psionic warior vs ardent [Archive] - Wizards Community

psionic warior vs ardent [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
bluetooth
05-23-07, 07:28 PM Ok

I understand that the psionic warrior has better HD than an ardent, and better weapon selection, it seems possible to make an Ardent that is just as good at melee as a psionic warrior if not better.

Now, I'm not saying that the issue is completely one sided, the psionic warrior get bonus feats and better HD and a more combat oriented powers, but the ardent get interesting granted abilities, the opportunity to take combat powers and WAY more power points.

Further, an ardent with the old practiced manifestor feat will actually have fewer powers than a psionic warrior (if they go for more than a one level dip into something else) but the ability to take 4 levels in various other things increases your flexibility tremendously. Just one level in fighter/ranger/paladin/barbarian and you get the profs you missed out on...then there's illithid slayer.

Don't get me wrong, I like the psionic warrior class, and I'm starting to get a little tired of the ardant because I've used it so much recently. I'd like to know if there's something the psionic warrior can excel at that the ardant will be hard pressed to imitate.
Istarion
05-23-07, 08:41 PM Natural attacks, maybe?

Illithid grapple+Bite of the wolf+Tail of the dragon= Loads of natural attacks. You may add 2 levels of totemist for girallon arms, and be a thri-kreen for overkill

(I get dizzy of just imagining such a thing)
Lycanthromancer
05-23-07, 08:57 PM Isn't that when you want to be a psirogue? I mean, think of the sneak attacks...
Istarion
05-23-07, 09:25 PM But that needs like... 6 feats to accomplish... that's when the Psywar comes in... but yeah... I'd love to crunch some rogue into it..
forsaken1111
05-24-07, 01:21 PM I'm playing an ardent/monk right now and he's turned out a lot more fun than my old psywar. YMMV but I likes the ardent.
InkBlot
05-24-07, 01:34 PM I don't believe the psychic warrior is outclassed by the ardent. The psychic warriors feats and HD make up for the smaller number of power points, by giving the psychic warrior options besides manifesting, and by making him slightly less dependant on defensive buffs.

The ardent's mantle abilities can't compare to bonus feats. The mantle abilities you can choose from at 10th level are the same ones you chose from at 1st level. Feats give you access to more powerful feats later on, and access to prestige classes.

The ardent is good for a lot of things. It can be a very capable fighter in it's own right, but it isn't objectively better than the psychic warrior.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
bluetooth 05-23-07, 07:28 PM	Ok I understand that the psionic warrior has better HD than an ardent, and better weapon selection, it seems possible to make an Ardent that is just as good at melee as a psionic warrior if not better. Now, I'm not saying that the issue is completely one sided, the psionic warrior get bonus feats and better HD and a more combat oriented powers, but the ardent get interesting granted abilities, the opportunity to take combat powers and WAY more power points. Further, an ardent with the old practiced manifestor feat will actually have fewer powers than a psionic warrior (if they go for more than a one level dip into something else) but the ability to take 4 levels in various other things increases your flexibility tremendously. Just one level in fighter/ranger/paladin/barbarian and you get the profs you missed out on...then there's illithid slayer. Don't get me wrong, I like the psionic warrior class, and I'm starting to get a little tired of the ardant because I've used it so much recently. I'd like to know if there's something the psionic warrior can excel at that the ardant will be hard pressed to imitate.
Istarion 05-23-07, 08:41 PM	Natural attacks, maybe? Illithid grapple+Bite of the wolf+Tail of the dragon= Loads of natural attacks. You may add 2 levels of totemist for girallon arms, and be a thri-kreen for overkill (I get dizzy of just imagining such a thing)
Lycanthromancer 05-23-07, 08:57 PM	Isn't that when you want to be a psirogue? I mean, think of the sneak attacks...
Istarion 05-23-07, 09:25 PM	But that needs like... 6 feats to accomplish... that's when the Psywar comes in... but yeah... I'd love to crunch some rogue into it..
forsaken1111 05-24-07, 01:21 PM	I'm playing an ardent/monk right now and he's turned out a lot more fun than my old psywar. YMMV but I likes the ardent.
InkBlot 05-24-07, 01:34 PM	I don't believe the psychic warrior is outclassed by the ardent. The psychic warriors feats and HD make up for the smaller number of power points, by giving the psychic warrior options besides manifesting, and by making him slightly less dependant on defensive buffs. The ardent's mantle abilities can't compare to bonus feats. The mantle abilities you can choose from at 10th level are the same ones you chose from at 1st level. Feats give you access to more powerful feats later on, and access to prestige classes. The ardent is good for a lot of things. It can be a very capable fighter in it's own right, but it isn't objectively better than the psychic warrior.