Added pathfinder delver .ai file

[harryparkeraspect]

Added a .ai File for Pathfinder Delver prestige class. Separate pull requests to be opened for scripts and assets

[marcus-downing]

Okay, I've got some feedback.

1. Where possible, you should use visually clear fields rather than words. So instead of saying "A Pathfinder Delver adds 1/2 his class level (minimum 1) as a bonus on all Disable Device and Perception checks", I'd instead have a simple calculation for Level ÷ 2, and a short label next to it saying "Bonus to Disable Device and Perception checks". If the same calculation applies to several different things, consider pulling it out with a label like "Delver bonus", then say "Delver bonus applies to Disable Device and Perception checks." This allows people to use a number quickly without calculating it each time.

2. Use a level marker in each block beyond Level 1, like the one under Traps in the left column. This lets you remove text saying "Starting at 2nd level, a Pathfinder Delver can...". Use multiple level markers separated by a horizontal line, or a level table instead of words like "The delver can do this once per day at level 4, twice per day at level 7, and three times per day at level 9 and higher."

3. Reword the text to say "you" rather than "a Pathfinder Delver"; or to remove the subject entirely, treating it as an instruction. The character sheet is personal.

4. Trim the words down where possible. Cut out sections that are pure flavour, such as "a delver’s familiarity with the strange guardians often left in tombs allows him to attack them more effectively."

5. Group related items under a single box with a smaller header. For example, the Master Explorer, Thrilling Escape and Resourceful Disabler features are all about using the Disable Device skill.

6. Use the Distribute Vertical Space tool to ensure the page is visually balanced.

The result should be a sheet that looks less like a wall of text, is easier to find your way around and quicker and easier to play with.

[marcus-downing]

As a more general commentary on all of the above issues:

A character sheet is not a reference. It's assumed that people have access to the books for when they need to look up fiddly details or check numbers as they level up. A character sheet is instead for keeping track of all the various changing details you need while actually playing a character. So if all you're doing is copying text from a book, then that doesn't belong on a character sheet.

[marcus-downing]

Okay, round two. You've got a better flow of the fields etc, which makes the sheet much easier to use. The wording is much improved, it's quicker and easier to follow. The issues that stand out most now are cosmetic.

1. When an ability says "Once per day" or "X times per day", it's nice to have a correctly-sized cluster of checkboxes to count uses today. Make sure the number is enough for the highest it will ever be; so eg the Fortunate Soul ability goes up to two per day at level 10 so you need two checkboxes.

2. A lot of objects are distorted. All but one of the section headings in the right column have been stretched out of proportion. Several of the level markers appear stretched as well. And the bottom bar has been stretched. This has an effect on the shape, which across all the other sheets is a consistent size and ratio.

   When detailed objects need be put into a different size space, they need to do so without stretching. The way to do this is to:

   • Double click on an object to isolate it
   • Use the direct selection tool (A) to select individual points in the shape
   • Select eg all the points in the right hand side of an object to move them together
   • Use shift to drag points in a straight horizontal or vertical line
   • Use Illustrator's snap-to option (and a careful eye) to get edges to line up with other objects

3. The right hand side of the box around the level table needs to line up with its heading. The level markers need to be aligned with each other. Level markers should also be vertically aligned within their section or box. See eg the "Level 3" for Guardbreaker, which is

4. The two columns should have separate bottom bars. That will make it easier to vertically distribute space fairly.

5. The font for Resourceful Disabler needs to be Merriweather, the same as Thrilling Escape above it.

6. In the Vigilant Combat section, the field labels need to be lower down.

When I was first designing these character sheets, UI/UX design came first and cosmetics second, so it's fine that we're getting down to cosmetic things now.

The trick to the vertical align is to carefully choose how objects are grouped. For example, I typically group a whole calculation as a single object, because that stops it being broken up.

You've allowed the column guides to become very messy. You need those guides so that you can align things to them. The column ratios, on both the A4 and A5 pages, is the golden ratio - which nicely echoes the proportions of the paper size. Some of my pages drift a pt or two of course - I'm not perfect.

Finally, I've realised why you have so much blank space: you're using a full-size sheet. The prestige classes only go to Level 10, not 20, so I generally find a half-sized A5 sheet is about the right size.