New and struggling with beartraps

[kyroshill]

I do not seem to be able to get placement right, I guess. Every time I have a trap set up for a chomper to run through, they always run right over it and nothing happens. Is there something special, or is it just a matter or practicing?

[SD.Laeley-EN-]

A bit more in the middle, if you're placing it in doorways. Sometimes enemies just walk around them for not much reason, dogs are more prone to that thanks to their hitbox.

[MazyRun]

The trick is to place them outside points of entry, barricaded windows for example..

..Enemies are attracted to barricades, they will actively target a barricaded entry point because it's the most likely location of the player (this is why players hiding in small rooms with lots of barricaded doors & windows get discovered, broken in to and rushed).

..by placing traps outside barricades they will ignore the trap because their priority is to smash the barricade and gain entry, therefore they always trigger the trap and take damage (but more importantly they are temporarily disabled and a free kill).

Other things you could try are.. pushing furniture on top of traps (preferably chairs, because they are indestructible). The intruders priority is to push furniture out the way of entry points therefore they usually end up stepping on the concealed trap in doing so.

Basically you don't want to place traps in an open environment, they are more effective at choke points..

..However, when traps are placed out in the open you can still lure them into it, once they see you they will head straight towards you (so again it's about making them target something else, you, so that they ignore intervening traps).

Also worth mentioning that glass traps (smashed bottles) are undetectable by enemies, they inflict a lot of damage to enemies who walk over them and you are immune to glass damage (so there's no chance of you accidentally triggering it by running over it).

Glass traps are perfect for placing at non barricade-able entry points (i.e, holes in walls), but be careful not to waste too much glass.

[kyroshill]

OK.... definitely some good information here! Thanks a ton! So many mechanics, so few brain cells!

[Unseen]

Bear traps are kind of optional, but can be used well in the right spots. They really can backfire and I've forgot and been on the receiving end of a bear trap, and chain traps.

Its a trap, it can work for you or against you, and forgetting about them is easy and there's no shame in it. But when you get trapped, I'm not sure how it works cause I don't look up game mechanics and stuff I just play. What I found is struggling can get you free faster but also cost you health. If there are no enemies around don't panic, stay still for a while and gently move about after time and you'll be free without spending as much health, least I think that's how it is.

But in front of a window or door that enemies use frequently, a bear trap can do wonders, especially against centipedes or chompers. Usually unless you are facing terribly powerful enemies such as those two, bear traps not really that worth it. Better off just loading your shotgun and waiting. Bear traps all about the situation and they also don't kill, you will have to finish them off yourself after they get trapped. You really have to measure if the bear traps even worth it as they also cost valuable scrap.

The chain trap, well its not entirely useful but they can help to buy time. If you got big dogs or other enemies stalking outside your base, a chain trap placed well can make them not such a pain. And if you trap a dog with one they can also become a trap of sorts that will attack anything that comes near.

There is a 3rd trap but its unreliable and dangerous and will kill you faster than the strongest enemies and thats the explosive barrels. You really need to test these through trial and error and they only seem to come in handy in the last area imo. If you however set up a bunch of barrels outside a window, and set them off with a gunshot, they can take out multiple enemies at a time. So they can be very powerful if used right, but can also take you out in one shot, if you are to close which can be easy to miss judge in this game.

Basically a bear trap, really is something of an opportunity weapon. Its best to use them where you can keep an eye on them and not let them backfire. As mazy said, choke points, windows, hallways, doorways, these are all good places. Imo also all around your house can be good as well as the enemies will cycle around your house. I've often heard enemies getting trapped by them. Of course you won't be there to finish them off so its more of a warning than a kill. An alternative to that is the much cheaper chaintrap.

The game is full of strategy and the bear trap will become less and less useful as you get more stuff, you will probably use the shotgun, axe, and pistol more than anything towards the end. But the beartrap early on is a great tool if used strategically.

One other bit of advice, sometimes a window works better for luring in a an enemy, because they have to hop over the window which can make them land right on top of the trap. Its true that sometimes it will appear an enemy will run right over a trap, but if its in front of a window, the odds are they will land right on top of it.