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3 years ago ::
Dec 27, 2009 - 10:07AM
#331
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I think that the class will struggle, it is so heavy dependant on 2 attributes for most of its powers that using the standard point system that is in the character builder will not be as effective as established leader classes. They will lack the hitpoints to be a frontline melee type but may find a role as a second line defender/healer for the front line troops or will lack the attribute bonuses for the class powers. They are a poor replacement for a cleric or warlord who in my mind are much better at the same job. I like the 4th edition psionics much better than in previous editions as there has been more thought put in about game balence. The only thing that jumped out at me about the adrent is the fact at first lvl it can heal up to three times per encounter something no other class to date can do but other than that it is a substandard class that unless you really like psionics most likely be replaced by a cleric, warlord or bard.
If you want hit points go the cha/con build. Remember we've only seen half the class. It still has another build, and powers designed for it. Don't go thinking it's limited to two stats any more than anyother class.
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3 years ago ::
Dec 27, 2009 - 10:56AM
#332
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We shall see, so far I am unimpressed with what I see.
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3 years ago ::
Dec 27, 2009 - 3:04PM
#333
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Date Joined:
Jan 14, 2006
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People, have you actually played the Ardent?? I'm testing characters with the (very fun) solo adventure "Dark Awakening" of this month's Dragon (or Dungeon?) and the Ardent was not anywhere short of GREAT, even at first level.
The image it conjures is that of someone who fights with weapons, but managing to have his/her emotions and mind, both psionically trained, far OVER matter. It is one of the most survivalist classes around, with that self-saving at-will and the healing, I was something like a consciously crazy Barbarian, a truly axe-crazy (after all I used a halberd... - oh my) warrior that was crazy because he knew that it was the winning way, someone that has based a combat discipline over recklessness founded on the knowledge that his mind can heal him, save him from trouble, help allies and hinder enemies.
Of course it's a bit ridiculous to have certain powers act by the means of weapons, but thinking about weapon-usage as the probably only way to unleash that kind of psionic power is the key. It's not so much like the old Ardent as the old Wilder, crossed with Tome of Battle's Warblade.
It's raw emotional power, manipulated by psionic discipline and unleashed through warfare tactics.
Maybe (surely) I like it so much because it's the kind of character I like to play, but believe me, the mechanics are also good.
And the flavor can be awesome, ask Karashiik, my evil dragonborn Ardent/Shaman if he's not flavorful... In his geographically secluded dragonborn extended clan, the Ardent is the archetypical warrior and captain, and that kind of "neutral power" mixes wonderfully with Primal power, which is important for their people, who despise the gods in favor of the Old Faith. I'm totally in love with this exotic warrior/sage.
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3 years ago ::
Dec 28, 2009 - 8:00AM
#334
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I tried it last night and still think the Warlord and cleric are much better classes mechanically, with the bard being third. This class is easier to play than the shammy though and is slightly better for that reason. I am waiting to see the other build but I am not expecting much from it. I for one dislike the power point system, I would have much prefered traditional encounter powers to the power points psionic characters get.
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3 years ago ::
Dec 28, 2009 - 9:04AM
#335
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I personally like the power point system, I like the custumizeability. It lets me use just as much force as I need. I haven't tried high level power points yet, so I can't know for sure but I think there is a good chance of not having enough power points in an encounter. BUt atleast at eraly levels I like the system.
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3 years ago ::
Dec 28, 2009 - 9:35AM
#336
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Date Joined:
Dec 16, 2009
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People, have you actually played the Ardent?? I'm testing characters with the (very fun) solo adventure "Dark Awakening" of this month's Dragon (or Dungeon?) and the Ardent was not anywhere short of GREAT, even at first level.
This is where I agree with you, but only with the whole "this class is awesome at lv 1". It's flat out terriable mid paragon and I dread epic. It just doesn't scale and the serious lack of good opitions with the class hurts a lot more at those levels. Give me any leader class but this one at mid levels or higher.
I would say wait for more material to come out, but the Monk is great in all tiers and it's only half written.. is it too much to expect from the Ardent to do the same?
"DMs are not always right, but whatever the DM says, goes. And if he says enough stupid stuff, his players go too." - Salla
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3 years ago ::
Dec 29, 2009 - 11:49AM
#337
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Date Joined:
May 20, 2007
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I'm playing a level 28 ardent and while I have only one full combat under my belt I felt like I was effective. My bread and butter power was Exhilirating Strike - the 6 point augment giving everyone in the burst a chance to charge or make a basic attack with +5 damage was just too good for me to pass up.
I have a lot of daily powers that are bursts centered on me and can be sustained with a minor action. The one I used in my sole fight was Corona of Battle, which gave my allies a +2 to attacks, +1d10 damage, and regen 5. I found that I spent most of my time positioning myself so most of my allies were inside my burst powers. In fact, I didn't make an attack roll of my own during the whole fight.
Because of my burst powers, I really got the impression that my ardent augmented allies by sending out waves of emotion. It was interesting to see how my overall strategy (position myself so that allies are in my bursts) played out differently than the warlord I played from levels 5 to 10. However, I'm not sure I can make a direct comparison because of the level difference.
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3 years ago ::
Dec 29, 2009 - 7:38PM
#338
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Date Joined:
Jan 14, 2006
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I'm playing a level 28 ardent and while I have only one full combat under my belt I felt like I was effective. My bread and butter power was Exhilirating Strike - the 6 point augment giving everyone in the burst a chance to charge or make a basic attack with +5 damage was just too good for me to pass up.
I have a lot of daily powers that are bursts centered on me and can be sustained with a minor action. The one I used in my sole fight was Corona of Battle, which gave my allies a +2 to attacks, +1d10 damage, and regen 5. I found that I spent most of my time positioning myself so most of my allies were inside my burst powers. In fact, I didn't make an attack roll of my own during the whole fight.
Because of my burst powers, I really got the impression that my ardent augmented allies by sending out waves of emotion. It was interesting to see how my overall strategy (position myself so that allies are in my bursts) played out differently than the warlord I played from levels 5 to 10. However, I'm not sure I can make a direct comparison because of the level difference.
Well, very good! Didn't you feel underwhelmed by the unaugmented powers' damage (which doesn't scale as other power source at-wills)?
I really hope that with a simple feat, they'll make scaling damage easy, or give an alternative to it, maybe a +1W or +1dX when you augment an epic power with 1PP.
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3 years ago ::
Jan 01, 2010 - 8:32AM
#339
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Date Joined:
May 20, 2007
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Well, very good! Didn't you feel underwhelmed by the unaugmented powers' damage (which doesn't scale as other power source at-wills)?
I didn't notice it, as I for the most part I was allowing my allies to make basic attacks with Exhilirating Strike. And as I mentioned, I didn't make an attack roll of my own for the entire encounter. For pretty much the whole fight I found myself sustaining Corona of Battle with a minor action, moving to a position that kept most people within range of Corona of Battle and my mantle, and then using a standard action to use Exhilirating Strike.
As I get more combats under my belt, I'll let you know how they go.
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