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<blockquote data-quote="Mirrorrorrim" data-source="post: 9085563" data-attributes="member: 7040132">But an 18-inch preloaded bear trap that just needs to be dropped on the ground is not a ranger ability. Any character can buy a bear trap, carry it around, and do that just as easily. My smart wizard could do that. Again, mundane equipment that anyone can use does not a class ability make.I know people rrrrrrreeeeaaaallly want to codify nonmagical abilities as class features. And that is great! As long as it makes sense that those features make sense for that class, and aren't unique for uniqueness' sake, aren't just equipment or mundane skills that anyone can use.The problem is that many mundane abilities are not exclusive to a class. They deserve subsystems that anyone can opt into. And if those subsystems aren't built into the game, then the DM is going to make a ruling.Ranger: Hey, DM, can I buy two bear traps for the dungeon expedition? I want to have them &quot;set&quot; to go off, but with a &quot;safety&quot; on. I want to be able to toss one down, pull the safety pin, and run.DM: Sure. Did you want to pay more for a high-quality monster trap that has the safety built in? Or do you want a simple bear trap that doesn't have a safety, but you can spend time during a rest to fashion a safety yourself?Ranger: I'll take the cheaper one. I can make it work the way I want.Wizard: That is a great idea, Ranger. DM, I would like to do the same.Ranger: No, that's my idea.Wizard: And it is a good one. Thanks! I agree that this will help the party greatly.Rogue: I'll take one. I know all about traps. Maybe if we have time to prepare, I can make a tripwire before the bear trap, so the enemy trips and falls face-first into the bear trap. DM, if I do that right, can I get sneak attack damage with that?Fighter: You guys are nerds. Rogue, you're just evil.</blockquote>

[QUOTE="Mirrorrorrim, post: 9085563, member: 7040132"] But an 18-inch preloaded bear trap that just needs to be dropped on the ground is not a ranger ability. Any character can buy a bear trap, carry it around, and do that just as easily. My smart wizard could do that. Again, mundane equipment that anyone can use does not a class ability make. I know people rrrrrrreeeeaaaallly want to codify nonmagical abilities as class features. And that is great! As long as it makes sense that those features make sense for that class, and aren't unique for uniqueness' sake, aren't just equipment or mundane skills that anyone can use. The problem is that many mundane abilities are not exclusive to a class. They deserve subsystems that anyone can opt into. And if those subsystems aren't built into the game, then the DM is going to make a ruling. Ranger: Hey, DM, can I buy two bear traps for the dungeon expedition? I want to have them "set" to go off, but with a "safety" on. I want to be able to toss one down, pull the safety pin, and run. DM: Sure. Did you want to pay more for a high-quality monster trap that has the safety built in? Or do you want a simple bear trap that doesn't have a safety, but you can spend time during a rest to fashion a safety yourself? Ranger: I'll take the cheaper one. I can make it work the way I want. Wizard: That is a great idea, Ranger. DM, I would like to do the same. Ranger: No, that's my idea. Wizard: And it is a good one. Thanks! I agree that this will help the party greatly. Rogue: I'll take one. I know all about traps. Maybe if we have time to prepare, I can make a tripwire before the bear trap, so the enemy trips and falls face-first into the bear trap. DM, if I do that right, can I get sneak attack damage with that? Fighter: You guys are nerds. Rogue, you're just evil. [/QUOTE]

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