What starter alignment should I choose?

[Scottster]

Lawful good looks good. Neutral good looks okay. Does alignment effect what you do in the game? My character can obey the laws as long as they are reasonable. I know that Elminster and Drizzt Do'Urden are Chaotic Good. I still like looting buildings in games and getting loot that no NPC uses anyway. If that's stealing, then that wouldn't be lawful, yet they aren't using it.

[Mindos]

Lawful good looks good. Neutral good looks okay. Does alignment effect what you do in the game? My character can obey the laws as long as they are reasonable. I know that Elminster and Drizzt Do'Urden are Chaotic Good. I still like looting buildings in games and getting loot that no NPC uses anyway. If that's stealing, then that wouldn't be lawful, yet they aren't using it.

https://ddowiki.com/page/Alignment

[droid327]

It doesn't make a material difference except that some classes and some warlock pacts are restricted to or from certain alignments

[archest]

I find neutral alignment opens up weapons availability options.
its a personal choice for myself.

[JOTMON]

True neutral is the best choice as there are alignment based spells that do full damage to the aligned and half to neutral toons..

Like Chaos Hammer:
This spell deals 1d6+4 points of chaotic damage per caster level (Maximum 10d6+40) to lawful creatures, or 2d6+8 points of damage per caster level (Maximum 20d6+80) to lawful outsiders. Additionally, the spell slows lawful creatures for 6d6 seconds. A successful Will save reduces the damage by half and negates the slow effect.
This spell deals only half damage to creatures who are neither lawful or chaotic, and they are not slowed.
This spell deals no damage to chaotic creatures, and can only be cast by non-lawful casters.


Otherwise only take alignment when required for class.

[C-Dog]

It doesn't make a material difference except that some classes and some warlock pacts are restricted to or from certain alignments

False (and you should know better, D! )

There are 3 downsides to choosing "non-Neutral":

1) Equipping a weapon (and, rarely, certain other named gear) that is aligned counter to the character's alignment (i.e. good vs. evil, or chaos vs. law) will hand the character a "-1 Level" penalty until it is unequipped.

2) There are some rare-ish monsters and situational attacks that do more damage against certain alignments (e.g. vs. Lawful, or vs. Good, etc.). The additional amount isn't big, but it's there.

3) There are a (very) few named items that only work with True Neutral. These are hardly deal-breakers for most players, but they're there.


The only reason not to choose Neutral is either a) for rare class restrictions (as mentioned above), or b) to get some Epic alignment-locked abilities (typically spellcasting), or c) role-playing considerations (for those who value such). If you do not have a specific reason*, just choose Neutral.

(* There are also some (very) rare quest dialogue options that appear only to certain alignments, but these are so few that I can't imagine any would build specifically for them. If you fit the mold, you fit, otherwise it's never a dealbreaker.)

[PurpleTimb]

The only reason not to choose Neutral is either a) for rare class restrictions (as mentioned above), or b) to get some Epic alignment-locked abilities (typically spellcasting), or c) role-playing considerations (for those who value such). If you do not have a specific reason*, just choose Neutral.

Additional reasons why one might consider choosing an alignment other than neutral.

d) There are a small number of very rare items that require you to be good to use and have no UMD check to bypass. Ring of the Ancestors

e) There are some high level epic feats that require you to be lawful or chaotic to benefit from them. Embodiment of Law and Harbinger of Chaos each grant +2 imbue dice but only if you have the matching alignment.

[Sunnie]

I believe you may have to be Lawful in order to do the Daanvi chamber in Prison of the Planes. I haven't actually tested it, but it's only ever been done by lawful characters.

[Sqrlmonger]

e) There are some high level epic feats that require you to be lawful or chaotic to benefit from them. Embodiment of Law and Harbinger of Chaos each grant +2 imbue dice but only if you have the matching alignment.[/color]

Note: So far as I can tell neither of these feats is currently granting their +2 imbue dice. At a minimum they aren't accounted for on the + panel list.

[droid327]

False (and you should know better, D! )

Nope

That's specifically why I qualified it as "material" difference lol

None of those things really matter so much that you'd build around them

[C-Dog]

Nope

That's specifically why I qualified it as "material" difference lol

Ah - I took "material" in the sense of "tangible", rather than "significant".

[sigtrent]

There are some character class options that restrict what alignment you can have. If you want to be a Paladin, you must be lawful good. If you want to be a Monk you must be Lawful, and if you want to be a Barbarian or Bard you must be neutral or chaotic. Druids need to be neutral. Some cleric deities are also rescripted by alignment.

Other than that, there are only some minor impacts from alignment when playing the game. Some spells do more or less damage to various alignments, but it is not common enough to be important.

So basically, choose what feels cool, unless it messes up what class you want to choose.

[carsonfball]

Lawful good looks good. Neutral good looks okay. Does alignment effect what you do in the game? My character can obey the laws as long as they are reasonable. I know that Elminster and Drizzt Do'Urden are Chaotic Good. I still like looting buildings in games and getting loot that no NPC uses anyway. If that's stealing, then that wouldn't be lawful, yet they aren't using it.

I usually play lawful if my class(es) allow it due to one quest (Prison of the Planes) having a part that can't be done without a lawful character. Some items can penalize your for not being a certain alignment. Some classes restrict which alignments your can be. But, for the most part, it's just flavor and has very little impact on the game.

[kmoustakas]

Lawful good looks good. Neutral good looks okay. Does alignment effect what you do in the game? My character can obey the laws as long as they are reasonable. I know that Elminster and Drizzt Do'Urden are Chaotic Good. I still like looting buildings in games and getting loot that no NPC uses anyway. If that's stealing, then that wouldn't be lawful, yet they aren't using it.

Unless your class requires you to be a certain alignment, you want to be true neutral to get hit with less damage from certain spells.

[Dilbon]

The change to the Harbinger of Chaos feat means that all my melee characters are now chaotic unless paladin.

[Ereshkigal]

Lawful good looks good. Neutral good looks okay. Does alignment effect what you do in the game? My character can obey the laws as long as they are reasonable. I know that Elminster and Drizzt Do'Urden are Chaotic Good. I still like looting buildings in games and getting loot that no NPC uses anyway. If that's stealing, then that wouldn't be lawful, yet they aren't using it.

True Neutral protects you from some alignment damage later on in the game, and is what I always choose unless unless a character class requires a different alignment.