Stranger Thingsis a phenomenon for numerous reasons, the most prominent of which are its gripping story, compelling characters, retro style, and, most notably, its use ofDungeons & Dragons.The world’s greatest roleplaying game plays a pivotal role in the show, being the hobby of several main characters and inspiration for many things, such as the dynamic between the group of friends, the names of antagonists, and the overall story.
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The influence ofDungeons & DragonsonStranger Thingsbegs the question of what the alignment is of the main characters. The TTRPG defines alignment as a player character’s ethical and moral perspective, their virtues or lack thereof. Determining theDungeons & Dragonsalignments of the main characters ofStranger Thingsis challenging as there is much development and alterations throughout the seasons, but there are solid answers.
18Mike Wheeler - Neutral Good
Mike Wheeler, the deemed leader of the group,is a hopeful and compassionate person that aims to do the right thing, even at his own expense. His dedication to doing good for others, especially his friends, has driven him to do many virtuous things, such as jumping off a cliff to save Dustin from a gang of bullies. There is nearly nothing to keep Mike from doing good, regardless of what he must sacrifice or the authorities he must overcome.
These characteristics are consistent with the Neutral Good alignment, which communicates one’s willingness to do the right thing disregarding law and chaos. Mike is not one to needlessly go against authority, but at the same time, he is not afraid to if it means doing the moral thing. This open-mindedness and desire to do good makes him an outstanding leader and friend, albeit he is not without his imperfections and occasional shortcomings.
17Will Byers - Lawful Good
Will Byers is amicable and selfless, putting the needs of others before his own and feeling a personal responsibility to do so regardless. He continues being unselfish even when it causes him discomfort or pain, such as when he communicates Eleven’s need for Mike,indirectly expressing his love while mending things between the couple. Will’s desire to aid others has changed things for the better, yet he scarcely receives praise.
This code of helping others without regard for personal wants is typical of the Lawful Good alignment, which values a strict sense of duty such as this. Will does not strive to attain and uphold his freedom and wants, especially not to the extent of costing others theirs. This inspiring selflessness and desire to aid others have benefited his friends and inspired them or granted them the edge needed to push past adversity.
16Lucas Sinclair - Lawful Good
Lucas Sinclair is an adamantly protective and surprisingly pragmatic person who is kindhearted despite his belying demeanor. He is a staunch defender of everything he holds dear, and most of his actions are in the best interests of those he loves, exemplified by his initial skepticism and mistrust of Eleven. Lucas’s fierce instinct to shield his family and friends has allowed him to defend his loved ones against many imposing dangers.
This rigid and assertive desire to protect is a trait frequent with the Lawful Good alignment, which respects uncompromising responsibilities like this. No matter what it is, if there is even the slightest chance it could cause harm, Lucas will fend against it with unwavering resistance. This determined commitment to guard has saved his family and friends many times, risking his reputation with his loved ones and his own life without hesitation.
15Dustin Henderson - Neutral Good
Dustin Henderson is observant and diplomatic, being the voice of reason and compromise. He often acts as the adjudicator within his friend group, seeking to amend differences in opinion and maintain unity, rarely supporting any one side and keeping neutral. Dustin’s drive to mediate and resolve disputes kept the party from falling apart, even when disagreements seemed too great to settle without causing further strife.
Dustin’s disinterest in law and chaos but determination to do right by others makes him one of the Neutral Good alignment, which emphasizes the need to do the moral thing. He values every side of an argument regardless, so long as they are in the pursuit of good for his friends or the world. Although he has had a fair share of hiccups, Dustin has solved many disputes to find a pragmatic or all-around good solution to problems.
14Jane “Eleven” Hopper - True Neutral
Jane Hopper, best known as Eleven,is fiercely protective and unyieldingly loyal to those she holds dear. Her family and friends are a priority, and she will do nearly anything to ensure they are safe, even at the expense of her safety and often her own life. Eleven’s willingness and motivation to protect those close to her have driven her to save the world many times, yet her ethics and morals are somewhat questionable.
Eleven started as an uncaring and withdrawn person without care for others and only self-preservation. Through the kindness of Mike and the party, she began tending toward good but more so out of the need to protect those she held dear. In truth, it seems Eleven’s family and friends are the only things keeping her from becoming selfish or evil. Without these people by her side, Elven would be unable to become the hero she is.
13Max Mayfield - Chaotic Good
Max Mayfield is an independent and bold person whose rough exterior hides her compassionate nature. She does not care for other’s opinions and what is supposedly acceptable, constantly challenging those that seek to impose or conventions that aim to restrict. Although unsociable and sharp-tongued at first, Max did show that she values others and her capability of doing the right thing, even protecting her abusive step-brother Billy.
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Despite her rough edges, Max is undeniably a good person that values the freedom of herself and others, which is consistent with that of the Chaotic Good alignment. She tries to do good for everyone she holds dear even if they are undeserving, albeit she does so in an often unorthodox way. Yet, Max has provided support and aid to her family and friends, getting them through somewhat trivial and exceedingly challenging situations.
12Erica Sinclair - Chaotic Neutral
Erica Sinclair is a calculating and independent person with an attitude and flair unlike any other. She has no issue bending or exploiting rules and others if it means getting her way, to the extent that her parents cannot make her do anything without compensation. While Erica has grown since her first appearance, she remains an independent and self-serving character.
Erica’s value of independence at nearly any cost is a consistent and defining characteristic of the Chaotic Neutral alignment. Although she does care more about others now, Erica retains an air of selfishness that is tempered only by her care for her parents, her brother Lucas, and Hawkins. However, that is not to say she is incapable of doing good on her own it is just not a common occurrence.
11Nancy Wheeler - Chaotic Good
Nancy Wheeler is a compassionate and courageous person who does not let rules or perceptions stop her from doing the right thing. Although very responsive to authorities initially, she has since challenged many things in the pursuit of good, such as contesting the views of her misogynistic coworkers or exposing the Hawkins Lab. Nancy’s drive to do right by herself and others is admirable, especially considering the lengths she goes.
Nancy’s plight to do good by everyone causes trouble often in one way or another, which is definitive of the Chaotic Good alignment. She means to do well, but her methods often challenge authority in an outright questionable manner, bordering the fine line of legality. Yet, Nancy’s lack of care for rules and expectations has allowed her to save her loved ones and Hawkins at large from hardship.
10Jonathan Byers - Neutral Good
Jonathan Byers is a kind and brave person who goes to great lengths to do the right thing sensibly. He will seek to do good in a way that favors reason over his personal feelings, such as when he disregarded his differences with Steve Harrington to fight the Demogorgon. Jonathan’s practicality and inclination toward good have often saved him and others unnecessary hardship or mistakes.
Jonathan’s desire to do good regardless of order or chaos is characteristic of the Neutral Good alignment. He always strives to do the moral thing free of such values, and although he occasionally falls short, he always means well. This fact is evident as Jonathan’s practicality shows to benefit and hinder others, such as when he disregarded his mother Joyce’s claims of Will being in the walls, trapped in another world.
9Steve Harrington - Lawful Good
Steve Harrington isa goodhearted and protective person who aims to defend others adamantly, believing it to be a personal responsibility. Although initially sarcastic and egotistical, he has become a staunch do-gooder that acts as an authority or voice of reason to his friends, despite often going unheard. Even so, Steve’s desire to protect has saved many, albeit often at the cost of his well-being.
Steve’s dutiful undertaking as the guardian and advisor of his friends is typical of the Lawful Good alignment. He feels obligated to oversee and keep those he holds dear from risky pursuits, and should they endanger themselves anyway, he puts himself in the line of fire. Steve’s willingness to steer his friends clear of danger, even at his expense, is respectable regardless of how underappreciated it often is.
