How to Make a Boss Dungeon With Traps

You can design intricate dungeons and devious traps in RPG MAKER WITH to ensure that your players face thrilling challenges at every turn. Read to learn more about creating dungeons and traps and how they work.

How to Make a Boss Dungeon and Traps

Using Sample Maps as Templates for Boss Dungeons

If you're starting out with RPG MAKER WITH and don't know how to design your own boss dungeons, you can use sample maps. These maps help you prototype your game and get it to a working state until you can design maps on your own.

How to Draw Maps for Specific Locations

In this guide, we are going to create a two-level boss dungeon with sample maps. Let's start by using sample maps, press the ZL Button, and select Go to Map List.

1	The Map List contains the maps that you are currently using in your game. To load and add a sample map, press the ZL Button and select Load Sample Map.
2	A list of sample maps will appear. For this example, we are going to select Rock Cave as our dungeon level 1. Press Ok and your sample map will appear in the Map List.
3	Next, we're going to use another sample map as dungeon level 2. Place the cursor in the sample map, press the ZL Button, and select Load Sample Map. For this example, we're using Cursed Cave as our dungeon level 2.
4	Now we're going to connect the Rock Cave and Cursed Cave maps using a Move Event. From the Map Editor screen, we'll select a Ladder and set it on the map. This particular tile is where the Move Event will occur.
5	Next, press the R Button to switch to the Event Editor screen. Press the ZL Button and select Quick Event Creation.
6	Select Move and under Locations, choose the desired map. In this example, we chose Cursed Cave and selected a tile inside this map. This will be the character's starting point in this map.
7	Let's do a playtest.
8	Success! Our map transitions work perfectly.
9	Let us now select a section of the map where the Boss Battle will be held. For this example, we edited the map and created a small alleyway leading to the Boss room and decorated it using RPG MAKER WITH's library of available objects for decoration.
10	To create Healing sections within a dungeon, consider setting up small, safe areas where players can recover after intense mob battles or to get ready before a Boss battle. These Healing sections can be designed as hidden alcoves or rooms within the dungeon that offer a moment of respite. You can place Treasure Chests containing Healing items or potions inside these areas to reward players for their exploration and survival.

How to Create Different Kinds of Traps

Use the Event Editor on Objects

When creating dungeons, it's always a good idea to set devious traps that will force players to be more careful while they're in there. Traps will also test their decision-making skills, as they can put them at risk of damage or death for a chance to obtain valuable rewards.

We will make two kinds of traps for the dungeon we just made: a Spike Trap that takes away some of a party's HP and a One Hit K.O. rolling boulder trap.

Creating a Spike Trap Using a Self Switch

1	From the Event Editor screen, select a tile where the Spike Trap will be set.
2	Enter the Basic Info, select an Image and check Fix Direction. For this example, we selected a Spike Trap image with protruding spikes from Object 1.
3	Next go to Priority and set it to Below Char.
4	Go to Trigger and set to Player Touch. This means that the Event will start if the player touches the tile.
5	Head to Event Details, set a Self Switch Control, choose an SFX, and Set Movement Route using the directions in the photo above.
6	Add the Show Balloon command, which is accessible under the Character tab. Under it, enter two separate Set Movement Route commands using the directions indicated in the photo above.
7	Add another command line and go to Actors and choose Change HP. Modify the settings in this tab. For this example, we set the spike damage to 10.
8	Press the X Button and Add Event Page. Switch to the next Event page by pressing the R Button.
9	In the second Event page, go to Images, select a Spike Trap image without any protruding spikes and check Fix Direction.
10	Go to Priority and select Below Char.
11	Next, go to Trigger and select Action Button.
12	Finally, go to Conditions and check the appropriate Self Switch letter. Press Ok and a Spike Trap is now created.
13	Let's run a playtest. We'll see if our character will receive damage when hit by a Spike Trap. For this example, our character's HP is set to 544.
14	Success! The Spike Trap damaged our character and reduced his HP to 534. The exclamation mark balloon that comes out above his head also shows the player that he's been damaged.

Creating a One-Hit K.O Boulder Trap by Customizing Object Path

1	From the Event Editor screen, select a tile that will be the starting position for our Rolling Boulder.
2	Enter the Basic Info and select an Image. For this example, we selected a Boulder image from Object 1.
3	Next go to Auto Movement and select Custom under Types. Adjust the Movement Speed and Movement Frequency. For this example, we've set the Movement Speed to 2x Faster and the Movement Frequency to Highest. Afterward, select Route to open a new window to define the movement path.
4	Check Repeat Movements under Basic Settings.
5	Next, go to Edit Route and set the object's movement route. In this example, the object will move 4 tiles to the left and 4 tiles to the right and will repeat this sequence. You may use the Preview function to view the object's trajectory.
6	Now, go to Trigger and select Event Touch. This means that the conditions inside this object will activate if it touches our main character.
7	Navigate to Event Details, then select Actors and choose Change HP. Pick your main character under the Fixed option and set the Operation to Decrease. Enter a value for the Constant. This number determines the damage inflicted by the object if it makes contact with a character. For this example, we've set the damage to 9999 and enabled Allow Death to ensure that the game will be over if this object hits the player.
8	Let's run a playtest and have the main character collide with the boulder to see how the Event plays out.
9	Game Over! Our boulder is working perfectly.

Tips on Designing Boss Dungeons

Vary Dungeon Map Design and Add Multiple Levels

Avoid making your dungeon a simple straight path. Include multiple rooms, branching pathways, multiple levels, and dead ends to encourage exploration. Use puzzles, traps, or keys to unlock certain areas.

How to Create a Dungeon

Gradually Increase the Difficulty by Adjusting Enemy Encounters

Gradually increase the difficulty of enemies and challenges as the player progresses through the dungeon, building up to the boss fight. For example, in the earlier levels, such as Dungeon Level 1, there might be a lower chance of encountering enemies, but that chance should increase as the player ventures deeper into the dungeon.

How to Make Different Kinds of Monster Encounters

Make Use of Environmental Hazards and Traps

Incorporate traps like spikes, crumbling floors, or elemental dangers. For example, you can make use of lava or poison tiles, requiring players to carefully navigate the environment, avoid damage, or find ways to neutralize these threats as they progress through the dungeon.

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