D&D 5E Is 5e Planescape leaning into alignment?

[the Jester]

In the Guide to Planescape Monsters video from WotC, they talk about demons being made of Chaotic Evil, and it made me wonder: Is 5e PS where the game finally leans in to alignment? Can anyone who has read or seen it comment?

 

[Stormonu]

Well, I’m not in the know anymore than anyone else, Planescape leans heavily into the philosophical including the nature of good and evil. The original campaign setting even had the description of “philosophers with clubs”.

That said, we’ve got artwork with angels and devils carousing together in bars - I don’t think they’re going to push alignments too hard in the campaign set.

 

[Aldarc]

I suspect that WotC will split hairs by saying that outsiders are composed of the essence and cosmic forces of alignment whereas mortals, like orcs and dwarves, are not.

 

[Vaalingrade]

I've love it if not, but Planescape would be the place to dump alignment as a variant rule that no other D&D ever has to acknowledge again.

 

[payn]

I've love it if not, but Planescape would be the place to dump alignment as a variant rule that no other D&D ever has to acknowledge again.

I'd like all D&D to have alignment, but I do think this matches the modular state that was discussed in NEXT.

 

[Snarf Zagyg]

I'd like all D&D to have alignment,.

I agree.

I mean, say what you want about the tenets of the Lawful Stupid Paladin, payn, at least it's an ethos.

 

[Remathilis]

I suspect that WotC will split hairs by saying that outsiders are composed of the essence and cosmic forces of alignment whereas mortals, like orcs and dwarves, are not.

I'm fairly certain that's the play; humanoids have free will and aren't bound to a general alignment, but things from beyond the prime (celestials, fiends, aberrations, fey, etc) do have tendencies.

 

[DEFCON 1]

To me, the whole essence of the Outer Planes is alignment driven, so I have no issue leaning into that. But anything that is Prime and Inner Plane driven is outside (or I guess "inside") the alignment system, and thus there are no defaults there.

Every world to adventure in has their own defaults and/or requirements regarding alignment, so no need to make generalized declarations about them.

 

[Divine2021]

We can live in hope.

 

[Reynard]

Planescape is the perfect place to make Alignment what it says on the tin: actual faction alignment, meaning you are in the club with others. It's not a personality descriptor, it is a membership card.