The Tiefling is a famously popular race inDungeons and Dragonsand is equally popular amongBaldur’s Gate 3players. Typically, they appear as humanoid creatures with horns and devilish skin colors ranging between red, orange, blue, and purple. Many Tieflings also have horns, scaley skin, glowing eyes with dark scleras, and many other unnatural features.They also have resistance to Fire and Dark Vision no matter their subclass.
Tieflings usually inherit their appearance from their ancestors. They are descended from devils, though it is not unknown for someone to become a Tiefling after making a deal with or provoking a devil. Some Tieflings are also abyssal and don’t have any infernal background. Tiefling players can choose to be part ofone of three sub-races inBG3, tracing back to one of the rulers of the Nine Hells:Asmodeus, Mephistopheles, and Zariel.
Asmodeus Tieflings Descend From The King Of The Nine Hells
The Majority Of Tieflings Are Part Of Asmodeus' Lineage
Asmodeus rules Nessus, the deepest layers of the Hells, and is considered the overall ruler of the Nine Hells and all devilkind. He is the embodiment of lawful evil - though the most well-mannered of the archdukes, he rules with an iron fist and believes he is the only one capable of bringing his kingdom to glory.He is one of the most powerful beings in the Forgotten Realms, possibly only being second to Ao, the Overgod. He also can turn any devil into an archdevil, which is what he did to Zariel after her fall.
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InDungeons & Dragons,Asmodeus Tieflings have a stronger intellect than the rest of their kin. The Asmodeus bloodline is considered the most common, and the typical appearance of a red-skinned devilish humanoid is based on his image. Tieflings born of his bloodline are gifted with the control of fire and darkness - Asmodeus' home of Nessus is located within a void and is a wasteland devastated by frequent firestorms. Most Tiefling NPCS are of this lineage, though some significant Asmodeus tieflings include Alfira, Dammon, Rolan, and Zevlor.
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In early access, Asmodeus Tieflings received a +2 bonus to charisma and a +1 bonus to intelligence, which is how the subrace functions inDungeons & Dragons.However, this is no longer the case to encourage more creativity. The Hellish Rebuke spell uses the character’s charisma modifier to determine damage, meaning thatthis subclass is best paired with a charisma-based spellcaster such as a Bard, Sorcerer, or Warlock. This subrace is generally the “default” choice for Tieflings.
Mephistopheles Tieflings Trace Back To The Ruler Of Cania
Tieflings Descended From Mephistopheles Are Magically Gifted
Mephistopheles is the ruler of the eighth level of the Nine Hells, Cania. Despite keeping up a diplomatic and level-headed facade, he has a vicious temper and often flies into rages.He is driven by his passion for power and the study of magic, a trait passed onto his Tieflings, granting them improved magical abilities and spells such asMage Hand.
Descended from the archdevil Mephistopheles, these Tieflings are gifted with a particular affinity for arcane magic.
Though Arabella’s infernal heritage is never specified, she is likely a descendant of Mephistopheles, given her affinity for magic and similarity to the default Mephistopheles Tiefling in appearance.
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Cania is one of themost dangerous planes inDungeons & Dragonslore, as the coldest and least habitable of all the Nine Hells. Mephistopheles can live there due to his mastery of fire, an ability he also passed down to the Tieflings in his lineage with spells such as Burning Hands and Flame Blade. Mephistopheles is highly versed in the realm of magic and is almost unmatched in terms of arcane power. Due to the bloodline’s strong focus on this type of magic,a wizard character would work best with this lineage thematically.
Something that many players may miss is thatRaphael is the son of Mephistopheles and the heir to his throne. This explains how he is so powerful despite being half-mortal, as his father is much more powerful than a regular devil. This information is revealed either aftersiding and giving Raphael the Crown of Karsusin the end scene, which many players are dissuaded from doing, or can be found out by using the “Speak with Dead” spell on Harleep, where they will tell the player that Mephistopheles sent them to keep an eye on Raphael.
Zariel Tieflings Come From The Ruler Of Avernus
Zariel’s Tieflings Are Frontline Fighters
Assuming theyfound and recruited Karlach inBG3, Zariel is the Archdevil that players will hear the most about - the player quickly learns of her antics, as shown inDoubleGate’s video where Zariel sends a pack of fake paladins to hunt down Karlach. Zariel is a fallen angel turned Archdevil and is the ruler of the first hell, Avernus. Zariel is fixated on winning the Blood War between devils and demons, which Karlach also fought in.Zariel is a sadistic ruler motivated by war and bloodshed, and Tieflings of her bloodline have abilities that allow them to excel in battle.
Tieflings from Zariel’s bloodline are empowered with martial strength and can channel searing flame to punish their enemies.
When it comes to dealing damage, the Zariel bloodline is arguably the best- especially for front-line fighters like barbarians and paladins. Tieflings of this lineage also gain theThaumaturgycantrip, typically a trait held by all Tieflings in traditionalDungeons & Dragons. Oddly enough, Karlach is the only Zariel Tiefling players who will meet, as she is stated to have been the only Zariel tiefling to have escaped the Hells - perhaps one of two if the player chooses this subrace. Unfortunately, there are no dialogue options to establish this connection.
Though several subraces of Tiefling didn’t make it into the game, the options players have been given have extensive potential for compelling characters and efficient class builds. In abilities and aesthetics, Tieflings are one of the most fun races to play inBaldur’s Gate 3and have some of the most notable lore inDungeons & Dragons. All three subraces have their strengths, though many suit specific classes more than others.
