Reply to thread

Message: <blockquote data-quote="Blue" data-source="post: 7292896" data-attributes="member: 20564">I use traps when I have a character that has invested in being able to disarm traps, so they get to use that part of their character and show it off.I use traps to set the tone, show places that are dangerous, and give a feel for the inhabitants (a simple beartrap vs. a clockwork blowgun trap built into the walls, a trap to capture vs. a trap to kill smeared with poison, etc.).  Sometimes this means there are traps just because the inhabitants would put some.I use traps as hazards in combat to make it more dynamic and exciting.  Often the primary purpose is the conditions they inflict, not the damage they do.  (Sometimes they will be leading into combat instead, and then a big area blast of damage is what I'm looking for as it changes the assumptions of an encounter and pushes it out of the PCs comfort zone.I use traps when time is short so the characters need to choose to go fast and take some lumps or go slow and burn up precious time.I use complex or multi-part traps as puzzles.  These most often protect some objective needed to move forward.  These can do as much (or more) damage as a combat encounter, they are a pivotal scene.  I might also do these when the party is getting pursued by a force they don't want to engage so they are short on time.In most cases, I don't use traps as a significant portion of daily attrition like an encounter would be.</blockquote>