Dungeon Trap

Dungeon traps are not to be confused with chest traps. While the latter are only found inside chests, the former is installed within the dungeon corridor itself. (Note that the various energy fields are not considered traps for purposes of this article, merely obstacles).

Various types of traps have been encountered over time, some only appearing in certain eras of history:

Strange Winds
Encountered in Ultima III and Ultima IV, these magical winds have the ability to extinguish any kind of light source, regardless of whether it was produced by torch or a light spell. While this does not directly cause any damage, it can be very confusing, often forcing the adventurer to advance blindly, and increasing the possibility of ambush by monsters in the dark.


 * In Ultima II, ghosts have this ability and use it to great effect to annoy the player.

Falling Rocks
Only encountered in Ultima IV, this trap causes rocks to fall from the ceiling as intruders pass, causing considerable damage. There is no way to disable this trap and often, the adventurer has no choice but to walk through the trap and hope for the best.


 * The trap hits party members at random, dealing about 10-20 damage.

Pit Trap
A pit trap is a shaft that lies concealed as part of the dungeon floor, until an unwary delver steps onto it and tumbles in, sustaining damage.
 * In Ultima IV the trap affects random party members, dealing about 10-20 damage.
 * In Ultima V the trap drops the entire party down a level, perhaps even onto another pit trap. A search can discover pits, allowing the party to safely descend them. Having a grappling hook also allows the party to ascend.

Bomb Trap
Bomb traps lie hidden in the floor, detonating the moment someone comes too close. Unlike the bomb traps hidden in chests, these are far more powerful, and therefore also much more deadly.


 * In Ultima V, bomb traps always affect the whole party.

Trivia

 * In Ultima III, gremlins functioned quite like dungeon traps, affecting passers-by and draining their food reserves only when their area was entered.