Tips about playing evil Charnames

ShapiroKeatsDarkMage

Can you give me tips about how to play a, respectively, Lawful Evil, Neutral Evil and Chaotic Evil Charname?

Southpaw

That is a loaded question, Pinky.
Usual consensus is, that Evil characters are -above all- selfish. They value their well being above anyone else's needs.
The role play is all on you.

I tend to play my Lawful Evil characters as strong individuals, with their own moral code. They tend to believe, that some sort of order is necessary and follow most society's laws and customs. They honour a word, they have given and are not above helping others, when it pays out, or further fuels my goals. However, any threat, con or lie is disposed of quickly and with use of lethal force. They usually have trust issues, but loyalty is valued and betrayal punished.
Also - indifference to other's plight.

Kamigoroshi

The key factor for roleplaying Evil, or any other alignment for that matter, is imagination.
The daily real life has many great examples of how to roleplay evil characters as well. For example, just imagine that you're a lawyer and you're automatically bond to play a Lawful Evil character. Or a politician for the Neutral Evil alignment. Playing Chaotic Evil is rather straight forward as well: the Pierrot. They're evil incarnate, I tell ya .

Madhax

I usually maintain a fairly high reputation, even as evil. I prefer to have any neutral NPC react positively to me. I hate playing "stupid evil", and won't murder randoms unless I think there's a major benefit for me.

I'll pick a fight with anyone who looks like they have good loot, and I'll shamelessly pursue the largest possible rewards for any task I undertake, but I've never played a character who would, say, massacre Beregost.

Mortianna

Here's a site with the most thorough analysis I've seen of each of the nine alignments, which should give you some roleplaying tips: http://easydamus.com/alignment.html

ShapiroKeatsDarkMage

Thanks. I also needed a tip about how not to fall into stupid evil territory and prevent my Charname's reputation to be too low.

God

LE: Manipulate to achieve your goals. Honour law, honesty and custom as long as it shields you; dispose of them when they cease to. Notice the power of societies and aim to claim it for yourself. You are the usurper.
NE: When you see a happy child, kill its parents. When an old woman begs for your help, rob her of her belongings. Do what is inherently evil because that's what you believe you should do. You are pure evil.
CE: Follow your emotions, be it lust, anger or jealousy. Seek satisfaction. Don't bother with anything but your own wellbeing. Kill when it pleases you and let whim govern your actions. You are utterly egocentric.

Lateralus

ShapiroKeatsDarkMage said:

Can you give me tips about how to play a, respectively, Lawful Evil, Neutral Evil and Chaotic Evil Charname?

Just break into every house and act like you own the place. If you feel like robbing them, knock them out first.

You know, just like a good party.

MERLANCE

When naming your character, use a lot of letter X and Z. Lots of Xs and Zs are integral to playing an evil character.

element

decide befor you play why your character is evil and what his goals are

i find it makes it easiar to avoid playing a stupid evil character if you do that

BladeDancer

Southpaw said:

That is a loaded question, Pinky.
Usual consensus is, that Evil characters are -above all- selfish. They value their well being above anyone else's needs.
The role play is all on you.

I tend to play my Lawful Evil characters as strong individuals, with their own moral code. They tend to believe, that some sort of order is necessary and follow most society's laws and customs. They honour a word, they have given and are not above helping others, when it pays out, or further fuels my goals. However, any threat, con or lie is disposed of quickly and with use of lethal force. They usually have trust issues, but loyalty is valued and betrayal punished.
Also - indifference to other's plight.

That sounds more like neutral evil than lawful evil.

Characters of lawful evil alignment usually obey their superiors and keep their word, but they care nothing for the rights and freedoms of other individuals and are not averse to twisting the rules to work in their favor.

ShapiroKeatsDarkMage

MERLANCE said:

When naming your character, use a lot of letter X and Z. Lots of Xs and Zs are integral to playing an evil character.

Xtreme Kool Letterz.

Palanthis

For Lawful evil, which is a bit difficult to roleplay i think, i act like demons do : honor all the pacts you make... and so avoid to do a lot of pacts and unnecessary ones.
Also as evil you'll try to trick the others by making deals with a flaw - so you can exploit them, while staying true to your word.
On the other hand, if the other side of the deal betrays you, like Bodhi do in Bg2EE, you're then free to retaliate and forfeit the initial pact.

kamuizin

Lawful Evil - Edwin, look and learn, it can't go wrong. Lex Luthor from DC also is a good example.
Neutral Evil - BG has no good example of neutral evil, but Deadpool from Marvel is a nice example of neutral evil with no biased semblant of basic evil.
Chaotic Evil - Here.

Trexgod

MERLANCE said:

When naming your character, use a lot of letter X and Z. Lots of Xs and Zs are integral to playing an evil character.

So Xzar?

Southpaw

Lawful Evil - think Darth Vader
Natural Evil - think spoiled, selfish 8-year old
Chaotic Evil - think Joker from the Dark Knight Batman movie

Archaos

Lawful Evil - Think Edwin or a tyrant.
Neutral Evil - Think Irenicus. Just selfish and malevolent.
Chaotic Evil - Think Sarevok. You enjoy the carnage.

Sarevok is also highly intelligent, charismatic and had very high reputation. Proof to those that say that Chaotic Evil must be Stupid Evil.

ShapiroKeatsDarkMage

kamuizin said:

Lawful Evil - Edwin, look and learn, it can't go wrong. Lex Luthor from DC also is a good example.
Neutral Evil - BG has no good example of neutral evil, but Deadpool from Marvel is a nice example of neutral evil with no biased semblant of basic evil.
Chaotic Evil - Here.

Deadpool is Chaotic Neutral dummy.

Corvino

Sarevok in BG1 acts more like Lawful Evil - he utilites his power to get elected and manipulates people to achieve his ends. At the start he acts within the rules, and only breaks them when he's sure he will not be caught.

He's initially smart, but he becomes more reckless as time goes on.

Lateralus

MERLANCE said:

When naming your character, use a lot of letter X and Z. Lots of Xs and Zs are integral to playing an evil character.

"We are all doomed. Regardless of race, religion, gender, disposition, class, or level."

KidCarnival

Trexgod said:

MERLANCE said:

When naming your character, use a lot of letter X and Z. Lots of Xs and Zs are integral to playing an evil character.

So Xzar?

D̨IE, ̨XAN̵,̢ DIE!

Umm. Sorry. Got a bit distracted by my paladin duties.

Lawful evil - Someone who abuses a system and would protect said system (i.e. government) to secure his or her own position of power in it. For example, an evil lord who can happily use slave labor, tax the hell out of his subjects and interpret laws the way he sees fit would rally behind an evil king in a rebellion. As real world examples, I'd go with organized crime, like mafia, triads or gangs. They have an own system of honor and hierarchy. The unruly newbie who challenges a local leader would be gone in no time for disrespecting the ranks. What they do is often illegal in the society they operate in, but there is a lot honor among their own people.

Neutral evil - Someone who is out for themselves and will side with whoever offers the better deal. A mercenary who enjoys his or her bloody work, but ultimately gives a damn about both the one who hired him and the victim. If the "victim" offers more money to stay alive, the neutral evil person won't think twice to accept. (Contrast lawful evil, would honor the original agreement and at best try to get better payment for the job later). A hitman with no loyalties would be a good example. Fictional example: Ashur from Spartacus, who serves whoever is the most likely to advance his goals.

Chaotic evil - Someone who operates in a system/world view that only exists in their head. There is a logic to what they do, but only to themselves. It doesn't neccessarily say they are clinically insane, they may just have a very twisted view on common things. As example, the "angel of death" type of serial killer who, in his/her mind only does the sensible thing and relieves ill people of their pain. There are many sane, rational supporters of euthanasia, but they would not act on it, especially not making own choices who should be relieved/die.

kamuizin

ShapiroKeatsDarkMage said:

kamuizin said:

Lawful Evil - Edwin, look and learn, it can't go wrong. Lex Luthor from DC also is a good example.
Neutral Evil - BG has no good example of neutral evil, but Deadpool from Marvel is a nice example of neutral evil with no biased semblant of basic evil.
Chaotic Evil - Here.

Deadpool is Chaotic Neutral dummy.

I thought as much at first, but then i read his HQs.

Kaltzor

I think Neutral Evil "hero" can work, since they mostly just care about themselves and getting their goals done...

You pretty much get hired to do stuff, you may or may not entirely care if it's considered good or not, you get payed for it, and you get closer to your goal of finding and killing Sarevok.