New players often start off in the game as Chaotic Neutral, which is one of the most common alignments. Unfortunately, many people cause unnecessary stress on others by misreading or misusing CN.
The sheer number of rules in Dungeons & Dragons may be overwhelming, leading many new players to make the same blunders. One such error is the way they play up their alignment in their roles. While the degree to which players should stay true to their characters' alignments varies from DM to DM, many players may exploit the D&D Chaotic Neutral alignment as an excuse to engage in unnecessary violence or other out-of-character behaviour. It's a common misconception among players that the "Chaotic" modifier makes the character completely unpredictable and erratic.
The D&D community views alignment less as a requirement and more as a suggestion for how a character should behave in the universe. The players' actions should reflect the personality of their character. Even while a particularly bloodthirsty playstyle might seem rewarding to the player in the moment, they may be ruining the experience for everyone else if they mistakenly attribute their conduct to the Chaotic Neutral alignment. In reality, the meaning of "Chaotic Neutral" differs from what most people assume it to signify.
The Player's Handbook describes Chaotic Neutral personalities as caring more about personal autonomy and the rules they choose for themselves. That doesn't make them all anarchists, but they don't want anybody to get in the way of their pursuit of liberty, either. It's important to keep this in mind, since the murder hobo playstyle favoured by many new CN players runs against to the principles espoused by this alignment.
Chaotic Neutral personalities are less likely to resort to violence or theft in favour of a more passive approach to life. They are often portrayed as carefree individuals who don't mind how others spend their time so long as they can do the same. Bards and Barbarians are fantastic for CN characters since they are more focused on the player's flexibility and whims, and both classes reward this style of play.
Many gamers who prefer alternatives to D&D will probably misinterpret what Chaotic Neutral truly means, and that's okay. The "Chaotic" element is, after all, a little deceptive, but only because the term has a distinct meaning when used to D&D alignments. The lack of justice and order, two pillars of the Forgotten Realms, is what D&D calls "chaos." Both chaos and order have their benefits and drawbacks, but none is stereotypically good or bad. When it comes to the Forgotten Realms, novice players may rest certain that D&D Good and Evil are not the same thing, despite the fact that the way these forces operate is more intuitive.
The same is true for law and order, which may be used for good, evil, or nothing at all. A neutral alignment displays no willingness to make sacrifices for others or contempt for human life. It relies on a case-by-case approach to putting its ideals into practise. Most characters with a Chaotic Neutral value system are not bound by any one moral code, and as long as they are not being stifled in their own autonomy, they are generally okay with the actions of others.
Playing a Chaotic Neutral character is about appreciating and safeguarding one's independence in making decisions, whether for one's personal good or the good of others. The characters in CN will look out for themselves and won't feel obligated to obey the law or the government, however they will want to avoid being locked up or killed. In other words, a Chaotic Neutral person is unlikely to act if they believe the repercussions of doing so will limit their autonomy.
