This thread is for discussing whether this base class from Complete Psionic should be accepted into LEB. Complete Psionic was originally released 4/11/06.
I have CompPsi, but no experience with Ardent's in play. Guess the easiest comparison is with Clerics.
- Same BAB
- Gain powers about the same time as Paladins
- PP design equiv to Psion, though fewer powers
- Get some abilities based upon mantles chosen
The close does not seem broken to me, but any others who have seen/played them?
It's probably a little on the underpowered side, I'd say (though other than putting a gestalt ardent//monk/atavist together for a PBP game that hasn't gotten off the ground yet, I've never played one); you're almost chosing your powers when you choose your mantles (most don't have a power at every level, and rarely have more than two powers at any level).
I put together a high level ardent and I'd agree that they are a bit underpowered. They get very difficult to plan out power progression because you are so limited.
Well, as a proposal, we can either (1) accept as is, (2) reject, or (3) have someone propose a "fix" (as we did with the swashbuckler). The class may be underpowered, but the question becomes is it super weak, or just not an optimal choice?
Seems balanced to me, though I haven't tested it. One of the characters in my current game has indicated interest in using it in his (massively multiclassed) path to pyrokineticist.