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40d:Trap
(For traps used to catch vermin, see animal trap).
Traps are a reliable and cost-effective method for defending any fortress. Unlike soldiers, they're always on duty, and don't need to be carefully managed. On the other hand, they are immobile and can only lie in wait for foes to walk over them. To build a trap, go to the build->Traps/Levers menu. You'll generally need one mechanism, and at least one other component depending on the type of trap. They can be built indoors or outdoors, and require a level ground square with no other constructions in them. There are a few monsters, most notably kobold thieves, that are able to pass over traps without triggering them.
Stone-fall Trap
The simplest trap to construct, a stone-fall trap is essentially a stone suspended up in the air which is dropped on intruders when the trap is triggered. These are a popular defensive measure early on, as the components needed are readily available as soon as you start mining. A single stone trap will kill or severely maim most humanoid enemies although trolls, magmamen and hardier creatures may take two or three to drop. Mythical creatures such as dragons, hydras and titans will take upwards of five or six. After being used they need to be reloaded with another stone, a task which your dwarves will see to automatically. Stone traps can now be built outside.
Weapon Trap
Weapon traps consist of any number of deadly instruments rigged to a mechanism. When an intruder sets off the trap, the weapons spring out and strike the poor sap. You can add up to 10 weapons to a weapon trap, and they will all attack together when set off. This gives the potential for dealing significant amounts of damage at once. There are also special giant weapon parts you can build that are specially designed for use in weapon traps. Unlike stone-fall traps, weapon traps automatically reset after being triggered, ready to splatter the intruder's friends. But there is a (20%?)chance that the trap will become jammed each time it is triggered. A nearby dwarf will automatically clean a jammed trap; this does not require the cleaning labor. If there are weapons that require ammunition in the trap, they will also have to be reloaded occasionally. Weapon traps using bows or crossbows will not require cleaning but do use ammo.
Cage Trap
Cage traps capture creatures that set them off in cages. After a creature is captured it's stored, cage and all, in an appropriate animal stockpile. Then the trap is reloaded with another cage. You can do all sorts of fun things with captured creatures. Creatures in cages will be fed periodically.
Upright Spear/Spike
These are not active traps, but a hazard you can place in order to impale trespassers. You can combine these with retracting bridges to create a spike-filled pit trap. You may need to clean the corpses off the pointy bits occasionally.
Other Traps
You can create even more elaborate traps with imaginative use of pits, pressure plates, levers, grates, supports, water, magma, and whatever else you can think of. Watching those goblins try to find a way out of your drowning chamber as it begins to fill is really quite satisfying.
| Rooms | |
|---|---|
| Furniture |
Animal trap • Anvil • Armor stand • Bed • Bin • Bucket • Cabinet • Cage • Coffin • Container • Restraint • Seat • Statue • Table • Weapon rack |
| Access | |
| Constructions | |
| Machine & Trap parts |
Axle • Gear assembly • Millstone • Screw pump • Water wheel • Windmill • Lever • Pressure plate • Trap • Support |
| Other Buildings | |
| Related Articles | |