Centaur Warrunner is a tanky initiator who thrives in team fights. His skills punish attackers, disable enemies, and lead allies into battle. This guide breaks down how to play him effectively, from abilities and item builds to strategies and tips. Master abilities, roles, item builds, strategies, and tips to control every fight with this Dota 2 Centaur Warrunner Guide.

Who Is Centaur Warrunner?

Bradwarden, also known as Centaur Warrunner, is a gladiator from Druud who sees killing as an art. He rose to fame in the ancient arena of Omexe. Now, he seeks worthy battles beyond his homeland.

Centaur is durable, team-oriented, and built for front-line combat. His strength scaling makes him hit harder as the game goes on. He is best played as an initiator, durable frontliner, disabler, nuker, or escape support when equipped with Aghanim’s Scepter.

Abilities Overview

Hoof Stomp (Q)

Centaur slams the ground, stunning nearby enemies and dealing physical damage. The ability affects enemies within a 325 radius and applies a stun that lasts between 1.6 to 2.2 seconds, scaling up to 3 seconds with talents. Damage ranges from 70 to 280, with a cooldown between 12 to 18 seconds. Use this ability to start fights or stop fleeing enemies. Pairing it with a Blink Dagger makes it a reliable initiation tool.

Double Edge (W)

Double Edge delivers high physical damage to a target and nearby units. It also damages Centaur, although he cannot die from using it. The base damage ranges from 120 to 300 and gains bonus damage scaling with up to 150% of Centaur’s Strength. It has a short cooldown of 3.5 seconds. Aghanim’s Shard upgrades the ability to slow enemies and grant Strength stacks on hero hits. This skill is ideal for burst damage, especially when Centaur has high Strength items.

Retaliate (E)

Retaliate reflects damage back to attackers, based on a flat amount plus a percentage of Centaur’s Strength. It deals between 15 and 45 base damage, with up to 40% Strength-based bonus damage. It also returns half damage to towers. While disabled by Break effects, it is effective against heroes who rely on frequent attacks. With talents, the aura can also apply to nearby allies.

Work Horse (Aghanim’s Scepter Upgrade)

This ability gives Centaur the effect of Stampede and unlocks Hitch A Ride. Work Horse lasts for 3.5 to 4.5 seconds and allows Centaur to act as a mobile platform. When activated, a cart forms behind him. Hitch A Ride allows an ally to mount the cart, becoming untargetable but still able to attack and cast spells. This combination is useful for saving allies or engaging together into fights.

Stampede (R)

Stampede is a global movement buff that allows all allies to move at 550 speed through units. Enemies trampled during the charge take damage equal to 200% to 300% of Centaur’s Strength and are slowed by 100% for three seconds. The duration scales up to 4.5 seconds and has a cooldown of 90 seconds. Stampede can be used to start fights, escape from danger, or chase fleeing opponents.

Talent Tree Highlights

At level 10, you can choose between +20 movement speed or +4 health regeneration. At level 15, your options are +30% Double Edge Strength damage or +12 Strength. The level 20 talents offer either -25 seconds Stampede cooldown or +45 Retaliate damage. At level 25, you can extend Hoof Stomp duration by 0.8 seconds or grant the Retaliate aura to allies. Choose talents based on your role and your team’s needs.

Recommended Item Build

Starting Items

• Tango – Health regeneration
• Healing Salve – Early sustain
• Enchanted Mango – Mana regen
• Iron Branch – Cheap stats
• Ring of Protection – Better trading with Retaliate

Early Game

• Bracer – Extra Strength
• Magic Wand – Health and mana burst
• Vanguard – Early tank item; builds into Crimson Guard

Core Items

• Blink Dagger – Key for initiating with Hoof Stomp
• Crimson Guard – Blocks physical damage for team
• Pipe of Insight – Counters magic burst and Double Edge self-damage
• Heart of Tarrasque – Health regen and Strength boost

Late Game Options

• Overwhelming Blink – Bonus Strength and AoE slow
• Black King Bar – Against disables or silences
• Aghanim’s Scepter – Unlocks Work Horse and Hitch A Ride
• Assault Cuirass – Armor aura and attack speed

Lotus Orb – Armor and dispel utility

Strategy Guide

Laning Phase

Centaur is most effective in the offlane with a support that has hard disables. Use Retaliate to punish enemy harassment and Double Edge to trade damage. Try to stay in the creep wave to maximize your reflected damage. If the lane is tough, consider rotating to the jungle temporarily.

Mid Game

Once you acquire Blink Dagger, you become a strong initiator. Look for opportunities to Blink in, Hoof Stomp, then follow up with Double Edge. Use Stampede to help your team engage or disengage across the map. Your job is to start fights, soak damage, and create chaos in the enemy’s backline.

Late Game

Centaur’s personal damage may drop, but his utility increases. With enough Strength, Double Edge and Stampede still deal respectable damage. Focus on staying alive, initiating fights, and protecting allies. Use Work Horse and Hitch A Ride to help teammates reposition or avoid danger.

Tips and Tricks

• Hoof Stomp has a short wind-up. Use Blink to land it before enemies react.
• Double Edge can’t kill you but will chunk your HP. Be careful when low.
• Retaliate is stronger with Strength items. Focus on bulk.
• Stampede helps across the map. Don’t wait too long to use it.
• Hitching an ally makes them untargetable. Use it to save squishy supports or cores.

Final Thoughts

Centaur Warrunner is a reliable frontliner with strong team utility and solid early game presence in Dota 2. His abilities scale with Strength, so item choices matter. With proper timing and positioning, he controls the tempo of team fights and helps secure objectives. Whether you’re initiating a fight or protecting an ally, Centaur brings steady value to any lineup.

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