A detonator activates an explosive, causing it to explode. The device consists of an electrically activated blasting cap and some sort of device that delivers an electrical charge to set off the blasting cap. Connecting a detonator to an explosive requires a Demolitions check (DC 15). Failure means that the explosive fails to go off as planned. Failure by 10 or more means the explosive goes off as the detonator is being installed.

This is the simplest form of detonator. The blasting cap connects by wire to an activation device, usually a small pistol-grip device that the user squeezes. The detonator comes with 100 feet of wire, but longer length can be spliced with a Demolitions check (DC 10).