Summary
While many RPGs tend to allow players tomake their own choicesto define the world they explore, some games rely on theDungeons and Dragonsmoral alignment system to help the players define the character they are playing.
Although the moral alignment system used in games tends to avoid allowing players to take on the role of an evil character, this system does include moral alignments, such as lawful evil. By a character being lawful evil, the character tends to use a strict code that allows them to better improve their own power. These RPGs are some of the best that allow players to play as a lawful evil character.
Players are able to explore the world ofSkyrimhowever they see fit. Although some factions easily represent the different moral alignments that are seen inDungeons and Dragons.Players who wish to play as a lawful evil Dragonborn should be sure to join the Dark Brotherhood.
This faction has been present in many of theElder Scrollsgames and players are forced to follow a strict code while also tasked with assassinating people. Therefore, a player who is part of the Dark Brotherhood inSkyrimshould be sure to keep to the Five Tenets ofthe Dark Brotherhoodwhile completing their contracts.
SinceBaldur’s Gate 3is heavily influenced byDungeons and Dragons, it’s no surprise that players are able tomake so many choicesin this RPG that match up brilliantly with the moral alignments of the tabletop. Some classes inBaldur’s Gate 3play heavily into these alignments, as Paladins must follow a code if they hope to keep their oath.
While the usual oaths clerics take would put them on the lawful good side of the alignment, a player that breaks their oath will become an Oathbreaker paladin and now follow their own code. Therefore, a player may make evil choices that will make them more powerful while also keeping to a code given to them by the main Oathbreaker Paladin.
Pillars of Eternityhas its own way of players displaying different alignments, known as their Disposition. With a total of ten dispositions for the player to lean into through the player’s choices, none of the options directly relate to a player being able to create a lawful evil character.
However, with a player becoming more aggressive, a player may be viewed as standoffish by some characters, while others enjoy that the player doesn’t allow themselves to be pushed around. This certainty to follow the player’s beliefs, even if to make themselves more powerful, is identical to what it means to be a lawful evil character while being passionate also pushes the player toward getting what they want.
Geralt inThe Witcher 3: Wild Huntstarts the game as quite a neutral character that the player can push in various directions while they play the RPG developed by CD Projekt Red. Some of these choices, although evil inThe Witcher3, can be justified by the Witcher code that Geralt is supposed to follow, though this only justifies some – but not all – of his actions.
Since Geralt is still following the code of what it meansto be a Witcher, the actions of this character that the player controls could therefore be seen as lawful evil, with players turning Geralt into a Witcher that should definitely be feared even if he’s killing monsters. Some of these monsters are not as evil as others.
Pathfinderis another tabletop RPG that uses the moral alignment chart to help players define the motives and morals of their character. This continues to be the case also in the variousPathfindervideo games created, such asPathfinder: Kingmakerby Owlcat Games.
Players don’t only choose their moral alignment at the start ofPathfinder: Kingmaker, but are also given various dialogue options while playing that are highlighted as being connected to a certain alignment. This therefore means a player is able to create a lawful evil character and easily keep to those beliefs throughout their playthrough, especially as the player can execute anyone who disagrees.
Owlcat has made many other video gamesbased on tabletop RPGs. Another great option that allows players to make their own lawful evil character isWarhammer 40K: Rogue Trader. While this game may not use the same alignment system that is seen inPathfinder: Kingmaker, players can decide to make Dogmatic choices, which shows them to blindly follow the Imperium.
While following the law of the Imperium, many of the decisions made through Dogmatic options are questionable, though a player can also be lawful evil while taking a Heretic route due to wanting to be powerful, though artifacts that the Imperium doesn’t want them touching.
As the Nameless One inPlanescape: Torment, it is up to the choices made by the player during their adventure in this RPG to discover the alignment of their character. As the player is left to their own vices to make various choices, these choices will lead the player toward certain alignments fromDungeons and Dragons.
Since a player starts the gameas True Neutral, it is up to the player to make what they deem as both evil and lawful decisions inPlanescape: Tormentto tip the scales further to lawful evil. While there is no way to track this alignment in the game without a mod, a player who vows to be evil and then keeps to their word, or gives the cruel truth in certain situations, is sure to see themselves becoming a lawful evil character.
