TheIllriggeris a Charisma-based complete martial class designed for the 2014 version ofDungeons & Dragons5th Edition, introduced by MCDM Productions, known for Flee, Mortals! and monthly digital issues of Arcadia. The Illrigger isn’t a homebrew addition or a reskinned fighter; it’s a fully-featured class that offers a fiendish alternative to more traditional martial archetypes.

We’ll break down everything you need to build an optimized and memorable Illrigger. We’ll walk through the class features, discuss the strengths of each subclass, and recommend ideal race and background pairings. You’ll also find advice on ability score priorities and feats. Whether you’re playing a dark campaign or just want an infernal villain build, the Illrigger has everything you need to stand out.

An Illrigger in dark armor raises a red fist, fighting off enemies with a devil army behind him.

Illrigger Overview

In-universe, Illriggers serve the archdevils of Hell as elite agents who operate without oversight. They’re tactical, deadly, and independent by design. What sets the class apart mechanically is its mix of martial combat, spellcasting, and battlefield control. You can build toward frontline damage, ranged harassment, or support and utility depending on your subclass.

The Illrigger has a d10 Hit Die and is proficient with light/medium armor, shields, and all weapons, making it durable and versatile. It saves with Constitution and Charisma and picks two skills from a broad list covering combat, social, and stealth options.

A tattooed Architect of Ruin tears a page from a tome, grinning as they lift it to the light with triumph.

For melee builds like Painkiller or Sanguine Knight, take a chain shirt, shield, and martial weapon. For ranged or caster builds like Architect of Ruin or Shadowmaster, go with leather armor and finesse/ranged weapons, but grab a shield if you may. Ahigh armor classbenefits very class.

Illrigger Features

Best Ability Scores For An Illrigger

The Illrigger is a flexible class that plays differently depending on your subclass, combat style, and whether you’re focusing more on melee, ranged, or support/spellcasting. That said, every build starts with one rule of thumb; for example,Charisma and Constitution are always important.

Aim foreven-numbered scoreswhen assigning ability points. There’s no benefit to a 17 over a 16 unless you plan to increase it later. If you’re takinga half-feat that boosts a stat by +1, starting with an odd number is fine.

A bald, pale Illrigger Hellspeaker with black tattoos wears dark armor with gold trim. He stands in front of stormclouds, sword in one hand in front of him.

Choosing your Subclass

At 3rd level, every Illrigger signs a Diabolic Contract, aligning themselves with one of five archdevils. Each subclass changes your role in and out of combat and offers unique abilities that scale as you level. Whether you want to be aspell-slinging caster, a frontline bruiser, or a sneaky assassin, your contract defines how your Illrigger plays. Understanding each subclass’s strengths will help you build around it from the start.

Best Species For An Illrigger

Your choice of species can add flavor, powerful skills, or complementary features to your Illrigger build. While Charisma is vital for nearly every subclass, your secondary ability scores—like Strength, Dexterity, or Constitution—can shift depending on your chosen contract. Some species offer strong thematic synergy, while othersgive you bonus feats, mobility, or fortitudethat make the class shine earlier.

Species choice is ultimately up to you. There’s no wrong option.Pick what fits your concept, then build around it.

Male devil with feathered wings, a moustache, and a beard holding out a contract

Best Feats for Illriggers

Illriggers already have a lot going on, but the rightfeatcan make your build even better. Because the class combines martial combat with spellcasting, you’ll want feats that reinforce your strengths, whether that’s maintaining concentration, landing harder hits, or leaning into your charisma. Some builds benefit from combat feats, while others shine with spellcasting or party support ones.

Best Backgrounds for an Illrigger

Backgrounds add flavor, starting proficiencies, and occasionally useful tools or languages, but they can also support your roleplaying style. The best backgrounds gives you access to important skills like Intimidation, Deception, or Athletics, perfect for strengthening your Illrigger in combat or social situations. Here are five backgrounds that work well with the Illrigger’s theme and mechanics.

If you’re leaning into weapon-focused builds, don’t overlook Piercer, Slasher, or Crusher. These featsadd extra damage and give you control optionsbased on your weapon type. For Illriggers focused on countering casters, Mage Slayer can be a brutal pick for amore anti-magic, frontline fighter.

Illrigger Shadowmaser with purple skin and white hair assassinates a target with blood magic.

Illrigger standing with their back to a blue portal, infernal sigil floating above their hand.