Dungeons & Dragons 3.5

Trap Generator

Build a reproducible, level-appropriate trap with table-ready rules, warning signs, an activation sequence, and an optional intended solution.

Rules foundation: Results use the d20 SRD trap framework, curated themes, and traps from the Alchemic Arts showcases. No generative AI is used.

Step 1

Shape the trap

Threat

Difficulty Party level

Concept

Theme Trap nature

“Manual” means creatures actively watch, operate, or participate in the trap. Trap nature determines whether its actual mechanism is mundane or magical.

Direct damageThe primary effect deals hit point damage. Turn this off for restraint, separation, conditions, or battlefield control. Include a specific solutionAdds one intended nonstandard way to disable, avoid, or resolve the trap beyond its listed checks.

Seed

Step 2

Your trap

Ready

The mechanism is waiting

Choose the threat and theme, then generate a table-ready trap.

Help shape future updates

Have an idea for these generators?

The existing rules and curated datasets will keep growing in future iterations. Suggestions are welcome, including names, descriptions, new entries or features, and changes to existing data or functionality.

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How the trap is built

Difficulty sets the target CR

Tame aims two CR below party level, Intermediate matches it, and Brutal aims two CR above it. Level 1 results never fall below CR 1.

SRD-facing mechanics

Every result includes a trigger, reset, Search and Disable Device DCs, a save or attack, an effect, and CR. Other CR modifiers now reduce the damage budget, producing varied dice, volleys, and ongoing damage instead of one fixed progression. Magical damaging traps can directly cast SRD spells.

Showcase traps and ideas

Feller’s Fall can appear among damaging alchemical traps, while The Mother of All Pitfalls can appear as a brutal damaging pit trap. For another alchemical setup you can build from a generated result, read A Lesson in Chemistry.

Design for play, not just damage

Read Traps and Why You Need Them for ideas about triggers, player choices, creative solutions, and the role a trap can serve in an adventure. Use those principles to adapt any generated result to your table.