The one trap in Adventure Mode that doesn't require any mechanism is the giant cave spider (GSC) web. Creatures either path around the tile it's on or over it. If they path over it they get webbed, fall to the ground and take some time to free themselves.
I think you should be able to plant a menacing spike into the ground at a cost of 10 ticks, causing a similar tile hazard as the GSC web. If a creature decides to path over the tile the spike is on: they are either injured by it if they were moving beyond jogging speed; or they can carefully pass over it, dropping from say 1.000 walking speed to about 0.250 walking speed in order to safely pass. Sentients would be more likely to slow down and approach the hazard with care.
The type of NPC likely to haul this sort of item(s) around would be the bowman or the crossbowman, as increasing the tick count for pathing could do great wonders for their survivability. I guess the same behavior used for picking up books could be used here to pick up spikes that had been planted.
A distant cousin to this idea would be a similar tactic for the spear/pike/halberd. The user could have the option of either setting their weapon for 6 ticks versus a same size charging creature, or plant it into the ground (on the same tile you are standing on) for 10 ticks versus a much larger charging creature. If the creature charges onto your tile, there can be the chance they injure themselves, the roll being based on your weapon skill. If they stop their charge, then there isn't any negative outcome and combat goes on normally.
A thing that's missing from combat is use of environment, and I think either of the above could be a fun add-on.
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Topic: Defensive postures: Planting pointy items in the ground (Read 465 times)