Tiefling Point Buy Guide for D&D 5e
Tieflings are one of the most iconic races in D&D, and they come with solid innate spellcasting, fire resistance, and darkvision on top of their ASIs. The base Tiefling from the 2014 PHB gives +1 INT and +2 CHA — not ideal for every build, but perfect for Sorcerers, Warlocks, and some Bards. The expanded Tiefling subraces in Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse dramatically improved racial flexibility.
Tiefling Lore & Background
Tieflings carry the bloodline of Asmodeus or other archdevils, manifesting in infernal features — horns, tails, solid-colored eyes, unnatural skin tones. In the Forgotten Realms, they're often viewed with suspicion, making them natural outsiders in most civilized societies. This background produces some of the most compelling roleplay in D&D, particularly in campaigns like Descent into Avernus where their heritage becomes plot-relevant. The infernal bloodline also explains their innate spellcasting abilities.
Mechanical Traits
Base Tiefling (2014 PHB): +1 INT, +2 CHA, darkvision 60 feet, Hellish Resistance (fire resistance), Infernal Legacy (thaumaturgy cantrip; hellish rebuke 1/day at level 3; darkness 1/day at level 5). Hellish Rebuke is particularly good — it's a reaction spell that scales with your spell slot level, meaning it does real damage even at level 1. Fire resistance comes up more often than you'd expect. The Mordenkainen's variants swap INT for other stats based on subrace: Glasya gets DEX, Zariel gets STR, Levistus gets CON, etc.
Ability Score Bonuses
2014 PHB
+1 INT and +2 CHA in the base PHB. This is slightly awkward for pure CHA builds since you're getting an INT bonus you may not want. If you're playing a Warlock, the +2 CHA is excellent but the +1 INT goes to a stat you'd probably dump. The Mordenkainen's subraces fix this: Glasya Tiefling gets DEX+1/CHA+2, Zariel gets STR+1/CHA+2, Levistus gets CON+1/CHA+2 — far more useful for non-INT builds.
2024 PHB
Under 2024 rules, species ASIs are flexible. A Tiefling (or the 2024 equivalent fiend-touched lineage) can assign the +2/+1 wherever needed. The innate spellcasting and resistances are what make the race distinctive, not the fixed stat bonuses.
Sample Point Buy Builds
Fiend Warlock
STR 8 / DEX 14 / CON 14 / INT 8 / WIS 10 / CHA 15+2. Start with CHA 17. Pure Eldritch Blast machine — fire resistance keeps you alive at close range. 26 points.
Divine Soul Sorcerer
STR 8 / DEX 13 / CON 14 / INT 8+1 / WIS 12 / CHA 14+2. CHA 16, decent WIS for Wisdom saves, INT 9 from racial bump. 25 points.
Glasya Rogue
STR 8 / DEX 15+1 / CON 13 / INT 12 / WIS 10 / CHA 14+2. DEX 16, CHA 16 for Arcane Trickster spells. 26 points.
Best Class Pairings for Tiefling
+2 CHA directly powers Eldritch Blast and spell save DC. Hellish Rebuke gives you extra reaction damage. Thematically perfect.
+2 CHA plus innate spellcasting. Fire resistance helps a Draconic Sorcerer who wades into melee range.
+2 CHA is always excellent for Bards. Hellish Rebuke gives reactive damage that Bards normally lack.
+2 CHA handles the social half of Paladin's MAD (multiple ability dependency). Take Zariel for STR+1 to round it out.
Glasya Tiefling (DEX+1/CHA+2) is exceptional for Arcane Trickster Rogues who use both DEX and CHA.
Common Build Mistakes
Using base PHB Tiefling for a non-INT build and wasting the +1 INT. If your DM allows Mordenkainen's, pick the Tiefling subrace that matches your class. Also, don't neglect Hellish Rebuke — it costs a spell slot but does 2d10 fire damage as a reaction at level 1, which is among the best reaction damage in the game at early levels.
Frequently Asked Questions — Tiefling
What's the best Tiefling subrace for Warlock?
Is Tiefling good for Paladin?
Does fire resistance matter much?
Can Tiefling use their racial spells with any spell slots?
Is Tiefling legal in Adventurers League?
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