Mastering Skylanders Trap Team: All About the Traps

Introduction

The Skylanders franchise revolutionized gaming with its innovative “toys-to-life” concept, seamlessly blending physical toys with a digital world. Players could bring their figurines to life on-screen, creating a unique and engaging experience. Among the various Skylanders installments, Skylanders Trap Team stands out for introducing a groundbreaking mechanic: trapping villains. This feature transformed the gameplay, allowing players to capture notorious antagonists and turn them into allies. Understanding the intricacies of Skylanders Trap Team traps is essential for mastering the game and unlocking its full potential. From elemental affinities to unique abilities, these traps form the backbone of a compelling and strategic gaming experience. These traps are a pivotal element of the game’s story and gameplay, and this game feature separates this game from any other Skylanders installment.

Skylanders Trap Team introduced a variety of different trap elements. Players use these elementals to capture the game’s villains. Without this gameplay mechanic, players cannot progress.

Skylanders Trap Team’s traps offer players a diverse arsenal of villains to utilize, but understanding their element and abilities is essential for maximizing their potential. This article will dive deep into the world of Skylanders Trap Team traps, providing a comprehensive guide to help you become a master Trapper.

What are Skylanders Trap Team Traps?

Skylanders Trap Team traps are physical objects that serve as a gateway between the real world and the virtual realm of Skylands. These traps are crystal shards that allow players to capture and store villains they encounter in the game. This mechanic is central to the Trap Team storyline, where the heroes must recapture escaped convicts from Cloudcracker Prison.

When a villain is defeated, players can use a trap of the corresponding element to capture them. The trap is then placed into the Traptanium Portal, a device that connects the physical toy to the video game. Once the villain is successfully trapped, they become playable characters, offering unique abilities and attacks.

It’s important to remember that the Traptanium Portal is the backbone of being able to trap villains. Without the portal, capturing these villains isn’t possible. Make sure your portal is plugged in!

The game also involves the Trap Master Skylanders, characters who wield powerful Traptanium weapons and possess the ability to open Traptanium shards. These shards, when opened, provide access to new areas and unlock additional villains to trap. The Trap Master Skylanders work together with the traps to enhance the gameplay experience, offering a deeper level of strategy and character customization. The crystal shards that these characters open are what the villains are held in.

Trap Types: Element Breakdown

In Skylanders Trap Team, traps are divided into different elemental categories, mirroring the elemental affinities of the Skylanders themselves. Each trap is designed to capture villains of a specific element, adding a layer of strategic depth to the game. Here’s a breakdown of each trap type:

Water Trap

Water traps are used to capture aquatic villains, harnessing the power of the sea. These villains often have abilities related to water manipulation and tidal attacks.

Life Trap

Life traps are designed to capture nature-based villains, drawing on the power of the forest. These villains typically possess abilities related to plant growth, healing, and nature’s wrath.

Dark Trap

Dark traps capture villains who dwell in the shadows, tapping into the power of darkness. These villains often have abilities related to stealth, deception, and dark energy.

Light Trap

Light traps are used to capture villains of radiant energy, harnessing the power of light. These villains typically possess abilities related to illumination, purification, and blinding attacks.

Earth Trap

Earth traps are designed to capture villains with earth-based powers, drawing on the strength of the land. These villains often have abilities related to ground manipulation, rock formations, and seismic attacks.

Tech Trap

Tech traps capture villains who specialize in technology and gadgets, tapping into the power of machinery. These villains typically possess abilities related to robots, lasers, and technological warfare.

Fire Trap

Fire traps are used to capture villains with fiery abilities, harnessing the power of flames. These villains often have abilities related to combustion, heatwaves, and fireballs.

Air Trap

Air traps are designed to capture villains who control the wind, drawing on the power of the sky. These villains typically possess abilities related to gusts, tornadoes, and aerial attacks.

Undead Trap

Undead traps capture villains from the spectral realm, tapping into the power of the afterlife. These villains often have abilities related to ghosts, ghouls, and necromancy.

Magic Trap

Magic traps are used to capture villains with mystical powers, harnessing the power of arcane arts. These villains typically possess abilities related to spells, enchantments, and illusions.

Choosing the Right Traps

Selecting the appropriate Skylanders Trap Team traps is crucial for effectively capturing villains and progressing through the game. Consider the following factors when choosing your traps:

Element Coverage

It’s essential to have a diverse range of traps, covering all the elemental types. This ensures that you’re prepared to capture any villain you encounter, regardless of their elemental affinity. Having multiple traps of each element can also be beneficial, allowing you to trap multiple villains of the same type.

Villain Preferences

Some villains excel in certain situations more than others. Experiment with different villains to determine which ones best suit your playstyle and strategy. Some villains may have powerful offensive abilities, while others may offer support or defensive capabilities.

When determining which traps to use, you also have to consider which villains are worth capturing. Some villains are stronger than others, and thus, should take precedence.

Specific Traps to Consider

While all traps have their uses, certain traps are generally considered more valuable due to the versatility of the villains they can capture. Water traps are a valuable asset due to the diversity of aquatic villains. Earth traps are also strong contenders, as they can capture powerful ground-based villains. Air traps are beneficial for their ability to capture aerial villains.

Using Villains Effectively

Once you’ve captured a villain, it’s time to put them to good use. Understanding how to effectively utilize villains can significantly enhance your gameplay experience.

Villain Stats and Upgrades

Villains gain experience and level up as they defeat enemies, just like Skylanders. As they level up, they unlock new abilities and stat bonuses. It’s essential to upgrade your villains regularly to maximize their potential. Collect coins and use them to purchase upgrades from Persephone, enhancing their stats and abilities.

Villain Swap Times

Keep in mind that villains have a limited lifespan in the game. They can only be played for a certain amount of time before they need to recharge. When a villain’s time runs out, they’ll return to the trap, and you’ll need to switch back to a Skylander. You can then re-select the trap to reuse the villain. The recharge time varies depending on the villain, so keep an eye on the timer.

Synergies with Skylanders

Some Skylanders synergize particularly well with certain trapped villains. Experiment with different combinations to discover powerful duos. For example, a Skylander with healing abilities can support a villain with high damage output, creating a formidable team. Certain Skylanders may also provide elemental boosts that amplify a villain’s abilities.

Finding and Collecting Traps

Obtaining Skylanders Trap Team traps can be a rewarding, but sometimes challenging, endeavor. Here’s where you can find them:

Where to Obtain Traps

Initially, traps were included in starter packs and sold individually in retail stores. Starter packs included the game, portal, a few Skylanders, and a couple of traps. However, as the game is older, finding traps in retail stores may be difficult.

Rarity and Pricing

The value of traps can vary depending on their rarity and condition. Some traps are more difficult to find, making them more valuable to collectors. Limited edition or rare traps can command higher prices on the secondary market. Price can also depend on whether the trap is still in its packaging or not.

Protecting Traps

To ensure your Skylanders Trap Team traps remain in good condition, store them in a safe and dry place. Avoid exposing them to extreme temperatures or direct sunlight, as this can damage the plastic. Consider using protective cases or containers to prevent scratches or other damage. Handling the traps with care can help preserve their value and longevity.

Conclusion

Skylanders Trap Team traps are an integral part of the game, adding a unique and strategic dimension to the gameplay. Understanding the different trap types, their elemental affinities, and how to effectively use trapped villains is crucial for mastering the game.

Traps are extremely important. You need different elemental traps to be able to capture all of the villains. If not, you won’t be able to complete the game.

The Skylanders franchise revolutionized the toys-to-life genre, and Skylanders Trap Team pushed the boundaries even further with its innovative trapping mechanic. The game not only entertained players but also sparked their creativity and strategic thinking. The legacy of Skylanders Trap Team lives on, and its traps continue to be sought after by collectors and gamers alike. By understanding the nuances of Skylanders Trap Team traps, you can unlock the full potential of the game and embark on an unforgettable adventure.