D&D General The Evolution of Tieflings in D&D: Interviews with Zeb Cook and Colin McComb

ThePlanarDM · Jul 10, 2019

[FONT=&amp]D&D Planescape creator Zeb Cook and designer Colin McComb graciously answered my questions for the following article about the evolution of Tieflings from 2e to 5e. The article also links to the full text of our interviews, where they share their insight into the race and the design decisions behind developing it.[/FONT]
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[/FONT][FONT=&amp]I had a lot of fun researching and writing this article, and was beyond thrilled that these gentlemen took the time to answer my questions. I hope you enjoy.[/FONT]

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gyor · Jul 9, 2019

I'd note the other Setting that Tieflings were important to was the Forgotten Realms, where they have a very different history from the Nentir Vale or Pkanescape Tieflings. In fact Tieflings might be present in other Settings like Greyhawk, Darksun, and others, but the three Settings Tieflings are important too are Planescape, Nentir Vale and the Forgotten Realms (with Tieflings being tied as much to Dark Gods as Fiends in FR, making them more different then in Nentir Vale with it's more unified Tiefling history of Bale Turath, or Planescape super diverse Tieflings).

Ralif Redhammer · Jul 9, 2019

Nice article! I missed Planescape back in the day, so much of that early lore is still being backfilled for me.

Of the new races, tieflings are probably my favorite. I really liked the whole Bael Turath implied history of 4e’s setting; my first 4e character was a tiefling, too.

lowkey13 · Jul 9, 2019

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doctorbadwolf · Jul 9, 2019

lowkey13 said:
Tieflings are gnomes, without the street cred.

So, top tier cool race, but with even more unfair maligning of their character from internet cretins and dirty mud heathens?

lowkey13 · Jul 9, 2019

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Kobold Avenger · Jul 9, 2019

4e and the Bael Turath background is what I see as a low point for Tieflings, it's best just to ignore all that or completely downplay it. I'd advocate go with diverse 2e-era appearances for Tieflings first, variant mechanics as a distant second concern.

Aldarc · Jul 9, 2019

Kobold Avenger said:
4e and the Bael Turath background is what I see as a low point for Tieflings, it's best just to ignore all that or completely downplay it. I'd advocate go with diverse 2e-era appearances for Tieflings first, variant mechanics as a distant second concern.

To each their own. I found it a great setting story hook that plugged both tieflings and dragonborn into Nentir Vale's past.

doctorbadwolf · Jul 9, 2019

lowkey13 said:
More unfair maligning?

I mean, I can't even be bothered to insult Tieflings. It's too easy- like mocking Druids. Why bother?

Sure, I could say, "Tieflings, when you can't even be bothered to hide your love of Hot Topic," but that would be mean, right?

See, now, why would I hide my love of kitschy pop culture goth-punk?

Fun stuff is fun, man!