Page 117 - DnD 5e - Xanathar's Guide to Everything

L EVEL AN D L ETH A LITY
Before creating a trap's effects, think about its level and
its lethality.
Traps a re divided into four level ranges: 1-4, 5- 10,
11- 16, and 17-20. The level you choose for a trap gives
you a starting point for determining its potency.
To further delineate the trap's strength, decide
whether it is a moderate, dangerous, or deadly threat to
cha racters in its level range. A moderate trap is unlikely
to kill a cha racter. A dangerous trap typically deals
enough damage that a character hit by one is eager for
healing. A deadly trap might reduce a creature to 0 hit
points in one shot, and leaves most creatures hit by it in
need of a short or long rest.
Consult the following tables when determining a
trap's effects. The Trap Save DCs a nd Attack Bonuses
table provides guidelines for a trap's saving throw DC,
check DC, a nd attack bonus. The check DC is the default
for any check used to interact with the trap.
The Damage Severity by Level table lists the typical
damage a trap deals at certain character levels. The
damage values given assume that the trap damages one
creature. Use d6s for damage in place of dlOs for traps
that can a ffect more than one creature at a time.
The S pell Equivalent by Level table shows the spell
slot level that is appropriate for a given cha racter level
a nd the severity of da nger posed by the trap. A s pell is a
great foundation to use as the design of a trap, whether
the trap duplicates the s pell (a mirror that casts charm
person on whoever looks into it) or uses its effects (an
alchemical device that explodes like a fir eball).
defense or flee. The hidden pit is a classic example of The Deadly entry for characters of 17th level or higher
this kind of trap. A 10-foot-deep pit usually deals little suggests combining a 9th-level a nd a 5th-level spell into
damage and is easy to escape, but it serves its purpose
one effect. In this case, pick two s pells, or combine the
by impeding intruders. Other examples of delaying traps effects of a s pell cast using a 9th-level and a 5th-level
include collapsing wa lls, a portcullis that drops from the slot. For instance, a fir eball spell of this sort would deal
ceiling, and a locking mechanism that shuts and bars
24d6 fire damage on a failed saving throw.
a door. If a delaying trap has moving parts that directly
threaten characters when they operate, the cha racters TRAP SAVE DCs AND ATTAC K BONUSES
a re usually required to make Dexterity saving throws to
avoid ha rm. Trap Danger Save/Check DC Attack Bonus
R estrain. A restra ining trap tries to keep its victims in Moderate 10 +5
place, leaving them unable to move. S uch traps are often Dangerous l S +8
employed in conjunction with regular guard patrols, so Deadly 20 +12
that victims are periodically extricated a nd taken away
to be dealt with. But in an ancient dungeon, the guards
might be long gone. DAMAGE SEVERITY BY LEVEL
Restra ining traps usually require a successful Character
S trength saving throw to be avoided, but some don't Level Moderate Dangerous Deadly
allow saving throws. Io addition to dealing damage, a 1- 4 S (ldlO) 11 (2dl 0) 22 (4dl0)
restraining trap a lso renders a creature unable to move. 5-10 11 (2dl 0) 22 (4dl 0) SS (l O dlO)
Making a subsequent successful S trength check (using 11- 16 22 (4dl 0) SS (lOdlO) 99 (18dl0)
the trap's saving throw DC) or dealing damage against 17-20 S5 (lOdlO) 99 (18dl0) 132 (24dl 0)
the trap can break it a nd free the captive. Examples in-
clude a bear trap, a cage that drops from a ceiling, and a
device that flings a net. SPELL EQUIVALENT BY LEVEL
S lay. Some traps are designed to eliminate intrud- Character
ers, plain and simple. Their effects include poisoned Level Moderate Dangerous Deadly
needles that s pring out when a lock is tampered with, 1-4 Cantrip l st 2nd
blasts of fire that fill a room, poison gas, and other S- 10 1st 3rd 6th
letha l measures. Saving throws-us ually Dexterity or 11- 16 3rd 6th 9th
Constitution- allow creatures to avoid or mitigate the
17- 20 6th 9th 9th + 5th
trap's effects.

CHAPTER 2 I DUNC EON MASTER'S TOOLS