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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Mishihari Lord" data-source="post: 6190505" data-attributes="member: 128">I've only had this come up a very few times over my many year playing, but my general approach is if I see a pattern of inconsistent behavior then I'll let the player know.  One action does not an alignment change.  If the continue with the inconsistent behavior over a period of time, then the alignment changes.  This generally has little effect, just a few in relation to some spells and special abilities.  For PCs with an alignment dependent class, such as paladins or clerics, this can be a bigger deal with penalties spelled out by the rules.  Generally changing back, if the PC wants it, follows the same process and takes just as long.  For paladins, clerics, etc there's usually some process to atone for their behavior.It's really important in the cases where alignment makes a difference to have the players and the DM on the same page.  Before starting a paladin, for example, the player should get together and decide what the paladin's code will be.  Most of the arguments over paladin behavior I've seen online (a perennial favorite topic of discussion) could have been avoided just by doing this.Oh, just remembered.  I think the 1E rules had an experience point penalty penalty for alignment change, and I think I used it just once as a DM.  Nowadays I probably wouldn't bother, even if it were in the current rules.</blockquote>