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05-15-2019, 12:35 PM | #1 |
Join Date: Jun 2018
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Low-tech traps
I'm getting ready to start a GURPS campaign set in Britain in 410 C.E.
I anticipate wanting to use traps as obstacles. The Romans were pretty fond of pit traps, based on the fortifications of Hadrian's wall. What I don't know is what kind of damage I should expect for the traps to do when a player character falls into one. Some of the possible configurations for pit traps: Straight down (depth to be determined). Damage strictly from the fall. Straight down onto a spike. Possible damage from hitting the spike (a lucky fall could miss the spike). Straight down onto a grid of small spikes. Likely damage from hitting multiple spikes. Straight down onto an angled blade. Damage would be like being slashed by a sword. Straight down into a greased cone cavity. The player character gets wedged into the constricted space and can't climb out unassisted because of the greased sides. These are just some examples. Is there a list of such simple traps somewhere? |
05-15-2019, 02:21 PM | #2 |
Join Date: Jun 2017
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Re: Low-tech traps
I don't know of a list of traps in GURPS (although you could get some good idea looking at Pathfinder or D&D). However, to forget the lethality of a pit to a 7 foot deep pool of water. Given how few PCs put points in swimming and the difficulty of swimming in armor, drowning can be really nasty.
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05-15-2019, 02:54 PM | #3 |
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Saint Paul, MN
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Re: Low-tech traps
Low Tech covers some TL0-2 traps, including deadfalls, nets, pits (with and without spikes), snares, tripwires, needles, and caltrops (pp. 122-123).
Dungeon Fantasy Traps includes a lot of additional variations, but many wouldn't fit in a realistic game (e.g., pits of acid or lava, magical effects, etc.). But it's fairly easy to extrapolate appropriate mechanics for a wide variety of mundane low-tech traps. |
05-17-2019, 05:25 AM | #4 | |
Join Date: Jun 2018
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Re: Low-tech traps
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Caltrops are not mentioned in the glossary or index. Trapping is mentioned on the outer columns of pages 14 and 15. That does mention snares, deadfalls, box traps, and pit traps. |
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05-17-2019, 07:26 AM | #5 |
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Saint Paul, MN
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Re: Low-tech traps
Ahh, you're looking at the 3rd edition version. (Softcover, bearded dude with a conical hat on the cover.) My page references were for the hardcover version for GURPS 4th edition. By the barcode, it says: 1st Edition, 1st Printing, Published December 2010, ISBN 978-1-55634-802-0. The section on traps is in chapter 7, on Security and Covert Ops. Weighing in at 160 pages, this version is a significant expansion over the 3rd edition one.
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05-17-2019, 07:33 PM | #6 | |
Join Date: Jun 2018
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Re: Low-tech traps
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It isn't obviously for any version of GURPS. |
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05-15-2019, 03:58 PM | #7 | ||||
Join Date: Jun 2013
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Re: Low-tech traps
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And gets halved (B430). Of course, as a spike is a Hard object, you just use straight falling damage, rather than doubling it. Quote:
B430 suggests all cutting, but halved (as with the spike). It'll need to be a pretty hefty blade to avoid breaking, however! Quote:
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05-15-2019, 08:47 PM | #8 |
Banned
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: 100 hurricane swamp
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Re: Low-tech traps
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05-15-2019, 04:57 PM | #9 | |
Join Date: Feb 2016
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Re: Low-tech traps
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One of my favorite death traps involves a forty foot hallway and two counterweight floors, 20' by 10', that meet in the middle. When the party approaches the middle of the hallway, their weight triggers the counterweight floor that they are on, causing them to slide down into a pool of 10' deep cold water. When their weight is off the counterweight floor, the counterweight floor returns to position, sealing its victims in darkness. Even if they jump to the other floor, they end up activating that counterweight floor with their weight, dropping them into the water and darkness. The pool is supplied with water from an underground stream with an entrance and exit eight feet below the surface of the water. |
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05-15-2019, 05:16 PM | #10 | |
Icelandic - Approach With Caution
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Reykjavķk, Iceland
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Re: Low-tech traps
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