Goals for the evil character
Posted: Mon Mar 04, 2013 3:29 pm
I did not want to derail Phelan's thread.. so let's branch out.
I had to ask myself: Why are so few evil players lying? Of course I would not have a clue if that is true or not. But it is my general feeling is that it's true. Maybe you feel the same way. Which made me think about what goals there are for evil characters. Most evil seems to be circulated around Sathonys and "world domination". Pleasing the death god with kills and so on. Playing as good, laying low and when you have enough strength switch side. While this is all fine and part of the world (if you think so), those goals are a bit superficial.
Is it possible for us to refine being evil a little bit?
What is wrong with just being totally selfish and greedy? Or using tools like lies and deception? In my opinion a good evil character mostly follows rules and is in many ways like everyone else. Not really randomly butchering civilizians or anything. Just being totally selfish and not too scrupulous about bending the rules here and there when it is needed.
Let me make a quick guess:
A) It is too dangerous if you are known to be/act evil. You end up getting killed by goodies repeatedly.
B) There are not actually many personal goals to achieve where there is a big difference between being honest and lie.
Personally I think those two things are problems. The first one makes sense, but not to the width and depth that it really gives. It is realistic that evils are sought and punished, but for the game it is bad. It creates a situation where, if you are evil, you need to be super-powerful to constantly overcome the threat of the goodies. And you are completely cut off into a separate "bubble" of the world. And that is fine, if that is what you want to do. But what if you wish to be the refined evil guy? Threats, lies and so on? Even if you do it supremely well, you'll get caught at least once, sooner or letter. The bad reputation builds and you are foreever labeled. Realistic? Yes. Problem for the game? I think so.
And as for getting ahead: The most immidiate I can think of is playing a thief. You can get a lot of gold that way, but that is about it. For most other kinds of progress, you need to grind skills. There are not so many readily available shortcuts (evil acts) that can put you ahead of others. Or? Thoughts?
I had to ask myself: Why are so few evil players lying? Of course I would not have a clue if that is true or not. But it is my general feeling is that it's true. Maybe you feel the same way. Which made me think about what goals there are for evil characters. Most evil seems to be circulated around Sathonys and "world domination". Pleasing the death god with kills and so on. Playing as good, laying low and when you have enough strength switch side. While this is all fine and part of the world (if you think so), those goals are a bit superficial.
Is it possible for us to refine being evil a little bit?
What is wrong with just being totally selfish and greedy? Or using tools like lies and deception? In my opinion a good evil character mostly follows rules and is in many ways like everyone else. Not really randomly butchering civilizians or anything. Just being totally selfish and not too scrupulous about bending the rules here and there when it is needed.
Let me make a quick guess:
A) It is too dangerous if you are known to be/act evil. You end up getting killed by goodies repeatedly.
B) There are not actually many personal goals to achieve where there is a big difference between being honest and lie.
Personally I think those two things are problems. The first one makes sense, but not to the width and depth that it really gives. It is realistic that evils are sought and punished, but for the game it is bad. It creates a situation where, if you are evil, you need to be super-powerful to constantly overcome the threat of the goodies. And you are completely cut off into a separate "bubble" of the world. And that is fine, if that is what you want to do. But what if you wish to be the refined evil guy? Threats, lies and so on? Even if you do it supremely well, you'll get caught at least once, sooner or letter. The bad reputation builds and you are foreever labeled. Realistic? Yes. Problem for the game? I think so.
And as for getting ahead: The most immidiate I can think of is playing a thief. You can get a lot of gold that way, but that is about it. For most other kinds of progress, you need to grind skills. There are not so many readily available shortcuts (evil acts) that can put you ahead of others. Or? Thoughts?