Best RPGs For Playing As Chaotic Good Characters

Summary

Alignment chartsoriginated in the world of Dungeons & Dragons, with characters mapped according to two axes: the moral and ethical. The result was nine alignments, stretching between lawful, neutral, and chaotic on one side and evil, neutral, and good on the other. This style of character analysis has evolved further, with fans of many different games, films, and shows (to name a few mediums) categorizing characters according to this iconic 3x3 grid.

This list takes a look at some great RPGs for playing as characters who fall into the category of chaotic good. The term usually denotes characters who are generally positive and well-meaning, but who sometimes do unconventional or frowned upon things to achieve their goals, carving their own path rather than adhering to some of society’s norms and conventions. This especially manifests in an opposition to order and authority, as those systems can often feel too restrictive — or foster corruption. Naturally, some of these games draw from Dungeons & Dragons, where alignment is still commonly used to divide characters by their traits. Others aren’t inspired by the popular game, but retain the same ability to embody enthralling characters with fascinating skills and traits.

Quite a departure from other games on this list,Outer Worldsoffers a satirical look at space colonization, with players taking on the role of the Captain, a messy but ultimately well-meaning protagonist who tries his best to represent what is right against a backdrop of corporate greed on an intergalactic scale.

Gameplay includesnavigating alien colonies, challenging the exploitation of corporations, interacting with other characters, and some tactical combat. Players can edit weapons to suit their play style, and decisions made in conversations have a huge impact on the story, meaning players can really embrace being a ‘chaotic good’ character as much as they want.

InThe Witcher 3, players are Gerald of Rivia,a monster hunter who exists in a morally gray fantasy worldfull of lore that shapes his story. On his quest to find his adopted daughter Ciri, Geralt must battle against the captains of the Wild Hunt.

While it could be argued that Geralt is a neutral character in the grand scheme of things, player decisions factor into how Geralt’s story pans out, and many choose to journey through the game on the ‘chaotic good’ side of things.

Divinity: Original Sin 2is a game that clearly takes some inspiration from Dungeons and Dragons, with a similar gameplay strategy and excellent multiplayer options. Players are ‘Sourcerers,’ a group fighting to reclaim their magical powers (manipulating energy to cast spells) in a world where they are persecuted.

While lots of players debate over whether any of the Origin characters inDivinity: Original Sin 2truly fit into the chaotic good archetype, the closest is arguably Beast. A companion character, Beast is a caring and loving person who tends to make poor decisions, failing to think before doing. Players can also design their own characters, defining their morality through in-game choices.

Fallout: New Vegastakes place in a post-apocalyptic version of the Mojave Desert, known as the Mojave Wasteland, with player decisions shaping the way the world develops as they move through the story. Most fans of the game would agree that the protagonist, a courier who awakens with a mysterious injury, is a chaotic good character.

There are other ways for players to playFallout: New Vegasfrom a chaotic good perspective.The Kings, one of the minor factions that can be found in the Mojave Wasteland, generally operate in a chaotic good direction, with one of their key tenets being a basic respect for every character. Players can join the Kings as an honorary member.

TheMass Effecttrilogy tells the tale of anintergalactic conflict between humans and an advanced machine race, the Reapers, with players taking on the role of Commander Shepard. Shepard must navigate difficult decisions that could affect the future of the human race. The choices players make are what make theMass Effect Trilogyfeel authentic and meaningful, meaning players can certainly embody an archetypal ‘chaotic good’ role if they choose.

A lot of players find that Commander Shepard exemplifies the ideals of the chaotic good archetype: he always seeks to protect the innocent and inspire other characters in the battle against the Reapers, even if that means bending the rules to do what he thinks is right, and sometimes defying authority for the sake of the greater good. Of course, Commander Shepard doesn’t have to be played as a ‘chaotic good’ character, but players can lean into playing as ‘Paragon Shepard’ for a sense of goodness, with the room to add some unorthodox choices throughout the story via Renegade choices.

This classic dark fantasy questing tale is another game with similarities to Dungeons & Dragons, despite being a completely original story. Players lead a band of heroes in a fight against the Blight, a mysterious corrupting force that threatens civilization.

Choices really matter inDragon Age: Origins, so there’s plenty of room for players to carve out a unique moral stance here, including, of course, taking on a chaotic good role. There’s plenty a chaotic good character could do inDragon Age: Origins, including challenging oppressive traditions, fighting for vulnerable characters, and making alliances that suit the chaotic good archetype.

Skyrimchallenges the player to a quest in which they must defeat a dragon prophesized to destroy the world.The vast open-world setting makes for lots of exploration in a variety of different environments inspired by Scandinavia. Players are also challenged to make decisions that impact the gameplay, meaning there are plenty of opportunities to play as a chaotic good character.

Choices inSkyrimthat are ‘chaotic good’ in nature could include helping other characters, defying authority, and prioritizing goals for the greater good. Players could join the Thieves Guild to steal from the rich or immoral, or choose companions that align with their moral goals.

Perhaps the most obvious choice for RPGs that consider the alignment of characters,Baldur’s Gate 3is indeed based on D&D, set in the Dungeons & Dragon setting of the Forgotten Realms, blending rich narrative with tactical combat as players venture on a quest to uncover why they have mysteriously woken up infected with a parasitic tadpole.

Players can create their own custom protagonist, known as Tav, offering maximum choice when determining character style and behavior, or they may choose to embrace one of several of Origin Characters; for example,playing as Karlack, a fiery Tieflingfull of determination and passion to help others — even if her methods are unconventional.