In Pathfinder 2e, the concept of a 'trap' expands into a broader category called hazards. These aren't just spring-loaded dart launchers or simple pits. Hazards are environmental or mechanical challenges that can be as dynamic and dangerous as creatures. They fall into two main classifications: Simple and Complex.

Every hazard is defined by a stat block, much like a monster. This block contains all the information you need to understand how it is perceived, how it acts, and how it can be overcome. The first things to look at are its Level, Hazard Traits, and Stealth DC.

The Level gives you a baseline for the hazard's overall threat and the Experience Points (XP) it's worth. A Level 5 hazard is a suitable challenge for a party of Level 5 adventurers.

The Stealth DC is the number players must beat with their Perception checks to notice the hazard before it's too late. If the hazard has a Stealth DC of 22, a character must roll a 22 or higher on a Perception check when Searching the area to spot it. Some hazards are so well-hidden they might require a minimum proficiency rank in Perception to even attempt to find them.

Once a hazard is found, characters might try to disable or destroy it. This is where its defensive stats come into play: Armor Class (AC), Saving Throws, Hardness, and Hit Points (HP).

• AC and Saves: You can attack a hazard directly. Its AC determines how hard it is to hit. Some effects might require the hazard to make a saving throw, like a Disintegrate spell targeting a magical rune.
• Hardness and HP: When you damage a hazard, you first subtract its Hardness from the damage dealt. Any remaining damage reduces its HP. If you reduce its HP to 0, it's destroyed.

The core of a hazard's function lies in its Trigger and Reaction. The trigger is the specific condition that sets the hazard off. This could be anything from a creature stepping on a specific floor tile to someone opening a door without the proper key.

When the trigger condition is met, the hazard immediately uses its Reaction. This is the 'what happens' part. For a Simple hazard, this is a one-time event, like a scything blade swinging from the ceiling or a burst of magical energy. The reaction will often include an attack roll against a character or require characters in an area to make a saving throw to avoid the effect.

Simple hazards are designed to be a single, impactful moment. They test the party's caution and skills with a single check or attack. Think of it like a monster that gets exactly one powerful Strike and is then defeated.

Because they only act once, their DCs and attack bonuses are scaled differently from creatures of the same level. A creature has to survive multiple rounds, so its stats are balanced for sustained combat. A Simple hazard puts all its power into a single moment. Its save DCs are often higher than a creature's of the same level to present a genuine, one-time threat. After it fires, it's usually inert, although it might be possible to reset it.

Now that you understand how to read a hazard's stat block, you can better anticipate its function and plan how to deal with it.

Let's test your knowledge on these core concepts.

Understanding these mechanics is the first step to confidently navigating the dangerous dungeons of Pathfinder.