Is there a restriction on changing alignments? For example, the starting alignments on Druid’s Character Sheet are chaotic, good and neutral. Can the player change alignment to anything else than the three?
Is there a restriction on changing alignments?
Is there a restriction on changing alignments?
I suggest you to read the book till page 32.
Shouldn’t it be 34? I asked about alignments, not bonds. And I’ve read the (whole) book. It’s still not clear. It doesn’t say explicitly that players can or cannot change alignment to something that isn’t preset by their classes. It simply says that alignments can change and when it happens players choose their new alignments. What is the restriction of the new ones?
I’m tempted to answer this as “Think about the fiction first.” Mechanics are all and good, but fiction takes precedence. This way, if it makes sense in-game for a character to change her alignment (let’s say your Good Druid now is taken by revenge against the civilization, maybe he’s now a Chaotic or even Evil character, depending on how far she goes), just do it. And don’t be restricted by the “original” alignments, since they are starting points (which help limiting choices and streamline character generation, but shouldn’t limit roleplaying after that).
Older classic RPGs would impose XP penalties to those who change alignment, but YMMV. I think I’d ask the player to lose 2 XP (things she learned now may make less sense when seen by a different perspective and would need more time to adjust), but not more than that.
Thank you,Marcelo Paschoalin. That’s exactly what I needed and the suggestion about losing 2 XP sounds reasonable too.
Whenever someone gains xp through their alignment at the end of session, they can opt to not gain that xp to change their alignment. That’s how the basic rules do it anyways.
Linked below are some examples of additional alignment moves for the base classes that I had come across sometime ago:
docs.google.com – DW-Base class alignment moves (complete!)
Pakkaphon Sae-Chiew Chapter “Changing alignment” begins on p32 of the book and page 33 of the pdf. It’s crystal clear:
“Alignment can, and will, change. Usually such a change comes about as a gradual move toward a decisive moment. Any time a character’s view of the world has fundamentally shifted they can chose a new alignment. The player must have a reason for the change which they can explain to the other players. In some cases a player character may switch alignment moves while still keeping the same alignment. This reflects a smaller shift, one of priority instead of a wholesale shift in thinking. They simply choose a new move for the same alignment from below and mention why their character now sees this as important.”
Scott Selvidge I must be wrong but I haven’t read that rule anywhere.
It’s crystal clear that you didn’t understand my question.
I asked if the new alignment must be the same as provided by the class.
1. Alignment can, and will, change.
> Didn’t answer
2. Usually such a change comes about as a gradual move toward a decisive moment.
> Didn’t answer
3. Any time a character’s view of the world has fundamentally shifted they can chose a new alignment.
> Didn’t answer
4. The player must have a reason for the change which they can explain to the other players.
> Didn’t answer
5. In some cases a player character may switch alignment moves while still keeping the same alignment.
> Didn’t answer
6. This reflects a smaller shift, one of priority instead of a wholesale shift in thinking.
> Didn’t answer
7. They simply choose a new move for the same alignment from below and mention why their character now sees this as important.
> Didn’t answer
Which of the 7 sentences that you quoted answers my question, Magi max ?
lol
If you want a translation, it means do as you please
I think the book is clear enough on the matter. The section on changing alignments doesn’t say you are restricted to the three on your sheet, therefore you aren’t, just make sure it makes fictional sense. The reason they list three for a class is both to save space and to suggest what they think is most “representative” of that class. The only alignment-class combos that are tricky are for Paladin, but as long as they serve the appropriate god I would let them be any alignment and tweak the details of Quest as needed.
I don’t think you should penalize them 2 XP for changing. The rules don’t tell you to and it seems harsh for no good reason.
Magi max you know, I could have swore that rule was somewhere in the book, but I’m not finding it. I wonder if I heard it in a video where people were playing or something. Oh well, just changing it fictionally works better anyways. The SRD does give good examples to choose if you decide to change alignments.
Lawful
Uphold the letter of the law over the spirit
Fulfill a promise of import
Bring someone to justice
Choose honor over personal gain
Return treasure to its rightful owner
Good
Ignore danger to aid another
Lead others into righteous battle
Give up powers or riches for the greater good
Reveal a dangerous lie
Show mercy
Neutral
Make an ally of someone powerful
Defeat a personally important foe
Learn a secret about an enemy
Uncover a hidden truth
Chaotic
Reveal corruption
Break an unjust law to benefit another
Defeat a tyrant
Reveal hypocrisy
Evil
Take advantage of someone’s trust
Cause suffering for its own sake
Destroy something beautiful
Upset the rightful order
Harm an innocent
Scott Selvidge Magi max Randomly I am watching it right now, and Adam says exactly what you did, Scott: reject the XP to change. But that isn’t in the rules so I wouldn’t run it that way. Why? Because if the alignment isn’t working for the player it is stupid to force them to trigger an event that doesn’t represent their character. That’s not following the fiction or being a fan of the characters. Heres the link to the part where he talks about it: youtube.com – Dungeon World One-Shot P1 | Roll20 Games Master Series
Jason Shea That’s it! Yeah I’m not fond of making them do that either. I was just spouting what I could remember about it. At least I know I’m not crazy!
» The section on changing alignments doesn’t say you are restricted to the three on your sheet
Which is as I said: “It doesn’t say explicitly that players can or cannot change alignment to something that isn’t preset by their classes”. That’s why I asked, to confirm. Why would someone suggest that I read the book if I already know that it doesn’t say anything EXPLICITLY and then called that “crystal clear”? If it really is crystal clear then surely you can point out which sentence that you quoted indicated it. But no, Magi Max lol’d as if I said something wrong. I said it is not explicit and it still isn’t explicit.
On the other hand my question was very clear:
Is there a restriction? (Y/N)
Can the player change to anything? (Y/N)
Oh you should read and wonder about what you are wondering again because what I suggest you to read didn’t say anything about what you asked and you should assume that it means a no and a yes which if you would assume that in the first place so you would need a suggestion to read it after you asked others.
I get annoyed since the first time I read the suggestion because I posted the question after reading the book and couldn’t find what I want. It’s like saying “Hey, you look like you aren’t bright enough to look up ‘changing alignment’ when you’re not sure on changing alignment.”
Thank you for everyone who really gave some explanation.
Jason Shea The reason I wasn’t sure is because it looks like Dungeon World gets house-ruled a lot and the system made that easy. Some people doesn’t like the class-race restriction and just add new race moves and that works as if the game was designed that way. I also thought that it’s possible to choose any alignment because the book doesn’t say that you couldn’t do so, but because it doesn’t say either that you could, I’m not sure if this is playing “by the book”. It might not matter in playing but I prefer knowing which part of my game is houseruling, if any.