Page 114 - DnD 5e - Xanathar's Guide to Everything

the location of the trigger and the activity that causes
TRAPS REVISITED the trap to activate.
The ruJes for traps in the Dungeon Master's Guide pro- Effect. A trap's effect occurs after it activates. The
vide the basic information you need to manage traps trap might fire a dart, unleash a cloud of poison gas,
at the game table. The material here takes a different, cause a bidden enclosure to open, and so on. This en-
more elaborate approach- describing traps in terms of try specifies what the trap targets, its attack bonus or
their game mechanics and offering guidance on creating saving throw DC, and what happens on a hit or a failed
traps of your own using these new rules. saving throw.
Rather than characterize tr aps as mechanical or magi- Countermeasures. Traps can be detected or defeated
cal, these rules separate traps into two other categories: in a variety of ways by using ability checks or magic.
s imple and complex. This entry in a trap's description gives the means for
counteracting the trap. It also specifies what happens, if
anything, on a failed attempt to disable it.
A simple trap activates and is thereafter harmless or RUNNING A SIMPLE TRAP
easily avoided. A hidden pit dug at the entra nce of a
goblin lair, a poison needle that pops from a lock, and To prepare for us ing a simple trap in play, start by mak-
ing note of the characters' passive Wisdom (Perception)
a crossbow rigged to fire when an intruder steps on a
scores. Most traps allow Wisdom (Perception) checks
pressure plate are all simple traps.
to detect their triggers or other elements that can tip off
their presence. If you stop to ask players for this infor-
ELEMENTS OF A SIMPLE TRAP
The description of a s imple trap begins with a line that mation, they might suspect a hidden danger.
When a trap is triggered, apply its effects as specified
gives the trap's level and the severity of the threat it
poses. Following a general note on what the trap looks in its description.
like and how it functions are three paragraphs that tell If the characters discover a trap, be open to adjudicat-
ing their ideas for defeating it. The trap's description is
how the trap works in the game.
Level and Threat. A trap's level is actually a range of a starting point for countermeasures, rather than a com-
levels, equivalent to one of the tiers of play (levels 1- 4, plete definition.
5- 10, 11-16, and 17- 20), indicating the appropriate time To make it easier for you to describe what happens
next, the players s hould be specific about how they want
to use the trap in your campaign. Additionally, each trap
to defeat the trap. Simply s tating the desire to make a
poses either a moderate, da ngerous, or deadly threat,
based on its particular details. check isn't helpful for you. Ask the players where their
Trigger. A s imple trap activates when an event occurs characters are positioned and what they intend to do to
that triggers it. This entry in a trap's description gives defeat the trap.