Random Trap Generator: Adding Suspense to Your Game

Behind the Die by Charlie Stayton

One of the great joys of running tabletop RPGs is watching players get creative when faced with the unknown. A trap isn’t just a hazard—it’s a story beat, a moment of tension, and sometimes the spark of an unforgettable character moment.

Instead of carefully scripting every trap, why not let fate decide? Below is a quick Random Trap Generator you can roll on mid-session when you need to surprise your players—or when you just want to inject a little chaos into your prep.

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Step 1: The Trigger (d6)

What sets the trap in motion?

1. A loose floor tile.

2. A pressure plate.

3. A tripwire at ankle height.

4. A false lever, button, or handle.

5. A cursed object (book, chalice, idol).

6. A hidden magical rune.

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Step 2: The Effect (d6)

What happens once it’s sprung?

1. Swinging blades arc from the wall.

2. Poison darts fire from hidden slits.

3. A pit opens beneath the victim (10–30 feet deep).

4. Flames burst from the walls or floor.

5. A crushing ceiling slowly descends.

6. A magical effect (fear, sleep, paralysis).

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Step 3: The Twist (d6)

Add a complication or unique flavor.

1. The trap resets after 1 round.

2. The noise attracts nearby monsters.

3. The trap only activates on the second trigger.

4. The mechanism is disguised as a treasure chest.

5. A false safe spot lures the victim into range.

6. The trap is ancient and partially broken—its effect is unpredictable.

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Quick Example

The party explores a forgotten corridor. You roll:

• Trigger: 2 (Pressure plate)

• Effect: 5 (Crushing ceiling)

• Twist: 6 (Partially broken)

Result: A cracked flagstone shifts underfoot, causing the ceiling to creak ominously and drop a few inches before jamming halfway. Dust rains down, and the next step may finish the job.

Now the players have a dilemma—push forward and risk the collapse, or waste time dismantling it while danger looms?

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Why Use Random Traps?

• Improvisation Made Easy: No prep required, just roll and go.

• Replayability: Each roll creates a unique scenario, so the same dungeon never feels the same twice.

• Player Engagement: When traps are unpredictable, your players stay on edge, ready for anything.

Next time your dungeon feels a little too straightforward, throw in a random trap. Who knows? That pressure plate might be the moment your group remembers for years.