Rules edition: This guide uses the 2024 D&D rules for the Tiefling species and Paladin class. It treats the 2014 Tiefling and Paladin as a separate legacy option; do not combine traits or class features across editions unless your DM agrees.
A Tiefling Paladin can be a durable front-line defender, a spell-supported striker, or a persuasive leader. The build works because you choose the Tiefling’s fiendish legacy and your background independently of your class—not because the species is locked into a particular ability-score bonus. For more character-build ideas, browse our Paladin guide and 2024 D&D feats guide.
Choose your 2024 Tiefling legacy
The 2024 Tiefling has Darkvision, the Thaumaturgy cantrip, and a Fiendish Legacy. Choose Abyssal, Chthonic, or Infernal; each gives a different level-1 benefit and adds spells at character levels 3 and 5. You always have those legacy spells prepared, can cast each once without a spell slot after a Long Rest, and can also use spell slots to cast them. Choose Intelligence, Wisdom, or Charisma as the spellcasting ability for those legacy spells. Charisma is a convenient choice for a Paladin, but the rules let you choose.
Pick the legacy for the campaign and character rather than assuming one is mandatory. Infernal suits a classic devil-touched story; Abyssal and Chthonic support different supernatural origins. A Tiefling’s ancestry does not dictate alignment or personality.
Set ability scores and choose a background
In the 2024 rules, your background—not your species—provides your ability-score increases and Origin feat. Choose a background whose ability-score options support the character you want, then prioritize Strength and Charisma for a traditional heavy-armor build. Strength supports weapon attacks and heavy armor; Charisma supports Paladin spellcasting and features. Constitution is a valuable next priority for hit points and maintaining concentration. A Dexterity-based concept can work with suitable armor and weapons, but check the equipment and armor trade-offs before committing.
There is no single required background. Choose one that grants useful scores and a feat you actually want, while fitting the character’s history. If the campaign uses custom backgrounds or a different character-creation method, follow the DM’s instructions.
Build the Paladin around your party role
Choose Paladin if you want a blend of weapon combat, support, and Charisma-based magic. Keep a dependable melee weapon and shield if protecting allies is the priority; choose a two-handed weapon if you prefer heavier weapon damage. Your Fighting Style and later subclass should reinforce that role. The Paladin receives its subclass at level 3 under the 2024 class rules, so you can begin play before making that choice.
Use your spell choices to cover needs the party does not already handle. Prepare support and defensive options alongside damage spells, and coordinate concentration spells with other effects you want to maintain. The 2024 version of Divine Smite is a spell cast as a Bonus Action immediately after a qualifying hit, so consider your Bonus Action before spending a spell slot. It is not the 2014 feature with the same name.
Pick an oath for its mechanics and story
At level 3, select one of the Paladin subclasses available to your table. Compare its features and spells against your party’s needs, then use the oath as a prompt for your character’s commitments. A Tiefling’s fiendish heritage can create dramatic tension with an oath, but the two do not have to conflict: your character may embrace, reject, or simply live alongside that heritage.
Before settling on a subclass, read its current rules in the same source your group uses. Names and features carried over from older books may not work the same way in the 2024 rules, and not every legacy subclass is automatically available in every campaign.
Feats, tactics, and leveling priorities
Your background supplies an Origin feat at character creation; later feat or ability-score choices depend on the Paladin’s class progression. Select options that strengthen your chosen role instead of taking a feat only because it appeared on an older build list. For a front-line defender, durability and party protection can matter more than maximizing one attack. For a striker, look for choices that complement your weapon, action economy, and subclass.
- Stay close enough to protect allies, but avoid bunching up against area effects.
- Use healing and support when they change the outcome of a fight; do not spend every turn trying to deal damage.
- Track Bonus Actions and concentration so your spells and class features do not compete unexpectedly.
- Ask the DM how legacy options, setting-specific Tiefling variants, and multiclassing are handled before building around them.
2014 rules: keep this as a separate legacy build
The 2014 Tiefling uses different ancestry traits and legacy spell progression, and the 2014 Paladin’s Divine Smite is a class feature rather than the 2024 version’s Bonus Action spell. Older Tiefling variants may also have fixed or variant ability-score increases. If your campaign uses those rules, use a guide explicitly labeled for 2014 and check which sourcebooks your DM permits. Do not add a 2014 Tiefling’s traits to the 2024 species or use a 2014 Paladin feature in a 2024 build.
Official Rules Sources
- D&D Beyond Basic Rules (2024): Character Origins and Tiefling
- D&D Beyond Basic Rules (2024): Character Classes and Paladin
- D&D Beyond Basic Rules (2024): Spell Descriptions, including Divine Smite
- D&D Beyond Basic Rules (2014): Classes — legacy rules; use only when the campaign is using the 2014 rules.
