DnD Tiefling 5e - the full species guide

Horned, hellish, and hella charismatic, the DnD Tiefling 5e species are a humanoid race which shares DNA with devils and demons. While they have some common features (horns, tails, colorful skin), the different Tiefling subraces can have hugely varied ancestries and abilities.

This deep-dive into one of 5e's DnD races includes all the Tiefling's core rules. We'll also recommend the best DnD classes and feats for your build, as well as helpful character building tips for roleplaying.

One thing to note: this is a guide to the 2014 Tiefling rules - see our other DnD 2024 Tiefling species guide for the version you'll find in the newest Player's Handbook.

The DnD Tiefling 5e race explained:

Tiefling traits

Tieflings are mortals with a connection to a fiendish entity, usually a demonic or devilish ancestor. This manifests in many ways, such as tails, horns, scales, or glowing eyes.

The exact origins of Tieflings is hard to unpick. That's because it's pretty vague in a lot of official source books and has also changed over the game's editions.

Generally, it's assumed that either a pact with Asmodeus cursed a Tiefling's bloodline or that at least one of their ancestors was a devil or other denizen of the lower DnD planes, affecting their appearance and abilities. But lots of players have their own head canon - a more personal backstory and answer to the question: where do Tieflings come from?

There are many types of Tieflings, but they share certain Tiefling traits as a result of their infernal heritage.

Ability score increase

Your Intelligence score increases by one, and your Charisma score increases by two.

Age

Tieflings mature at the same rate as humans but live a few years longer - making it to their centenary is a lot more common (adventuring accidents notwithstanding).

Alignment

Tieflings might not have an innate tendency towards evil, but the prejudice they often experience for their ancestral connection to the fiends may harden their hearts. Evil or not, an independent nature inclines many Tieflings towards a chaotic DnD alignment.

Size

Tieflings are about the same size and build as a Human. Your DnD size is Medium.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 30 feet.

Darkvision

Thanks to your infernal heritage, you have superior vision in dark and dim conditions. You can see in dim light within 60 feet of you as if it were bright light, and in darkness as if it were dim light. You can't discern color in darkness, only shades of gray.

Hellish Resistance

You have resistance to fire damage.

Infernal Legacy

You know the Thaumaturgy DnD cantrip. When you reach third level, you can cast the Hellish Rebuke spell as a second-level DnD spell once with this trait and regain the ability to do so when you finish a long rest. When you reach fifth level, you can cast the Darkness spell once with this trait and regain the ability to do so when you finish a DnD long rest. Charisma is your spellcasting ability for these spells.

Languages

You can speak, read, and write the Common and Infernal DnD languages.

Tiefling subraces

The DnD stats above belong to a specific kind of Tiefling, known as the 'Asmodeus Tiefling'. This is the most common and well-known Tiefling type, but there have been many other Tiefling subraces throughout D&D history, each with slightly different rules and appearance.

In the 2014 D&D rules, only two kinds of Tiefling are considered 'up to date', the Variant and Asmodeus Tiefling. In the more recent 2024 rules, there are three Tiefling types to choose from (see our DnD 2024 Tiefling guide for more information on these).

The rest of the Tiefling types are 'legacy content' found in older DnD books. They closely resemble the main Asmodeus Tiefling, but their ability score increases, innate spells, and lore backgrounds differ based on which particular archdevil or archdemon they originate from.

Tip: If you plan to build a Tiefling using these rules variants, be sure to check with your Dungeon Master first.

The playable Tiefling subraces in DnD 5e are:

• Variant
• Baalzebul
• Dispater
• Fierna
• Glasya
• Levistus
• Mammon
• Mephistopheles
• Zariel

Variant Tiefling

A Variant Tiefling refers to any member of the race that isn't associated with Asmodeus. Their appearance can differ greatly from a normal Tiefling, with all manner of devilish features, such as goat legs, leathery skin, or casting no shadow. Their rules are found in the Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide.

Variant Tieflings tend to have wings - which grant a bonus of 30ft flying speed when not wearing heavy DnD armor. Instead of the regular spells associated with an Asmodeus Tiefling, the Variant Tiefling gains the following cantrips and spells at levels one, three, and five:

Baalzebul Tiefling

A Baalzebul Tiefling is linked to the archdevil Baalzebul - who specializes in corruption - and the crumbling layer of hell known as Maladomini. You get +2 Charisma and +1 Intelligence, and you can use the following corruption-based spells thanks to your Legacy of Maladomini ability.

Dispater Tiefling

Dispater is an archdevil who's all about intrigue and sneakiness, so Dispater Tieflings, connected to this devil through their bloodline, get +2 Charisma and +1 Dexterity, and can access these cunning spells that are perfect for spycraft:

Fierna Tiefling

Fierna is an archdevil who excels at manipulation, so Fierna Tieflings get +2 Charisma and +1 Wisdom. They can also access spells that will help them make friends and influence people:

Glasya Tiefling

Glasya is the youngest archdevil and Asmodeus' daughter. Glasya Tieflings are particularly attractive, get +2 Charisma and +1 Dexterity, and gain a set of spells which, like that of Dispater Tieflings, are geared towards subterfuge and stealth:

Levistus Tiefling

Levistus is the archdevil in charge of the cold frozen sea hell, Stygia. He's also trapped in an iceberg. Levistus Tieflings get +2 Charisma and +1 Constitution, and can access the following cold-themed spells:

Mammon Tiefling

Mammon loves money, and Tieflings with this bloodline are apparently great at organizing their finances. Mammon Tieflings get +2 Charisma and +1 Intelligence, and they gain the following spells:

Mephistopheles Tiefling

Mephistopheles is an archdevil who rules the frozen hell of Cania but uses hellfire magic. He's also the greatest wizard out of all the devils. A Mephistopheles Tiefling gets +2 Charisma and +1 Intelligence, and can access these fire-themed spells:

Zariel Tiefling

Zariel is an archdevil obsessed with battle. As a result, Zariel Tieflings make better DnD Fighters than most. They get +2 Charisma and +1 Strength, and their racial spells are related to improving their weapon attacks.

Tiefling names

In keeping with their demonic provenance, DnD Tiefling names tend to incorporate nods to various epic-sounding Old Testament bible characters and/or Latin-sounding overtones. Their names often have at least one 'Z' or 'X' in them, and often end in 'ius'; 'ios'; 'ias'; or 'iath' - or, of course, the classic angelic/demonic name suffix 'iel'.

A few traditional Tiefling names might be:

• Moriath
• Axariel
• Zaxion
• Baranius
• Kaivas
• Ixorios

Tiefling virtue names

Some DnD Tiefling characters prefer not to have their name reflect their demonic heritage, and may either choose a name from another culture - or they can choose what's called a Tiefling virtue name.

These are one word long, and they are chosen to represent a given abstract concept, value, or obsession that shapes the character's sense of self. A few possible virtue names could be:

• Absolution
• Suffering
• Tumult
• Excoriation
• Endless
• Gleaming

Tiefling name generator

As ever, the internet is rife with tools for spitting out the perfect name for your DnD character - here are a couple of our favorite Tiefling name generators:

• Fantasy Name Generator
• Codex Nomina

Tiefling classes

The best classes for Tieflings tend to be those that synergize well with Tieflings' inherent stat benefits - improved Intelligence and Charisma - as well as the race's general proclivity towards spellcasting.

In our experience, the best Tiefling 5e classes are Warlock, Sorcerer, Bard, and Paladin. Here's a quick tutorial on building your Tiefling in each of those classes.

Tiefling Warlock

A Tiefling Warlock is one of the most stereotypical builds there is. Maybe it's the inherent association between Tieflings and demons that drives them to make pacts with those sorts of powers. Maybe it's the horns, or the Charisma casting. Whatever it is, 'Tiefling' and 'Warlock' are almost synonymous in Dungeons and Dragons.

The DnD Warlock has very limited access to spells, so the inherent magic of a Tiefling is a solid way to expand their repertoire. You won't make much use of the Tiefling's Intelligence stat increase, but we think booksmarts are overrated anyway - unless you're planning to play a DnD Wizard.

The legacy Tiefling subraces provide many strong options for a budding Warlock:

• Dispater - A Dexterity buff helps you dodge hits in combat, and the spell lists offers some useful utility - and there's no overlap with the Warlock spell list.
• Fierna - The Wisdom boost may not be very useful, but the spells are handy if you want to lean into your Charisma expertise and take on the party's social challenges.
• Glaysa - Also offers a Dexterity buff, and though its spells are already on the Warlock spell list, they're exceptionally useful for utility and scouting, and having extra daily casts will not hurt.
• Levistus - Though this has one our least favorite subrace spell lists, the boosted Constitution it provides will help you absorb more hits.
• Variant - One word. Wings. They're the very best way to keep squishy spellcasters out of danger, particularly at lower levels.

Tiefling Sorcerer

The Tiefling Sorcerer is another glass cannon spellcaster, but it plays very differently from the Warlock. Once again, you're casting spells using your Charisma, and once again, your choice of race gives you a nice boost to a limited range of spells.

We'd argue the DnD Sorcerer is the most complex of the Tiefling-friendly classes, so bear that in mind when choosing your build. That does also mean it can be incredibly powerful.

If your DM allows you to use Tiefling subraces, we'd recommend pretty much any of the ones we suggested above for Warlocks. Since the Warlock and Sorcerer are both Charisma casters who benefit from the extra spells of each subrace just the same, all tips on stats and spells still apply.

Tiefling Bard

A Tiefling Bard may start with significantly more class spell slots than a Warlock, but at early levels you will greatly benefit from the extra daily casts the Tiefling provides. Plus, given the DnD Bard tendency to play party Skill Monkey, you may actually be able to put the Tiefling's superior Intelligence stat to good use.

Charisma is still the main stat to focus on for the class. It fuels your magic, and it helps you charm your way out of any sticky social situations.

Assuming your DM lets you use the legacy subraces, we'd argue that the Dispater and Glaysa Tieflings are two of the best Bard options, purely for the Dexterity increase. Like all spellcasters, Bards also benefit from the maneuverability that the Variant Tiefling's wings bring. But if you want to expand your spellcasting repertoire, Mephistopheles, Mammon, and Levistus offer spells not already on the Bard's spell list.

Tiefling Paladin

If you want at least some martial combat prowess, a Tiefling Paladin build is your best bet. You'll still have a bit of magic to manage, but you'll get a lot more play from aggressive spells like the Zariel Tiefling's smiting powers, which always seems to go to waste in other builds.

If you're using the base Tiefling species, one of your ability score increases will be in Intelligence - this should be the only time you ever put points into Intelligence. A DnD Paladin is MAD (multiple ability score dependent) enough as it is, and you'll need all your points to boost Strength and Constitution as well as Charisma.

If your DM gives you access to the legacy subraces, you have a bit more stat flexibility. Zariel Tieflings were destined to be Paladins, with a Strength buff and extra smite spells to boost your limited spell slots. Alternatively, go for the Levistus Tiefling, who gets a Constitution buff along with some very Paladin-friendly spells.

Roleplaying a Tiefling

Tieflings are born with infernal blood. This means that someone in their family, perhaps several generations back, had dealings with a devil. The legacy of this interaction lingers, and new members of the family will enter the world with horns and tails as well as the regular humanoid features.

This unique origin has a lot of impact the way you go about roleplaying a Tiefling. Firstly, it means the Tiefling race doesn't have a specific homeland or place of origin. Your Tiefling can be from anywhere, and they can have any kind of background.

We recommend thinking carefully about where your Tiefling is from. It might change how they were treated growing up, which can have a lot of  impact on someone's personality and beliefs.

In traditional D&D lore, Tieflings are a marginalized group, feared and discriminated against because of their lineage. It doesn't matter that a Tiefling had nothing to do with their great-great-grandmother's devilish activities: people will still judge them. If you're interested in exploring this aspect of the Tiefling race, your character might have spent their pre-campaign lives avoiding non-Tieflings, and you might find it difficult to trust others.

Not everyone wants to roleplay fantasy racism, however. And in recent years, the Forgotten Realms has been presented as an increasingly diverse and tolerant place. So, if you prefer, your Tiefling might have lived somewhere more cosmopolitan, where their neighbors aren't so judgy about ancestry.

Remember that, despite your ties to the Nine Hells, your Tiefling can have any alignment you like. Perhaps your Tiefling chose to rebel against the evil implications of their origin, and they've become the noblest Paladin the Realms has ever seen. Or maybe attempting to learn about their family history led them to some chaotic evil places. The multiverse is your oyster.

Tiefling FAQ

Here are the answers to some of the most common questions players and DMs alike have about the 5e Tiefling.

Q: Can a Tiefling child be born to human parents?

The answer is that in your game, you should decide! But if you want an official source to cite, consult this table from Xanathar's Guide to Everything (2017).

Bizarrely, it seems 'both tieflings' isn't included as an option - which feels like an oversight!

For more rules referencing, here's all you need to know about DnD level ups. We can also explain all the new DnD 2024 backgrounds from the most recent Player's Handbook.