The party walks into a cramped hallway, torch held aloft to light their way. Off in the distance they see what looks like a fallen adventurer, someone not quite as lucky at them. As they approach, they are careful to check for traps or monsters and see what may have spelled the end for this …
When designing traps, it’s easy to overlook falling in a hole due to its simplicity and the tropes surrounding it. A simple pit, the edge of a cliff, or a treacherous climb- each of these can become a trap if set up and used properly. For today’s Trap Tuesday, we’re going to look at how …
It would be a challenge to know every rule in Dungeons and Dragons since there are multiple books and loads of supplemental material. But the rules of DnD are just a framework for mechanics. So if it’s difficult to know all the rules, how are we expected to run the game, let alone a good …
The consequence of a trap in DnD usually ends with players taking damage. Players come to fear if their next step will cause them to get spiked, fire-balled, pummeled, or worse. This can lead to paranoia that can hurt game play; you may find your players saying “I check for traps” every 5 minutes. If …
Traps that play on the obvious vs unexpected trope can be fun if used correctly and brutally punishing if used incorrectly. Let’s take a look at how a trap can subvert players’ expectations. Let’s dive straight into the trap. The Obvious vs Unexpected Boulder Trap When the players enter the room, they see a long …
At first glance, Super Mario Bros. games don’t seem to have anything in common with dungeon design. Thematically you’d be right; Mario games and Dungeons and Dragons are very different. However, there are a lot of lessons that can be learned from the mustachioed plumber. What we’re referring to are the game design principles that …
Players often try to get the jump on their enemies, which can lead to obvious and predictable game play. If you want to switch things up and make your players consider their tactics more carefully, an exploding statues trap is a great addition to your dungeon. Utilizing Exploding Statues This trap has a two-part set …
A well-crafted description of a location is one of the best tools a DM can use during a session. But when theater of the mind fails for some players, having a physical representation of the tabletop terrain you’re describing can take your game to the next level. Advantages of Using Tabletop Terrain Much like having …
Magnets are super fun in both real life and in DnD. For this trap example, we use magnets in a creative way to get your players to look for obvious traps when the signals are present. The Magnets Trap This trap starts when the players enter a room with a sloped floor that angles down …
Sometimes a trap doesn’t need to deal damage to hurt your players. Sometimes what really hurts is taking your players’ gold. This trap is simple, effective, and easy to place and use. The Ruse Jewels are easily one of the players’ most exciting finds, as they are valuable and very rarely have any downsides. That …
