PCs Switching Alignment

[ingenuus]

How does this generally work in campaigns? I am currently playing in a campaign with a character that started out chaotic neutral but, as the story progresses, I am hoping to switch to neutral good. I have not spoken with my DM about this yet, but I definitely plan too soon. I wanted to see if there were any general rules or considerations before talking to my DM as this is his first D&D game as well.

Is it all the way down to DM discretion or are there some general things that need to be taken into account for this?

[MrSin]

You pay one atonement. Done!

More seriously, its one of those gray areas in the game.

[Kazaan]

From Atonement:

PRD wrote:

Note: Normally, changing alignment is up to the player. This use of atonement offers a method for a character to change his or her alignment drastically, suddenly, and definitively.

Normally, if you want to be Neutral Good from Chaotic Neutral, you stop being overly concerned and attached to pride and personal freedom. It isn't normally a "tit for tat" thing where you need keep your "balance of Lawful deeds and Chaotic deeds for the day equal" or anything like that. Alignment reinforces behavior and behavior, in turn, reinforces alignment; it's a reciprocal relationship. Being Neutral means you don't have a strong attachment to either extreme and, while you may be consistently Lawful, it's not out of any love of Lawfulness or conviction on your part bust just because it happens to benefit you and your Good outlook on life. But, if confronted with the opportunity to do Good in a manner contrary to Lawful action, you have no qualms with acting Chaotically just to do the Good act. This process usually takes time and convincing roleplay.

Atonement, in this case, simply provides a shortcut. You pay for some prayer beads and BAM you're a new alignment with no muss and no fuss on your end. Other, more expensive, uses of Atonement involve restoring powers lost because you violated a required alignment or moral code such as for a Paladin, Druid, Cleric, or Inquisitor.

[Rynjin]

ingenuus wrote:

How does this generally work in campaigns? I am currently playing in a campaign with a character that started out chaotic neutral but, as the story progresses, I am hoping to switch to neutral good. I have not spoken with my DM about this yet, but I definitely plan too soon. I wanted to see if there were any general rules or considerations before talking to my DM as this is his first D&D game as well.

Start out as Chaotic Neutral.

A while before you want to make an alignment shift...just start acting like a Neutral Good guy.

Write down Neutral Good on your sheet when you think your character is at the point where the shift makes sense.

You need no DM discretion. Unless you're a Divine class, there are no mechanical impacts here, so he can't punish you for it within the rules, and the rules directly say that alignment is up to the player.

[Makarion]

Rynjin wrote:

ingenuus wrote:

How does this generally work in campaigns? I am currently playing in a campaign with a character that started out chaotic neutral but, as the story progresses, I am hoping to switch to neutral good. I have not spoken with my DM about this yet, but I definitely plan too soon. I wanted to see if there were any general rules or considerations before talking to my DM as this is his first D&D game as well.

Start out as Chaotic Neutral.

A while before you want to make an alignment shift...just start acting like a Neutral Good guy.

Write down Neutral Good on your sheet when you think your character is at the point where the shift makes sense.

You need no DM discretion. Unless you're a Divine class, there are no mechanical impacts here, so he can't punish you for it within the rules, and the rules directly say that alignment is up to the player.

Generally speaking correct, although it's worth pointing out that (most) monks and barbarians have alignment restrictions as well. And I keep thinking that bards do (but PF thankfully removed that particular restriction).

[Kazaan]

Monks have alignment restrictions when it comes to taking further levels in Monk, but you lose no abilities you already have if you cease being Lawful. Barbarians work exactly the same, save for that they also can't Rage if they become Lawful. But both of those are mundane alignment restrictions so you don't need atonement to resume taking levels in these classes or to resume using Rage as a Barbarian. All Atonement does, in this case, is become a time saver so you don't have to roleplay out all the stuff about the change; you pay your 500 gold to the nice cleric and BAM, instant salvation.

But if Alignment is part of your code of conduct and the means by which you draw power (typically divine power), just returning to the necessary alignment isn't sufficient; you need Atonement to recover your abilities, and it's the pricey 2.5k atonement.

[Avatar-1]

In PFS, these are the rules I put on myself for alignments (and deities):

Changing alignments between scenarios is fine. There's an indeterminate amount of time between scenarios, you can play out your character's concept as you like here.

If the character has alignment restrictions (like a paladin, monk, druid or barbarian), they can't change alignments or they'll lose their powers.

If you go evil, you either get an atonement, and do it properly, or get out of town.

[blahpers]

Best advice? Stop worrying about what your character sheet says and have your character act the way you want him or her to act. Let the sheet reflect the character, not the other way around. If it has any mechanical impact, so be it.

What's going to happen? Is the GM going to say, "no, you can't do that, you're chaotic good"? (If the GM ever says that when mind-affecting effects aren't involved, find a new GM.). If the GM says your alignment shifts, write it down and forget about it.

[Vincent Takeda]

I did this exact thing in my current campaign. I wrote CN on the sheet but I consistantly played 'good'. When it came time to change I simply asked my gm and it was easy for him to look back on my actions and justify simply saying 'yep. sounds good to me'

[Moondragon Starshadow]

Just remember a few things:
1) Some classes have restrictions based upon alignment.
2) Some deities have alignment issues. You may need to switch your religion.
3) Some alignments result in restrictions to what spells you can cast (druid comes to mind).
4) Some campaigns are designed around "good" or "evil" characters. If you're in an "evil" campaign, then going Neutral Good might be an issue for your GM.

Those are about the only issues I can think of off the top of my head. But alignment changes should be based upon what your character experiences in the game. Maybe helping others has resulted in feelings of joy and happiness and your character now wants to do that.

[ingenuus]

Thanks for all the information everyone. Since I am playing a Dragon Disciple, I shouldn't have any issues class/ability wise with the switch and it fits story wise for my PC.

I appreciate all the responses!