Tiefling Paladin 5e D&D Guide

A Tiefling Paladin can be compared to a unicorn with a suit of armor and a dark backstory.

These majestic creatures with the horns of a demon and the wings of an angel clad in shining plate mail that reflects the light of their holy convictions.

Tieflings Paladins made a noble choice, as they now use their infernal powers for good, wielding a sword blessed by their deity to smite evil wherever it may lurk.

Tiefling Paladins have faced their fair share of prejudice and persecution due to their infernal heritage.

It takes a specific kind of courage to stand up to the world’s judgment and fight for justice with a pure heart.

When coming across a Tiefling Paladin, treat them with the respect they deserve, for they are a rare and powerful combination of light and dark – good and evil.

Creating a Tiefling Paladin

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.

Paladin Class Features

Hit Points

Proficiencies

Paladin Sacred Oaths

Once you reach your 3rd level, you may swear an oath, binding you as a Paladin forever. Each oath has a different focus and brings you closer to the path of righteousness.

Ancients – The Oath of the Ancients is one of the oldest Sacred Oaths a Paladin can take. 

Those who take this oath cast both the light and darkness aside, all because of their love for nature and all things that grow. You can identify these Paladins by the images of plants their armor portrays.

Conquest – The Oath of Conquest calls for Paladins who seek glory on the battlefield and the destruction of their enemies.

Their duty is to crush the forces of chaos, serving gods and philosophies of war. Some Paladins even go so far as to reach out to powers of the Nine Hells, like the archdevil Bel, the warlord of Avernus.

Crown – The Oath of the Crown calls upon Paladins who value civilization above all else, the spirit of their nation, and their sovereignty.

In many cases, these Paladins become the watchful guardians atop palisades, protecting their civilization against the evils of the world.

Devotion – The Oath of Devotion contains Paladins who fight for justice, order, and virtue. They hold everyone to the highest standard of conduct, devoted entirely to their gods of good and law.

You can identify these Paladins by the angelic symbols and craftsmanship present on their equipment.

Glory – The Oath of Glory Paladins believe that they and their allies are destined for glory, achieved only through deeds of heroism.

Redemption – The Oath of Redemption Paladins believe in absolute vindication, seeing violence as a last resort. They face evil in the hopes of turning them to the light but are often reminded that their ideals are only that – ideals.

Vengeance – Oath of Vengeance Paladins seek retribution on those who committed the most horrific crimes.

Watchers – Oath of the Watchers Paladins are the protectors of the mortal realms, fighting against extraplanar intruders.

Oathbreaker – Oathbreaker Paladins are those who broke their sacred oaths to pursue a dark ambition or serve some evil power. 

Whatever light once burned in the hearts of these Paladins has long been extinguished; only darkness now remains.

Combining Paladin With Tiefling

Determining Your Paladin 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

Tieflings, even though their principles differ from those of a Paladin, have a great potential to become one, as they have a bonus to Charisma (2).

If you’re concerned with increasing your saving throw effectiveness, then you should take on the Bloodline of Fierna or just pick a subrace that you like.

Your Background

You need to think of a background that embraces the core values of a Tiefling yet leads you down the path of becoming a Paladin.

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 Paladin 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 Paladin 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 Paladins are extraordinarily righteous, ignoring all the hateful slander and choosing to serve the good, protecting all those who need it, even if their hearts are filled with hate.

Tiefling Paladin Examples:

• I’m always polite and respectful.

Ideals, Bonds, and Flaws

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

I know that my deity will always guide my actions. I believe that if I start working hard, things will go well.

Bonds – Think of a single bond that your Tiefling Paladin has to an event, person, or place. Bonds will tie them to their background and can inspire bravery or stimulate memories driving them against their ideals.

I protect those who cannot protect themselves.

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

I am easily distracted if information is promised.

Inspiration

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

I hold no ill will for those who hate me; I would rather converse with them.

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 Paladins

Paladins 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) Martial weapon and shield or (b) Two martial weapons
• (a) Five javelins or (b) Any simple melee weapon
• (a) Priest’s pack or (b) Explorer’s pack
• A holy symbol and chain mail

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: You can also use your starting wealth to buy equipment (5d4 x 10 GP for Paladins).

Final Thoughts

Tiefling Paladins have left their wicked pasts behind in search of enlightenment under the name of a deity.

If your party needs a strong Defender, Controller, or Support, look no further than the Tiefling Paladin.

You might also be interested in the following:

• Tiefling Bard
• Tiefling Druid
• Tiefling Sorcerer
• Tiefling Wizard