How to use Steel Traps in Plunderstorm
Learn how to disable enemies and deny important zones in Plunderstorm with the core utility spell: 
Steel Traps.
Steel Traps is a versatile and impactful ability that can shape the battlefield and turn the tide of combat when used strategically. Whether you're locking down key locations, setting up devastating combos, or chaining together extended crowd control, these tricky snares are an invaluable addition to any adventurer's arsenal.
With a little creativity and a lot of practice, you'll be trapping your foes and controlling the flow of battle like a seasoned pro.
In this guide, we'll disarm the secrets of Steel Traps dominance, from predicting enemy paths to coordinating with allies and everything in between.
Area Control and Zoning
Steel Traps is your primary tool for controlling key areas of the battlefield and dictating where the fight will take place.
Upon casting Steel Traps, you will toss a cluster of traps onto the ground in a target location. These traps will instantly arm and remain active until an enemy steps on them, at which point the triggering foe will take damage and be rooted in place for 3 seconds.
The relatively large size of the trap cluster allows you to cover a significant area, making it perfect for blocking off chokepoints, doorways, and other high-traffic locations. By strategically placing your traps, you can force enemies to either take an alternate, less optimal route or risk being caught and locked down.
When soloing, Steel Traps can help you control the pace and positioning of
a fight against tough mobs or elite enemies. Before engaging a dangerous
foe, try to lure them into a nearby chokepoint or narrow corridor, then
place your traps at the entrance. The enemy will have to either trigger
the traps to reach you or find another way to approach, giving you the
advantage either way. Steel Traps can also be lifesavers when fighting
against multiple enemies at once. If you find yourself surrounded, drop a
trap cluster at your feet and then immediately disengage with an ability
like 
Slicing Winds or Fae
Form. The traps will cover your escape, rooting any
pursuers and allowing you to reset the fight from a safer position.
In duo play, communicate with your partner to maximize the zoning potential of Steel Traps. Have one player place traps at key locations while the other keeps the enemy occupied, effectively controlling the battlefield and limiting the opposing team's options. If you're defending an objective with your ally, consider double-stacking your Steel Traps for maximum area coverage. Coordinate your trap placements to create an interlocking grid of roots, making it extremely difficult for enemies to navigate the area without being caught.
Combo Setup and Synergies
In addition to their zoning capabilities, Steel Traps also excel at setting up powerful crowd control chains and damaging combos. The 3 second root duration provides a substantial window for you and your allies to follow up with additional abilities, allowing you to maximize your damage output on the trapped target.
When setting up a combo with Steel Traps, try to anticipate where the enemy is likely to move and place your traps accordingly. Once a foe triggers a trap and becomes rooted, immediately unleash your highest damage abilities to punish them while they're immobilized.
Abilities with cast times or delayed
effects like 
Star Bomb or 
Earthbreaker are especially potent when combined with Steel
Traps, as the root ensures the enemy will still be in the impact zone when the
ability goes off.
Steel Traps also have great synergy with other crowd control effects, allowing you to create extended lockdown chains. If you or an ally lands another form of crowd control like a stun or a slow, follow up with Steel Traps to keep the target locked down even after the initial effect expires. Chaining crowd control in this way can take enemies out of the fight for a substantial period of time, giving you a major advantage.
When soloing, look for opportunities to combine Steel Traps with your own
abilities for maximum impact. If you're fighting a particularly mobile
enemy, try placing traps in their escape path, then use a gap closer like
Quaking Leap to force them into the trap cluster.
Once they're rooted, follow up with a high damage combo to finish them
off. Steel Traps can also help you set up environmental kills when
fighting near cliffs, water, or other hazards. Place your traps between
the enemy and the hazard, then use an ability like 
Repel
or Earthbreaker to knock them into the trap. The
root will hold them in place long enough for the hazard to do its work,
potentially securing you a quick kill.
In duo play, coordinate with your ally to create devastating crowd control
chains using Steel Traps. Have one player lead with a stun or
long-duration slow, then have the other player place traps at the enemy's
feet. When the initial crowd control expires, the traps will immediately
trigger, rooting the target in place and allowing you to continue your
onslaught. You can also use Steel Traps to set up wombo combos with your
partner's high impact abilities. If your ally has a powerful but tricky to
land skill shot like 
Mana Sphere, have them start
casting while you place traps in the enemy's escape path. When the foe
inevitably tries to dodge the incoming nuke, they'll become rooted in your
traps, ensuring the follow-up ability lands for massive damage.