Craft (Trapmaking)

[Prophet2b]

I have not found any other craft skill for a character that is so complicated to use, and seems to be the most expensive, yet oftentimes least powerful (for what you put into it - both time and money).

I have a player who's taking Trapmaking and could very well actually have a decent amount of opportunities to use it. Unfortunately, even simple traps cost far more than she can afford and take so much time to craft she'll likely never have enough downtime to do it.

Are there any house rules people have on Trapmaking? Or an alternative Trapmaking procedure? Other materials out there?

Or is she better off not worrying about the skill and just trying to find another skill to take instead?

 

[NexH]

You may want to look at http://www.enworld.org/downloads/fileinfo.php?id=1589.
I prefer the trap creation rules there to those in the DMG.

 

[D.Shaffer]

I have the same problem with trapmaking myself. The problem is Trapmaking seems to assume 'permanent' traps. It doesnt factor in time saving spells either (Like Dig for pit traps).

DMG2 did introduce the idea of 'Booby Traps', relateively quick to make traps (1 minute) CR 1/2 traps that use cheap resources (50 GP) or stuff you can scrounge from the surrounding area (Survival check). I'd like to see that list expanded, personally. Stuff like simple deadfalls or punji stick based traps should be easy to create.