Learn how to build and use rope swing traps.
If you are looking for a trap in The Forest with enough power to knock over a group of cannibals like a bowling ball, then the rope swing trap is for you. Despite its harmless-sounding name, this trap smacks enemies with a bag of rocks covered in spikes, dealing critical blows.
This guide will walk you through how to build and set up rope swing traps and offer advice on the best locations to place them.
How to build the rope swing
Before you get started, here is a list of the materials needed to construct a rope swing trap:
- 10 Rocks
- 1 Rope
- 6 Logs
You can gather sticks by knocking down small trees, brush, and cannibal effigies/totems placed in camps and on patrol paths. You can source rope from cannibal villages, suitcases, totems, and caves. Rocks will spawn around you in almost every biome; try looking at the ground!
You will also need to pick out a suitable tree, as the platform of this trap must be built on a suitably sized tree. This trap is currently the only trap with this requirement.
Once you have gathered all the materials, look for a tree near where you know enemies will walk. Then open up your survival guide to the section titled “Traps and Defenses.” Flip over to advanced traps, click on the rope swing trap, attach the structure outline to your tree, and add the components.
Best locations for rope swing trap placement
Setting rope swing traps can be tricky since you are limited to only locations with a sturdy tree available. This requirement can make picking spots that enemies will pass through challenging. Here are a few tips to make things easier:
Look for lone trees.
If your trap is placed in an area with too many trees, it can become difficult to maneuver around and decrease the likelihood that an enemy will walk into it. Avoid anywhere that has obstacles that may get in the way.
Watch for cannibal patrols.
Cannibal patrols follow similar routes daily and often mark their trails with totems. You can also watch for the lights carried by cannibal leaders at night to note their patrol routes.
Build next to treehouses and platforms.
Setting up rope swing traps next to elevated platforms makes it easy to lure enemies into the trap without risking your neck. Don’t try this with mutants since their attacks can knock down trees that will destroy your trap and your treehouse.
Pros and cons of the rope swing trap
Cons
- This trap must be attached to a tree. This requirement can limit your options for placement and makes it possible to destroy the rope swing by knocking down the tree.
- There is a noticeable delay between when the trap is triggered and the impact of the swinging rock. This delay means an enemy moving through the trap at more than a brisk walk probably won’t get hit by it.
- This trap will damage and knock down the player if it hits them, regardless of how much armor you wear.
- This trap requires a fair amount of space since its most significant strength comes from its swing range.
Pros
- This trap will kill most cannibals with a single hit and knock down those it doesn’t.
- The wide swinging arc of the boulder makes it excellent for wiping out groups.
- The high damage value of this trap makes it effective against mutants.
- The rope swing trap’s boulder can deal damage as long as it is in motion, meaning it can theoretically strike multiple times after it has been triggered.
Tips and tricks for using rope swing traps
- The rope swing trap functions best when used as a pendulum. Pick an open area where the rock can swing back and forth unhindered.
- You can artificially create an open area for this trap by chopping down adjacent trees.
- There are a few locations around the island where you can completely block a narrow pass using a rope swing trap. Look for trees near the edges of short cliffs.
- They are an excellent addition to ambush points and are especially useful when facing off against slower mutants like Virginia.
Final thoughts on the rope swing trap
The rope swing trap is a classic addition to forest combat. It might be less predictable than the explosive and Molotov wire traps, but if used correctly, this trap can stun-lock mutants and wipe out entire cannibal patrols in true slapstick style.
For more insights, check out The Forest Traps Guide for an overview of all the available traps in Endnight Game’s The Forest.
