One better - I’ve been looking for a Wicked Will to try as a rear tire, but haven’t been able to find one. I asked Schwalbe if they could send me one instead of the Nobby Nic, and they said absolutely, no problem. 
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Wow, that’s terrific service.
I haven’t seen the Will available anywhere
It seems the Ray/Ralph 2.25 tyres are 58 mm right after installation on 30 mm id rims, with 1.5 bar pressure.
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One of my dirt camp riding buddies has Wicked Will’s on his Scott Spark. They seem to hook up well and roll well too. Easy transition as the tire is landed over. I might try them when the ground controls wear out.
I’ve just installed my Wolfpack 2.4" Race and Speed combo onto my race wheels (30mm internal). They are super nice and have a great shape. Installed at ~40psi they have a 62mm casing width, very similar to my WT Rekon/Rekon Race combo on the same rims.
So far I couldn’t be happier. I’ve installed them a bit further out from race day than I’d originally planned as I want to give them a decent chance to prove themselves and to make sure they’re up to the task.
Now I just need to get the body to come right, ready for race day 
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I have a slightly different question. I am a beginner and don’t have very good skills. Running ardent race 2.2 right now but I constantly feel the loss of grip and don’t have confidence where I should. Is there a tire I could go to and build my skills better with.
Others may disagree, but I think that using a grippier tire to make up for a skills deficit makes it easier to get away with less than ideal technique and makes those techniques habit. I think the best way to develop those skills is to use a tire that communicates the edge of traction well and consciously practice in a low consequence manner. That’s not to say everyone should run a low grip xc tire, but that you would be better served by running something with a bit less grip but better feel to develop skills in a lower consequence manner. I haven’t experimented with many tires, so there are likely people here with recommendations, but I would recommend against just throwing minions or something comparable on. I’ve been a fan of the Mezcals for quite a while. I think they are pretty good for XC tires in this respect
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I don’t really know the Maxxis options, but have recently had success with the Rekon/Rekon Race 2.4 WT. Confident and reasonably fast. They’re heavy, but I don’t imagine the Ardent is that light so that might be ok.
I would start by checking tire pressure. Finding the sweet spot on those tires should give you enough traction in most circumstances. There are several calculators, but I personally like this one Schwalbe Pressure Prof - Schwalbe Professional Bike Tires. Since you don’t run schwalbe tires, choose “performance” casing.
But maybe those tires don’t work for you.
My next step would be to look for something others in your area and with similar skill level are using.
In the mean time, look for some guidance on cornering and braking. I’d seen more than a few videos and let’s say it’s hard to find good/solid guidance. To me, one of the most illustrative videos is this one: Getting up to Race Speed with Yoann Barelli's Pro Tips - YouTube
Since you stated you are a beginner, I’d bet you’ll be lowering that pressure, and than should give you enough confidence to know what you should do next.
Have fun!
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I personally had success with what you are inquiring on. I started mtb’ing only on xc tires. I was alright at handling, but it wasn’t until I got some trail/enduro tires on a backup wheelset that I realized what aggressive cornering is supposed to feel like.
Now when I go back to tires like an XR2 or Maxxis rekon race I feel like I’m able to get everything out of them. Of course I need to recalibrate what I’m capable of doing with the xc tires. A minion dhf has been around for a long time. Give that a try up front and maybe even a trail tire in the rear that you could maybe repurpose for XC.
Are you using a dropper? Similar experience for me with a dropper, I started using it and gained confidence. Then eventually occasions arose where I’d ride the same stuff at the same speeds without using it.
edit: you still have to make sure you’re using proper cornering and descending technique regardless of tire and using a dropper
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Do you think running two trail tires would not be enough to learn the feel, or going enduro on at least the front something you would recommend. I dont have a dropper, but have ridden bikes with droppers and will likely get one too.
You could probably try the new forekaster or a dissector from the maxxis offerings. XR4 from bontrager. I’m sure all brands have similar offerings. Also depends on the type of trails you ride. Check what other riders use on the trails you ride. Perhaps a trail tire is more appropriate for your trails. Like someone else said check your pressure and see if there are improvments.
A slightly bigger tire would also be helpful. You mention 2.2 is what you are using. If you bike accomdates a 2.4s, this may be helpful as well. Bigger tires with more volume with allow you to drop pressure a little further and increase your contact patch size.
I’d look at a trail tire that is a little more aggesive. If there are options in terms of compound, then go with a grippier one.
@Jonathan has given so many great XC riding tips over the years on the Trainerroad podcast. If someone ever compiled these all into a file, it would be amazing. But learning good technique is key. Getting your weight balance on the bike, getting into a good riding position, finding good lines on the trail, learning to lean your bike in corners rather than steer it, etc, etc are all important things. Not being too fatigued when you ride is important too. As you get more tired, its easy to slip up and make mistakes.
This is a great book to read to give you a basic understanding of riding technique.
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Take some lessons. Equipment won’t overcome poor technique but good technique lasts a lifetime and helps you get even more out of your gear.
I’ve no issue with riders using more tire than they need to learn skills and gain comfort in the bike. Tire up, pad up, takes some lessons and learn to rail the corners!
Edit Addition: I’m far from a fantastic mountain bike handler. Always working on improving skills. The two things that have helped me most are: (a) Lessons from friends / coaches. Someone to watch what you are doing and offer tips and then watch as you try and implement, is the fastest way to improve IMO. If you don’t have the right friends, open up the wallet and get some instruction. (b) Pad up!!! Nobody likes to fall but when pushing skills you are going to fall. As an ex-roadie who related mostly to XC type riding, it was tough to get my head around using pads. It was an ego thing. Once I padded up, it helped a ton when working on skills. For technical rides, will usually go with padded liners, lightweight elbow pads and lightweight knee pads. I have a chin bar for my helmet too. But only pull that out if we’re going to be jumping and dropping. I suck at those things and having my teeth protected removes some fear and hesitation.
On tires: Some tires have a fairly significant transition between the center tread and the side lugs. That type of rubber can offer amazing traction when leaned, but when developing and learning you can get stuck in the vague zone between center and side and that will drop your confidence. I’m much more comfortable and confident tires with a smooth transition from center to side. Perhaps if I ever get really good at full lean then my opinion will shift to the more aggressive patterns. YMMV
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Wow, that Scwalbe pressure calculator is surely conservative toward high pressure. It calculates me out to 2.4 bar (35psi) at my weight where in reality, I can comfortably ride at 1.7 bar (25psi) and even lower if the conditions warrant. Higher is slower for me.
Yeah, I dunno. I tend to get around 25-27 back and 22-23 front. (75kg and pretty much average for everything else).
My impression is most calculators have a weak area. On this one I just noticed cross country and rocky throws everything off. I bet there are way better calculators, but this is the better one I’ve come across for mtb. Any suggestions are more than welcome.
Are you racing, where you are trying to get a fast rolling tire, or just learning to ride MTB?
If learning, get a trail tire. I’m currently running Nobby Nic on the rear, and XR4 on the front. I find this combo to provide very good grip, and not as heavy as a maxxis minion (F) and aggressor (R) combo.
As others have said, size up to 2.4”, and also drop the pressure.
And for MTB skills, check out the Pinkbike series with Ben Cathro.
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Noticed quite a few of you have swapped from Maxxis Rekon/Forekasters to Wolfpack Speed/Cross. How do the 2.35 Maxxis’ compare in width to the Wolfpacks?
I have heard Maxxis run big for their size and my bike only just about takes the 2.35 Rekon’s on the back. Hoping to get the 2.4’s as my current set is due a change.
The Wolfpack tyres I have just installed are sitting just over 61mm and I suspect they’ll probably settle around 60mm when I drop the pressure down to more rideable numbers.
My Maxxis 2.4WT are essentially the same.
Based on your wheels being (I think?) narrower, they will probably install a touch narrower anyway.