The DM has many options when it comes to obstructing the party, but what beats a classic trap?

These are the most devious ones to use in D&D.

This trap is best used either in a social setting or as part of a treasure horde.

Split image of dungeons and dragons characters peering at traps

Offer players a vial of red liquid, eerily reminiscent of a potion of healing.

This long-con trap is great for keeping players on their toes.

Keep your adventurers on their toes.

The orb of dragonkind, a rare artifact in Dungeons and Dragons

This trap has a great element of surprise, and is wonderfully macabre.

Just ensure to usemob combat rulesto keep combat running efficiently.

For this trap, have the party travel through either an attic, corridor, or otherwise cramped location.

Dungeons And Dragons Aquatic Creature collage featuring three aquatic monsters with an underwater background

The party will have to traverse stealthily to not wake up the horde.

These are the absolute best artifact magic items in D&D.

Anyone who fails is snagged by a Giant Spider and reeled up into their web.

Two adventurers stumble across a trap in Dungeons & Dragons.

Poison Trap by Linda Lithen

4Mirror, Mirror

Is That Just My Reflection?

Mirrors make for fantastically spooky set pieces in any horror setting.

Anyone who investigates the mirror closely will have to make a Wisdom saving throw.

Dungeons & Dragons image showing a gelatinous cube, adventurers in a ruin, and a dark mantle.

An Infiltration by Craig J Spearing

On a failure, they switch places with their reflection.

3The Black Cat

Cat Got Your Tongue?

Have at least one party member spot a mysterious black cat, seemingly imploring the party to follow it.

An adventuring party in Dungeons & Dragons scales a tower using a rope.

An Infiltration by Craig J Spearing

2The Staircase

Does That Step Look A Bit Odd?

Set a trap on one step of a large, winding staircase that the party must climb.

If anyone activates the trap, every step folds inward, turning the staircase into a large slide.

Dungeons & Dragons art of Savra Sunstar fighting another vampire in a cathedral.

Vampires via Wizards of the Coast

Thinking of using an aquatic setting in your next D&D campaign?

These are the best monsters to use.

1Dark Ritual

Are You Willing To Sacrifice?

A group of skeletons surrounding adventurers, by Andrey Kuzinskiy.

Skeletons by Andrey Kuzinskiy

The party comes across a large altar.

A plaque placed on the altar indicates a desire for sacrifice.

Evil cultists will then manifest, ready to complete the ritual in its entirety.

Dungeons & Dragons image showing a bat.

Bat by Dario Jelusic

Dungeons & Dragons image showing a wizard over a book of spells.

Wizard’s Spellbook via Wizards of the Coast

Two adventurers caught in a series of webs in Dungeons & Dragons.

Web Trap by Robson Michel

An adventurer looks into a magic mirror in Dungeons & Dragons.

Magic Mirror by Chris Seaman

The outer walls of the city of Greyhawk, surrounded by boats in a port in Dungeons & Dragons.

Greyhawk by Bruce Brenneise

A series of Animated Objects spring to life in Dungeons & Dragons

Animated Objects by Simon Dominic

The Tomb of Horrors in Dungeons & Dragons, featuring a decaying skeleton.

Tomb of Horrors by Mark Behm

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