This article details the Dungeons & Dragons evil character alignments chart. In some ways it simplifies the nature of evil and corruption and is by no means the only way to write evil characters. Think of it as a guideline.
Table of Contents
Good vs. Evil
At the heart of a “good” character is the need to protect the innocent. We see that in superheroes like Captain America and Wonder Woman time and time again. “Evil” characters, on the other hand, seek to make the innocent suffer. Sometimes this is so they can profit from it, and sometimes it is merely for the fun of it. While “good” characters have a respect for life and make personal sacrifices to help others, “evil” characters harm, oppress and even kill others.
But between good and evil there is the neutral character. “Neutral” characters, with respect to good and evil, do not like to kill the innocent and actively avoid it when they can, but will not go out of their way to sacrifice themselves to save the innocent. “Neutral” characters only seek to benefit themselves and those few whom the care for.
Lawful Evil
Examples:
Thanos (The Marvel Cinematic Universe, especially Avengers: Infinity War)
Viren (The Dragon Prince)
Fire Lord Ozai (Avatar: The Last Airbender)
These are the characteristics of a Lawful Evil character within the D&D the evil character alignments chart:
● They do not lie
● They always follow the law (even if that means becoming the law)
● They do not betray others
● They will harm the innocent to promote order or to advance themselves
● They do honour legitimate authorities that promote them and their comrades
● They do not aid the weak
● They will kill in order to advance themselves or promote order
● They use the law in order to advance themselves and their comrades.
● They do not aid criminals or those who protect the weak
● They seek unlimited power over others and order in society.
Further Reading: http://easydamus.com/lawfulevil.html
Neutral Evil
Examples:
Ego (Marvel Cinematic Universe – Guardians of the Galaxy: Volume 2)
President Snow (The Hunger Games Trilogy)
Petyr “Littlefinger” Baelish (Game of Thrones)
These are the characteristics of a Neutral Evil character within the D&D the evil character alignments chart:
● The lie to advance themselves
● They kill to advance themselves
● They harm the innocent in order to advance themselves
● They honour those who are stronger than them
● They do not aid the weak
● They only follow the law in order to advance themselves
● They do not aid those who protect the weak
● They will betray their friends, family, community and country in order to advance themselves
● They do not show mercy to their enemies
● They seek unlimited power over others
Further Reading: http://easydamus.com/neutralevil.html
Chaotic Evil
Examples:
Surtur (Marvel Cinematic Universe – Thor: Ragnarok)
The Joker (The Dark Knight, and DC Comics)
Ramsay Snow (Game of Thrones)
These are the characteristics of a Chaotic Evil character within the D&D the evil character alignments chart:
● They lie whenever it is convenient
● They kill for pleasure
● They harm the innocent whenever convenient
● They do not honour anyone before themselves
● They break the law whenever it is convenient
● They will betray their friends, family, community and country whenever it is convenient
● They pursue all forms of pleasure
● They harm those who protect the weak or honour laws
● They seek unlimited power over other and unlimited freedom for themselves
Further Reading: http://easydamus.com/chaoticevil.html
3 comments
Oh my goodness, this is so good! It’s making me compare the villains in my story to these guys to see where they’d fall, it’s lots of fun!
Awesome post, Wadzanai!! I loved reading this!
This is actually really cool! It’s fun comparing this to movie and book villains along with my own characters. I think I’ve got two neutral evil and one chaotic evil. Thank you for this!
This is really helpful! I’m going to have to evaluate my own villains, and this will be super helpful in the future when creating new ones! Good post!