[RPG] What skills in 5e give trap knowledge (i.e. the equivalent of Dungeoneering in 4e)

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4e had a skill called Dungeoneering which was used for recognizing hazards and knowledge of some monsters. This skill doesn't exist in 5e. Clearly Perception and Investigation can be used to find traps, and thieves' tools can be used to disarm them, but what skill gives knowledge of likely traps and what sorts of threats they pose?

Best Answer

Not exactly a skill, but there is a related feat, entitled Dungeon Delver, which gives the benefits

  • You have advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks and Intelligence (Investigation) checks made to detect the presence of secret doors.
  • You have advantage on saving throws made to avoid or resist traps.
  • You have resistance to damage dealt by traps.
  • Traveling at a fast pace doesn't impose the normal −5 penalty on your passive Wisdom (Perception) score.

There is no specific skill that gives knowledge of traps and what sorts of threats they pose, though some skills, as you've noticed, may be useful. But an Arcana check, for example, might be appropriate to determine the nature of a magical trap once detected.

Beyond that sort of case, it is the DM's responsibility to decide how much a character would know, and could make them roll whatever kind of check they thought was most relevant (or, if none in particular, a skill check like Intelligence).

Some tool proficiencies might give particular expertise: proficiency with thieves' tools provides "additional insight" to Investigation and Perception checks when looking for traps; proficiency with a poisoner's kit gives "an edge when you inspect poisoned objects," proficiency with mason's tools means "you can spot irregularities in stone walls or floors," and many more possibilities.

There is no general skill associated with "knowledge of likely traps."