What are the full, official rules around the use of traps by PCs, both in PvP and PvE?

1. a.) One direct damage trap per PvP. (Electric/Frost/Spike/Fire/Holy/Negative-Energy -- Sonic is borderline IMO, if you get me I will tell you it is a direct damage trap.)

1. b.) Second trap allowed, may be non-damage. Such as Slow traps.

Note that this would mean you can use two traps at once during a PvP encounter, as long as only one of them is a direct damage trap.

2.) Do not obscure a path entirely by using traps. You must allow a person a path around your trap.

3.) Do not stack your traps under any circumstance or eat the ban-hammer for exploiting the engine.

4.) Use as many traps as you want when you battle monsters. (As long as you are not violating rule #3, obviously.)

Please pay attention to the forum rules, and post your own thread with a question. - Nine

Why do you limit the number of traps allowed?

It is for PvP balance. Last time I saw someone allow more than one direct damage trap, two deadly spike traps were used that ended up killing 3 people of a 5 person party instantly. That is like going from 90 hp to the fugue before you even realize what hit you. That doesn't seem very fun or balanced to me, nor to the rest of the DM team.