evil spells?

[mute83]

Im curious what the staffs views is on "evil spells" are some spells consideret evil Like Vampiric Feast, and useing shapes like Nightwalker. And that some good/neutral people use them, and are still "in favor" with their God/deitie?

Im asking here, because I dont want a huge debate going, but just want to hear what the staff have to say about it.

[Maecius]

Inherently evil spells are spells that have "Evil" in the spell's Descriptor. These spells are objectively and unarguably evil. You can attempt to justify their use with your character, but in the worldview espoused by DUNGEONS & DRAGONS, your character would be wrong. The spells themselves are, quite simply, evil -- no matter how they're used, no matter if they help people.

DMs have, in the past, made druids rebuild as non-druids after catching them using Evil spells; and have felled good-aligned clerics for it.

These spells include ANIMATE DEAD, CREATE UNDEAD, and VAMPIRIC FEAST, among a few others.

Then there are subjectively evil spells, that aren't themselves innately evil. These include most necromancy spells -- CIRCLE OF DEATH would be evil if cast in the middle of a busy city street, but is itself not an evil spell -- and polymorph spells that make a spellcaster appear to be something monstrous or demonic.

DMs will occasionally have NPCs react to these sorts of things -- polymorphed wizards, simply wanting to get their gear to a shop a little bit quicker, have been brought down by Flaming Fist archers on the bridge to Baldur's Gate before. Players will also often react to shapeshifted characters negatively, as well; and many players (and NPCs) will consider non-evil spells to be evil, simply through association. "That's a necromancy spell? Necromancers are evil!"

[DM Fugue]

False life falls in the middle as well.