Tiefling

Note

In order to make the existing 5e ancestries balanced with the ones presented in these rules, we’ve made adjustments to the existing 5e ancestries. You can play with the original ancestries as originally presented, but if you want to utilize the Major/Minor Feature system, we’ve redesigned them here.

These ancestries replace the official 5e races. Some have been rolled up into larger categories, like the reptilian category capturing kobolds, lizardfolk, and snakefolk.

Tieflings can vary greatly depending on their fiendish ancestor.

Infernal Legacy and Infernal Words are two major features that involve spells that are tied to the tiefling’s lineage. You can represent tieflings with different types of fiendish ancestors by swapping out the spells in those features with a different spell of the same level.

Tiefling Traits

• Ability Score Increase. You gain a +2 and +1 bonus to two different ability scores of your choice, or +1 to three different ones.
• Age. Tieflings age at the same rate as humans and live a few years longer on average.
• Size. Tieflings have the same range of sizes as humans. Your size is Medium.
• Speed. Your base walking speed is 30 feet.
• Languages. You can speak, read, and write Common and Infernal.

Major Features

Choose two of the following major features. You can exchange one major feature for two additional minor features. You can only choose one option with the (magic) tag.

• Bloodhunter. You have advantage on attack rolls against targets that are at their hit point maximum.
• Infernal Legacy (Magic). You know the thaumaturgy cantrip. When you reach 3rd level, you can cast the hellish rebuke spell as a 2nd-level spell once with this trait and regain the ability to do so when you finish a long rest. When you reach 5th level, you can cast the darkness spell once with this trait and regain the ability to do so when you finish a long rest. You don’t require material components for these spells. Charisma is your spellcasting ability for these spells.
• Infernal Wings (Costs Two Major Features). You have a flying speed of 30 feet. To use this speed, you can’t be wearing medium or heavy armor.
• Infernal Words (Magic). You know the vicious mockery cantrip. When you reach 3rd level, you can cast the charm person spell as a 2nd-level spell once with this trait and regain the ability to do so when you finish a long rest. When you reach 5th level, you can cast the enthrall spell once with this trait and regain the ability to do so when you finish a long rest. Charisma is your spellcasting ability for these spells.
• Infernal Wrath. As a reaction, you can make a melee or ranged weapon attack against a creature that just damaged you. You have advantage on the attack roll, and if the attack hits, you can add your Charisma modifier to the damage roll. Once you use this ability, you can’t use it again until you finish a short or long rest.

Minor Features

Choose two of the following minor features, or four if you only chose one major feature.

• Darkvision. 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.
• Fiendish Resistance. You have resistance to acid, cold, fire, lightning, or poison damage.
• Fluent. You can speak, read, and write two additional languages of your choice.
• Infernal Deception. You have proficiency in the Deception skill.
• Planar Knowledge. You have proficiency in the Religion skill.
• Prehensile Tail. You have a tail that can be used like a hand. Your tail can hold and manipulate objects, but it can’t be used to make attacks or cast spells. Your tail is dexterous enough to use tools.
• Trained Tools. You have proficiency in two tools of your choice.