In the world of Baldur’s Gate 3, Tieflings stand out as enigmatic figures, descended from the infernal depths of the Nine Hells. With their striking appearances and innate magical abilities, they navigate a realm filled with both suspicion and opportunity. This guide delves into the unique traits of Tieflings, exploring their subraces—Asmodeus, Mephistopheles, and Zariel—and offering insights on the best builds to maximize their potential in your adventures across Faerûn. Whether you seek to wield fire as a formidable Sorcerer or manipulate shadows as a cunning Warlock, understanding the Tiefling’s capabilities is key to mastering your journey in this epic RPG.
Basic stats and race abilities
Tieflings in Baldur’s Gate 3 are a unique race characterized by their infernal heritage, which grants them distinct advantages and abilities. Basic stats for Tieflings typically include a bonus to Charisma, making them excellent choices for classes that rely on social interaction and spellcasting, such as Warlocks and Sorcerers. Their racial abilities include features like Hellish Resistance, providing resistance to fire damage, and Infernal Legacy, which grants access to spells like Hellish Rebuke and Darkness, enhancing their combat versatility. This combination of enhanced Charisma and unique spell-like abilities allows Tieflings to excel in both social encounters and combat situations, making them a compelling choice for players looking to explore the depths of role-playing in the game.
After leaving early access, BG3 abandoned the mechanic of adding bonuses to stats depending on race. From now on, every player can choose a 1 and 2 bonus to any stat, regardless of race. This means that choosing a race will mainly influence the appearance of your character and the presence of appropriate race abilities.
Base race speed: The distance you can travel each turn is 9 meters.
Darkvision: up to 12 meters.
Hellish Resistance
The infernal origins of Tieflings make members of this race resistant to fire. All damage based on this element is reduced by half.
Considering that many offensive spells in BG3 are based on fire, this property will prove useful during many battles.
Subraces
Tieflings in Baldur’s Gate 3 are divided into three distinct subraces, each with unique abilities and characteristics that enhance gameplay.
- Asmodeus Tieflings inherit powers from the archdevil Asmodeus, allowing them to wield fire and darkness. They gain access to the Produce Flame cantrip at level 1, which enables them to create a flickering flame that can deal fire damage.
- Mephistopheles Tieflings are descendants of the archdevil Mephistopheles, known for their affinity for arcane magic. They start with the Mage Hand cantrip, allowing them to manipulate objects from a distance, and gain access to spells like Burning Hands at level 3.
- Zariel Tieflings draw strength from their martial lineage, empowered by the archdevil Zariel. They possess the Thaumaturgy cantrip, enhancing their presence in social interactions and gaining combat-related spells like Searing Smite as they progress.
Each subrace not only influences a Tiefling’s magical abilities but also shapes their role within a party, making them versatile characters in the rich tapestry of Baldur’s Gate 3.
Asmodeus Tiefling
A group associated with the lowest of the circles of Hell. A subrace primarily associated with pyromancer skills and characterized by red body color.
These Tiefling at level 1 know the Produce Flame cantrip, which allows for illumination of darkness and dealing 1d8 fire damage. Spell is available once per long rest.
At level 3, members of this subrace gain the Hellish Rebuke spell. When attacked Tiefling may use Rebuke to inflict 2d10 fire damage on the attacker. If the target passes a Dexterity saving throw, it will only take half of the damage.
Level 5 is the next spell – Darkness. It envelops the selected area in a dark cloud and blinds creatures within its radius.
Mephistopheles Tiefling
Creatures endowed with a natural talent for magic.
1 level enables them to use Mage Hand cantrip, which enables them to manipulate objects from a distance.
At level 3 they will learn Burning Hands. This 2nd level spell deals 3d6 fire damage on direct contact. If the target passes a Dexterity saving throw, it will only take half of the damage.
At level 5, Mephistopheles Tiefling gains access to the Flame Blade spell. The magical weapon deals 3d6 fire damage, and emits bright light. A weapon can be sheathed or readied, but it must remain in the owner’s hands. Lasts for 10 turns.
Zariel Tiefling
These rust-skinned tieflings have a knack for combat.
From level 1 they are familiar with the Thaumaturgy cantrip, which helps them in Intimidation and Performance checks.
Searing Smite is a spell that Tiefling Zariel learns at level 3. The blessed weapon deals an additional 1d6 fire damage. The target is on fire for the next 10 turns taking 1d6 fire damage until they make a Constitution saving throw.
Branding Strike, which the Tiefling learns at level 5, works in a similar way. In addition to the extra 2d6 light damage, the enemy is marked with a magical glow that prevents them from turning invisible.
The stat that Tieflings use to cast race spells is Charisma.
Best class for a Tiefling
Tieflings in Baldur’s Gate 3 are well-suited for several classes, but the Warlock and Sorcerer stand out as the best choices. Warlocks benefit from Tieflings’ natural Charisma, which enhances their spellcasting abilities, particularly when aligned with a Fiend Patron. This synergy allows for powerful spells and invocations that can control the battlefield and deal significant damage. On the other hand, Sorcerers can leverage the Tiefling’s innate magical abilities, especially those from the Mephistopheles subrace, which enhances their spellcasting with fire-based spells like Burning Hands and Flame Blade. Additionally, the Fighter class, particularly the Eldritch Knight subclass, can effectively utilize Tiefling traits to combine martial prowess with magic, making them versatile combatants. Overall, these classes maximize the unique strengths of Tieflings while providing a dynamic gameplay experience.
The wide spectrum of abilities of the Tieflings enables the race to fit into many diverse roles in the party.
The numerous spells that representatives of this race naturally learn will surely diversify the arsenal of a powerful spellcaster. Spellcasting classes with power based on Charisma (Bard, Sorcerer, Warlock, Paladin) will be particularly useful.
What makes the Asmodeus Tiefling unique compared to other subraces
The Asmodeus Tiefling subrace in Baldur’s Gate 3 is distinct from its counterparts due to its unique connection to the archdevil Asmodeus, which grants it specific abilities and traits that enhance its gameplay. Here are the key features that set Asmodeus Tieflings apart:
- Infernal Legacy: This feature allows Asmodeus Tieflings to access a suite of powerful spells as they level up. They gain the Produce Flame cantrip at level 1, enabling them to create fire for both illumination and damage. At level 3, they unlock Hellish Rebuke, a defensive spell that retaliates against attackers with hellfire, dealing significant damage. By level 5, they can cast Darkness, creating an area of magical obscurity that can blind enemies and provide tactical advantages in combat.
- Fire Resistance: As with all Tieflings, Asmodeus Tieflings inherit resistance to fire damage, allowing them to withstand fiery attacks better than most other races. This trait complements their thematic association with fire and darkness, making them formidable in battles involving flame-based attacks.
- Role-Playing Opportunities: The connection to Asmodeus not only influences combat abilities but also enriches role-playing elements. Players can explore themes of infernal heritage, moral ambiguity, and the struggle against societal prejudice, as Tieflings often face distrust and hostility in Faerûn due to their lineage2.
Overall, the Asmodeus Tiefling subrace excels in spellcasting roles, particularly for classes like Sorcerers and Warlocks, leveraging their unique abilities to dominate both in combat and narrative depth.
What are the key differences between the Asmodeus and Mephistopheles Tiefling subraces
The Asmodeus and Mephistopheles Tiefling subraces in Baldur’s Gate 3 each possess unique traits that cater to different playstyles and character builds. Here are the key differences between them:
| Feature | Asmodeus Tiefling | Mephistopheles Tiefling |
|---|---|---|
| Connection | Descended from Asmodeus, the archdevil of Nessus | Descended from Mephistopheles, the archdevil of Cania |
| Innate Cantrip | Produce Flame: Creates a flame that deals fire damage and provides light. | Mage Hand: Summons a spectral hand to manipulate objects. |
| Level 3 Spell | Hellish Rebuke: Retaliates with fire damage when hit. | Burning Hands: Shoots a cone of fire, dealing damage to multiple enemies. |
| Level 5 Spell | Darkness: Creates an area of magical darkness that obscures vision. | Flame Blade: Conjures a flaming sword that deals significant fire damage. |
| Thematic Focus | Emphasizes fire and darkness, enhancing intimidation and stealth abilities. | Focuses on arcane magic and control, making it suitable for spellcasting roles. |
Summary of Unique Traits
- Asmodeus Tieflings are characterized by their ability to wield both fire and darkness, making them excellent for stealthy approaches and intimidation tactics. Their spells allow them to retaliate against attackers while creating areas of obscurity for tactical advantages.
- Mephistopheles Tieflings, on the other hand, excel in arcane magic with spells that emphasize manipulation and area-of-effect damage. Their abilities make them more suited for direct combat situations where they can unleash fiery attacks on multiple foes.
Overall, choosing between an Asmodeus or Mephistopheles Tiefling will depend on whether you prefer a character that thrives in stealth and retaliation or one that focuses on arcane prowess and area control in combat.
