why we can't be evil?

[Orratti]

Moms, religious groups, game rating, lunatics

Think that covers the reasons why no evil alignments. D&D is always being carefully watched now either by one of those things or because of one of those things. Why was LOTRO advertised on tv when it went free to play but not ddo (at least where I live). Until some lunatic hacks up his family in order to get more time to play LOTRO it is still safe to advertise that game on tv without backlash. Adding evil alignments is a good way to draw out the backlash that is always lurking and waiting for a chance to attack anything with the D&D name on it.

Lithic covered the gameplay related reasons.

[Yvonnel-1]

good luck getting Silver Flame favor

[Denegrator]

Barbarians must be Non-Lawful.

lol, I'm picturing a neutral good barbarian. Instead of going into a frothing at the mouth rabid frenzy, they start singing and skipping around strewing flower petals and offering the monsters hugs, like some sort of super happy smurf.

[Uska]

That's it. I'm blowing up everything except New Jersey.

In one drunken pnp session I played a pyromanic fire mage who summoned dozens of fire elementals and because I had been insulted by a town offical I instructed my minions to burn everything in town to the ground but the tavern I was drinking in. Later the town and the rest of my party decided to hunt me down. I later had to roll an new character to maintain party unity(no they didnt kill me but not for lack of trying)

[Talias006]

lol, I'm picturing a neutral good barbarian. Instead of going into a frothing at the mouth rabid frenzy, they start singing and skipping around strewing flower petals and offering the monsters hugs, like some sort of super happy smurf.

You're thinking Druid, not Barbarian.

The only hug a Barbarian would give a monster would be the bear kind.
But just before delivering a punishing head butt wearing a spiked helm.

And the singing going on are the battle chants and hymns of the resident Skald.
Punctuated by skipping halflings across the battlefield like living discus type weapons.

[Talias006]

That's it. I'm blowing up everything except New Jersey.

Actually, just blow up New Jersey.
Then they'd have to find some other place to put the most gods-awful pieces of TV cra... uh... programming aka Jersey Shore and Housewives and whatever else came from there.

[HungarianRhapsody]

lol, I'm picturing a neutral good barbarian. Instead of going into a frothing at the mouth rabid frenzy, they start singing and skipping around strewing flower petals and offering the monsters hugs, like some sort of super happy smurf.

Neutral Good Barbarian: everything in moderation. Especially moderation...

[1jazzz]

curious question: would you be okay if turbine let you choose evil alignment just for damage, damage reduction, items, etc? meaning no other changes, no quests changes, no new npcs reactions or dialogue options

[Calebro]

curious question: would you be okay if turbine let you choose evil alignment just for damage, damage reduction, items, etc? meaning no other changes, no quests changes, no new npcs reactions or dialogue options

No, for two reasons.
1} The reasons you list {damage, DR, etc} are the one and only mechanical thing that would actually matter, and evil would be the Go-To alignment. The fact that evil monsters cast evil magic at us should be a threat, not something we can shrug off any more than we already do via being neutral. Many mobs use Pure Evil weapons, meaning even neutral characters are hurt by them. Evil would not be.
If we gave the monsters a choice to be good, they would certainly take it, because we all use Pure Good and Holy weapons.
2} It would still be used as a griefing tool. "But that's what my character would do" is not a free pass to be an @$$hat, but that's what it would become.

Incidentally, what other reasons besides the ones you listed would you have for playing an evil character, other than pseudo-sanctioned griefing?
And don't say "for RP purposes" because any role player can do so just fine with a neutral alignment.
There are three reasons:
1} RP purposes, which I just explained can be role played just fine as a neutral alignment
2} to get a mechanical edge
3} to use as a griefing tool
Those are your three reasons, and none of them would make this game better, so niether would having evil alignments as an option.

[WangoFett]

Evil characters? Sure why not...

New to DDO store:

Tome of Unrestrained Power - 666 TP
Sick of being a goodie-good doing what everyone tells you all the time? Tired of obeying the arbitrary laws of a weak and pathetic society? Devour this tome and seize what is rightfully yours, by force!
Upon consuming this tome, your character becomes Chaotic Evil. You may attack any character anywhere, PC or NPC, friendly or unfriendly, basically anything that gets in your way. From whomever you kill, take a random item from their inventory or equipment for yourself.

Tome of Nihilistic Greed - 666 TP
In this twisted society of backstabbers, two-faced politicians and bullying fanatics, it's every man for himself. Who's looking out for you? You think that priest cares if you die in that dungeon? Doing his dirty work? You gotta look out for number 1 buddy, no one else will! Eat this tome and get a real perspective. Now, tell me why you should'nt steal that end reward so the priest can't use it to lure some other chump into that deathtrap. You get your loot, no one gets hurt, where's the problem?
Upon consuming this tome your character becomes Neutral Evil. You gain the ability to pick-pocket any character, PC or NPC, friendly or unfriendly. Also, any time a party member loots an item from a nearby chest, there is a chance that item will go into your inventory instead.

Tome of Vile Ambition - 666 TP
There are two types of people in the world, leaders and followers. Followers are sheep, animals. They get their creature comforts and they are happy. Leaders are farmers, using their superior intellect to guide and shepherd the weak and foolish to achieve more ambitious goals than their dull wits could muster unaided. And in return the farmer gets his eggs, his milk, his meat. Read this tome, become a true Leader, and accept your destiny.
Upon consuming this tome your character becomes Lawful Evil. You gain the ability to usurp the party leader role in any party.
Also, you may charm and dominate other party members into doing your bidding (using an intimidate skill check or the appropriate spells).

Also, don't forget to buy plenty of these...
Potion of Disguise Alignment - 66 TP - Duration 1 hour
Hides your evilness from NPCs and other players.

[die]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fmgPsXnKWIE

You are evil.

[1jazzz]

You're thinking Druid, not Barbarian.

The only hug a Barbarian would give a monster would be the bear kind.
But just before delivering a punishing head butt wearing a spiked helm.

And the singing going on are the battle chants and hymns of the resident Skald.
Punctuated by skipping halflings across the battlefield like living discus type weapons.

that is if druids get a pet bear. and a i belive there's already a PrE for Barb/druid in 3.5 core, bear warrior i think..

but that's a great idea, barb/druid toon

[thebeast1985]

After taking some time to read all the thing you posted (i admit i haven't read them all) i reached a conclusion

It's better to NOT add evil aligned characters for some reasons:

It would give immature players the excuse to play like jerks (anyway they will still do it even if they play a paladin!
And for sure they will not read our forum:"it's boring you know? i have to loot and kill stuff! n33d m04r l00t!")
My suggestion was based on personal experience (pnp player (i play d&d since i was 7) and, honestly i think to myself as a mature person)

I was thinking of (as some of you got my point, my bad if i haven't been so clear) a coherent allignement choice.
Mostly trust me if i say that evil characters will still be able to be in a party even if they have to be smarter and careful. (always refering to pnp, but i think it's also possible to think it that way on a mmorpg like this)

Anyway i will stop now, thanks for all the answers you gave my i hope i haven't offended anyone.

[azrael4h]

Actually, just blow up New Jersey.
Then they'd have to find some other place to put the most gods-awful pieces of TV cra... uh... programming aka Jersey Shore and Housewives and whatever else came from there.

Why do you think I'm leaving New Jersey? I AM Evil you know.

[Uska]

curious question: would you be okay if turbine let you choose evil alignment just for damage, damage reduction, items, etc? meaning no other changes, no quests changes, no new npcs reactions or dialogue options

No

[Satinavian]

No, for two reasons.
1} The reasons you list {damage, DR, etc} are the one and only mechanical thing that would actually matter, and evil would be the Go-To alignment. The fact that evil monsters cast evil magic at us should be a threat, not something we can shrug off any more than we already do via being neutral. Many mobs use Pure Evil weapons, meaning even neutral characters are hurt by them. Evil would not be.
If we gave the monsters a choice to be good, they would certainly take it, because we all use Pure Good and Holy weapons.@$$hat, but that's what it would become.

Actually yes. That would be one reason for me to have selectable evil alignement. And more neztral/even good monsters would be nice to for the same reason :

-to make all alignement realted weapon enchantments less powerfull. It's ridiculous how much better holy or pg is than every elemental enchantment and how much holy burst outclasses every other burst. Would like to see more variety again in weapons.

Same with character options. We could implement more stuff that is not good RAW instead of changing it like it has been done with Pale Masters or Assassins or Paladins of Vulkoor.

Incidentally, what other reasons besides the ones you listed would you have for playing an evil character, other than pseudo-sanctioned griefing?

And my real reason is : With allowing evil alignement, some people will think more about motivations and roles of villains beyond "He is evil and thus wants to destroy the world/kill innocents" leading to believable opponents and more interesting story twists. Less "insane Cult of random outworldy evil of the week", more opponents like e.g. Cardinal Richelieu from the musketeers novel.


Well, at least that has been my view. Until i recently tried a competitors MMO which has evil PCs and quests and found that those quests actually included for the PC to help the villain in his incredible stupid plan to destroy the world and kill everyone including the PC .