? :P
Also a +x LA 1 HD race would have the HD dissolve when you take class levels.
Only if said HD is Humanoid or Monstrous Humanoid, or so I've been told.
You will never see a +0 LA 2 or more HD race.
Also a +x LA 1 HD race would have the HD dissolve when you take class levels.
You are wrong. As in, incorrect. They're rare, but they exist.
May I gently, once again, recommend bariur? They're really very good, but I understand if you are married to a centaur. Such is a character concept sometimes that it grants little motion. :: shrug ::
What about advanced Dwarf? :P
Only if said HD is Humanoid or Monstrous Humanoid, or so I've been told.
Where is advanced Dwarf detailed?
DMG p172 makes no restrictions on the 1 HD or fewer turns into class levels.
You are wrong. As in, incorrect. They're rare, but they exist.
Ambush Drake is level adjust "-" in the MMIII, but that web site has a method to use Ambush Drakes as characters. Excusing the fact that the RAW doesn't allow Ambush Drake characters for the moment, then that is the one singular example of a HD only race.
Anything from the Awaken Animal or Awaken Tree spells will also have no LA, but this will probably cause your GM to put a gun in his mouth, and jump off a building. I do not, as a result, recommend this course of action under general circumstances.
I do not mean to be argumentative, I just mean to suggest that 3.5 has no hard and fast rules to speak of.
I would, however, urge the OP not to use centaurs, as centaurs are widely considered to sort of be ungood dudes.