Upgrade your account to a Community Supporter account and remove most of the site ads.

Reply to thread

Message: <blockquote data-quote="Jester David" data-source="post: 6273140" data-attributes="member: 37579">I didn't mind the 4e alignments, but alignment in 4e was particularly forgettable. Because there were no restrictions, spells keyed to alignment, and monsters could be any alignment it typically made alignment as important a part of the character sheet as eye colour. It stopped arguments over alignment at the table because it stopped mattering. It was a good option for people who wanted really simple, easy to describe alignments.I just didn't like that the system came at the expense of the traditional nine, a complaint mirrored by many of the 4e changes: I liked the World Axis cosmology well enough, but didn't like that it came at the expense of the Great Wheel.I liked the refocusing of demons & devils, but didn't like that it came at the expense of the Blood War and various fiends switching teams.I liked the connection between the giants, elements, and primordials, but didn't like that it came at the expense of traditional Greek titans or the portrayal of some giants. I liked the concept of devas and angels becoming mortals locked in a cycle of reincarnation, but didn't like that it came at the expense of the aasimar and celestial-blooded races. I liked the addition of a magical race of elfin fey from Faerie, but didn't like that it came at the expense of the grey elves and stole the name "eladrin".This really emphasises the "rebranding" aspect of 4e. They could change almost anything so they changed just about everything. There was a lot of change for change's sake. And there were cries to dump many of the remaining sacred cows. There was a real group-mind pushing change and something different than D&D and traditional fantasy, both from new players (who had no attachment to the old) and established players (who'd done it all with traditional fantasy). Of course, this led to the anti-4e backlash, the rise of OSR, and general discontent with the game. Back to alignment, I think we need a few different alignment systems. We need the traditional nine for those who want it, and potentially spell effects and mechanics ties to alignment such as falling from grace and redemption. And then we need a simple bare-bones alignment alternative, like the 4e system or even simpler, for those who just want good & evil. And then there can be a system that dumps alignment altogether. Plus variants like honor and respect.</blockquote>

Verification