Traps and Bases V2.0

Trap Progression Guide:

This was written to be a companion for my other guides
<https://pastebin.com/a0qr9xBB> (Lord)
<https://pastebin.com/mfXiFLYA> (Baron & above)
Refer to the MHBasics guide <https://www.mousehuntbasics.wordpress.com> for anything lower than Lord. Ranks listed in the guide are unlock ranks, not recommended buy ranks.

V1.1 - Updated for FI 11/5/2021
V1.2 - Updated for CSOS/SSDB 29/7/2021
V1.3 - Updated for traps/bases rework of 22/3/2022, added luck vs power explanation
V1.4 - Updated for Tactical skip and BiS traps sequence 3/4/2022
V1.5 - Clarified details on Labyrinth Base 11/4/2022
V1.6 - Updated Tactical late-game, FI traps order 22/5/2022
V1.7 - Updated with CF2 & Folklore Forest traps 21/9/2022
V1.8 - Updated Law section & addenda 12/4/2023

V2.0 - Updated for BB, and updated many sections to account for MP changes 13/8/2023

This guide includes only standard traps and bases. If you have Limited Edition (LE) gear with better or comparable stats, use those instead. When deciding between 2 traps of roughly the same cost, always go for the one with more luck - it will likely give you a better catch rate. See this link for a comparison of luck vs power: <https://www.mousehuntgame.com/forum.php?forum_url=showthread.php?118030-Guide-Visualising-Luck-and-Power-using-Jelly-Beans>. In short, luck is better usually except against very strong mice, in which case power helps more.

BiS = Best in Slot, the most powerful trap available for that powertype

Physical:
Mouse Hot Tub/High Tension Spring (Novice) -> SAMT/NVMRC/Shrink Ray (Journeyman) -> [optional Onyx Mallet (Grandmaster)] -> Digby DrillBot (Legendary) ->  Rhinobot (Legendary) -> Enraged Rhinobot (Legendary/Hero) -> Sandstorm Monstrobot/Smoldering Stone Sentinel (anytime after Count) -> [optional Chrome Monstrobot] -> Charming PrinceBot (Archduke) -> Legendary KingBot (Viceroy) [BiS]

Notes: You start the game with a Physical weapon. This power type is mostly used in the earlier areas up to Baron. Pick up 1 of the 3 upgrades at Journeyman. An optional Onyx Mallet from Furoma can help with Derr Dunes, otherwise, the next major upgrade would be the Digby Drillbot. Craft the DDB into the RhinoBot and then the Enraged Rhinobot in the Tribal Isles. The ERB would be used for your first Warpath clear. After that, upgrading Physical should be a low priority and not touched until you have plenty of gold to spare or when you have reached FI. When picking between the SSST and CMB, the rule is that the SSST works better on bosses (Digby/Limelight, Derr/Crunchy, MM, FW Wave 4) while the CMB works better everywhere else. The next upgrade is the Charming PrinceBot which should be bought after all Folklore Forest upgrades have been purchased. You will need this trap for Bountiful Beanstalk. Buy the LKB ASAP in BB to help with the area.


Tactical:
Either:
Venus Mouse Trap (Master) -> Mutated VMT (Master) -> Ambush (Grandmaster) -> Thorned VMT (Legendary) -> Horrific VMT (Legendary)
or
Zugzwang's Last Move (Grandmaster) -> Ambush (Grandmaster) -> Zugzwang's First Move (Lord)
then
-> Sphynx Wrath (Baron) -> [optional Gouging Geyserite Trap/Chrome Sphynx Wrath (anytime after Count)] -> Sleeping Stone Trap (Archduke) -> Slumbering Boulder Trap (???) [BiS]

Notes: As with Physical, Tactical weapons are mostly used in earlier areas. You may take either the VMT route (recommended if you don't already own ZLM) ending with a HVMT or ZLM route ending with ZFM. Either way, the next upgrade (Sphynx Wrath) may be acquired anytime from Baron and above. Get a GGT or CSW before entering FI to make your life easier, but it is also possible to skip CSW/GGT if you want to rush a T1. The GGT and CSW perform similarly, however as of the time of writing (20/2/23) the CSW costs much more. (GGT works better in ZT and Pinnacle Chamber, CSW works better everywhere else). Once you're at FI, get the Sleeping Stone Trap (aka Tactical Tier 1, T1) before Circlet of Seeking Trap (A1); and the Slumbering Boulder Trap (T2) only if you think you can afford the 115(!) Adorned Empyrean Jewels needed for it. Do bear in mind that the CPB and CA2 outperform T2 on LAI and Pirates, so this should be your last Tier 2 trap.


Hydro:
Net Cannon (Legendary) -> Ancient Spear Gun (Legendary) -> Steam Laser Mk I (Lord) -> SLM2 (Lord)-> SLM3 (Lord) -> Queso Fount Trap (Count) -> Rune Shark Trap (anytime after Count, usually Archduke) -> School of Sharks (???) -> Chrome School of Sharks (???) [BiS]

Notes: Hydro weapons are first seen on the S.S. Huntington IV and are used pretty frequently even in the late game. Start with the Net Cannon over the Harpoon Gun as the extra luck is more helpful. Grab the ASG in the Tribal Isles and use it to acquire the Steam Laser family. The Queso Fount Trap is the joint second-best Hydro weapon in the game and will assist you greatly in multiple areas if you get it early. After the QFT has been obtained, the final trap to work towards is the CSoS. It is recommended to send GWH golems to Sunken City for the Shark traps to save the many, many hunts you will need in the region for these traps.

Shadow:
Bottomless Grave (Master) -> [optionally get Creepy Coffin Trap (Master) -> Clockapult of Time (Legendary)] -> Interdimensional Crossbow Trap (Baron) -> Dark Magic Mirrors Trap (???) -> Infinite Dark Magic Mirrors Trap (???) [BiS]

Arcane:
Obelisk of Slumber (Legendary) -> [optional Obelisk of Incineration (Legendary)] -> ACRONYM (Legendary) -> Droid Archmagus Trap (Baron) -> Event Horizon Trap (Duke) -> Circlet of Seeking Trap (Archduke) -> Circlet of Pursuing Trap (???) -> Chrome Circlet of Pursuing Trap (???) [BiS]

Notes: Shadow and Arcane weapons come in a package - most areas using one type will often have the other work somewhat less effectively as well. You will need the Bottomless Grave to farm for gold at the Laboratory & Mousoleum. CCT & CoT are decent upgrades to help you farm gold faster but are not required. The OoS may be upgraded to the OoI to be used as a temporary Arcane weapon, however, you should in turn upgrade it to the ACRONYM asap - this weapon will bring you through to Baron. At Fort Rox, upgrade to Droid Archmagus first before the Interdimensional Crossbow Trap for better effectiveness. The best weapons of each class pre-FI are located in the Labyrinth & Zokor - the Event Horizon Trap is recommended while the Temporal Turbine and its chromed version is not due to the huge amount of resources needed to build it. At FI, get Circlet of Seeking (A1) before T1 if and only if you do not have Arcane Golem AND you already have GGT/CSW. Otherwise, buy this directly after T1. Circlet of Pursuing (A2) should be your second Tier 2 trap after CF2. Finally, the Dark Magic Mirrors Trap should be bought only after all FoFo upgrades have been purchased. Buy the IDDMT when you can.

Forgotten:
Forgotten: Ancient Box Trap (Hero) -> Scarlet Ember Root Trap (Count) -> Endless Labyrinth Trap (Duke) -> Infinite Labyrinth Trap (Duke) -> [optional Tome of the Mind's Eye Trap (Archduke)] -> Thought Manipulator Trap (Archduke) -> Thought Obliterator Trap (Archduke) -> Chrome Thought Obliterator Trap (Archduke) [BiS]

Notes: Early game Forgotten traps (up to and including ILT) have mostly been obsoleted by Forgotten Charms - these turn any other weapon into Forgotten weapons for 1 hunt per charm. They are used when the cost is a concern or when you are required to arm specific charms. The Ancient Box Trap is built throughout the Tribal Isles adventure and may be used to capture the Acolyte or in the Fungal Caverns. Buy the Scarlet Ember Root Trap if you don't see yourself using Forgotten Charms in Labyrinth. The Labyrinth traps are should be built while unlocking Moussu Picchu and are good enough for most Forgotten areas pre-FI. They will save you a nice chunk of Forgotten Charms. At FI, the Forgotten series of traps (F1, F2, CF2) are your top priority as CF2 is required to properly hunt in FoFo. This will be your first Tier 2 trap. You may detour to FoFo and purchase the TOME first - this is entirely up to your resources and the amount of hunting in Forgotten Islands you plan to do while on the way to CF2.

Draconic:
Ice Maiden (Knight) -> Blazing Ember Spear Trap (Count) ->  Dragonvine Ballista (Grand Duke) -> Storm Wrought Ballista Trap (Grand Duke) -> Chrome Storm Wrought Ballista Trap (Grand Duke) -> Dragon Slayer Cannon (anytime after Grand Duke) [BiS]

Notes: Draconic traps have a linear progression & are only used in 4 areas: Dracano, Queso Geyser, Moussu Picchu and Floating Islands. The Ice Maiden is required to complete the Dracano adventure and may be used in the Fiery Warpath. Upgrade to the BEST in Queso Geyser and use it in eruptions except for Epic. The DVB family usually ends with the CSWBT, which is the minimum recommended for Epic eruptions. This is 1 of the 3 weapons where it is highly recommended to get the chromed version as soon as possible. Try to buy the DSC before entering FI for good Draconic Islands.


Law:
SLAC (Lord) -> SLAC II (Lord) -> Judge Droid Trap (Count) or Meteoric Prison Core Trap (Baron) -> Ember Prison Core Trap (Count) -> S.T.I.N.G (???) -> S.T.I.N.G.E.R (???) [BiS]

Notes: Law traps are only used in the Varmint Valley region, Queso River and Floating Islands. The SLAC II is relatively cheap and will serve you at FRox during the day and the initial bits of Queso Canyon (if no MPCT). The MPCT outperforms the JDT but is much harder to get. Seeing as how Law traps are not required much, most people opt for a JDT first and pick up the MPCT and EPCT later. However, if you managed to get a portal set for Fort Rox early it is recommended to skip JDT entirely. Make sure to pick up the EPCT before entering FI as S.T.I.N.G (L1) has lower catch rates than EPCT and is only bought as a pre-requisite to S.T.I.N.G.E.R (L2), which should be bought after A2.


Rift:
Crystal Tower (Count) -> Multi-Crystal Laser (Duke/with LGS) or MYNORCA (Grand Duke) -> Timesplit Dissonance Trap (Grand Duke) -> Celestial Dissonance Trap (Archduke) -> Chrome Celestial Dissonance Trap (Archduke) [BiS]

Notes: The Crystal Tower is a very basic rift trap acquired in the Gnawnia Rift if you do not have any LE Rift weapons. This is upgraded to either the Laser, which requires many difficult hunts in the Burroughs Rift or to the MYNORCA, which also requires many difficult hunts in the Furoma Rift. The next upgrade (TDT) is unique in that it is the only weapon requiring a minimum point count of 1 billion. Most people use the time getting to 1 billion points by farming gold and Timesplit Runes to pay for the weapon costs. The CDT can only be obtained in the Valour Rift during an Ultimate Umbra run. Upgrade the CDT to the CCDT as soon as possible.


Skipped weapons: Weapons that were not listed are mostly those that will only be used for a short period before being superseded (e.g Crystal Crucible, Dimensional Chest Trap) or weapons that require too much effort to obtain for the period that they will be used (e.g Clockwork Portal Trap, Reaper's Perch, Chrome Temporal Turbine)

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Standard Bases:
Fan Base (Novice) -> Dehydration Base (Journeyman) -> Bamboozler Base (Grandmaster) -> Aqua Base (Legendary) -> Overgrown Ember Stone Base (Count) -> [optional Fracture Base (Duke)] -> Labyrinth Base (Duke) -> Enerchi Induction Base (Grand Duke) -> Attuned Enerchi Induction Base (Grand Duke) -> [optional Adorned Empyrean Refractor Base (Archduke) -> Royal Refractor Ruby Base (Viceroy)] -> Prestige Base (Archduke) -> Signature Series Denture Base (Ronza)


Notes: The Fan Base is obtained for free by liking the Mousehunt FB page or by claiming it through the MH website. The Dehydration Base provides decent luck and helps keep precious bait fresh in the early game. Consider getting a Bamboozler Base early to help with catch rates until you get an Aqua Base on the SS Huntington IV; this will bring you all the way to Count provided you do not have any LE bases. It is replaced by the OESB which is used until you buy an AERB or when the Prestige Base is sufficiently upgraded in non-rift areas. You can skip the OESB if you are satisfied with the performance of your current 10/11 luck LE base. The optional Fracture Base provides a basic bonus for early Rift Areas (OESB with LGS and charms may give better results) before being replaced by the EIB family with better stats. The Labyrinth Base is meant to be used only in the Labyrinth. The Prestige Base is unique in that it can be upgraded by hunting in VRift and is considered to be the best base in-game. If you don't see yourself doing Ultimate Umbra runs anytime soon, you may consider getting the AERB from FI to tide you over until you manage to upgrade your PB to at least TE8. You may also upgrade your AERB to a RRRB (TE10.5 PB equivalent) if you have access to BB and want to minimise your VRift runs.

Skipped bases: Similarly to weapons, some bases are skipped as they either will only be used for a short period before being superseded (e.g Bamboozler, Explosive) or require too much effort to obtain (e.g Papyrus, Spellbook, Molten Shrapnel)


Other bases: Many bases have specialised functions in certain areas and should be used where possible. Examples include the Iceberg bases and the Living Base. The Signature Series Denture Base (SSDB) is a base that can be obtained each year from Ronza and is the best base in the game by far. However, it is not recommended for normal use as it consumes a toothlet every hunt (obtained by smashing Ful'Mina's Tooth for 15x toothlets or by exchanging Chrome Bits from Ronza). Usually, this base is only used in Valour Rift Ultimate Umbra runs.

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Addenda:


Floating Islands FAQ:

Pre FI traps buying order?: From the main guide, you should be getting EPCT > QFT > ILT > EHT > CSWBT > DSC > CCDT > CSOS > SSST or CMB | CSW or [GGT (recommended)] (optional skip and just get T1)

What traps needed for FI?: EPCT, CSWBT, QFT, and EHT are mandatory. DSC, ILT, CSoS, GGT, and SSST are strongly encouraged. CTT is a nice bonus if you already have it (otherwise, don't buy it).

FI/FoFo traps upgrade order?: Generally, F1 > F2 > CF2 > CPB+DMMT > T1+A1 > (C)A2 > L1 > L2 > T2 is what I recommend.
Reason for order: Rush Forgotten first to properly hunt in FoFo, then get FoFo traps. Then T1 and A1 as prerequisites for T2 and A2. (C)A2 first as it is more useful. Then finish up the Law traps (cheap). Then finally T2 to complete the set.


Base FAQ:

Laby Base vs Compass Magnet Base?: You can't skip Laby Base even if you have the CMB. Put simply, Laby Base is like a Dead End Clue (DEC) vaccine (50% chance to not get DEC) while CMB is a medicine with poor effectiveness that removes DEC that you already have (30% chance to remove). Not catching a disease is better than curing it with bad medicine.

Mino Base?: Don't get it, you could have converted the materials for it into Lantern Oil Charms instead which can be sold for a nice chunk of money. This base is superseded by AERB.

Clockwork Base?: The rule of thumb for this base is to get it if and only if you already have the Rift Base (from LG) or Fissure Base sitting in your inventory (old player/somehow you got yourself a rift base before reading my guides). Otherwise, follow the standard order above.



For any further questions on this guide please feel free to ping/tag Zafiast#0327 on Discord or leave a message on my corkboard (8084385).