[update 2019\01\23] Guildmasters’ Guide to Ravnica (20 November 2018) Includes the Centaur race p.15. I feel it is a good balance and have modified my take on the centaur accordingly.

On the 14th of May 2018,  Unearthed Arcana released Centaur’s and Minotaur’s for play testing.

I’m hoping it goes a bit farther as it doesn’t come across like a good showing of the Centaur.

DnD Beyond has a decent Homebrew for Centaur’s that feels much more honest with the source materials.

What follows is my opinion towards what I’d like to see to honour the noble Centaur.

Centaurs

Centaurs (male) \ Centaurides or Centauresses (female)

Centaurs have the upper torso (arms, and head) of a human (with Elvin elongated features like their ears), and the body of a horse (hooves and all).

They are social creatures who live in family groups and organize into larger tribes. They mainly forage, fish, and hunt, with some seasonal agriculture and trade.

Centaurs are welcoming to elves and sometimes share territory, and trade for elvin food and wine. Dwarves and humans are commonly shunned and asked to leave their territory when encountered. Halflings and gnomes are commonly tolerated.

Centaurs are a strong and proud race that is easily offended and can be impulsive. Their society is one of balance, conserving nature and their environments, and only taking from the environment what can easily be given.

Centaurs are superstitious and see omens and portents in nature. They tend to also fear dragons and giants, specifically any that may wonder through, or take up residence, in their territory.

Centaur Traits

Ability Score Increase

Your Strength score increases by 2.

Age

The lifespan of a Centaur is about that of a human.

Alignment

Centaurs favor nature over civilization. As such, they tend towards neutral to chaotic good, and focus on the balance of nature.

Size

The average centaur is between six and nine feet tall. They have been known to weigh between 1000 and 2500 pounds. Your size is Large.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 40 feet.

Languages

You can speak Sylvan and either Elvin or Common.

Hooves

Your hooves are natural weapons, which you are proficient in and can use to make unarmed strikes with either your two front hooves or your two back hooves. If you hit with them, they do 1d4 + Strength modifier in bludgeoning damage.

Charge

If a centaur moves at least 30 feet straight toward a target and then hits it with an attack on the same turn, the target takes extra damage of the weapon’s type. A creature takes 1d6 extra damage on one attack. The damage increases to 2d6 at 6th, 3d6 at 11th, and 4d6 at 16th level.

Equine Weakness

Hybrid Nature. You have two creature types: humanoid and monstrosity. You can be affected by a game effect if it works on either of your creature types.

Equine Build: Any climb that requires hands and feet is especially difficult for you because of your hooves. When you make such a climb, each foot of movement costs you 4 extra feet, instead of the normal 1 extra foot.

Equine Armour: Half a Centaur’s armour will need to be Barding. Any purchased armour costs four times as much and weights twice as much.

Mounted:  You are unable to ride any creature. Any Medium or smaller creature can ride on your equine back if you allow it. In such a situation, you continue to act independently, not as a controlled mount.

Macedonia Centaurs

You are of the larger, more warrior\hunting breed of Centaur. As such you have the additional benefits:

Ability Score Increase

Your Constitution score increases by 1.

Hooves of Fury

Your hooves do 2d4 + Strength modifier in bludgeoning damage. If a successful attack is made the target must make a contested Strength check or be knocked prone.

Dionysus Centaurs

You are the smaller breed of Centaurs that’s more creative and crafty. As such you have the additional benefits:

Ability Score Increase

Your Wisdom score increases by 1.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 50 feet.

Languages

You can speak Sylvan, Elvin, and Common.

Sources

The Complete Book of Humanoids (AD&D 2nd edition) (1993)

DnD Beyond has a decent Homebrew for Centaur’s

Unearthed Arcana: Centaur’s and Minotaur’s (May2018)

Guildmasters’ Guide to Ravnica (20 November 2018)