Tiefling Cleric Guide in 5e: Best Options for This Mix of Holy & Demonic

Last Updated on January 22, 2023

The Tiefling is a humanoid race originally introduced in the Planescape campaign setting in the second edition of Dungeons & Dragons.

In proper combination with certain feats and other factors, you can make quite a powerful Tiefling Cleric character. Let’s see how to do it properly.

How To Make a Tiefling Cleric

As you probably know, Clerics are very versatile but also quite simple when it comes to stats.

When playing with a Cleric, you should always prioritize the Wisdom, since it affects both your spells and some of your class features.

A second great priority is a Strength, which can help with melee and affect many offensive spells.

Some players also aim for ranged attacks and consider Dexterity, but it’s not the ideal way to play with Cleric.

Note, however, that some Clerics have access to heavy armor, in which case you might actually consider Dexterity.

Since most Clerics have a variety of Concentration Spells available, you should consider Constitution as your third priority.

If your DM allows, you can play as one of Sword Coast Adventurer Guide’s variants and might even attain Flight during the game. It would make a ranged or Dexterity-based Cleric more viable.

You should also consider your backstory since it will likely have an impact on the Divine Domain of the Cleric that you choose.

These can range from classical healing, life domain, bloodthirsty war domain Cleric, up to the tempest domain Cleric.

Note that life domain Cleric has access to heavy armor, which can be beneficial to some players.

Make sure that you choose the god that your character serves. It might not be a big part of your character, but you should choose the god that matches your divine domain.

How To Play With Tiefling Cleric

When it comes to War, Life, Nature, Order, Tempest, and Forge domain Clerics, you should note that they have access to heavy armor. That way, you can be in more dangerous positions during combat.

Domains that can’t use heavy armor, such as Death, Light, Grave, Knowledge, and Arcane, properly make up in their added utility, bigger spell list, or increased damage.

Each domain can access a unique channel-divinity option, which can make the power of your god be beneficial in certain situations.

Each domain grants you access to a number of support spells, so make sure to consider the build of your party when choosing whom to help.

For example, if you want to provide an ally with an advantage on their next attack, that’s something that will help the Rogue.

Or, for example, if the barbarian is being attacked by a spell from which he might need a save, in that situation you should have something that will grant him a bonus to that save.

Offense

Tiefling Cleric might seem like a bad choice for creating an offensive character, but it can be quite good if played properly.

Just make sure to choose the Light domain, which will allow you to attack your enemies with fire from distance. Another choice would be a Tempest domain that will make your weapons stronger with the Storm’s Fury.

Tank

You can also be a good tank if you play properly. For example, with a Forge domain, you can bless weapons and armor.

Also, with a Natura domain, you will be able to protect allies from harm by calling upon the elements.

Advantages of Playing as a Tiefling Cleric

The first obvious advantage of playing as a Tiefling Cleric is that you will get a bunch of 1st-level spells that scale well.

You will also get a number of ritual spells, good proficiencies, three additional cantrips, and obviously a Devine Domain feature. If you do the Arcana domain, you will get five cantrips instead of three.

Some good 1st-level spells for a Tiefling Cleric are sanctuary, cure, healing word, and detect magic. These are not only for the beginning of the game but will also help you throughout the game.

Some useful cantrips that you can take are Guidance, Light, and Mending.

Disadvantages of Playing as a Tiefling Cleric

We should mention that, when playing as a Cleric, you will lose the Sorcerer’s Capstone ability if you make it to level 20.

Also, the fact is that Tiefling does not give Cleric the Constitution, Wisdom, and Strength as much as it needs to be an effective healer or a tank.

There are not many disadvantages, but some other classes might be much better for Tiefling.

Best Classes for a Tiefling

Many Tiefling variants can make an amazing Artificer. You can make an excellent support caster by mixing and matching spells.

If you want to properly optimize your character, note that Sword Coast Tieflings can be quite good since Dexterity can be beneficial for that class.

If you choose a Monk, you won’t get a Wisdom boost but will be able to use Hellish Rebuke and certain utility options. A nice choice for that class would be Infernal Legacy, but make sure to play with the Dexterity boost.

If you play as a Sorcerer, you can become one of the best magical duelists. In combination with their Charisma, Fire Resistance, and some spells that you get from Legacy and Glasya, a Tiefling Sorcerer can become quite powerful.

Wizard also works fine with Tieflings. If you want to get Winged, this class can be a good choice. On the other hand, Sorcerer is a better class for a Tiefling. Also, if you choose Wizard class, be sure to choose some of the Sword Coast variants.

Bad Classes for a Tiefling

Barbarian and Druid are bad classes for a Tiefling. When you Rage as a Barbarian, you won’t be able to cast Smite spells, which will make you less effective in combat overall.

As a Druid, you will notice that Charisma is pointless since you don’t get much Face synergy.

Conclusion

Obviously, you can make a good Tiefling Cleric and become quite powerful if you play properly. However, other classes such as Artificer, Monk, and Sorcerer can be much easier to play with if you choose Tiefling.

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