Author Topic: M/C Ardent for Magic Mantle: worth it if psionics is somewhat different?  (Read 2814 times)

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Saeomon

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I'm currently playing a 5th level Shaper Psion in a campaign where the DM has been very coy about how psionics interacts with magic. She says transparency applies to some things but not others and has avoided giving me in-game information that would answer any of my questions.

Consequently, I've avoided taking any powers that require transparency to be fully effective so far. That means no Detect Psionics, no Identify, and no Dispel Psionics. I don't want to get shafted with bad powers, especially since the DM swiped all of our magic items and gold. It's been a very bleak campaign.

This brings me to my question: would it be worth it to take a level or two of Ardent to obtain the Magic Mantle's granted ability and force full transparency on the game (at least as applies to my character's powers)? My plan with this character has been to PrC into Anarchic Initiate at 6th. I've got all the prerequisites, and I'm sure my character will be quite effective without those powers. I'd also hate to lose any manifester levels in Psion. On the other hand, getting that Mantle's ability would solve all this wishy-washy pseudo-transparency crap that the DM's been putting me through...

So, what do you y'all think?

PhaedrusXY

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Re: M/C Ardent for Magic Mantle: worth it if psionics is somewhat different?
« Reply #1 on: December 01, 2010, 02:45:14 PM »
Not worth it, ever. You'd be better off rolling up an Ardent and ditching your current character.
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Bozwevial

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Re: M/C Ardent for Magic Mantle: worth it if psionics is somewhat different?
« Reply #2 on: December 01, 2010, 02:48:01 PM »
If you're a shaper, psi-magic transparency shouldn't be that big of a problem for you.

Saeomon

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Re: M/C Ardent for Magic Mantle: worth it if psionics is somewhat different?
« Reply #3 on: December 01, 2010, 03:03:14 PM »
Thanks. :) I think I'll stick with the character. I've pulled off lots of great stuff, even without transparency.


Lycanthromancer

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Re: M/C Ardent for Magic Mantle: worth it if psionics is somewhat different?
« Reply #4 on: December 01, 2010, 04:10:41 PM »
You may want to consider hitting Vow of Poverty. If you're a warforged, start using psychic reformation to pull in some item creation feats, make a bunch of warforged components (that cannot be forcefully removed from your body while you're alive and conscious), and metaphorically tell your DM to suck it (especially if you take Die Hard or some equivalent, like totemist/soul manifester - Rage Claws).
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awaken DM golem

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Re: M/C Ardent for Magic Mantle: worth it if psionics is somewhat different?
« Reply #5 on: December 01, 2010, 08:47:49 PM »
huh ... niice.

Call him (it?) ... Pious The Greedy  :P


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The super full transparency interpretation
that Phoenix00 and Kell K came up with
is worth it, but then you're into a dual caster build.
It's just one little sentence.
That won't screw things up, now will it ?  :smirk
« Last Edit: December 01, 2010, 08:51:08 PM by awaken DM golem »

lianightdemon

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Re: M/C Ardent for Magic Mantle: worth it if psionics is somewhat different?
« Reply #6 on: December 01, 2010, 11:23:27 PM »
Research

make new powers that effect magic only.

Dispel Magic, psionic: (as dispel psionics but effects magic and only magic)
Spell resistance, psionic (as power resistance but grants spell resistance)
Antimagic field, psionic (as null psionics field but only effects magic)

If require make it a level higher, spend some xp.

Also totally make your own psionic items. Then put up your antimagic field and you can laugh as all the mages can't effect you, at least not too well. But your astral constructs are fine and you can still use all your powers and items (if they are all psionic items).

Saeomon

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Re: M/C Ardent for Magic Mantle: worth it if psionics is somewhat different?
« Reply #7 on: December 02, 2010, 12:49:08 AM »
I've decided not to care about it. My character is already way more optimized than the rest of the party. Seriously, a Druid with TWF? A Cleric/Rogue splitting levels equally? A Fighter?!?!

The difference is starting to show even level 5. Tonight I mowed down a horde of undead with a single Energy Wall and Time Hopped the Evil Macguffin of Whateverthehellitdoes right out of the BEEG's hands before she could activate it. That effectively ended the encounter. Two-thirds of the rest of the party essentially stood around and watched.

Of course the Druid is still the most powerful member of the party, even though he's not optimized... :mad

So, yeah, not gonna care. 'specially since we've got a new player joining in as a Half-Elf caster with designs on Arcane Archer. :banghead

Havok4

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Re: M/C Ardent for Magic Mantle: worth it if psionics is somewhat different?
« Reply #8 on: December 02, 2010, 03:15:29 AM »
Druids are like that. I would recommend focusing more on buffing others as a way to bring your team backup to par. Ardents can do some of that although less than is desirable.