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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Draz" data-source="post: 4251419" data-attributes="member: 67515">I posted this at my usual stomping ground over at GitP ... and found that it wasn't a popular topic of conversation. (Nobody has replied with 5 days and a bump to help the thread out.) Maybe here will be more condusive?OK, I'm doing another theoretical build character, and I wanted to make sure I'm not missing anything obviously awesome for him to take. Particularly since I don't have Complete Psionic.Class: ArdentRules: 28-point buy; no multiclassing or PrCs; can use setting-neutral 3.5 splatbooks, except for BoED or UA, but no web content (e.g. Mind's Eye); should be viable at every level, 1-20.Character Concept: This guy is supposed to be a lot like the classic Cleric -- a strong (but not "Zilla" strong) backup melee warrior, buffer/support caster, and healer, with heavy armor and sword-n-board. He should also be a decent utility caster, focusing on divination powers and travel powers.An Ardent healer is actually pretty tough to make effectively. The Life Mantle is supposed to make it easy, but its Mantle Power sucks, and its low-level healing power, Touch of Health, sucks too (or so I've heard; again, I don't actually have CPsi). At Level 11, the Mend Wounds power apparently makes things a lot more viable; but that's pretty far into the game.I figured I'd rely a fair amount on Healing Belts and Wands of Lesser Vigor, not to mention the party Factotum's Opportunistic Piety, but none of that helps at Level 1. So the solution I came up with is to be an Azurin and use my bonus racial feat for Shape Soulmeld (Lifebond Vestment). Then, with the Vigor Power, I can damage my own Temporary HP to heal others 5 HP/hour (which is not too bad at Levels 1-2). I know this probably isn't the most efficient strategy, but is there any reason it's not feasible at all?Beyond that, here's the build I've drafted.Race: AzurinStarting abilities: STR 12, DEX 10, CON 14, INT 10, WIS 16, CHA 12Skills: Concentration maxed; UPD almost-maxed; Autohypnosis 1 rank; Profession (philosopher) 1 rankMantlesL1: Physical Power, FreedomL2: MagicL5: Fate*L10: Mental PowerL15: The Planes*At Level 15, this replaces Physical Power as a primary mantle.FeatsL1: Shape Soulmeld (Lifebond Vestment), Linked PowerL3: Expanded KnowledgeL6: Psionic MeditationL9: Tap Mantle (Life)L12: Expanded KnowledgeL15: Martial Study (Insightful Strike)L18: Expanded KnowledgePowersL1: Dimension Hop, VigorL2: Adrenaline BoostL3: Animal Affinity, (EK)Prevenom WeaponL4: Metaphysical WeaponL5: Clairvoyant SenseL6: HustleL7: Psionic FlyL8: Defensive PrecognitionL9: Psionic TeleportL10: Stygian WardL11: Mend WoundsL12: Dispel Psionics, (EK)SchismL13: Psionic Freedom of MovementL14: Offensive PrecognitionL15: Psionic Plane ShiftL16: HypercognitionL17: Psionic RestorationL18: Psionic Dimensional Anchor, (EK)Planar EmbraceL19: Power ResistanceL20: Greater PrecognitionAnything here seem like a particularly great or bad choice?This guy is supposed to buff himself a lot, but does he need it too much? He knows 14 combat "buffs," and all but 3 of them (Metaphysical Weapon, Stygian Ward, and Power Resistance) are self-only. Hopefully he'll be able to buff himself a lot without missing too many rounds of attacking, though, by using Linked Power and later Schism.Any easy way to improve his melee damage a lot? I tried including Prevenom Weapon and Martial Study (insightful strike) for this reason, but it still seems like he'll spend a lot of rounds doing a mere 5-10 damage at mid-levels or 10-20 damage even at high levels. Hopefully he can afford a Corrosive Wounding morningstar fairly early on, or something.Is Planar Embrace really worth it for my final Expanded Knowledge-accessed power? I don't know how good it really is, or how long its duration is, or whether it would actually give me some raise dead-type ability (through the Resurrection SLA). So I've also been thinking of Reddopsi, or a few other ideas, in place of this.Thanks in advance for any advice!</blockquote>

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