[RPG] Does exploration movement rate in Basic D&D (B/X) include trap/secret-door detection

dnd-bxmovementtraps

In the Basic Rulebook for D&D, on page B19, it states that characters can move 120' in a dungeon per turn (10 minutes). Later it states that this movement assumes players are mapping carefully, searching, and trying to be quiet.

What is meant by 'searching'? Are characters automatically getting a detect trap and detect secret door roll (every 10' or per trap/door) as part of this movement rate? It seems unclear what searching exactly means in this context.

Best Answer

No the 120' per 10 minute movements doesn't include searching for either traps or secret doors. On page B21 of Moldavy's Basic Rules for D&D and page B22 both actions (secret doors, traps) require search of a specific area (specified as a 10' by 10' on B19) and the search takes a turn (10 minutes) to perform.

The searching referred to in the movement rules probably refers to non-obvious details like a grate at the bottom of a wall, bones littering the floor, etc. I got this impression from the reference to a 'dark and dingy' dungeon on B19. And from reading the Dungeon Master information on stocking the dungeon starting on page B51