Dungeons and Dragons: How To Build The Illrigger Hell Knight

The Illrigger, a Charisma-based martial class for D&D 5e (2014 edition), from MCDM Productions (creators of Flee, Mortals! and Arcadia), offers a unique blend of combat prowess, spellcasting, and battlefield control. It's not a simple reskin; it's a fully realized class providing a compelling alternative to traditional martial archetypes.

This guide will help you craft an effective and memorable Illrigger, covering class features, subclass strengths, optimal race and background choices, ability score priorities, and recommended feats. Whether you're planning a dark campaign or simply desire a formidable villain, the Illrigger delivers.

Illrigger Overview

In the game's lore, Illriggers serve as elite, independent agents of the archdevils. Their gameplay reflects this: tactical, deadly, and versatile. The class blends martial combat, spellcasting, and area control, allowing for builds focused on frontline damage, ranged attacks, or support roles, depending on your subclass choice.

The Illrigger uses a d10 Hit Die and is proficient with light/medium armor, shields, and all weapons, ensuring both durability and adaptability. It uses Constitution and Charisma saving throws and selects two skills from a wide range covering combat, social interaction, and stealth. Armor selection depends on your build: chainmail, shield, and martial weapons for melee; leather armor and finesse/ranged weapons (with a shield if possible) for ranged or spellcasting builds. High Armor Class is beneficial for all builds.

Illrigger Class Features

The following table details the Illrigger's class features at each level:

Level	Feature	Feature Description
1	Baleful Interdict, Forked Tongue	Inflict extra damage with magical seals; gain language proficiency.
2	Combat Mastery, Interdiction	Select a combat style; access Interdict Boons for unique effects.
3	Diabolic Contract, Invoke Hell	Choose your subclass and gain a powerful ability.
4	Ability Score Improvement	Increase ability scores or take a feat.
5	Extra Attack	Attack twice per turn.
6	Infernal Conduit	Use Hit Dice to heal allies/harm enemies while healing yourself.
7	Diabolic Contract feature	Subclass-specific ability.
8	Ability Score Improvement	Another ASI or feat.
9	Forked Tongue improvement	Learn a new language and gain advantage on Insight checks.
10	Blood Price	Use a Hit Die to improve a failed saving throw.
11	Diabolic Contract feature, Infernal Conduit improvement, Terrorizing Force	Additional subclass features; improved Infernal Conduit and increased attack damage.
12	Ability Score Improvement	Another ASI or feat.
13	—	No new feature.
14	Superior Interdict	Seal damage ignores resistance; regain a seal as a bonus action.
15	Diabolic Contract feature	Final subclass feature.
16	Ability Score Improvement	Another ASI or feat.
17	Infernal Majesty	Enter a powerful hellform with flight, resistances, and resurrection.
18	—	No new feature.
19	Ability Score Improvement	Final ASI or feat.
20	Master of Hell	Unleash a devastating hellstorm.

Optimal Ability Scores

While the Illrigger's optimal stat distribution varies based on subclass and playstyle (melee, ranged, or support), Charisma and Constitution are always paramount. Aim for even-numbered scores unless using a feat to boost an odd score.

Priority Rank	Ability Score	Description
1	Charisma (CHA)	Primary casting and feature stat. Maximize early.
2	Constitution (CON)	HP, Constitution saves, spell concentration.
3	Dexterity (DEX) or Strength (STR)	Armor Class (light/medium armor), ranged/finesse weapons.
4	Strength (STR) or Dexterity (DEX)	Depends on weapon and armor choices.
5	Wisdom (WIS)	Moderate priority; Perception and saving throws.
6	Intelligence (INT)	Least important unless building a scholarly character.

Subclass Selection

At 3rd level, Illriggers choose a Diabolic Contract, aligning with one of five archdevils. Each subclass significantly alters combat and non-combat roles:

Subclass	Combat Role	Non-Combat Role
Architect of Ruin (Asmodeus)	Spellblade/Controller	Face/Strategist
Hellspeaker (Moloch)	Support Caster	Occult Advisor
Painkiller (Dispater)	Frontline Bruiser	Enforcer/Bodyguard
Sanguine Knight (Sutekh)	Lifesteal Skirmisher	Scout/Survivor
Shadowmaster (Belial)	Stealth Assassin	Spy/Infiltrator

Race Selection

Race choice enhances your Illrigger build thematically or mechanically:

Species	Benefits	Best Subclasses
Tiefling	High Charisma, fire resistance, spells	Architect of Ruin, Hellspeaker
Goliath	Strength, Constitution, damage resistance	Painkiller, Sanguine Knight
Shadar-Kai	Teleportation, necrotic resistance	Shadowmaster, Sanguine Knight
Variant Human	Early feat	Any
Half-Orc	Critical hit survivability, melee damage	Painkiller
Dragonborn	Breath weapon, elemental resistance, Charisma	Architect of Ruin, Hellspeaker
Genasi	Variable benefits	Any

Feats

Consider these feats to enhance your Illrigger:

Feat	Effect	Best For
War Caster	Concentration, spellcasting during opportunity attacks	Architect of Ruin, Hellspeaker
Resilient (Constitution)	Constitution, Con saving throws	All
Fey Touched / Shadow Touched	Charisma, utility spell	Architect of Ruin, Shadowmaster
Great Weapon Master / Sharpshooter	Damage increase	Painkiller, Shadowmaster
Inspiring Leader	Grant temporary hit points	Any Charisma-focused subclass

Backgrounds

These backgrounds complement the Illrigger:

Background	Benefits	Best For
Soldier	Athletics, Intimidation	Painkiller, Sanguine Knight
Noble	Persuasion, History	Architect of Ruin
Guard	Athletics, Insight	Painkiller, Architect of Ruin
Criminal	Deception, Stealth	Shadowmaster, Sanguine Knight
Charlatan	Deception, Sleight of Hand	Shadowmaster, Architect of Ruin

Also consider Piercer, Slasher, Crusher (extra damage, control), and Mage Slayer (anti-magic).

The above is the detailed content of Dungeons and Dragons: How To Build The Illrigger Hell Knight. For more information, please follow other related articles on the PHP Chinese website!