I'm having some problemens understanding the basics of traps, I tried to look at a trap-guide or something, bud didn't find one. So i decided to write down what i make of the rules. I would like to hear if i'm doing it right :-)
Traps come in 2 types, mechanical and magic. The magic ones has two flavors, magic device trap and a magic spell trap.
The skill used to find ALL traps (mechanical and magic ones)is perception. (Unless i suppose, it is a magic spell trap in which the spell specificaly states it can't be found with perception?)
Also hidden glipfs and symbols from magic spells can be found with perception.
The spell detect magic can detect some magical traps, but only if there isn't a spell that hides the magical aura or something else to hide the spell.
The skill used to disable traps is disable device. All characters can disable mechanical and some magic device traps (since the trigger could be non magical on the magic device trap), but not the magic spell traps. Only characters with the trapfinding ability can also use disable device to disarm magic traps.
Dispel magic can be used to disarm a magic traps. In case of a magic device, it only removes the spell that is cast on this traps, if there are still mechanical hazards, these stay active. In case of a magic spell trap, this is removed.
Creative ways to disarm traps are also possible. For example the spells wood shape or soften earth and stone to destroy traps from within.
Classes with trapfinding are: Most rogue archtypes, The bard archivist, bard detective, bard sandman and the urban ranger.
There are no feats or traits to get trapfinding. If there are i would like to hear about it :-)(Only PF material, not 3,5 3ed party)
If traits are allowed in a game you could get perception and disable device as class skills. But you will have problems with magic traps.
Maybe a good idee, a new trait or feat that allows characters that have disable device as a class skill to also get the trapfinding abilility but without the bonus of 1/2 the class level (kind of the way the bard and ranger get the trapfinding bonus.. this way a archtype rogue without trapfinding could get it in a lesser form.. and magic classes could take it, since they understand magic...
Maybe i could use the above idea as a reward from a campaing or as something that could be bought from a masterthief in our game? Would this be gamebraking???
Maybe a good idee, a new trait or feat that allows characters that have disable device as a class skill to also get the trapfinding abilility but without...
+1
I like that :)
I hope it will make the new upcoming books, i read about more people would like trapfinding as a feat. What about the rest i wrote?
Maybe a good idee, a new trait or feat that allows characters that have disable device as a class skill to also get the trapfinding ability but without the bonus of 1/2 the class level (kind of the way the bard and ranger get the trapfinding bonus.. this way a archetype rogue without trapfinding could get it in a lesser form.. and magic classes could take it, since they understand magic...
+1
I'd love to see a series of feats related to traps. In D&D/PF, navigating traps has traditionally been the exclusive preview of rogues, but I'm not a fan of that strategy. I'd rather see trapfinding attached to whichever character wants to do it, rather than a specific class.
Who knows what the future will bring... I can only hope :-) Care to share your thoughts on the rest I wrote?
Still hoping for some reactions....