Hi, so I have been thinking about making a Centaur Ranger named Freya. I plan for her to be either a Beast-master or a Horizon Walker. Is a Centaur Ranger optimal, and, which archetype is better than the other. Additionally, which Fighting Style should I pick?
Hi, so I have been thinking about making a Centaur Ranger named Freya. I plan for her to be either a Beast-master or a Horizon Walker. Is a Centaur Ranger optimal, and, which archetype is better than the other. Additionally, which Fighting Style should I pick?
Optimal for a centaur in that sense would be “rogue scout” but that’s personal opinion since you can double as a mount too....
for the ranger specific scenario of yours....horizon walker.
sad to say. Beast master is never optimal. So it’s a flavor/gimmick. So if you want optimal, never pick it. But if you just want to have fun. It’s always on the table.
for fighting style depends if you want to be an archer or melee ranger.
With the strength bonus definitely melee oriented. Between the two options I would definitely go Horizon Walker, besides the name fits for a centaur :) As for optimal i dunno but should be fun. What kind of backstory do you have going for this character just out of curiousity.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
"Where words fail, swords prevail. Where blood is spilled, my cup is filled" -Cartaphilus
"I have found the answer to the meaning of life. You ask me what the answer is? You already know what the answer to life is. You fear it more than the strike of a viper, the ravages of disease, the ire of a lover. The answer is always death. But death is a gentle mistress with a sweet embrace, and you owe her a debt of restitution. Life is not a gift, it is a loan."
The idea of being a mount is a powerful one, and while centaur is giving you a bonus to strength, a ranged approach would let you use it better. Horizon Walker is certainly better than beast master, but the Monster Slayer conclave may also be better. Being able to run around faster than most races can especially be good if you can get another party member to team up with you on it if they get something like mounted combat etc. Multiclassing for Kensei Monk could also be a serious consideration for this.
You certainly wouldn't get the most use out of your charge/hooves attack going with dexterity. But don't feel like you must change race because it is suboptimal. If you are rolling for stats there is a good chance you can still have a solid dexterity stat (maybe still good strength as well with the bonus). The other option depending on your dm would be to ask if they are ok with changing the strength stat boost to a dexterity boost, basically making you more of a Arabian, less a Clydesdale type of centaur. Archer centaurs certainly feature strongly in much of fantasy and I could definitely see you being able to mount a convincing argument with an understanding dm.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
"Where words fail, swords prevail. Where blood is spilled, my cup is filled" -Cartaphilus
"I have found the answer to the meaning of life. You ask me what the answer is? You already know what the answer to life is. You fear it more than the strike of a viper, the ravages of disease, the ire of a lover. The answer is always death. But death is a gentle mistress with a sweet embrace, and you owe her a debt of restitution. Life is not a gift, it is a loan."
On the whole ranged weapons using dex thing, yes this is true. The centaur race isn't only good for the strength bonus however, but the mobility it has from the 40 move speed is also notable. Grabbing mobility, or multiclassing into monk to use this bonus movement even further can be excellent as you would easily be able to outrun many enemies, especially if you also have an ally riding you. This of course isn't meant to say strength centaurs aren't amazing. Grabbing the charger feat means if you have a buddy riding you with mounted combatant you are able to really wade into combat and wreck havoc on your enemies. Another concept worth bringing up would be the GRAPPLER ranger centaur. The new UA feature stuff for ranger officially makes them among the best grapplers in the system thanks to expertise being in the class, and access to getting advantage on it as well. Pump your strength and grab your one hander of choice and zip in and out of enemy lines kidnapping some poor helpless fool away from his friends.
If you take the centaur from mordenkainen's monsters of the multiverse, you can upgrade 3 skills by 1, or 1 skills by 1 and another by 2. So having good dexterity is on the table. Take a look at this set I use for most of my characters: STR 12, DEX 14, CON 12, INT 14, WIS 14, CHA 12.
The fastest permanent build I have been able to think of is a centaur (40ft) wearing horseshoes of speed (30ft) with the feat of speed (10ft) 17 levels minimum of monk (30ft) and the boon of speed (30ft) for a total of 140ft (20ft more than a quickling). And that speed is PERMANENT.
The fastest permanent build I have been able to think of is a centaur (40ft) wearing horseshoes of speed (30ft) with the feat of speed (10ft) 17 levels minimum of monk (30ft) and the boon of speed (30ft) for a total of 140ft (20ft more than a quickling). And that speed is PERMANENT.
Now all you need is the Halfing/gnome/ Small race Cavalier PC as a friend
Multiclassing as a Monk does seem to be the easiest way to make use of species with special unarmed strikes, like the Centaur’s Hooves, for DEX-based rangers. You get to use your DEX for your unarmed strikes, gain a bonus action attack with them and have no hassles with stowing your bow and drawing your melee weapons if switching from ranged to close combat. All for one level of Monk (and you might even benefit from Unarmoured Defence, should you choose).
The monk boosts only work if you have no armor or shield relying on the Dex and wis bonuses - you’re probably better skipping the monk and taking the mobility feat somewhere. If you dump charisma and focus on getting Dex, con and wisdom to 14+ with strength 12+ you should be good to use both a spear (lance) and bow along with the hoof attacks. While hunters mark grants the bonus damage on every attack zephyr strike eliminates the opportunity attacks and may actually be a better spell for a centaur. Similarly taking deft explorer can effectively eliminate much of the climbing penalty at L6 by giving you a climbing speed (and swimming speed) (you learned to cliff climb from the goats and satyrs I guess). Over all it can be a strong character with both ranged and melee capabilities as well as decent spell use. And you can still act as a mount for another party member.
the kobold beast master suffers from the Tasha rewrite of the companion pretty well eliminating the mount aspects and the general inferiority of the PHB beast master including its lack of additional spells. The concept is better than the reality unfortunately.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Wisea$$ DM and Player since 1979.
To post a comment, please login or register a new account.
Hi, so I have been thinking about making a Centaur Ranger named Freya. I plan for her to be either a Beast-master or a Horizon Walker. Is a Centaur Ranger optimal, and, which archetype is better than the other. Additionally, which Fighting Style should I pick?
Optimal for a centaur in that sense would be “rogue scout” but that’s personal opinion since you can double as a mount too....
for the ranger specific scenario of yours....horizon walker.
sad to say. Beast master is never optimal. So it’s a flavor/gimmick. So if you want optimal, never pick it. But if you just want to have fun. It’s always on the table.
for fighting style depends if you want to be an archer or melee ranger.
Blank
With the strength bonus definitely melee oriented. Between the two options I would definitely go Horizon Walker, besides the name fits for a centaur :) As for optimal i dunno but should be fun. What kind of backstory do you have going for this character just out of curiousity.
"Where words fail, swords prevail. Where blood is spilled, my cup is filled" -Cartaphilus
"I have found the answer to the meaning of life. You ask me what the answer is? You already know what the answer to life is. You fear it more than the strike of a viper, the ravages of disease, the ire of a lover. The answer is always death. But death is a gentle mistress with a sweet embrace, and you owe her a debt of restitution. Life is not a gift, it is a loan."
The idea of being a mount is a powerful one, and while centaur is giving you a bonus to strength, a ranged approach would let you use it better. Horizon Walker is certainly better than beast master, but the Monster Slayer conclave may also be better. Being able to run around faster than most races can especially be good if you can get another party member to team up with you on it if they get something like mounted combat etc. Multiclassing for Kensei Monk could also be a serious consideration for this.
But ranged weapons rely on DEX....I guess I'll have to pick another race, like the Tortle?
You certainly wouldn't get the most use out of your charge/hooves attack going with dexterity. But don't feel like you must change race because it is suboptimal. If you are rolling for stats there is a good chance you can still have a solid dexterity stat (maybe still good strength as well with the bonus). The other option depending on your dm would be to ask if they are ok with changing the strength stat boost to a dexterity boost, basically making you more of a Arabian, less a Clydesdale type of centaur. Archer centaurs certainly feature strongly in much of fantasy and I could definitely see you being able to mount a convincing argument with an understanding dm.
"Where words fail, swords prevail. Where blood is spilled, my cup is filled" -Cartaphilus
"I have found the answer to the meaning of life. You ask me what the answer is? You already know what the answer to life is. You fear it more than the strike of a viper, the ravages of disease, the ire of a lover. The answer is always death. But death is a gentle mistress with a sweet embrace, and you owe her a debt of restitution. Life is not a gift, it is a loan."
On the whole ranged weapons using dex thing, yes this is true. The centaur race isn't only good for the strength bonus however, but the mobility it has from the 40 move speed is also notable. Grabbing mobility, or multiclassing into monk to use this bonus movement even further can be excellent as you would easily be able to outrun many enemies, especially if you also have an ally riding you. This of course isn't meant to say strength centaurs aren't amazing. Grabbing the charger feat means if you have a buddy riding you with mounted combatant you are able to really wade into combat and wreck havoc on your enemies. Another concept worth bringing up would be the GRAPPLER ranger centaur. The new UA feature stuff for ranger officially makes them among the best grapplers in the system thanks to expertise being in the class, and access to getting advantage on it as well. Pump your strength and grab your one hander of choice and zip in and out of enemy lines kidnapping some poor helpless fool away from his friends.
Ah....oh god now i have another Ranger Idea
Kobold Beastmaster with Giant Spider pet
Kobold can mount, take the mounted combatant feat, boom, both are protected.
Multiclass into something like Fighter or Rogue, can take Cavalier for the mount buffs, or take a Rogue subclass I cannot think of
I don't know about multiclassing, since the Pets AC and HP only increase from your rangers level.
oh. then just mounted combatant feat, pure beastmaster lvl 20. But what do you think of the idea?
Nice idea
'The Cleverness of mushrooms always surprises me!' - Ivern Bramblefoot.
I'll worldbuild for your DnD games!
Just a D&D enjoyer, check out my fiverr page if you need any worldbuilding done for ya!
If you take the centaur from mordenkainen's monsters of the multiverse, you can upgrade 3 skills by 1, or 1 skills by 1 and another by 2. So having good dexterity is on the table. Take a look at this set I use for most of my characters: STR 12, DEX 14, CON 12, INT 14, WIS 14, CHA 12.
The fastest permanent build I have been able to think of is a centaur (40ft) wearing horseshoes of speed (30ft) with the feat of speed (10ft) 17 levels minimum of monk (30ft) and the boon of speed (30ft) for a total of 140ft (20ft more than a quickling). And that speed is PERMANENT.
Now all you need is the Halfing/gnome/ Small race Cavalier PC as a friend
Blank
Multiclassing as a Monk does seem to be the easiest way to make use of species with special unarmed strikes, like the Centaur’s Hooves, for DEX-based rangers. You get to use your DEX for your unarmed strikes, gain a bonus action attack with them and have no hassles with stowing your bow and drawing your melee weapons if switching from ranged to close combat. All for one level of Monk (and you might even benefit from Unarmoured Defence, should you choose).
The monk boosts only work if you have no armor or shield relying on the Dex and wis bonuses - you’re probably better skipping the monk and taking the mobility feat somewhere. If you dump charisma and focus on getting Dex, con and wisdom to 14+ with strength 12+ you should be good to use both a spear (lance) and bow along with the hoof attacks. While hunters mark grants the bonus damage on every attack zephyr strike eliminates the opportunity attacks and may actually be a better spell for a centaur. Similarly taking deft explorer can effectively eliminate much of the climbing penalty at L6 by giving you a climbing speed (and swimming speed) (you learned to cliff climb from the goats and satyrs I guess). Over all it can be a strong character with both ranged and melee capabilities as well as decent spell use. And you can still act as a mount for another party member.
the kobold beast master suffers from the Tasha rewrite of the companion pretty well eliminating the mount aspects and the general inferiority of the PHB beast master including its lack of additional spells. The concept is better than the reality unfortunately.
Wisea$$ DM and Player since 1979.