D&D (2024) Are the new default alignments of Goblins (CN) and Kobolds (N) more consistent with their current portrayals?

[Kurotowa]

I actually like alignment. I just think default alignments for entire species is dumb.

Species alignment is dumb if they're actually a species. If they're a Celestial, or a Fiend, or a Fey manifestation of a particular emotion, an innate (but not absolute) alignment tendency is okay. Which is more or less the direction WotC is moving in, so I'm happy as a clam with these changes.

I mean, trying to draw that line has a lot of grey area and corner cases. I acknowledge that. But as a general guiding principle, I like it.

 

[ezo]

When races' attitudes are formulated by their cultures/behaviors, having a "race alignment" for general individuals makes sense, provided people understand there will always be those who act in a counter-cultural fashion and go against the general alignment.

 

[Shadowdweller00]

The PCs discover what a nightmare it is, to have a Bastion that's run by Goblins

In my present campaign, about half the party have set up a base in a small hamlet they previously saved. One of the PCs is a kobold, who has slowly been attracting and collecting other kobolds. The newly forming kobold colony keeps tunnelling through peoples' basements, stealing shiny objects, and setting potentially dangerous traps all around town.

 

[Warpiglet-7]

I have mixed feelings about some of this.

I have never had a problem with certain creatures typically having an alignment; nor have I had a problem with with exceptions.

I would almost prefer they leave alignment out of the main stat block and have a sidebar saying orc from these region are generally x; orcs from this region are generally Y.

I don’t know where it leads if all monstera
Are all simply individuals. Should I be scared of ogres? Medusas? I mean they might just be friendly?

For me this would be uncharted territory…and I suspect I will stick to the more traditional. To each his own.

 

[Kurotowa]

I don’t know where it leads if all monstera
Are all simply individuals. Should I be scared of ogres? Medusas? I mean they might just be friendly?

For me this would be uncharted territory…and I suspect I will stick to the more traditional. To each his own.

All it really leads to is a bit less Kill On Sight gameplay. At least, Kill On Sight based on creature type.

If you're storming the Evil Darklord's Fortress of Evil, then anyone wearing the Darklord's colors is legitimately Kill On Sight. If you're raiding a bandit camp, anyone walking around freely and carrying a weapon is a fair target. Simple, clear, and creature type doesn't matter.

If you randomly meet a medusa in the wilderness... how random is it? Did the local villagers warn you about a medusa picking off those who stray too far, or is she just minding her business in her own home? If the latter, it doesn't hurt to attempt a parley and roleplay a little. If she screams and attacks anyway, then you roll for Initiative and nothing's changed.

 

[CreamCloud0]

When races' attitudes are formulated by their cultures/behaviors, having a "race alignment" for general individuals makes sense, provided people understand there will always be those who act in a counter-cultural fashion and go against the general alignment.

Yeah, i would rather alignment be framed as how certain cultures or organisations in a setting lean rather than the actual species, drow as a species are unaligned/neutral, the cult of lolth however is CE and the culture of the underdark as a whole tends to push its inhabitants towards a ‘every man for themselves’ leaning the average there more towards Evil.

I think alignment is best used in three scopes: individuals, societal structures and outer beings

Thug Hammertusk is Neutral Good
The Predominant Orc society in [edit: the mountains] is Lawful Neutral
Grummush is Chaotic Evil

 

[Yaarel]

Indeed. But it's saying "This evil genie is evil because they personally are a jerk, not because Efreet or Dao are culturally evil". And I think that's an improvement. They're a lot more useful, this way. More genie bargains, more genies as patrons or suppliers, that sort of thing.

Also, the Islamic concept of "genies" (jinn) is they have free will, like humans do. Some are good, some are evil. God judges all of them. Humans are to avoid worshiping any of them.

 

[Yaarel]

Make them a playable ancestry, you cowards!

Making Bullywugs a playable species would definitely ramp up their cuteness.

 

[Yaarel]

I don't think they're too complicated to make as a PC species.
Amphibious: You can breathe in water or air
Leap: You can leap 30 feet once per round using 10 feet of your movement
Speak with Frogs and Toads: You can communicate with frogs and toads by speaking to them.
Speed: Your walking speed is 30 feet and you have a swim speed of 30 feet
Size: You are medium size

Maybe the one that might have some arguments is their type which is either.
Creature Type: You are Fey
-OR-
Creature Type: You are Humanoid
Fey Ancestry: You have advantage saving throws to end or avoid the Charmed condition

Might be good enough, or might need just 1 more trait to be on par with other PC options.

There are zero (?) Fey creatures who have Charm resistance.

Instead, the Fey Ancestry trait should be Detect Magic at-will (Warlock style).

(Ideally, the Fey trait should be magic resistance, but this is too powerful at level 1.)

 

[Yaarel]

Yeah, i would rather alignment be framed as how certain cultures or organisations in a setting lean rather than the actual species, drow as a species are unaligned/neutral, the cult of lolth however is CE and the culture of the underdark as a whole tends to push its inhabitants towards a ‘every man for themselves’ leaning the average there more towards Evil.

I think alignment is best used in three scopes: individuals, societal structures and outer beings

Thug Hammertusk is Neutral Good
The Predominant Orc society in [setting] is Lawful Neutral
Grummush is Chaotic Evil

I am queasy about assigning an alignment to an entire culture.

But assigning an alignment to a faction that is in power − can do, yes.