Ardent Power Selection Nightmare [Archive] - Wizards Community

Ardent Power Selection Nightmare [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Second
05-12-07, 02:13 AM I'm finding that choosing powers for an Ardent is far more difficult than it should be. It requires a degree of planning that doesn't leave much room for deviation should you decide to take your Ardent in a different direction than initially planned. I've been attempting to build a well rounded blaster/ secondary metamorphing tank with essential utility (Dispel Psionics, True Seeing, etc.). I'm not even bothering with PrCs (personal preference) to reduce reliance on Tap Mantle feats.

Between choosing good initial primary mantles, picking suitable secondary mantles, keeping those primary mantle powers high enough for more secondary powers, and still somehow getting desired powers with minimal feat investment, making a seemingly simple level 20 Ardent is proving to be a headache. And that's before switching primary mantles around at 8th and 15th level.

With a Psion, it takes me all of 15 minutes to cherry pick the powers I want throughout my career. I've sat down with the Complete Psionic and a notepad for hours and still can't get the power selection to work the way I want. I end up having to take powers I have no use for and taking ones far below my available level.

I think I'm trying to do too much with an Ardent. Are they doomed to being focused on one or two roles to be effective?
rampant
05-12-07, 02:33 AM The ardent is admittedly more specialized than the Psion. Its supposed to be specialized. Ardents their limited power selection indicates they were designed that way. Its not a bad thing, They get access to sppecial abilities and some powers that psions don't. Its fair, psions get a broader selection, while ardents are better specialists.
Grizzled Gryphon
05-12-07, 11:42 AM I would say they are doomed to being too focused, as that is the class concept.
Tempest Stormwind
05-12-07, 12:01 PM Two notes:

1) Ardents have a stronger class skeleton (higher HD, better base attack, weapon/armor proficiency, saves). They get fewer powers and a more focused approach as a result.

2) Interestingly, taking a PrC simplifies your power selection as you have no other mantles to draw from and no mantle rotations to perform. In exchange, you don't learn powers from as diverse a field.
awaken_D_M_golem
05-12-07, 04:01 PM In an Iconic four party with Fighter, Cleric, Wizard, and Rogue, and you are #5 the Ardent, there's this arrangement:

..F......C..
......A......
..W.....R..

When the Fighter needs help or the Cleric needs to heal or the Rogue needs a flanking partner or Wiz needs a meat-shield,
that's when/what you, the Ardent, do.

Subbing for the Fighter :
Ardent 4 / +1 BAB class 2 / Slayer 10 / Storm Disciple 4 ; just not exactly in that order.
You get Practised Manifester feat, such that BAB +19 and Manifester Level 20.

Anything you can do, the Cleric or Wizard can't do as well. Anything they can do, you shouldn't try to do.

Have fun.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Second 05-12-07, 02:13 AM	I'm finding that choosing powers for an Ardent is far more difficult than it should be. It requires a degree of planning that doesn't leave much room for deviation should you decide to take your Ardent in a different direction than initially planned. I've been attempting to build a well rounded blaster/ secondary metamorphing tank with essential utility (Dispel Psionics, True Seeing, etc.). I'm not even bothering with PrCs (personal preference) to reduce reliance on Tap Mantle feats. Between choosing good initial primary mantles, picking suitable secondary mantles, keeping those primary mantle powers high enough for more secondary powers, and still somehow getting desired powers with minimal feat investment, making a seemingly simple level 20 Ardent is proving to be a headache. And that's before switching primary mantles around at 8th and 15th level. With a Psion, it takes me all of 15 minutes to cherry pick the powers I want throughout my career. I've sat down with the Complete Psionic and a notepad for hours and still can't get the power selection to work the way I want. I end up having to take powers I have no use for and taking ones far below my available level. I think I'm trying to do too much with an Ardent. Are they doomed to being focused on one or two roles to be effective?
rampant 05-12-07, 02:33 AM	The ardent is admittedly more specialized than the Psion. Its supposed to be specialized. Ardents their limited power selection indicates they were designed that way. Its not a bad thing, They get access to sppecial abilities and some powers that psions don't. Its fair, psions get a broader selection, while ardents are better specialists.
Grizzled Gryphon 05-12-07, 11:42 AM	I would say they are doomed to being too focused, as that is the class concept.
Tempest Stormwind 05-12-07, 12:01 PM	Two notes: 1) Ardents have a stronger class skeleton (higher HD, better base attack, weapon/armor proficiency, saves). They get fewer powers and a more focused approach as a result. 2) Interestingly, taking a PrC simplifies your power selection as you have no other mantles to draw from and no mantle rotations to perform. In exchange, you don't learn powers from as diverse a field.
awaken_D_M_golem 05-12-07, 04:01 PM	In an Iconic four party with Fighter, Cleric, Wizard, and Rogue, and you are #5 the Ardent, there's this arrangement: ..F......C.. ......A...... ..W.....R.. When the Fighter needs help or the Cleric needs to heal or the Rogue needs a flanking partner or Wiz needs a meat-shield, that's when/what you, the Ardent, do. Subbing for the Fighter : Ardent 4 / +1 BAB class 2 / Slayer 10 / Storm Disciple 4 ; just not exactly in that order. You get Practised Manifester feat, such that BAB +19 and Manifester Level 20. Anything you can do, the Cleric or Wizard can't do as well. Anything they can do, you shouldn't try to do. Have fun.