Centaur (monster)

Template:Version030 This page is about the centaur monster. For the removed player race, see Centaur. For a list of all monstrous centaurs, see list of centaurs. Template:Monster info

Useful Info

Centaurs are the bane of low-level, lightly armoured characters. Swift enemies with shortbows, they can fire arrows while chasing you down. They can be found in the Dungeon (alone early; in packs later) and in themed vaults within the Lair and Shoals. The earliest you can find an out-of-depth centaur is D:3.

As an enemy with the archer flag, centaurs deal up to 7 extra damage with ranged weapons.

Tips & Tricks

• Centaurs are fast - only Spriggans can naturally outrun one, so retreating beyond a few tiles is usually out of the question. Don't be afraid to burn potions, scrolls, or other consumables against an early centaur.
• Knowing monster AI is important against centaurs:
  • Centaurs will unwield their bows when the player is in melee range, dealing significantly less damage. Even casters may want to hide around corners and enter melee with them.
    • Note that having a summon in melee won't stop the centaur from firing at you.
  • Charging in may not be the wisest idea, but remember that monsters can't attack from outside the player's line of sight. Ducking behind corners, using a scroll of fog, or closing a door can force the centaur to approach you. In a pinch, a potion of attraction can pull monsters towards you.
  • Centaurs won't attack you if other hostile monsters are in the way.
• Centaurs have low willpower/HD, so all sorts of Hexes and status effects are effective. Successful use of Tukima's Dance will render them mostly helpless. A wand of paralysis will disable them, while a wand of polymorph will usually make them drop the bow. Mephitic Cloud inflicts confusion, making it very unlikely for a centaur to actually hit you.
• Be careful when repositioning; if you leave melee range, they'll pull out their bows and resume firing.
• Your allies can tank the arrows for you. But since your allies might dodge (letting the arrow continue its path), this isn't 100% reliable.
• Centaurs can pick up items on the ground (if you haven't seen it yet). A centaur with a great sword is just as dangerous in melee as in range. A D:3 centaur with a wand of acid or quicksilver is a nightmare opponent, able to kill you with little counterplay.

History

• Prior to 0.27, centaurs dealt 10 base damage with their weapon (before the archer flag), but did not have a melee kick attack. This change was to compensate for the hidden weapon penalties removed in this version. Also, centaurs could rarely be found on D:2.

In addition, monsters were limited by arrow supply, so you could run them out of arrows by stair dancing.