Just Curious: Alignment Restrictions and Game Balance

[Nightfall]

*sighs* If you WANT a CE paladin type, go unholy warrior.

If you want a monk that's unlawful, try Oathsworn. (Hey being chaotic doesn't mean you don't say "I swear I'll kill you!!!" )

Druids...eh. Being neutral shouldn't be a BAD thing.

No idea about the other stuff.

(Although, in the Scarred Lands, followers of Hedrada (LN god of knowledge and other stuff) CAN be lawful. )

 

[ThirdWizard]

You shouldn't have to take a PrC just to play your character concept.

Unless you're talking about WotC, nobody ever said you had to. A normal monk could be flavored up as a drunken master if you wanted. Personally, I see nothing wrong with a Chaotic monk myself. Heck, somebody could probably even make a lawful barbarian plausable if they gave it some thought. Hmm maybe you could emulate Roland from Dark Tower off of the barbarian class to a degree... I only read the first book, but he seemed pretty "lawful" in the obsessive and methodical kind of way, I think.

 

[Nightfall]

Agreed Third.

No one said you have to do ANYTHING, unless you're the DM. Then you can do anything.

 

[Warden]

This *is* alignment in D&D, as it is already written.

Quasqueton

No, there could be more. Alignment as an existing force in the universe, a power greater than even the gods themselves where worlds are balanced against each other in an immense game of musical chairs. Alignment is worshipped as a religion, rather than through gods that proclaim to represent an aspect of alignment. There is a basis for it, but it can go much further than already provided.

 

[Voadam]

Alignment, as provided, is pure flavour.

Except where the class powers, magic, monster DR, and class requirements have mechanical effects for different alignments.

The evil part of a paladin's smite evil power is mechanical as is the alignment DR of different outsiders. Demons and devils don't overcome each other's DR naturally in 3.5. This is a mechanical difference from 3e, not just a flavor difference.

 

[DamionW]

Unless you're talking about WotC, nobody ever said you had to. A normal monk could be flavored up as a drunken master if you wanted. Personally, I see nothing wrong with a Chaotic monk myself. Heck, somebody could probably even make a lawful barbarian plausable if they gave it some thought. Hmm maybe you could emulate Roland from Dark Tower off of the barbarian class to a degree... I only read the first book, but he seemed pretty "lawful" in the obsessive and methodical kind of way, I think.

Read ALL the books, when you can. They're damn good, and you'll see Roland is a Paladin with Holy Avenger Revolvers +5. I just like the books a lot

 

[Nikosandros]

The LG issue with paladins isn't something that randomly cropped up in 3e like only Lawful monks, etc so it makes sense to me.

Well, Monks were required to be lawful also in AD&D (but not in Blackmoor).

Regarding the balance issues, I agree that is purely a matter of flavor, ene though, as others have already argued, a compelling case can be made in favor of chaotic monks.

 

[ThirdWizard]

Read ALL the books, when you can. They're damn good, and you'll see Roland is a Paladin with Holy Avenger Revolvers +5. I just like the books a lot

Oh, I plan on it!

 

[Mercule]

Alignment = fluff.