I have read (and re-read) Sean's advice for the archetype round and yet I still have concerns over the design process.
I know that it not a purely a mathematical process (Sean's first rule) so I am concerned about crating unbalanced changes. Also, what can you take away from a character class without removing what is essential to that class? For example if you remove a bartender’s ability to Mix Drinks is he still a bartender?
If I add the ability to Make Sandwiches is it stepping too much on the chef’s character class ability? If give Makes Sandwiches at the same level that the chef gains Make Sandwiches without any alterations to the ability is it a violation to Sean’s 7th rule?
If I replace an ability that directly impacts the class’s combat ability (i.e. to hit, damage, and/or AC) with something that does not, but is still useful in combat did I overly cripple the class? For example: replacing the bartender’s Baseball Bat Specialization with Disapproving Glare.
And finally how do judge wither or not you have created a balanced and fun archetype without actually playtesting it?