Quick Links
In the many worlds ofDungeons & Dragons, few monsters are as feared as devils.
Some become the monsters that everyone expects, but others rise to the occasion and become true heroes.
The Dungeons & Dragons species we have the most in common with.
Casting Tieflings by Polar Engine
This guide is all about humans and their changes in the 2024 Player’s Handbook.
Tieflings can be some of the most fascinating characters at a game table.
It has also been updated to conform to current standards.
Tieflings playing cards by Clint Cearley
What Is A Tiefling?
There arethree different legacies, which players will pick from when creating their characters.
Most tieflings havelarge horns, though the exact shape those horns take varies wildly.
Tieflings playing cards by Clint Cearley
Some tieflings have curly horns like a ram, and others might have long horns like an ibex.
However, your legacy decisionshouldn’t be based on just description alone.
Each legacygrants you different traits.
Artwork by Evyn Fong via Wizards of the Coast
That will be explored just below.
No matter what you decide, your speed will be the same, which is30 feet of movement.
This ability is useful for navigating dungeons and caves and makes you a great party scout.
Artwork by Jodie Muir via Wizards of the Coast
Infernal Legacy
Yougain a resistance based on your legacy.
At higher levels, you gain the ability to castdifferent spells based on the legacyyou choose.
These aren’t the most powerful spells in the game, but they add a bit of extra flavour.
Hellish Rebuke is especially great for the early gamebecause it lets you blast your enemies if you get damaged.
Otherworldly Presence
You gain the abilityto cast Thaumaturgy.
While a cantrip, it can give youa boost to Intimidation checksand allow you toalter your appearance.
Artwork by Polar Engine via Wizards of the Coast
These spells can be castonce without a spell slotand then youmust regain that use through a long rest.
Once you pick your legacy, you thenpick what your spellcasting ability will be.
you could choose fromIntelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma.
Artwork by Polar Engine via Wizards of the Coast
You’ll want to pick what you plan to have yourhighest ability score set as.
Check out any of the spellcasting classes you’re deciding between to see what their spellcasting ability is.
If youplan on being a Necromancer, for example, youmay want to go Chthonicbased on the matching theme.
A Tiefling Fire-Breather Entertains A Crowd Alongside Mephits via Wizards of the Coast
Tiefling Variants
Mordenkaiden’s Tome of Foesand theSword Coast Adventurer’s Guidebothadd several tiefling variantsto the game.
Variant
Abilities
Base/Asmodeus (PHB)
Thaumaturgy/hellish rebuke/darkness
The standard tiefling, good as a warlock/sorcerer/rogue/paladin.
Dispater (MToF)
Thaumaturgy/disguise self/detect thoughts
Abilities make you a good scout or spy.
Fierna (MToF)
Friends/charm person/suggestion
Makes you a fantastic party face, though watch out for drawbacks.
Glasya (MToF)
Minor illusion/disguise self/invisibility
An even better choice for a scout or spy.
Levistus (MToF)
Ray of frost/armour of Agathys/darkness
Great for a tanky warlock or sorcerer.
Artwork by Jodie Muir via Wizards of the Coast
Hellfire (SCAG)
Thaumaturgy/burning hands/darkness
A more martial version of the standard tiefling build.
Infernal Legacy (SCAG)
Cosmetic differences only; keeps tiefling lore consistent across editions.
Winged characters are banned from Adventurers' League play.
Meteor Swarm by Olivier Bernard
Have you ever wanted to play a character as tough as a mountain?
Here’s everything it’s crucial that you know about picking a goliath as your D&D character.
What Class Should You Consider?
In the 2024 Player’s Handbook, ability scores areno longer given to species.
This opens upmore possibilities when it comes to your classas there’s no right or wrong choice.
However, there are still some classes that suit tieflings better than others.
Class
Warlock/Sorcerer
Charisma-based spellcasting andextra spells blend greatwith your class abilities.
Bard/Rogue
Tieflings' Darkvisionmakes you a fantastic party scout.
Glasya variant tieflings especially shine in this role.
Paladin
The best martial option for a tiefling;pick Charisma as your spellcasting abilityif you choose this class.
Zariel variant tieflings shine here.
And, if you get a knackfor using your legacy spells, you could then becomean arcane trickster.
Tiefling Feat Options
Tieflings have access to some really neat feat options.
Recommended Tiefling Feats
Feat
Sourcebook
Infernal Constitution
Increases your Constitution score by one point.
This feat also gives youresistance to cold damage and poison damageand gives youadvantage on saving throws against being poisoned.
The best tiefling species-specific feat thus far.
A Constitution bonus is great for any character.
Xanathar’s Guide to Everything
Flames of Phlegethos
Gives aone-point increase to Charisma or Intelligence.
For warlocks and wizards.
Super cool from a fluff perspective.
The gameplay effects aren’t optimal, but who doesn’t want to be wreathed in flame?
Eldritch Adept
Gives youa free warlock invocation.
A good pick for any tiefling.
Player’s Handbook
Resilient
Gives you aboost to any ability scoreandadvantage on savesusing that ability score.
If they allow it, all of the above choices would work wonderfully with your tiefling.
Make the most of your background.
The 2024 ruleset is much more open to your character havingdiffering morals and alignmentsthan those fiendish ancestors.
And, sticking with lore for a bit, the 2024 rulesdon’t mention naming mechanicsat all.
Tieflings did have Infernal Legacy before, butit wasn’t a selection.
It was only the name of the trait thatgifted tieflings their spells.
These were locked to onlyThaumaturgy, Hellish Rebuke, and Darkness.
Now, there’s more variety and the option to pick a different spell set.
In that same vein,all tieflings had fire resistance.
Youdidn’t have an optionto choose one that was different or better suited to your character.
The ability tochoose your sizeis also something new to the 2024 ruleset versus the 2014 Player’s Handbook.
Before, you werelocked into being a medium-sized creature.
What difference does a decade make, really?
