Cecily Zamora
Lawful Evil is a term used in role-playing games, such as Dungeons & Dragons, to describe a character's alignment or outlook on life. It is one of nine alignments that exist on a two-axis grid, with 'lawful' representing a character's views on order and rules, and 'evil' representing their morals on the good vs evil spectrum. Lawful Evil characters are often outlaws who follow their own strict code of conduct, carrying out evil acts within the confines of their own set of rules and laws. They are comfortable in a hierarchy, value tradition, and are driven by power and intimidation. While they may be ruthless and cruel, they are not typically disruptive and are more likely to work within the system to achieve their goals.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Order and hierarchy | Respect for authority |
| Rules and codes | Selfishness |
| Honour | No respect for life |
| Tradition and loyalty | Power and control |
| Lack of compassion | Lack of flexibility |
| Intricate plans | Lack of mercy |
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What You'll Learn
- Lawful evil characters are often outlaws but they follow their own code
- They are comfortable in a hierarchy and would like to rule, but are willing to serve
- They are less disruptive than other evil alignments, favouring organisation and order
- Lawful evil characters can be dominators, believing that the best way to set up society is to control others
- Lawful evil characters will not break the rules of their code to do more evil
Lawful evil characters are often outlaws but they follow their own code
Lawful evil characters are often outlaws, but they follow a strict code of conduct or personal code of ethics. They are driven by a desire for power and control, believing that an ordered society is best, and are willing to use cruel or ruthless methods to achieve their vision. They are comfortable in a hierarchy and are willing to serve, but ultimately desire to rule.
While lawful evil characters are unlikely to break laws or promises, this is not due to any sense of morality. Instead, they are reluctant to break laws because they depend on order to protect themselves from those who oppose them on moral grounds. They are also more likely to have others carry out their dirty work for them.
The lawful evil character respects tradition, loyalty, and order, but not freedom, dignity, or life. They are likely to condemn others based on race, religion, or social rank, rather than their actions. They are also likely to use bureaucracy and legalism to their advantage, working within the law to achieve their goals.
Lawful evil characters are often portrayed as villains with a rigid code of honour or a strict set of rules. They may be selfish, power-hungry, or sadistic, but they are not random or chaotic in their actions. They are less likely to be disruptive, instead putting together long cons and intricate plans.
In role-playing games, a lawful evil character might be a "misguided hero" who pursues a noble goal through uncompromising and bastardized means. They might also be a "broken man" with a nihilistic worldview, driven to evil by a traumatic backstory.
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They are comfortable in a hierarchy and would like to rule, but are willing to serve
Lawful Evil characters are often outlaws, but they follow their own code or the laws of the land. They are comfortable in a hierarchy and are willing to serve, but they also like to rule. They are part of an ordered system with codes, honour, and often strict hierarchies. They carry out evil acts according to a carefully constructed set of rules and oaths.
Lawful Evil characters are driven to attain their goals through force, power, and intimidation. They have their own personal code of ethics and expect loyalty from those they consider allies. They value allegiances with their cause, government, religion, or other organizations. Betraying a friend is as much of a transgression for them as it is for a Lawful Good character. They are unlikely to break their word unless they can find a way to do it legally and within the laws of society.
Lawful Evil characters are comfortable in a hierarchy and respect the power and authority of those above them, unless they believe their superiors are undeserving of their position. They are less likely to be disruptive and favour organization and order. They can put together long cons and intricate plans, and work within the law, using bureaucracy and legalism to their advantage. They believe that the best way to set up society is to control others, preferably under an iron fist.
Lawful Evil characters are comfortable serving, but they ultimately seek to increase their power over others within the hierarchy. They respect the will of the group and are willing to serve, but they also wish to be first. They are comfortable following the rules and serving those above them, but only because they believe that is the best way to achieve their goals. They are willing to commit evil acts and can be ruthless or cruel in enforcing their vision of an orderly society.
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They are less disruptive than other evil alignments, favouring organisation and order
Lawful Evil characters are often outlaws, but they follow their own set of rules and codes, and are part of an ordered system with strict hierarchies. They are less disruptive than other evil alignments, favouring organisation and order over the "kill and destroy" stereotype of Chaotic Evil. They are capable of putting together long cons and intricate plans, and can work within the law, using bureaucracy and legalism to their advantage.
Lawful Evil characters are driven to attain their goals through force, power, and intimidation. They have their own personal code of ethics and expect loyalty from those they consider allies. Betraying a friend is seen as a transgression, and they value allegiances with their cause, government, religion, or other organisations. They are unlikely to break their word unless they can find a way to do so legally.
Lawful Evil characters are often the most "reasonable" in their actions compared to other Evil Alignments. They tend to restrain themselves from certain actions, fearing it will go against what they stand for. They are capable of listening to demands, but this does not mean they will accept them, especially if they do not benefit from them.
Lawful Evil characters are willing to commit evil acts to enforce their vision of an orderly society. They believe that order and law are necessary and generally have some vision for society that requires control, often under an iron fist. They are comfortable in a hierarchy and would like to rule, but are also willing to serve.
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Lawful evil characters can be dominators, believing that the best way to set up society is to control others
Lawful evil characters can be dominators, believing that the best way to set up a society is to control others, preferably under an iron fist. They are part of an ordered system with codes, honour, and often strict hierarchies. They follow their own code, which may be a personal moral code or the laws of the land they find themselves in. They are unlikely to harm people for fun, but they may do so if they are ordered to, or if it helps them gain a reward or reach a goal.
Lawful evil characters are often outlaws, but they follow a carefully constructed set of rules and oaths. They are comfortable in a hierarchy and would like to rule, but are willing to serve. They respect the power and authority of those above them, unless they believe their superiors do not deserve their position. They are loyal to their allies and will help them, even at a personal cost, as long as their allies continue to support the aims of the group. Betraying a friend is seen as a transgression for the lawful evil character.
Lawful evil characters are driven to attain their goals through force, power, and intimidation. They are not averse to using bureaucracy and legalism to their advantage, and they can put together long cons and intricate plans. They may be cruel, arrogant, selfish, vengeful, power-hungry, or sadistic. They are likely to be corrupt government members.
Lawful evil characters can be inflexible and blindly follow the rules, even if they do not make sense. They may honestly believe that an orderly society is the best, but they are ruthless or cruel in enforcing it. They may be sincerely loyal to their society, but they are prepared to commit evil actions to achieve their vision.
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Lawful evil characters will not break the rules of their code to do more evil
Lawful Evil characters are often outlaws but they follow their own code or the laws of the land they are in. They are part of an ordered system with codes, honour, and often strict hierarchies. They carry out evil acts but they do it according to a carefully constructed set of rules and oaths. For a Lawful Evil character, following these codes and keeping their promises is just as important as it is to a Lawful Good character.
A Lawful Evil character views themselves as above other unruly criminals. They respect hierarchy and believe in power given by society and organisations. They believe in honour, following traditions, and being trustworthy. They have faith in rules because they believe that is how a functioning society is created. However, they can be inflexible and blindly follow the rules even if they don't make sense.
Lawful Evil characters can be dominators, people who believe that the best way to set up society is to control others, preferably under an iron fist. They are driven to attain their goals through force, power, and intimidation. They are comfortable in a hierarchy and would like to rule, but are willing to serve. They are loath to break laws or promises. This reluctance comes partly from their nature and partly because they depend on order to protect themselves from those who oppose them on moral grounds.
Lawful Evil characters will not generally break the rules of their code to do more Evil. They will not go out of their way to help another, unless they need that individual's help in the future. Whoever a Lawful Evil character calls an ally can expect loyalty and aid, unless that person fails to support the aims of the group or organisation.
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Frequently asked questions
Lawful evil refers to a character who values order and rules but has evil morals. They are often outlaws but follow a strict code of conduct.
Lawful evil characters are less disruptive than chaotic evil characters, who are driven by kill and destroy" stereotypes. Lawful evil characters are more likely to put together long cons and intricate plans, using the law to their advantage.
Good and evil are not always black and white. Good characters can sometimes do evil things, and evil characters can do good things, even if it's for the wrong reasons. Lawful evil characters may genuinely care for people and are not always "evil assholes".
If you are playing a lawful evil character in a game like Dungeons & Dragons, you can use historical figures as inspiration, such as Hitler or Thanos. Your character should have a code of conduct or rules that they follow, and they should be driven by a goal or vision.
