I agree it’s a good starting point, and I think that’s how it should remain. It’s also faster to describe “I’m lawful good” instead of “my code of ethics involves…” but I don’t like it when people use it as a defining characteristic for their character.
What reasons they have for following that alignment is much more interesting than just saying they’re following it. How does their personality and desires play into it? Where might they do something against it?
I agree it’s useful for communication, but a lot of people stop at that and don’t consider their character’s opinions, desires, and goals further.
Totally agree with that. But that’s almost always on the people at the table to encourage, and to do so only after the new player has gotten comfortable with the basics. I’ve seen too many cases where veteran players push new players to go deep on character motivation when they’re not even comfortable with improving in front of other people yet. Can be a big turn off to newbies who aren’t really excited to sink their teeth into the game from the get-go
I agree it’s a good starting point, and I think that’s how it should remain. It’s also faster to describe “I’m lawful good” instead of “my code of ethics involves…” but I don’t like it when people use it as a defining characteristic for their character.
What reasons they have for following that alignment is much more interesting than just saying they’re following it. How does their personality and desires play into it? Where might they do something against it?
I agree it’s useful for communication, but a lot of people stop at that and don’t consider their character’s opinions, desires, and goals further.
Totally agree with that. But that’s almost always on the people at the table to encourage, and to do so only after the new player has gotten comfortable with the basics. I’ve seen too many cases where veteran players push new players to go deep on character motivation when they’re not even comfortable with improving in front of other people yet. Can be a big turn off to newbies who aren’t really excited to sink their teeth into the game from the get-go