Author Topic: Ardent handbook  (Read 71092 times)

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johnboy069

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Re: Ardent handbook
« Reply #60 on: October 30, 2009, 01:32:59 AM »
I have been debating on what to make with my next character, and I have been thinking something like human totemist2/ardent7. (The campaign will stop at 9) I have access to XPH, MOI and CPsi, plus core (no access to the ACFs either). From first level, I will focus on the totemist claw attacks until I get my first ardent level. Once I hit 3rd,  I will go into ardent and finish.

My abilities are: pretty decent rolls :D
Str-15
Dex-12
Con-14
Wis-18
Int-10
Cha-10

My mantles will be:

Conflict (primary)
Natural World (primary)
Energy
and I was thinking Freedom or Light and Darkness, but I am unsure. I am really unsure of what to spend my feats on. I am mostly a buffer/claw fighter, but want to have some blaster capability (hence the energy mantle). Where should I go with feats? Is Psionic Weapon a good route? Thanks for any help.
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johnboy069

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Re: Ardent handbook
« Reply #61 on: November 17, 2009, 03:55:17 AM »
Anyone have any insight on this?
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PhaedrusXY

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Re: Ardent handbook
« Reply #62 on: November 17, 2009, 12:05:40 PM »
Psionic Weapon is not worth much by itself, as it only applies to one attack. It can be decent if you can hit multiple people with that attack, for example if you're a Warmind. It is fairly good at the very low levels, but if retraining isn't an option, you'll wind up stuck with it.

I don't know much about totemist, but that sounds like a pretty good build idea. I don't think Energy is worth taking, as I'd advise leaving off the "blasting" idea entirely. It is too inefficient and ineffective to bother with. I'd focus on feats that let you buff better and dish out damage better.

Personally, I'd suggest Psicrystal Affinity, Expanded Knowledge (Share Pain), and Linked Power. If you're read through the posts in the guide, you probably know that, though. :P Look here if you don't: http://brilliantgameologists.com/boards/index.php?topic=5871.0
[spoiler]
A couple of water benders, a dike, a flaming arrow, and a few barrels of blasting jelly?

Sounds like the makings of a gay porn film.
...thanks
[/spoiler]

johnboy069

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Re: Ardent handbook
« Reply #63 on: November 17, 2009, 08:58:03 PM »
Thanks. I orignially got the idea from the Ardent build guide and compendium that was on 339.
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HCL

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Re: Ardent handbook
« Reply #64 on: November 18, 2009, 08:31:24 PM »
Well I am putting together an ardent for a play by post, does anyone have any recommendations? I really don't know anything about mid level psionic gear so I need some help

http://www.coyotecode.net/profiler/view.php?id=7596

Would it be wise to skip Expanded Knowledge: Share pain and grab a dorje instead?
« Last Edit: November 18, 2009, 08:44:06 PM by HCL »

PhaedrusXY

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Re: Ardent handbook
« Reply #65 on: November 18, 2009, 08:46:40 PM »
Well I am putting together an ardent for a play by post, does anyone have any recommendations? I really don't know anything about mid level psionic gear so I need some help

http://www.coyotecode.net/profiler/view.php?id=7596
What are the bracers of armor for? They don't stack with your full plate.

Here is the gear I had for a 7th level ardent/psiwarrior:

[spoiler]+1 Deep Crystal Guisarme w/wand chamber (12 lbs)(3409 gp)
Dorje of Force Screen (in wand chamber)(750 gp)
MW Crystal Full Plate (8 AC, 1 Max Dex, -5 ACP, 50 lbs)(1650 gp)
Armor Spikes (50 gp, 10 lbs)
Tooth of Savnok (ToM, move at normal rate in heavy armor or with a heavy load)(2000 gp)
Ring of Arming (MiC p. 122, stores armor and weapons, Std action)(5000 gp)
MW composite longbow (3 lbs)(+2 str)(600 gp)
Quiver of 20 arrows (3 lbs)(1 gp)
Manual of the Planes (MW tool for Knowledge: The Planes, 50 gp)
Two power stones of Psychic Reformation (50xp in one, 100xp in the other, 2150 gp total, both used)
Power stones: Conceal Thoughts x2, Chameleon x3, Synthesete (300 gp total)
Healing Belt (750 gp)(worn by psicrystal)
Steadfast Boots (MiC, 1400 gp)
Potion of Resist Energy (300 gp)[/spoiler]

The Ring of Arming is nice, but there are certainly better things you could probably spend your money on. I RPed this guy as a "tough as nails" bodyguard, who placed the highest priority on always "being ready", so it fit for him.

The "Manual of the Planes" is just a masterwork tool for the Knowledge: Planes skill, based on this "item".

He also had a bunch of mundane, but useful, crap:
[spoiler]Travelers's outfit (1 gp, 5 lb)
Backpack (2 gp, 2 lbs)
Bedroll (1 sp, 5 lbs)
Winter Blanket (5 sp, 3 lbs)
Chalk (1 cp)
Crowbar (2 gp, 5 lbs)
Flint and Steel (1 gp)
Grappling Hook (1 gp, 4 lbs)
Ink (1 oz. vial)(8 gp)
Quill (1 sp)
Small Steel Mirror (10 gp, 1/2 lb)
Parchment, sheet x10 (2 gp)
Belt Pouch (1 gp, 1/2 lb)
Trail Rations (per day) x10 (5 gp, 5 lb)
Hempen Rope (100 ft.) (2 gp, 20 lbs)
Signal Whistle (8 sp)
Soap (1 sp)
Shovel (2 gp, 8 lb)
Tent (10 gp, 20 lb)
Waterskin x2 (2 gp, 8 lbs)
Whetstone (2 cp, 1 lb)
Torch x3 (3 cp, 3 lbs)
Oil flask x2 (2 sp, 2 lbs)[/spoiler]
[spoiler]
A couple of water benders, a dike, a flaming arrow, and a few barrels of blasting jelly?

Sounds like the makings of a gay porn film.
...thanks
[/spoiler]

HCL

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Re: Ardent handbook
« Reply #66 on: November 18, 2009, 08:56:00 PM »
Well I am putting together an ardent for a play by post, does anyone have any recommendations? I really don't know anything about mid level psionic gear so I need some help

http://www.coyotecode.net/profiler/view.php?id=7596
What are the bracers of armor for? They don't stack with your full plate.

Here is the gear I had for a 7th level ardent/psiwarrior:

[spoiler]+1 Deep Crystal Guisarme w/wand chamber (12 lbs)(3409 gp)
Dorje of Force Screen (in wand chamber)(750 gp)
MW Crystal Full Plate (8 AC, 1 Max Dex, -5 ACP, 50 lbs)(1650 gp)
Armor Spikes (50 gp, 10 lbs)
Tooth of Savnok (ToM, move at normal rate in heavy armor or with a heavy load)(2000 gp)
Ring of Arming (MiC p. 122, stores armor and weapons, Std action)(5000 gp)
MW composite longbow (3 lbs)(+2 str)(600 gp)
Quiver of 20 arrows (3 lbs)(1 gp)
Manual of the Planes (MW tool for Knowledge: The Planes, 50 gp)
Two power stones of Psychic Reformation (50xp in one, 100xp in the other, 2150 gp total, both used)
Power stones: Conceal Thoughts x2, Chameleon x3, Synthesete (300 gp total)
Healing Belt (750 gp)(worn by psicrystal)
Steadfast Boots (MiC, 1400 gp)
Potion of Resist Energy (300 gp)[/spoiler]

The Ring of Arming is nice, but there are certainly better things you could probably spend your money on. I RPed this guy as a "tough as nails" bodyguard, who placed the highest priority on always "being ready", so it fit for him.

The "Manual of the Planes" is just a masterwork tool for the Knowledge: Planes skill, based on this "item".

He also had a bunch of mundane, but useful, crap:
[spoiler]Travelers's outfit (1 gp, 5 lb)
Backpack (2 gp, 2 lbs)
Bedroll (1 sp, 5 lbs)
Winter Blanket (5 sp, 3 lbs)
Chalk (1 cp)
Crowbar (2 gp, 5 lbs)
Flint and Steel (1 gp)
Grappling Hook (1 gp, 4 lbs)
Ink (1 oz. vial)(8 gp)
Quill (1 sp)
Small Steel Mirror (10 gp, 1/2 lb)
Parchment, sheet x10 (2 gp)
Belt Pouch (1 gp, 1/2 lb)
Trail Rations (per day) x10 (5 gp, 5 lb)
Hempen Rope (100 ft.) (2 gp, 20 lbs)
Signal Whistle (8 sp)
Soap (1 sp)
Shovel (2 gp, 8 lb)
Tent (10 gp, 20 lb)
Waterskin x2 (2 gp, 8 lbs)
Whetstone (2 cp, 1 lb)
Torch x3 (3 cp, 3 lbs)
Oil flask x2 (2 sp, 2 lbs)[/spoiler]

Allowed sources for me are Core, XPH, and the completes. So MIC is out, as is dungeonscape. I believe web enhancements are OK though
« Last Edit: November 18, 2009, 08:58:43 PM by HCL »

Samb

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Re: Ardent handbook
« Reply #67 on: November 18, 2009, 10:27:11 PM »
Sorry I've been rather busy of late but the feats I think will be a big part of an ardent, especially the metapsionic ones.  I am still warping my brain around how they work and how they multiples would affect one another.

Psionic Weapon is not worth much by itself, as it only applies to one attack. It can be decent if you can hit multiple people with that attack, for example if you're a Warmind. It is fairly good at the very low levels, but if retraining isn't an option, you'll wind up stuck with it.
Psionic weapon isn't too great, but it's the preq for deep impact which is gold for a PA using uber charger. 

Prime32

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Re: Ardent handbook
« Reply #68 on: November 23, 2009, 07:51:08 AM »
Seriously, no mention of monk dips?

Kalashtar monk racial substitution levels (either Races of Eberron or Secrets of Sarlona) let you take any psionic feat as a monk bonus feat. Two levels of this + Tashalatora =  :D
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The tier system in a nutshell:
[spoiler]Tier 6: A cartographer.
Tier 5: An expert cartographer or a decent marksman.
Tier 4: An expert marksman.
Tier 3: An expert marksman, cartographer and chef who can tie strong knots and is trained in hostage negotiation or a marksman so good he can shoot down every bullet fired by a minigun while armed with a rusted single-shot pistol that veers to the left.
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Tier 1: Someone with teleportation, mind control, time manipulation, intangibility, the ability to turn into an exact duplicate of anything and the ability to see into the future with perfect accuracy.[/spoiler]

KellKheraptis

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Re: Ardent handbook
« Reply #69 on: November 23, 2009, 11:40:24 AM »
Seriously, no mention of monk dips?

Kalashtar monk racial substitution levels (either Races of Eberron or Secrets of Sarlona) let you take any psionic feat as a monk bonus feat. Two levels of this + Tashalatora =  :D

Well, if you look at the wording of Tashalatora, you don't even need a monk level.  0+X Psion Class = X Psionic Class.  Kalashtar Erudite 20 with Tashalatora = makes monks crai.  :D
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PhaedrusXY

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Re: Ardent handbook
« Reply #70 on: December 15, 2009, 12:47:33 AM »
Ardent goes well with Martial Adept classes, due to how they are both friendly to multiclassing. I'm just starting a game with an Ardent/Crusader build heading into a psionic variant of Jade Phoenix Mage. We'll see how it goes. It is another "bodyguard" build. :D
[spoiler]
A couple of water benders, a dike, a flaming arrow, and a few barrels of blasting jelly?

Sounds like the makings of a gay porn film.
...thanks
[/spoiler]

Negative Zero

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Re: Ardent handbook
« Reply #71 on: December 15, 2009, 07:01:43 PM »
Ardent goes well with Martial Adept classes, due to how they are both friendly to multiclassing. I'm just starting a game with an Ardent/Crusader build heading into a psionic variant of Jade Phoenix Mage. We'll see how it goes. It is another "bodyguard" build. :D

You've got to be great to team with. How many bodyguards have you made by now?

KellKheraptis

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Re: Ardent handbook
« Reply #72 on: December 15, 2009, 09:00:26 PM »
Ardent goes well with Martial Adept classes, due to how they are both friendly to multiclassing. I'm just starting a game with an Ardent/Crusader build heading into a psionic variant of Jade Phoenix Mage. We'll see how it goes. It is another "bodyguard" build. :D

Why the one level dip in Erudite, btw?  Does that expand your overall power selection, or is it Mantled Erudite for more mantles?
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dwennon

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Re: Ardent handbook
« Reply #73 on: December 16, 2009, 01:32:37 AM »
Hey i'm curious how the ardent learns their powers. Since from the way I read it it seems like you can learn any power from any mantles you have access to as long as you have the PP and the wis. after 1st level. This is mostly so I know how it is supposed to work.

PhaedrusXY

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Re: Ardent handbook
« Reply #74 on: December 16, 2009, 01:35:19 AM »
Ardent goes well with Martial Adept classes, due to how they are both friendly to multiclassing. I'm just starting a game with an Ardent/Crusader build heading into a psionic variant of Jade Phoenix Mage. We'll see how it goes. It is another "bodyguard" build. :D

Why the one level dip in Erudite, btw?  Does that expand your overall power selection, or is it Mantled Erudite for more mantles?
Purely for feats. Being able to use psionic devices with powers not normally on my list is nice also, as is the extra 1st level power known which I can swap out daily.

Hey i'm curious how the ardent learns their powers. Since from the way I read it it seems like you can learn any power from any mantles you have access to as long as you have the PP and the wis. after 1st level. This is mostly so I know how it is supposed to work.
That's right. You can pick any power that costs power points equal or less than your manifester level, including things like Practiced Manifester, etc. That's why it is great for multiclassing. It still hurts your power points, though.

Ardent goes well with Martial Adept classes, due to how they are both friendly to multiclassing. I'm just starting a game with an Ardent/Crusader build heading into a psionic variant of Jade Phoenix Mage. We'll see how it goes. It is another "bodyguard" build. :D

You've got to be great to team with. How many bodyguards have you made by now?
Beats me. I can remember at least 6 different builds I've made, and this is the 3rd that I've actually played. I think this one is likely the best also.
« Last Edit: December 16, 2009, 02:10:14 AM by PhaedrusXY »
[spoiler]
A couple of water benders, a dike, a flaming arrow, and a few barrels of blasting jelly?

Sounds like the makings of a gay porn film.
...thanks
[/spoiler]

Operation Shoestring

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Re: Ardent handbook
« Reply #75 on: December 16, 2009, 04:33:44 AM »

JUSTICE
Ability: expend focus to make an AoO on anyone that attacks your ally.  Meh, I just can't think of any builds to base this off.

I seem to recall a feat somewhere that let you exchange places with a foe instead of an AoO.  take that, the martial strike that lets you make an AoO without using your AoO, and standstill.

When an enemy attacks the ally you are defending, activate the strike to standstill (or trip him, if that works) him, and then AoO with the feat to switch places with him, moving him away from your ally in the middle of his attack, and preventing him from getting a full attack off on your ally.... IIRC, this works even on shadowpouncers.

or something like that.  Immediate AoO on anyone attacking the dude you are bodyguarding has lots of possibiities.

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Re: Ardent handbook
« Reply #76 on: January 18, 2010, 11:25:36 PM »
I apologize if this counts as necromancy, but I couldn't find the board rules here and I had a question.

Has anyone tried the Ardent with Soul Manifester? (And Incarnate, of course.) I think the Wis synergy could be amazing, but don't know enough about Incarnum to crunch the numbers/possibilities.
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HCL

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Re: Ardent handbook
« Reply #77 on: January 19, 2010, 12:48:23 AM »
I was just thinking about that today, it looks like a good choice. You would want 3 levels of ardent, then you could go 4 levels of totemist/incarnate and pick up practiced manifester.

If you want to get cheesy you could use Body fuel + strongheart vest for infinite power points. If you want to get slightly less cheesy, take a level of binder (good flavor) and use naberius instead so your dm is slightly less tempted to throw things at you.

johnboy069

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Re: Ardent handbook
« Reply #78 on: January 19, 2010, 01:12:32 AM »
I think Totemist would go well with ardent for the claw synergy. Plus, the totem chakra rocks!  :D
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Samb

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Re: Ardent handbook
« Reply #79 on: January 23, 2010, 03:00:42 AM »
I was just thinking about that today, it looks like a good choice. You would want 3 levels of ardent, then you could go 4 levels of totemist/incarnate and pick up practiced manifester.

If you want to get cheesy you could use Body fuel + strongheart vest for infinite power points. If you want to get slightly less cheesy, take a level of binder (good flavor) and use naberius instead so your dm is slightly less tempted to throw things at you.
I have been updating the feats and the like, just not done.

Please explain this a little better as I don't get incarnum at all.  I will add this if I get a jist of what it entails.