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Avoiding Traps In RPGs

You enter a room that you feel has traps (Magical or mechanical), how do you go about avoiding them or is it inevitable that you will be trapped no matter what you do? Do you have a standard procedure to follow if your thief fails?

RPGs Traps Avoiding

Every effort should be used to find the trap or an alternative method to get around it. If you think a room is trapped but its not a necessary room then is it really worth the death of your character?

Avoiding Traps In RPGs Reviews RPG & Card Board

My standard procedure, if a trap can't be bypassed at this time, is to find a way to trigger the trap without suffering the effects.

Exactly how one does this is however going to vary based on group. I like to start by throwing a rock with a Light cantrip on it into the area, while that's unlikely to trigger most traps, it at least helps people see and might elicit some response. Beyond that, most parties have access to a cheap summon spell. A summoned pony for instance is great for running across/through what you suspect is a trapped area.

Failing that and a few other such fallbacks, it pays to come with mundane anti trap items. If such can be arranged (IE if we have pack animals to lug the bloody thing around), I favor a 50 pound smooth stone disc with long poles made to push it along ahead of the party. Slow going, but you can trigger both pressure plates and tripwires with such. Even most magical traps that only trigger for creatures can be fooled. Spend some time catching local rats, and toss one in.

Edited: daishain on 7th Dec, 2016 - 5:09pm

RPGs Traps Avoiding

There is always another way you just have to be patient and think of it. Unless it is time sensitive the important thing to take all possible angles before stating any actions or leaving it up to 50/50 dice rolls.

RPGs Traps Avoiding

Having a thief around is definitely useful but if there isn't one I think the best thing to do is try and trip traps off if you think they're there.