I detest the idea of a Lawfull Stupid paladin - an image I see for too many people follow.
On the Lawfull vs Good axis, paladin should priority good over law. It makes no sense to fall for any chaotic action. For a CRPG developer, they should be as lax as possible with interpretations and limitations specifically because they cannot cover all the reasonings.
Paladins not capable of going undercover? I disagree. It is absolutely stupid to walk into a sleeping enemy den and wake them to challegne them to a fight or other IDIOTIC actions that some people think paladins MUST take.
Undercover implies deceit/impersonation, not unchivalric actions. Paladins, as originally conceived, would not lower themselves to deceit or impersonation, because they would be too busy smiting the unrighteous, whether slumbering or not.
The idea of Paladin as a Grail Knight of King Arthur, or other such chivalric nonsense is at best a subclass or specialization, not the basis of every Paladin's ethics ( which are better described as smiting the unworthy, according to the Paladin's idea of worthiness ).
Yes, some people have an odd notion of Paladin behaviour, and some Paladins, in some games, do behave Lawful/Stupid. They usually have no place in my party.
