Publication history
The centaurs of Dungeons & Dragons are based upon the centaurs of Greek mythology, [2] [4] including their proficiency in archery, [5] though they are much more civilized.
Advanced Dungeons & Dragons 2nd edition (1989–1999)
The centaur appeared in second edition Advanced Dungeons & Dragons in Monstrous Compendium Volume One (1989) as the "sylvan centaur", [8] reprinted in the Monstrous Manual (1993). [9] The Abanasinian centaur, the Crystalmir centaur, the Endscape centaur, and the Wendle centaur appeared as the centaurs of Krynn for the Dragonlance setting in Monstrous Compendium Dragonlance Appendix (1990). The nomadic centaur and the learned ones of the Forgotten Realms setting appeared in The Horde Barbarian Campaign Setting (1990). The desert centaur of the Al-Qadim setting appeared in the Monstrous Compendium Al-Qadim Appendix (1992), [10] and the desert centaur of the Greyhawk setting appeared in the adventure module Rary the Traitor (1992). The centaur is presented as a playable character race in The Complete Book of Humanoids (1993), [11] [12] which allows centaurs to be wizards, but not to advance beyond 12th level. [13] The centaur is later presented as a playable character race again in Player's Option: Skills & Powers (1995). [14]
Dungeons & Dragons 3.0 edition (2000–2002) and Dungeons & Dragons 3.5 edition (2003–2007)
The centaur appeared in the third edition Monster Manual (2000), [15] and the version 3.5 Monster Manual (2003). The hueleneaer (desert centaur) appeared in Dungeon #103 (October 2003). The centaur appeared as a player character race in Savage Species (2003), the Forgotten Realms book Races of Faerûn (2003), and in Races of the Wild (2005).
Dungeons & Dragons 4th edition (2008–2014)
The centaur appeared in the fourth edition Monster Manual 2 (2009).
Reception
Mythological creatures like the centaur were considered among the "standard repertoire of "Monsters"" of the game by Fabian Perlini-Pfister. [3] Keith Ammann compared the adaption of the mythological creature in the Harry Potter series to the one in D&D: While the former were "standoffish, territorial, and even a bit malicious", the latter were presented as more friendly, with a good alignment, and therefore unlikely to use lethal force against player characters as long as they or their homeland were not attacked themselves. [1]
Considering the 5th edition, centaurs have been suggested as especially suitable barbarian as well as ranger characters due to their high speed and ability to attack opponents with their hooves after a charge, [28] [22] [25] as well as fighters as they also have a benefit in strength. A counter-balancing drawback is that "they are not well-suited to climbing". [19] [29]
Cody Prater from Screen Rant asserted that using "non-humanoid characters in Dungeons & Dragons give players the opportunity to remove themselves even further from the real world [and] can provide unique opportunities for roleplaying", exploring an unusual mindset. In the case of the centaur "trying to figure out how to maneuver a horse body everywhere can be an exciting and interesting thought process." He praised the interesting look of the species as well as their valuable in-game ability to carry much heavier loads than other characters, [25] although in balance their size hampers any attempts at stealth. [26] He summarized that "[c]entaurs provide the best of horse and man in one formidable package." [25]
Screen Rant contributor Laura Gray positively remarked that the centaurs from the Mythic Odyssey of Theros setting are presented in two culturally and physically different variants, worked out in some detail; that they allow for "a well-rounded and powerful build that can do well in a range of different classes" with regard to game mechanics; and that with the characteristics of a "curious nature" and being "naturally inclined to embrace adventure" can be a fun player character choice from a role-playing point of view. [21]
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