Traps and trapfinding and disable device.

[Jacob Saltband]

When a trap is spotted, what do you know about the trap. When you attempt to disable a trap what do you need to know about it to make that attempt.

[Robert A Matthews]

One would assume that you would learn the trap's trigger at the very least. You would probably identify what spell it is, otherwise how else would you know how to disarm it? If you spot a trap, you can attempt to disarm it with disable device, or in some cases just avoid its trigger. For example you spot a trigger plate on the floor that will smash a spiked wall into you if you step on it, you can choose to avoid the trigger plate rather than disarm it. You spot a glyph of warding on a chest. Trapfinding gives you the ability to disarm it where no one else can (absent dispel magic). You go to decipher a scroll and find a sepia snake sigil. Same thing, disable device because you have trapfinding. As long as you spot the trap, you can make the disable device check.

[VRMH]

Robert A Matthews wrote:

One would assume that you would learn the trap's trigger at the very least.

That makes sense, yes.

Quote:

You would probably identify what spell it is, otherwise how else would you know how to disarm it?

I disagree. You don't need to know if it's a fragmentation or a concussion grenade, to know you have to put the pin back in.