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Hey all! I'm pretty new to D&D, though I have played a few games with a mixture of different people so I have a decent grasp of how many things work. However, for an upcoming campaign the DM is allowing me to play as a Centaur. I've been looking through the 3.5 edition of the Monster Manual which talks about Centaurs and lists some of their traits, but I could use some serious clarification on things...

The manual talks about Centaurs having "monstrous humanoid" levels (four at creation, which places a beginning Centaur at level four?) which seem to replace regular class levels (such as in ranger), but that does not seem to make sense as a Centaur can apparently gain levels in regular classes (again, such as in ranger). These "monstrous humanoid" levels grants two additional feats (though it does not specify if that is at the start or every few levels afterward) and it also lists class skills (such as survival) even though the Centaur does not seem to have a class (unless those are the skills for "monstrous humanoid", but again, Centaurs can take levels in other classes so what do these skills apply to?) So does this all mean that the Centaur starts as the "monstrous humanoid" class with the associated feats and skills as if it were one of the regular classes, but from then onward can level in a regular class? Would this count as multi-classing? The Centaur has a favored class of ranger, but say I wanted to take my first actual level beyond character creation in fighter, would this cause an experience penalty? Do the feats and skills of "monstrous humanoid" carry over into the regular classes? Could I be a fighter with the Centaur's racial skills? This has thoroughly confused me and I would greatly appreciate if someone could clear up and clarify what exactly a Centaur starts as, what it can be in regards to regular classes, and how all of the listed traits affect that class.

Hi

The centaur starts with 4 levels as a monstrous humanoid. Which gives him 2 feats and 7x(2+int) skills +4AB, etc. you can level his up as a fighter or whatever you want afterwards. The monster levels don't apply in multiclass xp penalties.

You should treat the monster levels as class levels for all level up purposes. If you add 2 ranger levels to the 4 centaur levels you would get a feat for being a 6 level character.

The racial skills apply only to the 4 centaur levels after that you use your class skills.

Thank you very much! That clears up a lot of my questions, and I now better understand how to proceed with creating a Centaur character.

I have a second question. Most regular classes start with some sort of weapon and/or armor proficiency feats. The Centaur does not have any such feats listed, yet they are known to wield longswords and composite longbows. If playing a Centaur, would they start with any of the aforementioned feats? If not, how does a player determine what sort of weapons and armor the Centaur may use?

No problem

Have a look at the monstrous humanoid type under the glossary (very useful is ever playing or improving a monster) page 311. For the centaur he is proficient with all simply weapons, long swords and long bows. He is not proficient with armor or shields. You will have to take feats if you want you wear armor.

As a hint: as long as you haven't taken a level in an actual class and got armour proficiency from there, don't waste a feat on it. You can use Leather Armour without penalty anyway, and same for Masterwork Studded Leather.

Ah, I see! That is very helpful. Thank you both.