Paladins and alignment

[gribble]

So, given the assertion by playtesters that in 4e alignment doesn't have any mechanical impact on the game (i.e.: it's a RP tool only), and the quote from a WotC staffer that there are rules for "evil paladins" (i.e.: not blackguards) in the DMG, it seems a logical conclusion that the 4e paladin won't be restricted to a LG alignment...

I'm not sure if I like this or not. I think I do... it always seemed a bit wonky to me that only Lawful and/or Good gods (and they alone) have holy champions.

 

[(Psi)SeveredHead]

So, given the assertion by playtesters that in 4e alignment doesn't have any mechanical impact on the game (i.e.: it's a RP tool only), and the quote from a WotC staffer that there are rules for "evil paladins" (i.e.: not blackguards) in the DMG, it seems a logical conclusion that the 4e paladin won't be restricted to a LG alignment...

I'm not sure if I like this or not. I think I do... it always seemed a bit wonky to me that only Lawful and/or Good gods (and they alone) have holy champions.

I think the alignment is, frankly, less of an issue than the paladin code (if there's still one).

 

[Fallen Seraph]

I personally never liked the alignment restrictions on Paladins. So I quite like this, a Paladin is simply a holy warrior of their god/ideal, not a alignment.

 

[ProfessorCirno]

I personally never liked the alignment restrictions on Paladins. So I quite like this, a Paladin is simply a holy warrior of their god/ideal, not a alignment.

I'm the opposite

I've always felt the god comes second to code and alignment for paladins (heck, a god was only neccisary in ONE setting).

If paladins aren't alignment/code guided in 4e, they will once I get my hands on it ;p

 

[Fiendish Dire Weasel]

I always hated the Paladin Code. It caused player vs. GM arguments and penalized characters with no bonus in return. Also it made them often unplayable in groups. So I'm glad it is gone. Lets just make it a religious warrior cleric/fighter hybrid thing and move on.

 

[Fallen Seraph]

I'm the opposite

I've always felt the god comes second to code and alignment for paladins (heck, a god was only neccisary in ONE setting).

If paladins aren't alignment/code guided in 4e, they will once I get my hands on it ;p

Well I think Paladins should have a code (I have a Warforged Paladin idea where his code is engraved on his metal shell). But I think it should be a self realized code (thus ideal) or a code given to him from a god.

I don't like the idea of a code being tied to any alignment, since a Paladins' code could stretch across multiple alignments.

 

[Oni]

I like the idea of paladins as holy warriors and champions of gods. I think it's silly that they were limited only to LG. I dont know why so many people insist on such a narrow focus for paladins. If you open it up, the niche that appeals to so many people can still exist with no problem and you can have all these other interesting variations on the holy warrior concept that the goody goody knight in shining armour idea limited.

 

[jaelis]

Can you be an unaligned paladin though?

Are there unaligned gods?

 

[Oni]

Can you be an unaligned paladin though?

Are there unaligned gods?

I would assume so, unaligned is the new neutral. I would think nature and elemental gods would be unaligned amoung others.

 

[Lurker37]

If there was still a paladin code, would it be the same for each deity, or would each deity have a different code of conduct for their paladins?

Thematically, the latter makes more sense to me, but that would be a lot of page space used on one aspect of a single class, and furthermore it requires every new deity to have a code of conduct for their paladins, and thus more work for a DM who uses deities not covered by published material.