Dungeons & Dragons Alignments

What is Alignment?

Character alignment is a way to develop your character's identity. Alignment can affect how people react to your character and how your character reacts to the world. Dungeons & Dragons Online allows players to pick 6 out of the 9 different alignments, covering all of the good and neutral alignments, but reserves evil alignments for NPCs, monsters, and the like. I have included all 9 alignments in order to give you a better understanding of what may or may not be motivating your enemy.

Alignment is determined on two different axes: Good/Evil and Lawful/Chaotic, with neutral as the balance between the two extremes. Although alignment doesn't force your actions, it's good to remember it's a defining element in the Dungeons and Dragons world. Alignment isn't just a line on a character sheet, it's a fact of every day life for your character.

Good vs. Neutral vs. Evil

"Good" implies altruism, respect for life, and a concern for the well-being and dignity of other sentient beings. Good characters are willing to sacrifice themselves for the benefit of others. This does not imply all good characters will take a bullet, but they would consider it.

"Evil" implies hurting or oppressing others. Evil characters are generally selfish, and always work for their own desires. Although Law and Chaos will play a role in their general attitude toward everything, don't be surprised to see an evil character watch his friend die if it means he will get out alive.

A "Neutral" character is searching for a balance between both good and evil. Neutral characters have reservations against killing and build their feeling of sacrifice through personal relationships. A Neutral character will easily protect friends and relatives as fiercely as a good character.

Law vs. Chaos

A Lawful character values truth, honor, respect, and authority. Lawfulness includes such things as being honorable, trustworthy, obedient toward authority, and reliable. Lawful characters feel you should follow the letter of the law, respect truth, honor authority, and stay true to the course given you. A Lawful character would not hesitate to jail the street urchin for illegally begging.

A Chaotic character is about freedom, adaptability, and flexibility. This can lead to a proud tradition of acting before thinking, and tends to breed distrust for authority. A Chaotic character would steal a merchant's purse to give to the street urchin, if he felt it was the right thing to do.

Those neutral to law and chaos show a normal respect for authority. They don't feel one or the other is any more important to the scheme of things. They are generally honest people, but can find themselves in the middle of corruption. A Neutral character would probably ask the street urchin why he needed the money, and then decide from there.

Dungeons & Dragons Alignments

There are nine alignments in D&D. DDO only offers the Good and Neutral alignments to players, reserving Evil for NPCs, monsters, etc.

Lawful Good - The Crusader - (Playable)

The Lawful Good character embodies how a good person should act and be. Although compassionate, they always lean to the side of law. They keep their word without fail, and when they speak, you know they are telling the truth. If a Lawful Good character tells you she is going to kill you, she is going to kill you. Highly judgmental towards the guilty, a Lawful Good character will go through any means the law allows to bring guilty to justice. Unfortunately, the letter of the law and interpretation of the law can be two different things.

Neutral Good - The Benefactor - (Playable)

A Neutral Good character is the prime example of a do-gooder. This person is happy helping others and doesn't expect to be helped in return. Unselfish in their motives, a Neutral Good character just likes to help.

Chaotic Good - The Rebel - (Playable)

A Chaotic Good character is kind and benevolent, but has little regard for laws or rules. He lets his heart and moral fortitude guide him on life's journey. A Chaotic Good character wouldn't hesitate to steal from the rich to give to the poor if he felt it was the right thing to do. Obviously, this makes Robin Hood a prime example of Chaotic Good.

Lawful Neutral - The Judge - (Playable)

The Lawful Neutral character follows law and tradition without the outside influences of good and evil. She will show a strong conviction in whatever she believes and neither good nor evil will find a way to change that.

True Neutral - (Playable)

Although a Neutral character will often see good as being better than evil, they feel this way only because it makes sense. They are not swayed by a need to protect the innocent or steal from the poor, unless they feel it is a good idea to do so. They are only interested in staying the course and doing what they feel should be done at any given time. In certain situations, True Neutral characters may be acting out of a desire to preserve a balance between Law & Order and Good & Evil.

Chaotic Neutral - The Free Spirit - (Playable)

A Chaotic Neutral character represents the individualist. Not feeling bound by law, the Chaotic Neutral character does whatever they want, whenever they want to do it. This can sometimes be interpreted as crazy and unpredictable, and rightly so. Although a Chaotic Neutral character may seem over the edge for most, they are well aware of what they are doing. They just don't care. Good and evil have no place here, just motives.

Lawful Evil - The Dominator - (Unplayable)

A Lawful Evil character is methodical and without mercy. They will follow the rules, but lack compassion. Some Lawful Evil characters will frequently interpret the rules as they see fit to further spread their evil motives. Although they are more than willing to follow the law, don't mistake this for a good heart. They are scheming and considered very dangerous due to their methodical and intentional brand of evil.

Neutral Evil - The Malefactor - (Unplayable)

Neutral Evil characters are willing to do whatever it takes to get their way. They are out for themselves, and to hell with everyone else. They show no remorse for their deeds and would do it again if they thought they could get away with it. Therein lies the caveat; a Neutral Evil character doesn't go out of their way to get caught. Neutral Evil characters have been known to do evil just for the sake of doing evil. They don't respect the laws, but they aren't ignorant to their existence.

Chaotic Evil - The Destroyer - (Unplayable)

A Chaotic Evil person rarely shows a clear direction for much of anything other than the spread of death, destruction, chaos and evil. Usually unpredictable and hot-headed, a Chaotic Evil person wouldn't have a problem telling a driver to stop just to brutally murder him and then burn his carriage. They have no need for laws, and no respect for life.