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Any effect that depends on alignment affects a creature with this subtype as if the creature has an evil alignment, no matter what its alignment actually is. The creature also suffers effects according to its actual alignment.
How exactly does this come into play? Say you have a succubus paladin (i.e. my namesake) who wields a holy weapon, does she choose the most advantageous effect? Or does she suffer a negative level while being able to wield it? Do the two alignments cancel each other out?
Please help.
First, combine like terms, and then multiply:
Succubus(Paladin + Holy Avenger)
Any effect that depends on alignment affects a creature with this subtype as if the creature has an evil alignment, no matter what its alignment actually is. The creature also suffers effects according to its actual alignment.How exactly does this come into play? Say you have a succubus paladin (i.e. my namesake) who wields a holy weapon, does she choose the most advantageous effect? Or does she suffer a negative level while being able to wield it? Do the two alignments cancel each other out?
Please help.
That means if a LG demon picks up a holy weapon she gets negative levels because she has the Evil subtype and counts as evil. If she picks up an unholy weapon she still gets negative levels because she is good aligned.
She can also use a magic item that can only be used by evil creatures (because she counts as evil), and she can use an item that can only be used by good creatures (because she's good). If an item cannot be used by evil creatures, she can't use it (because she counts as evil.)
Basically, she counts as whatever her alignment is AND she also counts as evil, both at the same time.
This is one of those situations that I typically houserule to fit the situation. Outsiders are physically composed of the stuff of their representative alignment, represented by the [alignment] subtype they have, so if they actually manage to change their alignment (a rare as all heck situation), I generally assume that something physically changes as well, usually represented by them swapping out alignment subtypes.
I've had this come up at our table a few times, most recently with a fallen hound archon oracle of an evil god. I basically ruled exactly as Quantum Steve suggests. Think of it like the Elf Blood trait of half-elves. A half-elf counts as both elf and human for effects. A redeemed succubus has basically "Evil Blood" and counts as good and evil for effects.
In the 4th Council of Thieves adventure path there is an good (subtype) outsider with an evil alignment. As a result she is affected by things that affect subtype alignments and things that affect regular alignment. - Gauss
So a Succubus Paladin can still by smited by other, over-zealous, Paladins.
Miko, I'm looking at you. ;)
So a Succubus Paladin can still by smited by other, over-zealous, Paladins.
Miko, I'm looking at you. ;)
Correct. In fact, Smite Evil, Smite Good, Smite Chaos and Smite Law are all effective against her.
Likewise, she will 'ping' to any of the four detect $alignment spells.|
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At that point I'd probably downplay the original [type] alignment's mechanics and just keep a flavor effect, while having the actual current alignment be the one that really matters mechanically.
Like say, succubus paladin weilds a holy sword. It works for her entirely, but there's always steam rising from her palms and observant viewers can tell she's fighting off the pain. Some negative to hit perhaps, not negative levels or anything that severe.
Then again, these guys are so rare that it would probably just be tweaked on a case-by-case basis. Probably something reflective of how "far" they've moved into their new alignment. Risen fiend still in the "penance" phase still has the old subtype for a while. Eventually loses it. Further down the line they'll finally gain that [Good] type. Keeps redemption as a long, sometimes painful, process rather than flipping a switch.