The Dungeons and Dragons Alignment Chart Explained
We’re here to explain the DnD alignment chart!
If you’re on the internet, you’ve already seen plenty of Dungeons & Dragons alignment chart memes. Whether it’s how to squeeze toothpaste, mark a book, or arrange a room, there’s probably a 3x3 grid out there with spots filled in lawful good, neutral good, chaotic good, lawful neutral, true neutral, chaotic neutral, lawful evil, neutral evil, and chaotic evil. We have to admit – these can be pretty hilarious. But did you know that the D&D character alignment chart is actually an important part of playing the game? Lest you ever leave that tiny little “Alignment” box empty (or miss out on being able to explain the origin of one of the best memes around), we’ll tell you everything you need to know about the 9 character alignments in Dungeons & Dragons.
Where Did the D&D Alignment Chart Come From?
Gary Gygax first explained the DnD alignment chart in Advanced Dungeons & Dragons back in 1977
Back in 1974, two guys, Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson, created the very first version of Dungeons & Dragons. Much of it has remained the same, but there’s a lot that’s different from the D&D you probably know and love. In this version, players could only choose three alignments: chaotic (following an individual’s whims), lawful (following a particular code), and neutral (a balance of lawful and chaotic). Imagine this like a vertical spectrum with lawful on the top, chaotic on the bottom, and neutral in the middle. Gary Gygax did some retooling to release a new version of D&D in 1977, called “Advanced Dungeons & Dragons.” Among other changes, this version added a second spectrum: good (altruistic, valuing all life), evil (selfish, disrespecting life), and neutral (a balance of the two).
After seeing people play the first version of the game, Gygax wanted to make sure D&D players didn’t just play all lawful characters as good or chaotic characters as evil. Think of Thanos in the MCU, who is definitely evil (murder is bad!) but has a very particular system by which he’s enacting his evil: eliminating exactly half of all creatures from existence to preserve the remaining resources in the universe. That’s lawful evil! Or consider a classic character like Robin Hood; he’s definitely not on the side of the law (he steals!), but he’s doing good in the world, making sure the poor have everything they need. That’s chaotic good! These two spectrums, good-to-evil and lawful-to-chaotic, resulted in the D&D alignment system we all know today.
What Are The 9 Character Alignments in D&D?
Choosing one of the three aspects from these two spectrums gives players a choice between 9 total character alignments in D&D: lawful good, neutral good, chaotic good, lawful neutral, true neutral, chaotic neutral, lawful evil, neutral evil, and chaotic evil. Across the history of D&D, there have been all different types of characters with each of these alignments, each of them with their own unique spin on how this combination of traits presents itself.
Good Alignments on the D&D Chart
Superman would definitely have a lawful good alignment chart in DnD
Good characters will be a majority of the players in a Dungeons & Dragons campaign (after all, it’s pretty unlikely a bunch of bad guys will work together in a party for long)! Good-aligned characters, according to D&D, believe in the value of life and selflessness. They can be lawful good, neutral good, or chaotic good. A lawful good character is one who believes in law and order and upholds the value of life and the living; think Superman, from DC Comics, obeying the laws of the land and saving people’s lives as he does. A neutral good character is one who is fairly honest, doesn’t feel a strong compulsion to follow rules, but does feel strongly about doing good; think Luke Skywaker, from Star Wars, who sometimes follows the Jedi, sometimes follows the Rebellion, but always follows what he believes is right. A chaotic good character is one who prefers freedom and flexibility to order and uses that freedom to altruistic ends; think Eda Clawthorne, from Owl House, who has fully rebelled against the world and the coven to do her own thing, but cares for Luz and King (and, yes, even Hooty).
Neutral Dungeons & Dragons Alignments
If you have the DnD alignment chaotic neutral, you follow your heart wherever it takes you
Neutral characters still have a place in D&D parties, adding an interesting new element to a mix of characters. Neutrally-aligned characters, according to D&D, tend to be okay with making sacrifices to protect people but are against killing innocent people. They can be lawful neutral, true neutral, or chaotic neutral. A lawful neutral character is one who has a code of honor but is morally gray; think Red Hood, from DC Comics (or John Wick, from John Wick) who is willing to kill people to stop them from doing evil, but will never take the life of innocents. A true neutral character strikes a perfect balance of system and individual, good and evil; think Shadow the Hedgehog, from Sonic the Hedgehog, who sometimes follows the rules, sometimes doesn’t, sometimes fights for good, sometimes doesn’t – a guy who’s on his own side. A chaotic neutral character is one who follows their heart, which can sometimes lead them towards good actions, and sometimes towards evil ones; think of Han Solo, from Star Wars, who’s willing to shoot someone to avoid paying a debt but will also come back to help his friends when they need to destroy the Death Star.
Evil on the D&D Alignment System
Darth Vader would land on the lawful evil chart for sure
Evil characters are usually reserved for enemies in D&D, and you can probably imagine why. Evil-aligned characters, according to D&D, hurt and kill people, sometimes taking pleasure in doing so. They can be lawful evil, neutral evil, or chaotic evil. A lawful evil character is one who has a set code for how they do things, but still pursues evil, whether on their own or in service to a greater power; think Darth Vader, from Star Wars, who has the (totally legal) backing of the Empire behind him as he Force-chokes people to death and blows up innocent planets. A neutral evil character is one who doesn’t feel compelled to follow or reject the law, but still seeks to harm others; think Smaug, from The Hobbit, who will kill and steal for selfish gain with no regards to who owns what. A chaotic evil character is one who acts freely, even recklessly, on their mission to hurt others; think The Joker, from DC Comics, who rejects any authority and delights in using unconventional methods to enact his evil schemes.
D&D Alignments Explained For 5E (2024)
There’s no DnD chart test to speak of in DnD 5e (2024), just your own idea for your character!
A character’s Dungeons & Dragons alignment used to have a lot more effect on how the game itself was played. There used to be alignment requirements for classes, like only good characters could play paladins. Certain spells and items also used to only work on or with certain alignments, like a necrotic sword only evil characters could wield. Up until 2020, races came with a suggested alignment, and certain monsters would have a hard-set alignment. All of this is out the window; player races don’t have alignments, and even monster alignments are only a suggestion.
Now, rather than limiting how one can play the game, D&D alignments are more about describing (and inspiring) your character. To quote the Players Handbook (2024), “A creature’s alignment broadly describes its ethical attitudes and ideals….Alignment can shape a character’s personality, goals, and core beliefs.” That’s it! Rather than constraining what your character can do, D&D alignments are now meant to show what your character might do in a situation. They’re essentially a helpful guide for how to roleplay your character in a pinch – and they’re not going to stop you from bringing your awesome character to life!
Play With the D&D Alignment System Online
The best way to see how the D&D alignment chart works is to see it in action. By playing a character: taking them on an adventure, having them interact with a party, and giving them difficult choices on their travels, you can see how a character’s alignment affects them. And if you’re struggling to find a D&D group to play with, we can help. We run D&D groups entirely online for geek-minded tweens and teens looking to sink their teeth into the game. Our professional Dungeon Masters will help you create your own character and teach you everything you need to know – then take you on an epic, custom-made adventure inspired by your interests, fandoms, and play style!
