Quote:
Originally Posted by shortforbob
Alignment - like Travire, I was startled by the changes to alignment and, though I did not care for the old alignment system, I’m still not entirely happy with the asymmetry of the new one either. However, there’s a gross misunderstanding of “unaligned” here. Unaligned actually covers two philosophies: a “live and let live” attitude, probably characteristic of most people in real life and most neutral monsters in old editions; and a deliberate rejection of alignment considerations in favor of an overarching ideal. “Unaligned” is not a license to behave any way you like, and a group that thinks it is has misunderstood the rules, or else is not interested in alignment as a role-playing aid (and should probably just drop it).
Paladins are a particularly bad example to seize upon. Each paladin is dedicated to the service of a particular god, who must be chosen at the PC’s creation, and the paladin must act to uphold the commandments of that god, which are spelled out in the rules. Acting contrary to that god’s commandments is going to get the paladin in trouble, even if the paladin is unaligned or (especially) evil!
Eladrin - The inevitable third branch, drow, made it into a later book. I find it an elegant way of streamlining the proliferation of elven races in previous editions.
Roles Roles are present in the new edition as a way of understanding what a class is good at by default. Making a class do something other than its default role can be done, but it takes work and insight into the rules. Not all players are interested in that sort of work, so the roles are there to help them decide what’s needed for the party.
shortforbob
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Why would you think a "live and let live" attitude is characteristic of most people in real life? Most of the people I know are deeply, passionately concerned about things THAT DO NOT CONCERN THEM AND ARE NONE OF THEIR BUSINESS once it's brought to their attention. I know a lot more crusaders than bystanders.
I also understand that gods would be more concerned with their Paladins, but I don't buy that they'd be dismissive of everyone else and not concerned about them upholding their alignment and being the best (or worst) person they could be. I think all your Paladin comments should hold equally true for all characters.
I didn't find the Eladrin an elegant way of doing anything but offering 2 types of elves in the same book and cutting out other core races in favor of them.
And the "roles" are from a strictly tactical-strategic-combat point of view, which is why I hated 4E. Because you're not talking about "roles" as in "roleplaying" the "roles" is filling out combat and tactical positions.