Tiefling Bard 5e D&D Guide

Tiefling Bards – devilish minstrels adorning their bycocket hats, sprouting horns, and lush tails are quite rare indeed. But when you see one, do not take it for a lowly bard, as they are masters of music and magic.

Their fingers dance across the strings of their lute, and with a flick of their tail, they cast spells that can charm even the most hardened of hearts. Some say they sold their souls to devils for their talent, but those are mere stories.

They travel far and wide, using their gifts to entertain and enchant all who cross their path. They’re a jack-of-all-trades, equally skilled in combat and charisma.

They can talk their way out of a sticky situation or use their devilish powers to turn the tide of battle.

Crossing paths with a Tiefling Bard will invite great music, tasteful food, and a nearly undetectable spell cast on your party!

Creating a Tiefling Bard

Tieflings

Tieflings are greeted with stares and whispers, suffering violence and horrific insults wherever they go, seeing fear and mistrust in every eye that passes them – this is something all Tieflings go through.

The hate others feel for Tieflings is because of the pact struck many generations ago, infusing them with the essence of Asmodeus, the overlord of the Nine Hells and all evil that serves under him.

Their appearance cannot be helped, only resulting because of an ancient sin long past. All their descendants will bear this appearance and be held accountable for as long as their race lives.

Note: These features can be slightly changed or modified if some variations don’t fit your character.

Tiefling Subraces

The subraces of Tieflings are broken up into different bloodlines and then divided once again as not all of them have the blood of Asmodeus – introducing Tiefling Variants and the Abyssal Tiefling.

Bloodline of Asmodeus – Tieflings of Asmodeus command the powers of darkness and fire and have increased intellect.

Bloodline of Baalzebul – Tieflings of Baalzebul excel at corrupting others both physically and psychically.

Bloodline of Dispater – Tieflings of Dispater are expert spies and infiltrators, mainly because of their place in the city of Dis, occupying Hell’s second layer.

Bloodline of Fierna – Tieflings of Fierna are master manipulators, as they possess forceful personalities.

Bloodline of Glasya – Tieflings of Glasya transform her subjects into criminal masterminds, providing them with magic to commit heists.

Bloodline of Levistus – Tieflings of Levistus offer their friends “bargains,” protecting them from certain doom.

Bloodline of Mammon – Tieflings of Mammon have his love for coins, knowing ways to gather as well as safeguard hordes of valuables.

Bloodline of Mephistopheles – Tieflings of Mephistopheles obtain unmatched arcane magic if they beg Mephistopheles for it.

Bloodline of Zariel – Tieflings of Zariel are physically superior to other Tieflings and have magical abilities that bolster them in battle.

Tiefling Variants – Not all Tieflings have the blood of Asmodeus others are different traits providing them with spells, increased attributes, and physical differences. 

Note: Mutually exclusive traits are Devil’s Tongue, Hellfire and Winged.

Abyssal Tiefling (UA) – Abyssal Tieflings trace their bloodlines to the demons who dwell in the Abyss, possessing magical abilities unique to their demonic ancestors.

Bard Class Features

Hit Points

Proficiencies

Bard Colleges

Once you reach level 3, you’ll be able to unlock the techniques of different bard colleges; choosing one will give you specific features, so try optimizing your choices with your subrace.

Creation – College of Creation Bards are obsessed with the cosmos, believing it is a work of art, a creation of the first dragons and gods.

You can often hear them sing the Song of Creation, filling those around them with deep emotions.

Eloquence – College of Eloquence Bards are master orators, using persuasion, reason, and a well-spoken argument to solve most problems. These Bards are experts at plucking the heartstring of those listening and even winning over skeptics.

Glamour – College of Glamour Bards learned their craft in the Feywild, using their magic to enlighten and captivate those who listen to their song. There are tales of these Bards successfully lulling powerful dragons with their song and speech.

Lore – College of Lore Bards knows something of everything, having diverse knowledge about almost any matter. They are experts at unraveling lies, exposing corruption, and telling the truth in the most compelling manner.

Spirits – College of Spirits Bards study fiction, histories, and legends in search of great power. They use magic to call upon forces to once again change the world, just as in their books.

Swords – College of Swords Bards entertain through weapon prowess – swallowing swords, jugglings knives, and mocking combatants. They are skilled with weapons and often combine them with powerful magical effects.

Valor – College of Valor Bards tells the tales of legendary heroes, both in the past and in the present. They usually travel to these great events to catch a firsthand experience, which is why their songs are so emotional and detailed.

Whispers – College of Whispers Bards seem like ordinary Bards, singing and dancing as usual, but their motives are as dangerous as their teachings.

These Bards are wolves in sheep’s clothing. They uncover secrets and turn people against each other using threats and extortion.

In most cases, these Bards claim to follow a different college, only revealing their true college when it is absolutely necessary.

Note: Watch out for College of Whispers Bards in royal courts and among the highest echelons of society, as they can worm themselves into any situation.

Combining BardWith Tiefling

Determining Your Bard Subclass

You’ll be making your own subjective choice when choosing your subclass, so before choosing, try to understand what your character wants to do and how well the chosen subclass fits with your subrace.

Optimal Tiefling Subrace

Since Tieflings already have a bonus to Charisma (2), their proficient saving throw and spellcasting ability modifier will already be affected.

Therefore, to get a bonus to Dexterity (1), you can pick the Bloodline of Disapter or the Bloodline of Glasya. 

You can also take other options that fit your character better if you’re not too worried about Dexterity.

Your Tiefling Bard Background

Your Tiefling Bard needs a unique background that will affect their choices, as well as the way they see the world and what they want to achieve.

Start by asking yourself some basic questions: Where were they born, and where did they come from? Do they have any goals, bonds, or ideals, and what are their flaws? Where do they belong in social circles and society as a whole? What inspires them?

Place of Birth

Think of the environment your Tiefling Bard grew up in – how it affected them physically and emotionally and shaped their view of the world. In some cases, this would include why they became a Bard in the first place.

Try to make your place of birth and upbringing correspond with your personality traits, ideals, bonds, and flaws – this will truly bring your character alive.

Note: The birthplaces of races are usually mentioned in the Player’s Handbook or some of its expansion books.

Characteristics and Personality Traits 

Tiefling Bards sing melodies of sadness, often imbuing their songs with magic, telling tales of the horrors they have witnessed both in Hell and in the Mortal Planes.

Tiefling Bard Examples:

• I…speak…slowly…when talking…to idiots…which…almost…everyone…is…compared…to me.

Ideals, Bonds, and Flaws

Ideal – Express one ideal that is a driving force in a Tiefling Bard’s life – their conviction, ethical principle, and moral standing (probably something about nature).

I am a free spirit – no one will tell me what to do.

Bonds – Think of a single bond that your Tiefling Bard has to an event, person, or place, trying them to their background.

I pursue wealth to secure someone’s love.

Flaws – Choose a single flaw for a Tiefling bard – their unhealthy compulsion, greatest fear/weakness, or most vile vice.

I’m a sucker for a pretty face.

Inspiration

The DM can use inspiration to reward you for playing according to your bond, personality traits, ideals, and flaw.

Playing a good song once in a while gives me new strength.

Note: If you’re struggling to create your background or just don’t want to think, the Player’s Handbook has well-thought-through backgrounds that you can use for your character or use as a mold.

Supplies and Gear For Tiefling Bards

Bards start with the following equipment, together with the equipment from their background.

Choosing equipment based on your situation and your character’s proficiencies is the easiest way to go about things.

• (a) A rapier (b) A longsword (c) Any simple weapon
• (a) A diplomat’s pack or (b) An entertainer’s pack
• (a) A lute or (b) Any other musical instrument
• A dagger and leather armor

You can decide how your character came about these goods – whether they stole, inherited, or purchased them some time back – adding to your character’s background.

Note: If you aren’t satisfied with your equipment, you can always use your starting wealth to buy other equipment (5d4 x 10 GP for Bards).

Final Thoughts

Tiefling Bards weave their songs with the sadness they have experienced over decades of hate from other races, often imbuing them with powerful magic.

A party willing to accept the tearful melodies of a Tiefling Bard will receive a skilled Support or Utility Caster.

You might also be interested in the following:

• Tiefling Druid
• Tiefling Paladin
• Tiefling Sorcerer
• Tiefling Wizard