Traps

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Traps are randomly generated mechanisms that harm the player. Depending on the player's progress in the game and the type of trap, this harm can range from minor nuisance to instant death. All traps are wired, but the actual damaging component can be a falling Boulder, Explosives, or a Dart Trap.

Traps are usually found in the Underground and Cavern layer, often guarding underground cabins. A number is also found in the Dungeon. The most trap-riddled location by far, however, is the Lihzahrd temple.

Dart Trap.png Dart Traps
When used in traps, Dart Traps are always wired up to a pressure plate that is at the same altitude as they are and has a clear line of fire. The pressure plate can actually be very far away from the dart shooter. The shooter may be at foot level, chest level, or head level, but will always hit you if you stand still on the pressure plate.

The Dart Trap seems to be the most common type of trap in the game, and the player is likely to encounter them fairly often. Many can be found in the Dungeon, this also being the only type of trap it features.

Boulder.png Boulder Traps
Boulders are always directly above the pressure plates that trigger them, are always contained within a 2x2 space, and always have a 2x3 area of Active Stone Blocks beneath them. When the pressure plate is stepped on the blocks become inactive, and the boulder falls down. The boulders do hefty damage and may instantly kill any new players that are hit by them. This kind of trap can only be triggered once, unless a player turns the stone blocks "back on" and places another boulder.

As the Dungeon is made of Dungeon Brick rather than Stone, these traps are not found in it.

Explosives.png Explosive Traps
Explosives are the most deadly traps by far, instantly killing all but the sturdiest of players and each blowing up a large area of surrounding blocks. Like Boulder Traps they can only be triggered once, but they are much harder to see, especially in dark caves. Players that stumble upon them may get quite a surprise.

Explosive Traps are also problematic because they cause massive damage to the environment, possibly causing drastic floods of either fluid.

These traps are very rare, even in the Dungeon. Note that unlike in caves, in the Dungeon these traps will deal no environmental damage, and thus players' inventories are not in danger.

Super Dart Trap.png Super Dart Traps
Introduced in 1.2, this type is found in the Lihzahrd temple. They are a much deadlier version of the normal dart trap, as they can deal 80 damage on a player with no armor.

Spiky Ball Trap.png Spiky Ball Traps
Introduced in 1.2, and also found in the Lihzahrd temple. They are placed on the ceiling and drop a wooden spiky ball that does huge damage, the ball bouncing a lot and staying for some time before despawning.

Spear Trap.png Spear Traps
Introduced in 1.2, and also found in the Lihzahrd temple. They are likewise placed on the ceiling and drop spears that deal huge damage.

Flame Trap.png Flame Traps
Introduced in 1.2, and also found in the Lihzahrd temple. They are placed on the wall and fire flames, similar to the Flamethrower, that extend 23 blocks with 1 block above and below, and deal damage over time.

Tips

 * You can see the wiring of a trap while holding a Wrench, Wire Cutter, Wires, or anything wireable (except torches, statues and doors).
 * You may want to use a pressure plate to see the wiring, after removing the pressure plate with a Pickaxe. This can be very useful in the beginning of the game for avoiding traps, as they are extremely lethal early on.
 * Natural traps are a very cost-effective method of acquiring Wire once you have a Wire Cutter, saving you for every bit of wire collected instead of bought from the Mechanic. This can also be profitable if you're low on cash, as they sell for  each.
 * You can also find many wires in the dungeon, but this may be difficult if you just started your world.