Crafting a Digital Journey with Pathfinder 2E Item Cards
Every great tale begins with modest origins, be it a group of adventurers facing off against an ancient red dragon or an individual crafting a set of item cards tailored for Pathfinder 2e; every journey has its beginning.
Allow me to introduce myself - Hello there! I am Jordan, a passionate TTRPG player and an all-encompassing geek. For over 11 years, I've been captivated by the realm of Pathfinder, assuming the mantle of a Dungeon Master for the majority of my journey. Additionally, my background spans across a fusion of Video Game Design and Digital Marketing. But why is this important?
Well, it's quite simple - every adventurer requires a compelling backstory, don't they? And this is mine. Despite my experience in running companies within the tabletop realm, I've always nurtured a dream of creating and publishing content without the weight of business and selling aspects. My aspiration is to share my creations with the community, hoping they find it as valuable as I have. This brings me to "Adventurers Arsenal" - a collection of magical item cards tailor-made for Pathfinder 2E.
Aren’t there already Item Cards for Pathfinder 2e?
An excellent question indeed! Paizo, undoubtedly offers a plethora of stunning item card sets tailored for various scenarios in Pathfinder 2nd Edition, readily available on their website. So, what's the reason behind my decision to create my own version?
Digital Item Cards
The availability of physical item cards from Paizo is undoubtedly fantastic for players in certain regions, but it does present limitations for those across the globe due to shipping regulations and costs. That's where "Adventurers Arsenal" comes in.
We will offer item cards as digital downloads first and foremost, with optimised files for you to print yourself. This means you can easily access and use them in virtual tabletop platforms like Roll20, Foundry, and Alchemy. Embracing the digital format opens up a world of possibilities, making these valuable resources accessible to players worldwide, regardless of their geographic location.
This project is a passion-driven endeavour for me, and my primary goal is not to turn it into a business. If the project evolves in such a way that offering physical versions becomes feasible and aligns with the project's spirit, then it's something worth considering. However, the focus will be on the digital format first.
User Experience
User experience is a crucial aspect of creating a successful product, and a seamless experience can make all the difference in the world. It's essential to consider the needs and preferences of the users to ensure they can interact with the product effortlessly and derive maximum value from it.
Gale Force 9's D&D Magic Item Cards serve as an example of how even well-intentioned products can sometimes fall short in terms of user experience. While the cards provide valuable information, the sheer volume of text on one side can make it challenging, especially for users with eye issues or difficulties reading small fonts.
Learning from such examples, Adventurers Arsenal will prioritize user experience in the design of the digital item cards. We will aim to strike a balance between providing essential information and ensuring readability and accessibility. Utilizing user-friendly layouts, clear typography, and appropriate font sizes will be integral to enhancing the overall experience for all players.
Inventory Management
Incorporating a unique card design for each item category is a brilliant way to enhance user experience and provide players with a simple and efficient method to keep track of their inventory. This approach offers several advantages:
Visual Differentiation: Each item category having its own distinct card design allows players to easily distinguish between different types of items at a glance. Whether it's weapons, armor, consumables, or magical artifacts, the visual cues provided by the card designs make it effortless for players to identify and organize their belongings.
Intuitive Organization: By associating specific designs with particular item categories, players can intuitively sort their items into relevant groups. This not only streamlines the inventory management process but also fosters a sense of order and convenience during gameplay.
Reduced Cognitive Load: Having a visually clear and consistent system of item categorization reduces the cognitive load on players. They won't need to spend extra mental effort trying to remember what each card represents, as the unique designs act as mnemonic aids, making the gameplay smoother and more enjoyable.
Aesthetic Appeal: Aesthetics play a crucial role in user experience. Unique and appealing card designs for each category can add a touch of elegance and charm to the game. It enhances the overall atmosphere and enjoyment of the gaming experience.
Immersion: A well-designed and organised inventory system contributes to the players' immersion in the game world. They can easily visualise their characters' belongings, enhancing their connection to the narrative and their role-playing experience.
Randomised Loot Generator
The inclusion of a cardback that masks the identity of the items is a brilliant and innovative feature that sets Adventurers Arsenal apart from other item cards in the market. Let's delve into why this is so important and beneficial:
Element of Surprise: By concealing the item's identity with a cardback, players get to experience the thrill of surprise when they acquire a new item. It adds an element of mystery and excitement to the game, keeping the players engaged and curious about the treasures they uncover.
Immersion and Realism: Drawing loot from a deck of cards emulates the feeling of finding items in a genuine adventure. It enhances the immersion and realism of the game, as players can imagine themselves rummaging through the spoils of their conquests just like actual adventurers.
Streamlined Loot Generation: Using the item cards themselves as a random loot generator streamlines the process for the Dungeon Master. Instead of relying on complex loot tables or secretly rolling percentile dice, the DM can efficiently draw cards to determine the loot, saving time and effort during gameplay.
Unique Experience: This approach introduces a fresh and unique experience to the gaming table. It breaks away from traditional methods and introduces an exciting twist, making the acquisition of loot more memorable and enjoyable for both players and the DM.
Versatility: The cardback feature allows for flexibility in the game. The DM can decide whether to reveal the items immediately or let the players identify them through various means, such as magical identification or trial and error. This adaptability enriches the gameplay and accommodates different playstyles.
Whats Next?
Currently, we're eagerly anticipating the release of the remastered version of Pathfinder 2E, which holds significant importance for our project. Paizo's endeavour to separate the Pathfinder brand from the SRD and align it with the ORC licence is a crucial step.
While we await the release of the remastered version, our focus has shifted to designing item cards. These will cover potions, scrolls, equipment, cursed items, and magical items.
Furthermore, we're exploring other avenues to expand the project, such as ensuring we only create cards for content we have the rights to (legality aspect). Additionally, we are considering the format of digital files we will offer and whether we need to tailor them to different types of tabletop simulators. We are also contemplating providing a print-ready PDF option.
Collaborating with a printing company is another option we are exploring. This partnership could enable users to have the cards printed physically, granting them an offline version of the content.
Despite the many obstacles and challenges that lie ahead, I'm committed to posting regular updates as we progress further into the project. So, until our next encounter, brave adventurers, let's venture forth with swords drawn as we charge into the sunset.
