Best RPGs For Playing As Lawful Evil Characters

by

Summary

  • Some RPGs like Baldur’s Gate 3 and Pathfinder: Kingmaker offer players the option to create a Lawful Evil character.
  • Joining factions like the Dark Brotherhood in Skyrim allows players to embody a Lawful Evil role through strict codes.
  • Games like Warhammer 40k: Rogue Trader and Planescape: Torment give players opportunities to follow a Lawful Evil path through their choices.

As a seasoned RPG adventurer with over two decades of experience, I have seen it all – from the darkest corners of the Planescape to the grand halls of Warhammer 40K. And let me tell you, there’s nothing quite like crafting a lawful evil character to make your gaming sessions truly memorable.

In many Role-Playing Games (RPGs), players have the freedom to decide the course of action in the world they traverse. However, certain games resort to the Dungeons & Dragons moral alignment system as a guide for players when creating their characters.

While most game systems typically steer clear of letting players control truly evil characters, they do incorporate moral alignments like ‘lawful evil’. A lawful evil character adheres to a rigid set of rules for their own advantage, making them an intriguing choice in Role-Playing Games (RPGs). These games are some of the top choices for those who wish to play as a lawfully evil character.

7. The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim

Joining The Dark Brotherhood Is The Definition Of Lawful Evil

In Skyrim, players have the freedom to traverse the world according to their own preferences. Some factions within the game can be seen as representations of various moral standings found in Dungeons and Dragons. If a player wants to embody a Lawful Evil Dragonborn character, they should consider joining the Dark Brotherhood.

In numerous Elder Scrolls games, this secretive group known as the Dark Brotherhood has been present. Players joining them must adhere to a strict set of rules and, paradoxically, execute assignments that involve taking lives. Consequently, any player who is a member of the Dark Brotherhood in Skyrim should diligently follow the Five Tenets of the Dark Brotherhood when carrying out their contracts.

6. Baldur’s Gate 3

Oathbreaker Paladins Follow Their Own Code

It’s not astonishing that players in Baldur’s Gate 3, being deeply inspired by Dungeons and Dragons, have numerous options to make decisions, which align exceptionally well with the ethical standards of the tabletop game. Certain character classes in Baldur’s Gate 3 are particularly tied to these principles; for instance, Paladins must adhere to a code if they wish to uphold their oath.

Instead of adhering to the typical vows taken by clerics which would place them in the lawful good alignment, a player who violates their oath assumes the role of an Oathbreaker Paladin, following a unique code instead. Consequently, such a player can choose to make morally questionable decisions that enhance their power, all while abiding by the guidelines provided by the primary Oathbreaker Paladin.

5. Pillars Of Eternity

An Aggressive And Passionate Disposition Could Be Lawful Evil

In the game Pillars of Eternity, players can exhibit various alignments in a unique way, which is referred to as their Disposition. The game offers a total of ten dispositions that players can gradually favor through their decisions, but none of these options explicitly allow for the creation of a lawful evil character.

When a player becomes increasingly assertive, they might come off as aloof to some characters, yet appreciated by others for not backing down. This unwavering commitment to their beliefs, even if it boosts their power, mirrors the essence of a lawful evil character. At the same time, their enthusiasm fuels them in achieving their goals.

4. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

The Witcher Code Can Be Used In Powerful Ways

In the game “The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt,” the protagonist, Geralt, initially presents as a neutral character, allowing players to influence him throughout their role-playing experience, which was developed by CD Projekt Red. Certain decisions that may appear evil within the context of “The Witcher 3” can be rationalized based on the Witcher code that Geralt adheres to; however, this rationale only explains a portion of his actions, as not all of them align perfectly with the code’s principles.

Because Geralt adheres to the Witcher’s code, his actions, which the player directs, can be interpreted as lawful evil. This means that while players might fear Geralt due to his effectiveness in eliminating monsters, it is important to note that not all these creatures are equally malevolent.

3. Pathfinder: Kingmaker

Choices Move The Player’s Alignment

Pathfinder is another role-playing game similar to Dungeons & Dragons, which employs a moral alignment system to help players establish the motivations and ethical standards of their characters. This feature carries over into the numerous Pathfinder video games developed, including titles like “Pathfinder: Kingmaker” by Owlcat Games.

In Pathfinder: Kingmaker, players aren’t just assigned their moral stance at the outset; they also receive dialogue options that reflect specific alignments as they progress. This allows players to craft a lawful evil character and consistently uphold those values throughout gameplay. Notably, this can be achieved more effectively since the player has the ability to eliminate anyone who opposes them.

2. Warhammer 40k: Rogue Trader

Being Dogmatic Can Be Evil

“Owlcat has developed numerous video games derived from tabletop RPGs. Another engaging title that lets players create a lawful evil character is Warhammer 40K: Rogue Trader. Unlike Pathfinder: Kingmaker, this game doesn’t utilize the same alignment system, but it does offer an opportunity for players to make dogmatic choices, which can indicate unwavering loyalty to the Imperium.

In the context of the Imperium, some choices made via the Dogmatic path may seem dubious, yet it’s feasible for a player to exhibit lawful-evil characteristics while choosing the Heretic route, primarily driven by a desire for power. However, artifacts off-limits by the Imperium can serve as temptations they might find hard to resist.

1. Planescape: Torment

Players Can Make Both Lawful And Evil Choices

In the game titled “Planescape: Torment”, your character, known as The Nameless One, doesn’t have a fixed alignment. Instead, it is the decisions you make throughout the RPG that will gradually reveal your character’s true nature. Since the choices are largely up to you, they will guide your character towards specific alignments from the “Dungeons and Dragons” game system.

In the game “Planescape: Torment”, your character initially starts as Neutral. However, throughout the game, it’s the player’s choice to make decisions that lean towards both good and bad (lawful and evil), which can ultimately shift your character’s alignment towards Lawful Evil. Without a mod, there’s no built-in system to track this alignment, but if a player consistently chooses to act in an uncompromisingly cruel or selfish manner, their character will likely evolve into a Lawful Evil one.

Read More

2024-12-17 06:08