D&D 5E Would you require a roll for this?

[mamba]

No check, either they set off the trap (with the gloves being too restrictive to disarm it), or they cannot even open or disarm the trap and chest as the mechanism for either needs them to be more dexterous than the gloves allow for

 

[RoughCoronet0]

I’d probably not have them roll and say that the needles don’t affect the rogue due to the clever use of protecting their hand with a metal gauntlet, as I think it’s a clever idea.

If I was going to give any sort of consequence or “penalty” for doing so, it would be that the needles would scrap against the metal gauntlet of fall to the floor, making noise that could potentially alert nearby enemies.

Considering that my group is very much built around stealth and being undetected and using spells like invisibility, pass without a trace, and silence to make doubly sure they don’t get spotted, this would be all the “punishment” they need for being so careless as to let a noisy trap go off, and having to spend a few extra resources to re-hide themselves after potentially alerting anyone.

 

[the Jester]

The needle rolls to hit, but the rogue's arm gets the AC of whatever type of armor the gauntlet is from.

 

[Reynard]

The needle rolls to hit, but the rogue's arm gets the AC of whatever type of armor the gauntlet is from.

My problem with this is that the potential for the character to still succumb to the trap disincentives the players from bothering to engage the fiction. If it is going to come down to a roll anyway, why would they bother doing more than look at their character sheet and tell you what skill or tools they are using?

 

[Oofta]

My problem with this is that the potential for the character to still succumb to the trap disincentives the players from bothering to engage the fiction. If it is going to come down to a roll anyway, why would they bother doing more than look at their character sheet and tell you what skill or tools they are using?

But to me, there is a difference between engaging in the fiction in a clever or unique way and just putting on leather gloves so you never have to worry about needle traps.

I give plenty of opportunity to engage with the environment, this just doesn't achieve that. Of course, it's always going to be a judgment call

 

[Reynard]

But to me, there is a difference between engaging in the fiction in a clever or unique way and just putting on leather gloves so you never have to worry about needle traps.

I give plenty of opportunity to engage with the environment, this just doesn't achieve that. Of course, it's always going to be a judgment call

In the proposed situation, the rogue borrowed a metal gauntlet for the very final step. I don't see how that leads to leather gloves making one magically immune to needle traps going forward.

I agree that players will, if given the opportunity, often try and apply specific solutions to specific problems as general rules. If the rogue says "I am going to wear plate armor gauntlets all the time" they are going to end up failing a lot of thief tools checks because of the disadvantage problem, and may never see a poison needle trap again.

 

[Hriston]

There is a chest and the Rogue rolls and detects a trap. A needle trap that would eject into the thief's hand and poison them.

The Rogue's player says that he borrows the Fighters metal gauntlet (which the needle couldn't penetrate) and safely sets off the trap.

Roll for disarm or not?

Wait, is it a trap like this:

Poison Needle​

Mechanical trap​

​

A poisoned needle is hidden within a treasure chest's lock, or in something else that a creature might open. Opening the chest without the proper key causes the needle to spring out, delivering a dose of poison.
When the trap is triggered, the needle extends 3 inches straight out from the lock. A creature within range takes 1 piercing damage and 11 (2d10) poison damage, and must succeed on a DC 15 Constitution saving throw or be poisoned for 1 hour.​

​

A successful DC 20 Intelligence (Investigation) check allows a character to deduce the trap's presence from alterations made to the lock to accommodate the needle. A successful DC 15 Dexterity check using thieves' tools disarms the trap, removing the needle from the lock. Unsuccessfully attempting to pick the lock triggers the trap.​

?

If so, I think there's some question as to whether the trap could be triggered without attempting to pick the lock and if such an attempt could be made while wearing a gauntlet.

 

[Oofta]

In the proposed situation, the rogue borrowed a metal gauntlet for the very final step. I don't see how that leads to leather gloves making one magically immune to needle traps going forward.

I agree that players will, if given the opportunity, often try and apply specific solutions to specific problems as general rules. If the rogue says "I am going to wear plate armor gauntlets all the time" they are going to end up failing a lot of thief tools checks because of the disadvantage problem, and may never see a poison needle trap again.

The palm side of the gauntlet is going to be leather at best. It doesn't need to be armored, in fact you don't want it to be armored. They could smack the trap with the back/metallic side of the gauntlet. At that point they could bypass by smacking it with a hammer.

But as I said, an attempt to bypass a challenge of any kind is encouraged, but it's a judgment call whether or not it works. In my game they can try, but it will not automatically work.

 

[Corinnguard]

an attempt to bypass a challenge of any kind is encouraged,

Basically any outside-the-box thinking.

 

[Corinnguard]

A Rogue (Arcane Trickster) could probably use Mage Hand to safely disarm the trap from a distance. Or use the Knock spell if they aren't too worried about the noise the spell would create.