D&D 5e (2014) Race GuideTiefling Guide: Variants, Classes and Builds

Overview

Under the 2014 rules your race sets your ability score increases, and the tiefling gets +2 Charisma and +1 Intelligence. Charisma is the casting score for warlocks, sorcerers, bards and paladins, so the tiefling starts strong on all of them.

It also brings Darkvision, fire resistance and Infernal Legacy: ThaumaturgyThaumaturgyTransmutation cantripCastingActionRange30 feetDuration1 minuteYou manifest a minor wonder, a sign of supernatural power, within range. You create one of the following magical effects within range. - Your voice booms up to three times as loud as normal for 1 minute. - You cause flames to flicker, brighten, dim, or change color for 1 minute. at level 1, then a free Hellish RebukeHellish Rebuke1st-level EvocationCastingReactionRange60 feetDurationInstantaneousSaveDexterityDamage2d10 FireYou point your finger, and the creature that damaged you is momentarily surrounded by hellish flames. The creature must make a Dexterity saving throw. It takes 2d10 fire damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one. at level 3 and DarknessDarkness2nd-level EvocationConcentrationCastingActionRange60 feetDuration10 minutesMagical darkness spreads from a point you choose within range to fill a 15-foot-radius sphere for the duration. The darkness spreads around corners. A creature with darkvision can't see through this darkness, and nonmagical light can't illuminate it. at level 5, each once per Long Rest. The +1 Intelligence is the weak spot; few Charisma classes use it.

Tiefling Traits

Tiefling Variants, Rated

The Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide offers optional tiefling variants. Feral replaces the ability score increase; the others replace Infernal Legacy. Later books add tieflings tied to specific archdevils. All are optional, so ask your DM first. The builds below use the standard tiefling from the SRD.

Winged

A 30-foot flying speed from level 1, in place of Infernal Legacy. Flight changes every fight and every chasm. Many DMs say no, so ask.

Legendary

Standard (Infernal Legacy)

Free Thaumaturgy, Hellish Rebuke and Darkness. Darkness plus the warlock's Devil's Sight invocation is a classic combo.

Epic

Feral

+2 Dexterity and +1 Intelligence instead of Charisma. Turns the tiefling into a rogue, ranger or wizard race.

Epic

Devil's Tongue

Vicious MockeryVicious MockeryEnchantment cantripCastingActionRange60 feetDurationInstantaneousSaveWisdomYou unleash a string of insults laced with subtle enchantments at a creature you can see within range., then Charm PersonCharm Person1st-level EnchantmentCastingActionRange30 feetDuration1 hourSaveWisdomYou attempt to charm a humanoid you can see within range. It must make a wisdom saving throw, and does so with advantage if you or your companions are fighting it. and EnthrallEnthrall2nd-level EnchantmentCastingActionRange60 feetDuration1 minuteSaveWisdomYou weave a distracting string of words, causing creatures of your choice that you can see within range and that can hear you to make a wisdom saving throw.. Flavorful for a talker; weaker than Hellish Rebuke and Darkness in a fight.

Rare

Hellfire

Burning HandsBurning Hands1st-level EvocationCastingActionRangeSelfDurationInstantaneousSaveDexterityDamage3d6 FireAs you hold your hands with thumbs touching and fingers spread, a thin sheet of flames shoots forth from your outstretched fingertips. Each creature in a 15-foot cone must make a dexterity saving throw. as a 2nd-level spell instead of Hellish Rebuke. More damage on your own turn, but you lose the reaction.

Rare

Best Classes for a Tiefling

Warlock

+2 Charisma for Eldritch BlastEldritch BlastEvocation cantripCastingActionRange120 feetDurationInstantaneousDamage1d10 ForceA beam of crackling energy streaks toward a creature within range. Make a ranged spell attack against the target. On a hit, the target takes 1d10 force damage., and Darkness with Devil's Sight. The Fiend patron is the obvious, and very good, match.

Legendary

Sorcerer

+2 Charisma and fire resistance. A Draconic Bloodline sorcerer with a red or gold dragon doubles down on fire.

Legendary

Bard

+2 Charisma for spells and talking. No Dexterity, so your AC starts lower than a half-elf bard's.

Epic

Paladin

Charisma powers spells and Aura of Protection, but Strength has to come from the array. Dragonborn or half-elf do it better.

Rare

Wizard

+1 Intelligence, free spells and fire resistance. Feral tieflings make it better with +2 Dexterity.

Rare

Rogue

Charisma for Deception and Persuasion. With the Feral variant, +2 Dexterity makes it a real rogue race.

Rare

Fighter

Only works well as a Feral tiefling with a bow or finesse weapon. The standard tiefling has nothing for it.

Uncommon

Ranger

Feral gives the Dexterity; Wisdom still has to come from the array.

Uncommon

Cleric

No Wisdom. Fire resistance helps on the front line.

Uncommon

Druid

No Wisdom. Free spells are nice, but a druid already has plenty.

Uncommon

Monk

Monks need Dexterity and Wisdom. Feral helps with one of them.

Common

Barbarian

No Strength or Constitution, and you cannot cast your racial spells while Raging.

Common

Racial Feats for Tieflings

Xanathar's Guide to Everything adds two tiefling feats. If your table uses it:

• Flames of Phlegethos: +1 Intelligence or Charisma. Reroll 1s on the damage dice of fire spells, and casting one wreathes you in flames that burn creatures hitting you in melee. Made for a fire sorcerer.
• Infernal Constitution: +1 Constitution, resistance to cold and poison damage, and Advantage on saves against being poisoned. With fire resistance already, a sturdy pick for any tiefling.

From the Player's Handbook, War Caster suits a tiefling warlock or sorcerer who wants to keep concentration.

Tiefling Builds

Beginner friendlyThe Fiend-Pact Warlock

Race

Tiefling

Subclass

The Fiend

First spells

Eldritch BlastEldritch BlastEvocation cantripCastingActionRange120 feetDurationInstantaneousDamage1d10 ForceA beam of crackling energy streaks toward a creature within range. Make a ranged spell attack against the target. On a hit, the target takes 1d10 force damage., Burning HandsBurning Hands1st-level EvocationCastingActionRangeSelfDurationInstantaneousSaveDexterityDamage3d6 FireAs you hold your hands with thumbs touching and fingers spread, a thin sheet of flames shoots forth from your outstretched fingertips. Each creature in a 15-foot cone must make a dexterity saving throw., CommandCommand1st-level EnchantmentCastingActionRange60 feetDuration1 roundSaveWisdomYou speak a one-word command to a creature you can see within range. The target must succeed on a wisdom saving throw or follow the command on its next turn.

8STR

13DEX

14CON

11INT

12WIS

17CHA

Eldritch Blast from range, and Dark One's Blessing gives you temporary hit points every time you drop an enemy. A free Hellish Rebuke from level 3 punishes anyone who gets close.

Build this tiefling

Free to start. No card needed.

BlasterThe Hellfire Sorcerer

Race

Tiefling

Subclass

Draconic Bloodline (red or gold dragon)

First spells

Fire BoltFire BoltEvocation cantripCastingActionRange120 feetDurationInstantaneousDamage1d10 FireYou hurl a mote of fire at a creature or object within range. Make a ranged spell attack against the target. On a hit, the target takes 1d10 fire damage. A flammable object hit by this spell ignites if it isn't being worn or carried., Burning HandsBurning Hands1st-level EvocationCastingActionRangeSelfDurationInstantaneousSaveDexterityDamage3d6 FireAs you hold your hands with thumbs touching and fingers spread, a thin sheet of flames shoots forth from your outstretched fingertips. Each creature in a 15-foot cone must make a dexterity saving throw., ShieldShield1st-level AbjurationCastingReactionRangeSelfDuration1 roundAn invisible barrier of magical force appears and protects you. Until the start of your next turn, you have a +5 bonus to AC, including against the triggering attack, and you take no damage from magic missile.

8STR

14DEX

13CON

11INT

12WIS

17CHA

Fire on every turn. Draconic Resilience gives natural armor and extra hit points, and from level 6 Elemental Affinity adds your Charisma to fire spell damage. Your race already covers fire resistance.

Build this tiefling

Free to start. No card needed.

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