U41.4 Preview 1: Tiefling

[Fauxknight]

Just a flat +2 cha? So you guys are flat out abandoning the "if you have a bonus stat, you get a compensating penalty stat" for player races now?

Well Tieflings are supposed to be +2Dex, +2Int, and -2Cha...so I'm just all kinds of lost here...I guess we're playing 4e now?

[Iriale]

Well the fiend-locks are going to be happy. Could also see it working nicely with EK.

Be nice of int was at least a choice for the enhancements. Aren't PnP Tieflings +2 CHA +2 INT? Making it exclusively CHA feels like it pushes out some interesting class combos (even if really the +2 or even +4 aren't that big a deal)

3rd Edition tieflings are +2 dex +2 int -2 cha, cha is a 5ed thing. Here devs are mixing editions and creating imbalance. Also for these characteristics they were considered in 3rd a powerful race with level adjustment. If we compare these new races with the original races, wow, the oldest races have been left unfortunately out of date. The original races do not have a net benefit of stats (eg, elves +2 dex -con, humans without any benefited ability, drows charge with a restriction of points to invest in abilities). On the other hand all new races have a benefit in stats, and wow their enhancements are MUCH better. I compare aasimar or tiefling with elf, drow or halfing, it's really sad...

I hope that one day devs will review the original races. They have been very outdated.

But for tiefling, at least devs could create multi-selectors for those who prefer the original edition of DDO and doing a more roguish tiefling (int/dex). And I agree with Annex that we should have the option to create tieflings with more discrete fiendish features, after all we have npcs tieflings in the game much more discreet... Tieflings with exaggeratedly infernal look started with 4ed, but before the lore was that the tieflings could have some infernal trait, or none particularly evident (at the player's choice, or GM's choice if is a npc), and the npcs tieflings we currently have in the game are like that.

Well Tieflings are supposed to be +2Dex, +2Int, and -2Cha...so I'm just all kinds of lost here...I guess we're playing 4e now?

They have been designing some time more according to 5ed than according to 3ed, and that without updating the old numbers, with which we now have a senseless mixture of editions, with evident imbalances in some areas. In races it is especially evident. No old race can be compared remotely to the most recent. In my opinion, they should stick to the original edition under which this game was created, or revise the old numbers to avoid these imbalances.

[Iriale]

On the general theme of the tree: this race is very focused on fire and darkness, but do not forget that the lie, seduction and enchantments play a very important role in the plans and methods of Hell. In my opinion, here lack representation of that, and instead there is too much fire. Hell is not just fire, in fact there are Hell's layers completely frozen. So a little more of the social methods of hell and a little less fire, please.

Also, instead of some of the fire-related enhancements, add something instead so that fire spells or attacks with weapons make hellish fire, not normal fire. The fire of hell is not normal fire, which is a matter of the elemental plane of fire. It is infernal fire, impregnated with evil energy (which should allow to bypass part of fire resistances) The infernal fire is thematic of hell, normal fire not so much.

It's funny that when designers start designing tieflings they only think of Hell (LE), they never give options for tieflings of origin NE / CE, with the popular that Abyss is in the pnp game ... but well, sticking to the theme of the hellish tiefling that you intend to create, there is normal fire, there is no infernal fire, and there is nothing to support the seduction, lies and use of enchantment/domination spells typical of Hell

[Hipparan]

Hmm that reminds me, my hubby took a look at male tieflings and complained there wasn't an option for both horns badly broken or a partially chopped off tail. He wanted to make a very battle-experienced tiefling who had seen the rougher side of life. Did males have any scar options? I don't think females did.

Did he make an Iconic Tiefling or a regular Tiefling? I noticed the regular Tiefling males have a couple of options for broken horns, but the Iconic males do not. I didn't see any Tieflings with scars on their face though.

[HastyPudding]

I'm rather bewildered as to why they get +1 spellcraft and not +1 bluff. We already have a spellcraft race (dragonborn) and bluff fits in perfectly with the deceitful and cunning tiefling.

[Aelonwy]

Did he make an Iconic Tiefling or a regular Tiefling? I noticed the regular Tiefling males have a couple of options for broken horns, but the Iconic males do not. I didn't see any Tieflings with scars on their face though.

Most likely Iconic.

[Hipparan]

Student of Darkness While inside Obscuring Darkness, you gain +1/2/3 to all Saving Throws, +1/2/3 MRR, and +5/10/15 to MRR Cap.

Not sure if this was intentional or not, but I noticed the buff for Student of Darkness in the buff bar only lasted about 3 seconds. Is it supposed to last the duration of Obscuring Darkness?

[Hipparan]

I'm rather bewildered as to why they get +1 spellcraft and not +1 bluff. We already have a spellcraft race (dragonborn) and bluff fits in perfectly with the deceitful and cunning tiefling.

Agreed.

[Aelonwy]

I'm rather bewildered as to why they get +1 spellcraft and not +1 bluff. We already have a spellcraft race (dragonborn) and bluff fits in perfectly with the deceitful and cunning tiefling.

Agreed. Bluff would be more useful to a rogue, or bard too. Spellcraft would be for sorc, warlock aimed tieflings.

[Aelonwy]

I'm curious if you have Ferocious Rebuke and Elegant Footwork do the chances for enemies to get knocked down/tripped stack? Effectively is the chance for enemies to be on their butts higher with both enhancements?

I'm afraid that's all the time I have to test this go around but good luck everyone, and good work devs, tieflings look really cool.

[Arkat]

The option to not have a tail is a dealbreaker for me. I will NOT be playing a Tiefling toon of any sort.

I would have thought a "No Tail" option would have been EASY to implement. I'm wondering if the reason it wasn't was because of some sort of WotC/Hasbro-imposed lore restriction?

If there had been some sort of racial enhancement that would have made the tail prehensile to some degree and maybe could have been used as an extra "attack" in some fashion, that would be different. But as the tails are only cosmetic "flavor" that I absolutely can't stand, Tieflings are a no-go for me.

[Arkat]

• Feats
  
  • Infernal Ancestry: You gain Fire Resistance equal to your Character Level. You gain +2 to the Balance skill, as well as a +2 bonus to Saves vs Spells. You have a +2 bonus to hit and damage against Lawful Outsiders and Good Outsiders. You are Immune to Fear.

Should be called "Abyssal Ancestry" if your intention was the make tieflings the offspring of Demons (who are Chaotic) and better able to fight Lawful Outsiders.

If the intention was to make tieflings the offspring of Devils (who are Lawful), the +2 to Hit and Damage should be against Chaotic Outsiders and Good Outsiders.

[Dragavon]

I would have thought a "No Tail" option would have been EASY to implement. I'm wondering if the reason it wasn't was because of some sort of WotC/Hasbro-imposed lore restriction?

Of course that is a Wizards / lore thing. Remember the discussions about dragonborn colours?

[Saaluta]

I'm pretty much satisfied with the look of female tieflings, the biggest problem I had is with the horn art. Only a few of the horns were distinctly feminine, while most were more masculine. The female tieflings need more feminine options for horns IMHO. Out of the 24?? horn styles, there were maybe 4 that I would use, someone needs to go back to the drawing board and design some more feminine horns for use on female tieflings.

Saal

Maybe have the art department take a look at the ibex or impala to get an impression of more feminine type horns. Even though females of most species, here on Earth, have no to small horns, I do realize that female tieflings are some mix of devil/human, so can get horns depending on their parentage. But I do imagine that female devils have daintier horn types, again based on the type of devil their parentage is entailed by.

[The_Human_Cypher]

Of course that is a Wizards / lore thing. Remember the discussions about dragonborn colours?

Most likely. SSG probably only has so much discretion concerning the Tiefling's appearance as a player race. Wizards of the Coast wouldn't allow a no tail/no horns option under its licensing agreement.

[lyrecono]

Disclaimer

Everything seen on the preview server, Lamannia, is not final and is subject to change or removal before live release. Specific extra disclaimer on the current visual appearance of Tiefling and Tiefling Scoundrel.

First, if you haven't already been there please check out the U41.4 Preview 1 Main thread.

How to Access
You can access the Tiefling Heroic Eberron Race on the Preview server by speaking to Lord Poincelot in the center of the Test Dojo and then purchasing it in the Lamannia DDO Store.

Description
The Tiefling is a new full race debuting soon, with its own past lives and totally unique appearance containing custom horns and fully animated tails. Their tails are animated to interact with cloaks without clipping through them, so you'll be able to enjoy the many options for customization without worrying about intersections. The position of the horns on the head, just like Dragonborn, exclude them from the appearance of many helmets that cover their face or brow.

The Tiefling race itself is heavily focused on spellcasting, and both the base race and the iconic revolve around playing with Darkness. While both the heroic Tiefling and the Iconic Tiefling Scoundrel can conjure darkness at will, as they specialize how their darkness effects them will splinter. Tieflings working together will be able to use each other's darkness during fights.

This race involves many new animations for all of DDO's various weapon styles; please let us know where things don't look right.

Base Racial Trait

• Ability Scores
  
  • +2 Charisma
• Feats
  
  • Infernal Ancestry: You gain Fire Resistance equal to your Character Level. You gain +2 to the Balance skill, as well as a +2 bonus to Saves vs Spells. You have a +2 bonus to hit and damage against Lawful Outsiders and Good Outsiders. You are Immune to Fear.
• Past Lives
  
  1. +1 Spellcraft
  2. +1 Charisma
  3. +1 Racial Action Point
• Where their Journey Begins
  
  • Tiefling's begin on the beach on Korthos as a level one character of any class you choose.

[/LIST]

meh, more catering to spellcasters....

nice to see devs can' keep their word again, we were supposed to get str as a racial past life, to even out the stats..
Why is there no blue skintone? perfect opertunity to cater to the x men fans.

and why use the non 3,5 statblock?
Why not update the older races?

[Steelstar]

nice to see devs can' keep their word again, we were supposed to get str as a racial past life, to even out the stats..

We specifically said the opposite of that. Here's a quote from less than three months after launching Racial Reincarnation:

To be clear, we don't have a long-term goal to make all of the stats gained from Racial Reincarnation even. We do want to keep a relatively even spread (and not introduce five Strength-past-life races in a row, or anything) but we make no guarantees that there will be two of each before any particular attribute gains a third. It really depends on the Race in question.

[CeltEireson]

Do the elemental resists stack with bonuses from spells/items - I'm hoping they don't as that would be way too much of a bonus. If they don't stack then its more a convenience rather than additional power - although obviously cant be dispelled unlike the spell.

[Arkat]

Do the elemental resists stack with bonuses from spells/items - I'm hoping they don't as that would be way too much of a bonus. If they don't stack then its more a convenience rather than additional power - although obviously cant be dispelled unlike the spell.

Racial stuff (Racial Bonuses) pretty much always stack with stuff from items (Enhancement Bonuses or Equipment Bonuses usually).

[Grace_ana]

I just rolled up a tiefling, and when they turn or run, the tail does in fact poke through the cloak. When they're standing still, it looks really cool, though. Unfortunately, I don't stand still much.