Best Psionic Mantles?

[Kobold-Bard]

Exactly what it says on the tin. What do you see as the best Mantles for an Ardent and why?


Thanks in advance,
K-B

[PId6]

With Substitute Powers (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/psm/20070629a), whatever you can get your DM to allow.

Without substituting, Creation is overall quite good, especially because of Astral Construct. Freedom is pretty much must have for all ardents due to the awesome powers at nearly every level. Natural World is good solely for the sake of Metamorphosis. Time has some nice powers as well (Time Hop is fun). See Ardent Handbook (http://brilliantgameologists.com/boards/index.php?topic=5871.0) for more details.

Unless you use Substitute Powers though (and maybe even then), you're probably going to want to take Expanded Knowledge. A lot.