Ardent
Psionic Berserker, Medium Psionic Underling (Tier 2, CR 2)
Core Numerics
| Stat | Value | Stat | Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tier | 2 | Hit Points | 96 HP |
| Initiative | +0 | Speed | 40 ft. |
| Damage (base) | 14 | Damage (mod) | +6 |
Base Stats
| Attribute | STR | CON | DEX | INT | WIS | CHA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Modifier | +4 | +0 | +4 | +0 | +8 | +8 |
Defenses
| Defense | Value | Defense | Value | Defense | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AC | 8 | Aegis | 0 | Fort | 9 |
| Ref | 7 | Will | 9 | DC | 15 |
Anatomy
Head (+4): +50% damage to headshots. Psi Core (Secret) (+2): +50% damage to the core, but only psionic attacks may target it. Artery (Secret: DC) (+4): Has 17 HP. If destroyed, target has DoT (17, until healed with psionics) Opening (Secret: DC) (+0): Attacks against this have +2 to hit. Arms (2) (+2): Required to use items, grapple, and perform actions. Has disadvantage to grapple for 1 round if hit, or forces immediate grapple check against attack roll to maintain it if one is active. Legs (2) (+2): If an attack/ability deals any effect besides damage to at least one leg, it also inflicts Cripple (10, 1 round). Tool (chain) (+2): Has 8 HP, required to use certain actions.
Traits
Withstand: The first time this creature would be reduced to 0 HP, they go to 1 HP instead.
Actions
Lash: Major action - Melee weapon attack, one arm, chain, 5 ft. range, single-target, 14 damage, multiattack (2). Soul Bind: Major and minor action - Ranged psionic attack, 30 ft. range, single-target, targets Will, grapples the target, broken with Endurance or psi skill. Blood and Valor: Reaction - Martial ability, the Ardent chooses one negative condition on itself and reduces its duration by 1 round. Chain Pain: Special - When the Ardent uses Aim, the attack either Dooms (8) the target or pulls them 30 feet. Rage of Aquarius: Special - The Ardent is Empowered while it has any negative conditions on itself.
Tactics
Straightforward melee attacker. If the player is speedy, use Soul Bind if the player has low Will and low Endurance/psi skill, otherwise use Chain Pain for the 30 ft. pull. Else, use Chain Pain for its Doom and get to Lashing.
Drops
90 EXP, 15 T2 Grist, 30 T1 Grist, 90 BG
Description
The ardent is a faceless, hunched creature, similar to a monkey. Its taught arms ripple with muscle, ended with stubs of hands with long claws of serrated bone extending from them. Their body is pockmarked by scars, and painted in complicated patterns with blood, like a war paint. Their faces are blank, merely a slight indentation where the eyes and mouth should be.