[RPG] the right way to GM magical trap detection

pathfinder-1etraps

I'm trying to understand the rules of perceiving magical traps, but I remain confused on some finer points.

Let's say the PCs will encounter a Symbol of Weakness trap. The trap is on a door, and is triggered if someone passes through the door. If triggered, the trap targets all creatures within 60'.

  1. When a party member approaches the door, does she get an automatic Perception check to detect the trap? Or does she need to actively search for the trap?
  2. Does it make sense for a non-magic user to perceive a magical trap, even when their Perception check succeeds?
  3. If any party member detects the trap, what must I reveal? Do I need to reveal it's a Symbol of Weakness trap? Is it sufficient to reveal it's a magical trap, so a magic user can attempt a Detect Magic to learn more?

Best Answer

  1. By the RAW, no - the players must ask to make a Perception check to locate it. It's difficult to determine this in one place in the rules, but without this rule, the Rogue talent Trap Spotter doesn't make any sense.

  2. Yes - anybody with a high enough Perception check can find non-magical traps - this is in the Traps section of the Environment chapter. A Detect Magic might find it automatically, depending on the surroundings, and how the symbol is placed (for instance, a clever caster might place other enchantments on the door, to disguise the fact that there's a magical trap there, or perhaps the area was all created magically or from magical materials).

  3. If a Perception check reveals the trap, then you generally reveal that a trap exists, and possibly that it is magical or mechanical. For a magical trap, a Dispel Magic or similar could then be applied, but in both cases, a Disable Device attempt could be made to disable it. Note that failing this check by more than 5 sets off the trap, so the remover must generally do this without knowledge of the type of effect.