Variant Tiefling for 3.5e

To be greeted with stares and whispers, to suffer violence and insult on the street, to see mistrust and fear in every eye: this is the lot of the tiefling. And to twist the knife, Tieflings know that this is because a pact struck generations ago infused the essence of Asmodeus—overlord of the Nine Hells—into their bloodline. Their Appearance and their Nature are not their fault but the result of an ancient sin, for which they and their children and their children’s children will always be held accountable (“Tiefling,” 5e Player&dsquo;s Handbook).

Both 4e and 5e editions of D&D tweak tieflings from 3.5e, powering down and adjusting the racial abilities. I have developed a 3.5e back-conversion of these changes to create a +0 Level Adjustment variant, suitable as a player character race.

The following text is Open Game Content:

Planetouched, Tiefling

This lanky man sneers as he draws his sword. Tiny horns and a barbed tail reveal that he is something more than human.

Tiefling CR 1/2

Tiefling warrior 1

Often LE Medium outsider (native)

Init +1; Senses darkvision 60 ft.; Listen -1, Spot -1

Languages Common, Infernal

Defense

AC 15, touch 11, flat-footed 14
(+3 armor, +1 Dex, +1 shield)

hp 4 (1d8 HD)

Fort +2, Ref +1, Will -1

Resist fire 5

Offense

Spd 30 ft.

Melee rapier +3 (1d6+1/18–20)

Ranged light crossbow +2 (1d8/19–20)

Spell-Like Abilities (1st)

1/day—prestidigitation

Statistics

Str 12, Dex 13, Con 11, Int 10, Wis 9, Cha 10

Base Atk +1; Grp +2

Feats Weapon Focus (rapier)

Skills Bluff +4, Hide +3, Move Silently +0, Sleight of Hand +0

Gear studded leather armor, light wooden shield, rapier, light crossbow with 40 bolts

Ecology

Environment temperate plains

Organization solitary, pair, or gang (3–4)

Treasure standard

Advancement by character class; Favored Class rogue

Level Adjustment +0

Special Abilities

Prestidigitation (Sp) A tiefling can use prestidigitation once per day (caster level equal to class levels).

Skills A tiefling has a +2 racial bonus on Bluff and Hide checks. The skill modifiers given in the statistics block include a -1 armor check penalty for wearing studded leather armor and a -1 armor check penalty for carrying a light shield.

The tiefling warrior presented here had the following ability scores before racial adjustments: Str 12, Dex 13, Con 11, Int 10, Wis 9, Cha 8.

Tieflings as Characters

Tieflings have the following racial traits:

• +2 Charisma.
• Outsider Type: Tieflings are native outsiders. Tieflings are not subject to spells or effects that affect humanoids only, such as charm person or dominate person.
• Medium Size: As Medium creatures, tieflings have no special bonuses or penalties due to their size.
• A tiefling’s base land speed is 30 feet.
• Darkvision out to 60 feet. Darkvision is black and white only, but it is otherwise like normal sight, and tieflings can function just fine with no light at all.
• Prestidigitation (Sp): The tiefling may use prestidigitation (caster level equals tiefling's class levels) once per day. This ability is the equivalent of a 0-level spell.
• Special Qualities: Resistance to fire 5.
• Weapon Proficiency: Unlike other outsiders, tieflings are not automatically proficient with all simple and martial weapons.
• Racial Skills: Tieflings have a +2 racial bonus on Bluff and Hide checks.
• Automatic Languages: Common, Infernal. Bonus Languages: Draconic, Dwarven, Elven, Gnome, Goblin, Halfling, Orc.
• Favored Class: Rogue.
• Level Adjustment: +0

Tieflings are treated as humans for purposes of determining starting age and aging, as well as height and weight.

Variant Tiefling Feats

Greater Tiefling Heritage [General]

Prerequisite: Tiefling Heritage

Benefit: You can use darkness as a spell-like ability once per day. Your caster level is equal to your class levels. This ability is the equivalent of a 2nd-level spell.

Tiefling Heritage [General]

Prerequisite: Tiefling, Cha 13

Benefit: You can use burning hands as a spell-like ability once per day. Your caster level is equal to your class levels. This ability is the equivalent of a 1st-level spell.

Advanced Tieflings

Tiefling Cutpurse CR 3

Tiefling rogue 3

Often LE Medium outsider (native)

Init +2; Senses darkvision 60 ft.; Listen +5, Spot +5

Languages Common, Infernal

Defense

AC 17, touch 12, flat-footed 15
(+4 armor, +2 Dex, +1 shield)

hp 19 (3d6+6 HD)

Fort +2, Ref +5, Will -1

Special Defenses evasion, trap sense +1; Resist fire 5

Offense

Spd 30 ft.

Melee mwk short sword +5 (1d6+1/19–20)

Ranged mwk shortbow +5 (1d6/x3)

Spell-Like Abilities (3rd)

1/day—burning hands (DC 13, 3d6 fire), prestidigitation

Special Attacks sneak attack +2d6

Statistics

Str 14, Dex 15, Con 12, Int 10, Wis 8, Cha 15

Base Atk +2; Grp +4

Feats Tiefling Heritage, Weapon Finesse

Skills Balance +10, Bluff +10, Diplomacy +4, Disguise +2 (+4 acting), Hide +10, Intimidate +4, Jump +4, Listen +5, Move Silently +8, Open Lock +8, Sleight of Hand +4, Spot +5, Tumble +8

SQ trapfinding

Combat Gear elixir of hiding, potion of reduce person; Other Gear +1 studded leather armor, masterwork light steel shield, masterwork short sword, masterwork shortbow with 20 arrows

Tiefling Sorcerer CR 6

Tiefling sorcerer 6

Often LE Medium outsider (native)

Init +1; Senses darkvision 60 ft.; Listen +3, Spot +3

Languages Common, Infernal

Defense

AC 12, touch 11, flat-footed 11
(+1 Dex, +1 natural)

hp 28 (6d4+12 HD)

Fort +3, Ref +2, Will +6

Resist fire 5

Offense

Spd 30 ft.

Melee mwk morningstar +3 (1d8-1)

Ranged mwk light crossbow +5 (1d8/19-20)

Spell-Like Abilities (CL 6th)

1/day—burning hands (DC 15, 3d6 fire), darkness (DC 16), prestidigitation

Spells Known (CL 6th)

3rd (4/day)—summon monster III

2nd (6/day)—scorching ray (2 rays, +4 ranged touch, 4d6 fire), web (DC 16)

1st (7/day)—charm person (DC 15), mage armor, obscuring mist, shield

0 (6/day)—acid splash (+4 ranged touch, 1d3 acid), daze (DC 14), detect magic, flare (DC 15), ghost sound (DC 15), mage hand, resistance

Statistics

Str 8, Dex 12, Con 14, Int 10, Wis 13, Cha 18

Base Atk +3; Grp +2

Feats Alertness, Greater Tiefling Heritage, Tiefling Heritage

Skills Bluff +8, Concentration +11, Hide +8, Knowledge (arcana) +4, Listen +3, Spellcraft +4, Spot +3

Combat Gear necklace of fireballs (type I), potion of invisibility, scroll of lightning bolt and fly; Other Gear amulet of natural armor +1, masterwork morningstar, masterwork light crossbow with 40 bolts

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