Alignment¶
Alignment is the backbone of who your character is and what they represent. In Baldur's Gate it has less day-to-day mechanical impact than Reputation, but it sets your starting reputation and gates some classes.
The nine alignments and starting reputation¶
Your starting alignment determines your starting reputation score:
| Alignment | Starting Reputation |
|---|---|
| Lawful Good | 12 |
| Neutral Good | 11 |
| Chaotic Good | 11 |
| Lawful Neutral | 10 |
| True Neutral | 10 |
| Chaotic Neutral | 10 |
| Lawful Evil | 9 |
| Neutral Evil | 9 |
| Chaotic Evil | 8 |
Reputation is the practical application of those beliefs. If your reputation doesn't match your alignment, your character may suffer consequences.
Class restrictions¶
Several classes require a specific alignment to take or to keep:
- Paladins must be Lawful Good. If party reputation falls below 6, Paladins lose their class abilities.
- Rangers must be of a good alignment. If party reputation falls below 4, Rangers lose their class abilities.
- In either case, the character becomes "Fallen".
- Blackguards (a Paladin kit) are exempt — they may have as low a reputation as they wish.
Party reactions¶
Joinable companions may agree with your party's reputation based on their alignment — or decide they're unhappy with the direction you're taking. See Reputation → Effects on party members.
Source: bgee/original_manuals/baldurs_gate_1_ee_mastering_melee_and_magic.pdf — "Effects of Reputation and Alignment" → "Alignment".