Heroes V S.T.A.L.K.E.R

It’s simple: because the mod author added the ranged attack ability to the Gnolls (which is what they are, if I’m not mistaken, in Might & Magic VII). If this ability wasn’t defined in the creature’s files, they would remain melee units. So, the “ranged attack” ability of the Gnolls isn’t because they are replacing Centaurs, but because the mod author added this ability to them (he could even have added a lightning strike ability ). I also assume that Hottabych’s Chimeras will not be ranged units. But these creatures certainly sound intriguing, and I would be happy to see them.