D&D 4E Alignment Matters in 4e!

[Tequila Sunrise]

These are some homebrew powers that I whipped up for my first 4e session this Friday. I don't want to force my players to care about alignment, so I made them so they're not strictly better than other 1st level powers, but they are much cooler if used successfully against Evil or Chaotic Evil targets. Comments and criticisms welcome! (Unless you want to rave about the horror of alignment actually mattering. Those comments aren't welcome here.)

Cleric Level 1 Encounter Prayers
Holy Word
You speak a word of power that sends creatures of evil fleeing in terror.
Encounter * Divine, Fear, Implement
Standard Action Ranged 10
Target: One creature
Attack: Wisdom vs. Will
Hit: (If the target is Evil or Chaotic Evil) The target moves its speed + your Charisma modifier directly away from you, heedless of unsafe squares or difficult terrain. This movement provokes opportunity attacks. (If the target is Unaligned) The target moves its speed away from you, avoiding unsafe squares and difficult terrain if it can. This movement provokes opportunity attacks. (If the target is Good or Lawful Good) The target moves half its speed away from you, avoiding unsafe squares and difficult terrain if it can. This movement does not provoke opportunity attacks.
Special: You must be Good or Lawful Good in order to use this power.

Cleric Level 1 Daily Prayers
Holy Word
You speak a word of power that sends creatures of evil fleeing in terror.
Daily * Divine, Fear, Implement
Standard Action Ranged 10
Target: One creature
Attack: Wisdom vs. Will
Hit: (If the target is Evil or Chaotic Evil) The target moves its speed + your Charisma modifier directly away from you, heedless of unsafe squares or difficult terrain. This movement provokes opportunity attacks. In addition, the target takes a penalty to attacks for the remainder of the encounter equal to your Wisdom modifier. (If the target is Unaligned) The target moves its speed away from you, avoiding unsafe squares and difficult terrain if it can. This movement provokes opportunity attacks. (If the target is Good or Lawful Good) The target moves half its speed away from you, avoiding unsafe squares and difficult terrain if it can. This movement does not provoke opportunity attacks.
Special: You must be Good or Lawful Good in order to use this power.

Paladin Level 1 Encounter Prayers
Smite Evil
You imbue your attack with radiant energy that scours evil from the face of the world.
Encounter * Divine, Weapon
Standard Action Melee weapon
Target: One creature
Attack: Strength vs. AC
Hit: (If the target is Evil or Chaotic Evil) 2[W] + Strength modifier + Wisdom modifier radiant damage. Until the end of your next turn, the target takes a penalty to attack rolls equal to your Charisma modifier. (If the target is Unaligned) 2[W] + Strength modifier radiant damage. (If the target is Good or Lawful Good) 2[W] radiant damage.
Special: You must be Good or Lawful Good in order to use this power.

Paladin Level 1 Daily Prayers
Smite Evil
You imbue your attack with radiant energy that scours evil from the face of the world.
Daily * Divine, Weapon
Standard Action Melee weapon
Target: One creature
Attack: Strength vs. AC
Hit: (If the target is Evil or Chaotic Evil) 3[W] + Strength modifier + Wisdom modifier + Charisma modifier radiant damage. Until the end of your next turn, the target takes a penalty to attack rolls equal to your Charisma modifier and a penalty to AC equal to your Wisdom modifier. (If the target is Unaligned) 3[W] + Strength modifier radiant damage. (If the target is Good or Lawful Good) 3[W] radiant damage.
Special: You must be Good or Lawful Good in order to use this power.

TS

 

[keterys]

So, I guess have two problems...

1) They're strictly better than other powers of their level unless you assume that a startling percentage of opponents are Good. The Unaligned effect is equivalent to the normal effect, Evil is just better. So, let's say an average group fights, say 50% evil, 45% unaligned, 5% good... that's a slam dunk.

2) They're very complex for listing everything three times over.

So... Unaligned would have to be worse than usual in order to be balanced, and I'd want it to be much simpler to describe the difference.

Like, if good people are immune to all good effects (which is an advantage on AoE you'd have to balance around), and there's an 'Evil:' line with a simple adder (+Cha damage, +Cha squares, whatever)

 

[Tequila Sunrise]

1) They're strictly better than other powers of their level unless you assume that a startling percentage of opponents are Good. The Unaligned effect is equivalent to the normal effect, Evil is just better. So, let's say an average group fights, say 50% evil, 45% unaligned, 5% good... that's a slam dunk.

Actually, the effects of my powers are less effective against Unaligned targets than other 1st level powers. Namely, you add one less stat modifier.

2) They're very complex for listing everything three times over.

Yeah I'll work on the presentation.

TS

 

[keterys]

Actually, the effects of my powers are less effective against Unaligned targets than other 1st level powers. Namely, you add one less stat modifier.

Hmm, okay, musta misread it. My bad.