D&D General Which edition handled alignment best?

[Zardnaar]

Proably 3E. I like alignment mechanics here and there. Open to relaxing them though eg Paladins being any good vs LG.

 

[Kurotowa]

I voted for BECMI, for the most part I ignore alignment, but if one is going to use it, the Law/Chaos axis is the best.

That was my reasoning as well. If you want to sideline alignment or treat it as the personality quiz of the memetic alignment grid, then 5e is right. If you want alignment to matter, to really be the cosmic faction you've aligned yourself with, then BECMI all the way. None of that squishy moralistic Good and Evil, just the powers of Law and Chaos that care little for mortal interests and the brave champions of Neutrality trying to steer clear of the two feuding superpowers.

 

[Zardnaar]

What's the difference between BECMI vs B/X? They're both three alignment systems, AFAIK.

Anyway, I picked BECMI.

Level 1-14 vs 1-36.

 

[Minigiant]

I read this as “on the spectrum”; my immediate thought was “how rude!” followed by “shouldn’t they be lawful neutral, anyhow?”. Anyway, for someone who likes playing anti-authoritarian chaotic good characters (how I think I am) and humorless lawful neutral rule-followers (how I actually am), I prefer the nine-alignment system.

But how often does NG and CG differ?

Or LE and NE?

Because if the lawful force is clearly evil and harmful, both NG and CG fight it.

I kinda fell the CG and LE as distinct alignments feed of each other. LE creates the separation between NG and CG. And CG often creates the situation for LE to keep its code over NE.

But outside of magical outsiders forced to be an alignment. some alignments don't seem common enough to matter unless DM forced.

 

[Voadam]

What's the difference between BECMI vs B/X? They're both three alignment systems, AFAIK.

Anyway, I picked BECMI.

B/X only has alignment languages as an alignment mechanic that I remember.

BECMI has companion level class options that have alignment limitations IIRC.

 

[Baron Opal II]

Original- Alignment was the color of your banner more than anything else. Although, you could trust your Lawful ally more than your Chaotic one. Pick a side, there are three, and you're good to go.

 

[Maxperson]

Indeed. I for one am not satisfied until it is completely gone!

Meh. As long as it's not attached to mechanics, it's an excellent roleplaying tool for players and DMs. There's no need to get rid of it when it's not attached to mechanics.

 

[Maxperson]

But how often does NG and CG differ?

Or LE and NE?

Often if you run them as they are described.

 

[Reynard]

I picked 2E because it was the edition that made Alignment a real force in the cosmology, and not just a description of personality or a extremely vague description of faction.

 

[Minigiant]

Often if you run them as they are described.

But you offer have push outside force to separate the CG from NE. CG tends to need an authority bad enough to rebel against or method far enough but not enough to make NG clearly join them.

Same with LE. You need a code or organization for the LE to join but not the NE.