The DnD 2024 Tiefling is an often misunderstood hero who can trace their ancestry to the fiendish denizens of the Lower Planes. The 2024 version of the Dungeons and Dragons Player’s Handbook introduces three, all-new Tiefling variants, each with unique spells, resistances, and strange appearances – this guide explains the new rules for the DnD Tiefling.
If you want to double-check what’s changed, our Tiefling 5e guide can tell you all about the 2014 species.
Our overall guides to all the DnD races and DnD classes in the game are also essential for a broader overlook – and our DnD 2024 Player’s Handbook review covers all the major changes in the game’s newest version.
DnD 2024 Tiefling traits
| Creature Type | Humanoid |
| Size | Small or Medium |
| Speed | 30 feet |
Your Tiefling can choose between two DnD sizes, either Small or Medium. Tieflings also have Darkvision, with a range of 60 feet, and the feature ‘Otherworldly Presence’ which gives you the Thaumaturgy cantrip. That lets you perform harmless little magical tricks like creating a sound, or causing an unlocked door to fly open.
For this spell, and the DnD spells provided by your Fiendish Legacy, you can choose whether you want Charisma, Intelligence, or Wisdom to be your casting ability.
DnD 2024 Tiefling appearance
Tieflings have an appearance that reflects their fiendish heritage, ancestors who were – or dabbled a little too closely with – the devils, demons, and other entities of the lower planes. Tieflings often have pointed ears, horns, tails, and glowing eyes.
Though none of the artwork in the new Players’ Handbook really reflects this properly, your Tiefling’s physical appearance can also change based on the Infernal Legacy they descend from.
How tall can Tieflings be?
A small Tiefling will be up to four feet tall, while a medium Tiefling could (under the game rules) be up to eight feet tall! In practise, most Tieflings have a similar height range to humans, typically between five and six and a half feet tall.
DnD 2024 Tiefling subraces
The 2024 Tiefling’s main feature is its Infernal Legacies, what might’ve been called subraces in older versions of the game, reflecting which of the Lower Planes their ancestors dwelled within. While the Lower Planes are each associated with a particular moral alignment, individual Tieflings are free individuals who can have any alignment at all.
These give you a resistance to a specific DnD damage type, as well as access to a starting cantrip and two spells gained through character progression. Aside from their cool appearance, this is the main draw of this species. Even if they’re not a spellcasting DnD class, the Tiefling gets to use some magic. You can choose whether you want Charisma, Intelligence, or Wisdom to be your casting ability.
Infernal Tiefling 2024
Connected to the planes with a lawful evil leaning, such as the Nine Hells, Acheron, and Gehenna, these Tieflings may have horns, spines, tails, golden eyes, and the smell of sulfur.
You are resistant to fire damage and know the cantrip Fire Bolt. At level three, you can cast Hellish Rebuke, and at level five can cast Darkness.
Abyssal Tiefling 2024
Connected to the planes with chaotic evil elements, such as the Abyss, Pandaemonium, or Carceri, these Tieflings may have horns, fur, tusks, and even give off”peculiar scents”.
You are resistant to poison damage and know the cantrip Poison Spray. At level three, you can cast Ray of Sickness, and at level five can cast Hold Person.
Chthonic Tiefling 2024
Connected to the planes with neutral evil tendencies such as Carceri, Gehenna, and Hades, these Tieflings have a varied, uncanny appearance. You might appear corpselike, have the beauty of a succubus, or share features with a night-hag, yugoloth, or some other type of Neutral fiend.
You are resistant to necrotic damage, and know the cantrip Chill Touch. At level three, you can cast False Life, and at level five can cast Ray of Enfeeblement.
DnD 2024 Tiefling classes
If you want to make full use of your Tiefling Legacy, your best bet is to play a spellcaster. This makes it more likely that you have a high spellcasting ability score that’ll make these extra spells useful. But hey, if you’re building a DnD Rogue with an awesome Charisma score, that’ll work fine too.
Most of the Fiendish Legacy spells are from the DnD Wizard and DnD Sorcerer spell list, so this species is a handy way for other casters to gain access to these particular spells. We’d recommend the Tiefling species for any caster that has a limited spell list to work with, such as the DnD Ranger, the Sorcerer, or the DnD Warlock. Subclasses like the Eldritch Knight and Arcane Trickster will also benefit from an expanded spell list.
Each type of Tiefling can do slightly different things with their Fiendish Legacy spells. Abyssal Tieflings gain some damage and control options, while Chthonic Tieflings can buff their HP and weaken foes. Infernal Tieflings are the most familiar, as they’re basically identical to 2014 Tieflings, who can deal some reactionary damage or control the battlefield with Darkness.
None of these offers game-breaking spell options (Hold Person and Darkness are probably our favorites). However, for casters with limited options, every little helps.
That’s all we’ve got on the 2024 update to the Tiefling! If you’d prefer a halo to horns, you might enjoy learning about the Aasimar, the angelic counterpart to the Tiefling, which has also made it into the new Player’s Handbook. And, while you’re cooking up your new Tiefling, we’ve got other guides that’ll come in handy – including a compendium of all DnD languages, and an explanation of the core DnD stats.