This is quite puzzling

[The Ruiner]

As a Gm with little to no imagination of my own, what kinds of puzzles, traps or tight situations have you put your players in? Alternatively, if you are not a Gm, what predicaments has your character been thrust into?

[SpiritInterface]

One of our GM loves puzzles and word games, he has had us play chess as pieces, solve what do these thing have in common, memory games using a card deck and a Tarot deck, remember the pattern while moving across a trapped tile floor.

Are these the kinds of things you were talking about.

[The Ruiner]

Yes. This exactly the kind of thing that I am looking for...specifics are a plus!

[guardiandashi]

Yes. This exactly the kind of thing that I am looking for...specifics are a plus!

I can't remember the exact title... but when I used https://www.google.com/#q=big+book+of+traps+d%26d I got several hits pointing at both physical (official) and net books about the subject.

yes they would need adaption to use in palladium/rifts but it should give you a solid starting point for ideas

[Killer Cyborg]

I ran a D&D adventure once where it took something like four hours for the party to get past the first room of the dungeon, because the rather simple puzzle completely stumped them.
I haven't done many puzzle adventures since.

[drewkitty ~..~]

As a Gm with little to no imagination of my own, what kinds of puzzles, traps or tight situations have you put your players in? Alternatively, if you are not a Gm, what predicaments has your character been thrust into?

Go down to the comic or book store and get something to get ideas from.
Which encompasses KC's idea about running D&D adventures cause you can sometimes get those adventure modules in both places.

Another way to get ideas is to watch TV programs. But you need to be proactively taking notes when the idea hits you.

[Mouser13]

Well I would make suggestions, but last puzzle took another computer programmer to solve and still 2 hours. He even didn't completely solve it. Got it down to the last piece. So I give it to him.

So maybe I'm not the best to ask.

4 groups of 4-6 players failed to solve it before him.

[Thinyser]

Well I would make suggestions, but last puzzle took another computer programmer to solve and still 2 hours. He even didn't completely solve it. Got it down to the last piece. So I give it to him.

So maybe I'm not the best to ask.

4 groups of 4-6 players failed to solve it before him.

Do you still have it? post it? Please

[Thinyser]

To the OP: Do you like math puzzles or physical puzzles (think Myst and the various levers one had to pull)? Or riddles?

[The Ruiner]

Well, math hates me so that kind of limits me. Just about anything else should be o.k......not looking for anything too complicated.

[Damian Magecraft]

If you are looking for puzzles with which to perplex your players may I suggest giving any of these books a look?

[The Beast]

I ran a D&D adventure once where it took something like four hours for the party to get past the first room of the dungeon, because the rather simple puzzle completely stumped them.
I haven't done many puzzle adventures since.

If you still have/remember it, can you PM it to me? I'd like to try to solve it.

[Thinyser]

Riddle: One evening a man started to run. Then he turned left. Soon after, he turned left again. Then he started running home. When he got home there were 2 masked men waiting for him. Who were they?

Spoiler:

The umpire and the catcher. He was playing baseball.

Riddle: You can only keep it once you give it to somebody.

Spoiler:

Your word

Riddle: Use the numbers 2, 3, 4 and 5 and the symbols + and = to make a true equation.
Note: Each must be used exactly once and no other numbers or symbols can be used.

Spoiler:

3[sup]2[/sup]=4+5

Riddle: A cowboy rode to an inn on Friday. He stayed two nights and left on Friday. How could that be?

Spoiler:

His horse is named Friday. duh that one is too easy.

Riddle: 500 is at my end and my start, yet 5 is at my heart.
The first letter and the first number make me complete.
My name is that of a king.
What am I?

Spoiler:

DAVID. D=500, V=5, and I=1 (the first number). 'A' is the first letter of the alphabet. This one is already hard but to make it harder leave out the reference to the name of a king in the riddle

Riddle: What has a foot but no leg?

Spoiler:

Either "a ruler" or "a snail" are acceptable answers

Riddle: It dances and skips,
it's read in the eyes but it cheats with the hips,
If it meets its match it's easily caught,
but it's worth nothing if it is bought.
What is it?

Spoiler:

The Heart

Riddle: The person who buys me doesn't need me, the person who makes me doesn't want me, and the person who uses me can't appreciate me.
What am I?

Spoiler:

A coffin/casket

Riddle: I have lakes with no fish.
I have roads with no cars.
What am I?

Spoiler:

A map

None of these were of my own devising I just found some on the internet that I like. How exactly you would work these into your game is up to you. Possibly a robot or golem-esque guardian that confronts the characters with one or more of them to be allowed to pass. Alternately they could find the riddle inscribed on a door and have to type in the answer on a provided keyboard to open it.

[flatline]

Riddle: Use the numbers 2, 3, 4 and 5 and the symbols + and = to make a true equation.
Note: Each must be used exactly once and no other numbers or symbols can be used.

Spoiler:

3[sup]2[/sup]=4+5

a simpler solution, unless you're constrained to exactly one addition symbol:

Spoiler:

3 + 4 = 2 + 5

--flatline

[Thinyser]

Riddle: Use the numbers 2, 3, 4 and 5 and the symbols + and = to make a true equation.
Note: Each must be used exactly once and no other numbers or symbols can be used.

Spoiler:

3[sup]2[/sup]=4+5

a simpler solution, unless you're constrained to exactly one addition symbol:

Spoiler:

3 + 4 = 2 + 5

--flatline

Yeah see the "Note" must be used exactly once and no other numbers or symbols can be used, so using another addition symbol would violate the "exactly once" rule...

[Mouser13]

Well I remade the puzzle per request. I sharing via drop box(Never done so I hope it works).
https://www.dropbox.com/s/6f1wao8u357zrk5/puzzle.ods
https://www.dropbox.com/s/eedb927toxm7rhe/puzzle.xls


Let me know if it isn't working.

You can PM if you think you have a solution.

[Thinyser]

Well I remade the puzzle per request. I sharing via drop box(Never done so I hope it works).
https://www.dropbox.com/s/6f1wao8u357zrk5/puzzle.ods
https://www.dropbox.com/s/eedb927toxm7rhe/puzzle.xls


Let me know if it isn't working.

You can PM if you think you have a solution.

Ok I need more explanation than you can
change - to | or L to R
I've never played the old water pipe game so I don't know the goal or the premise or anything.

Whats the goal?
What does - do
What does | do
What does L or R do?

[Mouser13]

Well I remade the puzzle per request. I sharing via drop box(Never done so I hope it works).
https://www.dropbox.com/s/6f1wao8u357zrk5/puzzle.ods
https://www.dropbox.com/s/eedb927toxm7rhe/puzzle.xls


Let me know if it isn't working.

You can PM if you think you have a solution.

Ok I need more explanation than you can
change - to | or L to R
I've never played the old water pipe game so I don't know the goal or the premise or anything.

Whats the goal?
What does - do
What does | do. Allows the water to flow up and down
What does L or R do?

L allows water to travel from top to right or right to top. Either is possible.
r allows to transfer from bot to right or right to the bottom.

+ allow the water to flow it any and all directions top,right,left,bot.




The goal is to get the water to flow from the start to all exit points this case exit are the *.
Quick example

*
+ #+ can go any direct and multiple directions. So in this case to top and are exit
- # Water can't get here because it not connected to the below block. Switch to | so it can flow.
| # can enter this one because of direction has it connected to start block.
" # Water starts here



So the simple solution is to change - block to | So the water or in are case if you look at solution to stage yellow/gold path. Lights up.
I hope this helps.

Also note their could be more then one path to complete I just made sure their was at least one. The solutions tabs show how the * light up after you complete the path to all the exits. If you complete it another way they would still light up the same colors your path of gold would just be different.


Normally what I have happen in the game. Is the two side ones are doors to loot and the Top exit is to the next stage.

After you complete all 9 paths they come to the last room and final puzzle.



The game is very similar to DDO though I know it from old water pipe game. This could help give you a visual.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AdVa2BWzZBc

[Thinyser]

Got the water pipe deal all figured out but the last problem to fill the holes with the 27 colored block is stumping me. I'll have to get back to you once I think I have a solution.

[Mouser13]

Got the water pipe deal all figured out but the last problem to fill the holes with the 27 colored block is stumping me. I'll have to get back to you once I think I have a solution.

Yes it is a fun one from the dark evil corners of my mind is where this is created from.

[FatherMorpheus]

Find a copy of Grimtooth's Traps. Those have lots of fun traps as well. Though be careful with those, as they can be very lethal. They are very medieval in design, but that doesn't mean you can't alter them.

http://www.amazon.com/Grimtooths-Traps- ... 0940244756

[FatherMorpheus]

I write Dungeon traps for Knights of the Dinner Table comic book (see the sig). I just noticed a Deadly Trappings compilation which I was unaware of until last week.

http://www.kenzerco.com/product_info.ph ... cts_id=686

The Grimtooth traps look very interesting...

Grimtooth's Trap is old school, but really a great reference.

[sanka]

Well I would make suggestions, but last puzzle took another computer programmer to solve and still 2 hours. He even didn't completely solve it. Got it down to the last piece. So I give it to him.

So maybe I'm not the best to ask.

4 groups of 4-6 players failed to solve it before him.

Do you still have it? post it? Please

Guy's, it's not called roll play for nothing.
If you want to GM a game with houres of puzzeling, be my guest. But don't invite me.
Had one of those GM's once, offerd for my character to roll an intelligence roll to solve the dilemma, cos we, the players, were done with it.

No I dont want to stroll throug everything without thinking, but I do want a game to be funn..

[Zer0 Kay]

Checkout old ad&d module tomb of horrors for some hard puzzles u may be able to convert.

[Zer0 Kay]

Well I would make suggestions, but last puzzle took another computer programmer to solve and still 2 hours. He even didn't completely solve it. Got it down to the last piece. So I give it to him.

So maybe I'm not the best to ask.

4 groups of 4-6 players failed to solve it before him.

Do you still have it? post it? Please

Guy's, it's not called roll play for nothing.
If you want to GM a game with houres of puzzeling, be my guest. But don't invite me.
Had one of those GM's once, offerd for my character to roll an intelligence roll to solve the dilemma, cos we, the players, were done with it.

No I dont want to stroll throug everything without thinking, but I do want a game to be funn..

Please tell me your kidding, using sarcasm, being facetious. It's. Role playing NOT roll playing.

[Thinyser]

Well I would make suggestions, but last puzzle took another computer programmer to solve and still 2 hours. He even didn't completely solve it. Got it down to the last piece. So I give it to him.

So maybe I'm not the best to ask.

4 groups of 4-6 players failed to solve it before him.

Do you still have it? post it? Please

Guy's, it's not called roll play for nothing.
If you want to GM a game with houres of puzzeling, be my guest. But don't invite me.
Had one of those GM's once, offerd for my character to roll an intelligence roll to solve the dilemma, cos we, the players, were done with it.

No I dont want to stroll throug everything without thinking, but I do want a game to be funn..

Please tell me your kidding, using sarcasm, being facetious. It's. Role playing NOT roll playing.

Haha I'm guessing that it was not even intentional to use roll rather than role, but it does seem to fit the context of the rest of the post so maybe roll was intentional. Either way I don't think he was joking.

[Zer0 Kay]

Well I would make suggestions, but last puzzle took another computer programmer to solve and still 2 hours. He even didn't completely solve it. Got it down to the last piece. So I give it to him.

So maybe I'm not the best to ask.

4 groups of 4-6 players failed to solve it before him.

Do you still have it? post it? Please

Guy's, it's not called roll play for nothing.
If you want to GM a game with houres of puzzeling, be my guest. But don't invite me.
Had one of those GM's once, offerd for my character to roll an intelligence roll to solve the dilemma, cos we, the players, were done with it.

No I dont want to stroll throug everything without thinking, but I do want a game to be funn..

Please tell me your kidding, using sarcasm, being facetious. It's. Role playing NOT roll playing.

Haha I'm guessing that it was not even intentional to use roll rather than role, but it does seem to fit the context of the rest of the post so maybe roll was intentional. Either way I don't think he was joking.

that makes me sad.

[Thinyser]

agreed

[cosmicfish]

Many, many years ago, I was a player in a game that completely collapsed - the only time I have been party to such. The cause? Completely unrelated puzzles and riddles. The GM, in an honest and well-intentioned attempt to provide something more than hack-and-slash, decided that the door out of the cavern we were in could only be opened by solving a logic puzzle (the type where you are trying to find the name of the redhead and what kind of car she drives, etc.). It made zero sense in the context of the game and pulled us out right out of it. We rebelled against puzzles that did not make sense in-game, and the campaign abruptly ended.

[guardiandashi]

Many, many years ago, I was a player in a game that completely collapsed - the only time I have been party to such. The cause? Completely unrelated puzzles and riddles. The GM, in an honest and well-intentioned attempt to provide something more than hack-and-slash, decided that the door out of the cavern we were in could only be opened by solving a logic puzzle (the type where you are trying to find the name of the redhead and what kind of car she drives, etc.). It made zero sense in the context of the game and pulled us out right out of it. We rebelled against puzzles that did not make sense in-game, and the campaign abruptly ended.

there are 2 ways to setup puzzles "in game" that sort of make sense one is to base it on things players should know, the other is to base it on things the charactors should know or learn, the latter pretty much REQUIRES "easter eggs" to setup and make it work.

an example: lets say you setup a :lore history (or other lore based puzzle) examples that could work: what does not fit: dog cat tree steel, or the capital of insert place is.... or some kind of puzzle that is setup by something in game, like a scrap of paper, a memo on a computer screen or similar these are VERY common in things like the fallout games.

one I remember that was actually fairly good was in an old pc game The crescent hawks inception: there were "copy protection" puzzles early in the game that required info from the manual, but in game were supposed to be you taking a "test" on various parts of a combat unit.
later in the game you were supposed to find this "cave" and once you got in there was a logic puzzle and map puzzle. the logic puzzle was you got a "code key card that could hold 3 keys, 1 red, 1 blue, and 1 yellow or something, basically you ran around using terminals and loading their codes like blue 13 and then you found the lock that needed codes blue 13, red 5, and yellow 3 when you had the proper codes it would open.

the map puzzle had you picking planets based on clues from other places in game, to configure a comm system to transmit a request for help.

[Zer0 Kay]

Many, many years ago, I was a player in a game that completely collapsed - the only time I have been party to such. The cause? Completely unrelated puzzles and riddles. The GM, in an honest and well-intentioned attempt to provide something more than hack-and-slash, decided that the door out of the cavern we were in could only be opened by solving a logic puzzle (the type where you are trying to find the name of the redhead and what kind of car she drives, etc.). It made zero sense in the context of the game and pulled us out right out of it. We rebelled against puzzles that did not make sense in-game, and the campaign abruptly ended.

there are 2 ways to setup puzzles "in game" that sort of make sense one is to base it on things players should know, the other is to base it on things the charactors should know or learn, the latter pretty much REQUIRES "easter eggs" to setup and make it work.

an example: lets say you setup a :lore history (or other lore based puzzle) examples that could work: what does not fit: dog cat tree steel, or the capital of insert place is.... or some kind of puzzle that is setup by something in game, like a scrap of paper, a memo on a computer screen or similar these are VERY common in things like the fallout games.

one I remember that was actually fairly good was in an old pc game The crescent hawks inception: there were "copy protection" puzzles early in the game that required info from the manual, but in game were supposed to be you taking a "test" on various parts of a combat unit.
later in the game you were supposed to find this "cave" and once you got in there was a logic puzzle and map puzzle. the logic puzzle was you got a "code key card that could hold 3 keys, 1 red, 1 blue, and 1 yellow or something, basically you ran around using terminals and loading their codes like blue 13 and then you found the lock that needed codes blue 13, red 5, and yellow 3 when you had the proper codes it would open.

the map puzzle had you picking planets based on clues from other places in game, to configure a comm system to transmit a request for help.

blue 13, red 5, and yellow 3? That's easy its the food coloring for brown M&Ms.

[drewkitty ~..~]

If you are looking for Automotive related puzzles then looking at the "Car Talk" web site under 'the puzzler' section will give you some.

[Nightmask]

Don't really care for puzzles in games, particularly when they seem to require I as the player to demonstrate the IQ/skill of my character even if the character is a genius level intellect with actual skills related to puzzle solving. I hate being stuck in a failing situation because I was expected to do something that my character should be the one doing not myself.

[The Ruiner]

Wow, there seems to be quite a bit of hate for puzzles. If I were to end up implementing any of them, I would not make them an impediment to the progression of the story. I would regulate them to something like 'lil side missions or treasure rooms, stuff that would be helpfull, but not necessary to the main objective.