25 + 9 = 34, so 34 is the Perception and Disable Device DC for a magical trap with a 9th level spell in it. It's also the highest DC for all printed traps in the CRB including the CR 20 trap.
So is that it? Is 34 the be all and end all of trap DCs? I mean, a creative GM can add circumstance penalties or a trap finder might want to bypass the trap without disabling it, but are these the only reasons a trap would need a higher check than 34?
25 + 9 = 34, so 34 is the Perception and Disable Device DC for a magical trap with a 9th level spell in it. It's also the highest DC for all printed traps in the CRB including the CR 20 trap.
So is that it? Is 34 the be all and end all of trap DCs? I mean, a creative GM can add circumstance penalties or a trap finder might want to bypass the trap without disabling it, but are these the only reasons a trap would need a higher check than 34?
It's probably the highest you're likely to encounter in a standard game. Epic level casting (see Gamemastering) continues to advance beyond 9th level, which can result in heightened versions of normal spells. Likewise, you can create higher caster level versions of traps by increasing the spellcraft DC to craft the wondrous item; so if you wanted a DC 40 trap, you might need to determine the level of a very heightened flesh to stone (example spell) and craft it that way.
Alternatively, the traps also mentions that Perception DCs for mechanical traps can indeed exceed 30. In fact, it lists Perception DC 30+ as CR+3. Personally, I think every +4 or so should add another +1 to the CR. I mean, most would say that a DC 100 Perception trap is kind of unfair for a mere +3 CR, right?