Rules edition: This guide uses the 2024 Player’s Handbook Tiefling and Warlock. The older 2014 Tiefling and 2014 Warlock remain valid legacy options at tables using those rules; their species bonuses, features, and class progression are separate.
A Tiefling Warlock can pair supernatural heritage with pact magic without being locked into a devilish personality or a single “optimal” build. The 2024 Tiefling chooses one of three Fiendish Legacies—Abyssal, Chthonic, or Infernal—and the 2024 Warlock builds power through Eldritch Invocations, Pact Magic, and a subclass chosen at level 3. Decide what job the character fills, then choose options that support that job rather than stacking legacy assumptions from different editions.
Choose the 2024 Tiefling legacy
All 2024 Tieflings have Darkvision, Otherworldly Presence, and a Fiendish Legacy. Otherworldly Presence gives you Thaumaturgy. Your legacy adds a damage resistance, a cantrip, and spells at character levels 3 and 5. Abyssal offers poison-themed magic and resistance, Chthonic centers on necrotic effects, and Infernal brings fire. The higher-level legacy spells are always prepared and can each be cast once without a spell slot after a Long Rest; the trait also lets you cast them with an appropriate spell slot.
Choose Intelligence, Wisdom, or Charisma as the spellcasting ability for your Tiefling legacy spells. Charisma is often convenient for a Warlock, but remember that Fiendish Legacy has its own spellcasting-ability choice; it does not automatically become a Warlock spell or use your Pact Magic rules. Current Tieflings do not all receive fire resistance: it depends on the legacy you choose.
Build for the 2024 Warlock
Charisma is your main ability for Warlock spellcasting. Constitution is a useful second priority for hit points and Concentration saves, while Dexterity helps with Armor Class, initiative, and Dexterity saves. The 2024 Tiefling has no fixed ability-score bonuses. Your background supplies ability-score increases and an Origin feat, so select it with your desired scores and story in mind rather than adding the 2014 Tiefling’s +2 Charisma and +1 Intelligence.
The 2024 Warlock begins with Eldritch Invocations and Pact Magic at level 1. Magical Cunning arrives at level 2, and you choose a Warlock subclass at level 3. The invocation system includes options that support familiar, weapon, or tome play styles, so choose based on how you want to take turns. Invocations have prerequisites and compete for a limited number of choices; check their exact text and level requirements before planning a build.
When you reach level 3, choose a subclass your table allows. If you use a subclass that has a revised 2024 version, use the current version with the 2024 class. If you use a legacy subclass that has not been updated, follow your group’s compatibility guidance for its features and progression. A Tiefling can serve any patron—the species does not require a Fiend pact.
Pick spells for the space between rests
Warlocks use Pact Magic slots that refresh on a Short or Long Rest, so plan for the rhythm of your campaign. Choose a dependable cantrip, one or two spells that can change an encounter, and a defensive or utility option. Because your slots are limited, a spell that remains useful across several turns can be more valuable than spending every slot on the first round. Magical Cunning gives you another way to recover Pact Magic slots once per Long Rest, but it does not remove the need to budget resources.
Keep track of which effects require Concentration. If you are maintaining a control spell, another Concentration spell replaces it, so compare the value before switching. Tiefling spells add options, but they do not make every round a spellcasting round: invocations, positioning, and teamwork help you contribute when slots are low.
Combat and roleplay choices
Position behind sturdier allies and use cover when enemies can reach you. Your chosen legacy’s resistance helps against one damage type, not every threat. If you select a legacy spell for combat, decide when it is worth spending its once-per-Long-Rest free casting and when to save the option for a later encounter. Coordinate with other casters before choosing several Concentration effects that compete for the same role.
Tiefling heritage can be part of your character’s history without defining their morality. A Chthonic Warlock need not be grim, an Infernal Tiefling need not serve a devil, and a patron can have motives that conflict with the character’s own. Give the pact a concrete question for play: What did you agree to, what did you misunderstand, or what would make you refuse your patron? Let the table answer those questions through the campaign.
Keep the 2014 build separate
The 2014 Basic Rules Tiefling has fixed ability-score increases, Hellish Resistance, and Infernal Legacy; the 2014 Warlock has its own class progression and chooses its patron at a different level. Those options remain playable as a matching 2014 build. Do not combine those fixed bonuses or old subclass timing with the 2024 Tiefling and Warlock described here.
Quick build checklist
- Use the 2024 Tiefling and Warlock rules together.
- Choose a Fiendish Legacy for its actual spells and resistance, not an assumption that every Tiefling resists fire.
- Prioritize Charisma, then Constitution; take ability-score increases from your background.
- Choose Eldritch Invocations whose prerequisites and play patterns fit your character.
- Plan around Pact Magic recovery, Concentration, and your once-per-Long-Rest legacy spells.
