Tiefling Rogue 5e D&D Guide

The Tiefling Rogue was born of infernal blood and honed in the clandestine arts.

With eyes gleaming like coals and a cloak woven from the whispers of the abyss, this enigmatic figure prowls the cobblestone streets with a dexterous grace that belies their demonic lineage.

Armed with cunning wit and daggers kissed by shadows, the Tiefling Rogue is a living paradox—a creature of both darkness and finesse, navigating the realms of intrigue and thievery with a devilish charm.

Creating a Tiefling Rogue

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 have 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.

Rogue Class Features

Hit Points

Proficiencies

Rogue Archetypes

Upon reaching level 3, you’ll be able to choose from 9 Rogue archetypes, all with different pros and cons – but you’ll have to find one that fits best with your character.

Arcane Trickster – Combine your skillful agility and stealth with magic, granting you enchantment and illusion spells.

Assassin – Your art is death, using disguises to fool your enemies, poisons to make their death accidental, and stealth to remain unseen whenever necessary.

Inquisitive – Rooting out secrets and solving mysteries is what you live for. Your eyes see intricate details everywhere, and through training, you’ve come to read and write more languages than most.

You effortlessly exterminate creatures hiding amongst their prey by using your mastery of legends and powerful equipment.

Mastermind – The Mastermind focuses on people, particularly their influence and secrets. They make unmatched spies, using their words to escape even some of the most threatening situations.

Phantom – As a Phantom, you walk the line between life and death, always eager to take lives and risk your own in the process. 

While on this path, you may discover magical connections to death itself or even take knowledge from the dead and immerse yourself in their energy – becoming like a ghost.

Scout – Scouts are masters of survival and stealth, always eager to scout ahead during expeditions and clear the road if necessary.

Scouts find solace in the wilderness, among rangers and barbarians, often joining war bands and becoming their ambushers or bounty hunters.

Soulknife – You strike not with a blade but infiltrate the minds of your enemies, cutting through physical and psychic barriers. As a Soulknife, you discover vast psionic powers within you, channeling them in combination with your skills as a rogue.

Though useful, many other rogues and organizations mistrust them, as they are wary of their powerful mind-altering abilities. Many governments do, however, employ Soulknives as spies or masters of ‘persuasion.’

Swashbuckler – Swashbucklers know only the way of the sword, incorporating their charm, elegance, and speed. 

You aren’t adorned in heavy armor and fight as if performing a dance. Swashbucklers are unrivaled duelists, excelling with two weapons and one-on-one combat.

Thief – Thieves are seen as common hooligans, seeking nothing more than ‘treasure’ as they like to put it. 

They have exceptional agility and stealth, often using these skills to delve into ancient ruins or learn about unfamiliar languages in their search for wealth. They even use magical objects many others can’t.

Combining Rogue With Tiefling

Determining Rogue Your Subclass

Choosing your ideal subclass is subjective, but if your objective is optimization, try understanding what your character wants to do and what stats fit best with their subclass.

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. 

However, can also take other options that fit your character better (like Intelligence for Arcane Tricksters or Wisdom, depending on your role in the party) if you’re not too worried about Dexterity.

Your Tiefling Rogue Background

Your Tiefling Rogue needs a unique background that will affect its choices, as well as the way it sees the world and what it wants 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 a Tiefling Rogue grew up in and how it affected them physically and emotionally and eventually shaped their view of the world.

Try to make their place of birth and upbringing correspond with their 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 Rogues are the most feared shadows, lurking in the darkest areas and often misrepresented as pure killing machines, as they excel in assassination, poison, and all things meant to disembow.

While not often spotted due to disliking public areas, their presence is noticeable if you pay fine attention, but that’s probably because they want to be seen at times.

Tiefling Rogue Examples:

• I am incredibly slow to trust. Those who seem the fairest often have the most to hide.

Ideals, Bonds, and Flaws

Ideal – Express one ideal that is a driving force in a Tiefling Rogue’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 Rogue 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.

Most of my ill-gotten gains go to support my struggling family.

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

I have trouble trusting in my allies.

Inspiration

Inspiration is used by the DM to reward you for playing according to your bond, personality traits, ideals, and flaws.

My life has been tough, and I have lost trust, yet I do believe if I meet the right folks, I can learn to trust again.

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 Rogues

Rogues start with the following equipment, including 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 or (b) A shortsword
• (a) A shortbow and quiver containing 20 arrows or (b) A shortsword
• (a) Burglar’s pack, (b) Dungeoneer’s pack, or (c) Explorer’s pack
• Leather armor, two daggers, and thieves’ tools

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 buy equipment using your character’s starting wealth (4d4 x 10 GP for Rogues).

Final Thoughts

The natural shady impression of a Tiefling, combined with the stealthy tactics and deadly assassinations of a Rogue, not only works but is fantastic for a malicious, dark, rogueish flavor or something of the like.

Those looking to have a Tiefling Rogue join their party should be afraid, as they might come off as purely evil, but their general nature seems to be quite neutral and misunderstood, so showing one kindness is bound to work as a recruiting strategy!