What is an Illrigger in D&D?

Core class profile

The Revised Illrigger uses a d10 Hit Die.

Its saving throw proficiencies are Constitution and Charisma. The base class is proficient with light armor, medium armor, shields, simple weapons, and martial weapons.

Strength or Dexterity normally handles weapon attacks, while Charisma powers the Interdict save DC and several class and Contract features.

Baleful Interdict

Baleful Interdict is the defining 1st-level feature.

The Illrigger has a limited pool of seals that return after a short or long rest. Once on the Illrigger's turn, a seal can be placed on a nearby creature either through a qualifying weapon hit or by using the feature's bonus-action method.

A creature carrying one or more seals is interdicted.

The Illrigger can later burn those seals for additional damage or interact with them through Interdict Boons and subclass features.

The Interdict save DC is based on Charisma:

8 + proficiency bonus + Charisma modifier

That makes Charisma a genuine mechanical ability for the class even when Strength or Dexterity powers the weapon.

Interdict Boons

At 2nd level, Interdiction adds Interdict Boons.

These are modular upgrades to the seal system.

Some Boons trigger when a seal is burned. Others require an unplaced seal to be expended for a separate effect.

That distinction matters because the Illrigger must decide whether a seal is more valuable as damage already attached to an enemy or as fuel for another infernal ability.

The number of known Boons increases through the class progression.

Combat Mastery

Also at 2nd level, Combat Mastery lets the Illrigger choose a martial style unique to the class.

The available choices can change defensive statistics, movement, ranged pressure, weapon ability use, or close-combat control.

For example, one option can allow Charisma to replace Strength or Dexterity for a chosen melee weapon type, while another can use Dexterity and Charisma for unarmored Armor Class.

This means the Illrigger's ability-score plan should be chosen together with Combat Mastery rather than in isolation.

Diabolic Contract

At 3rd level, the Illrigger signs a Diabolic Contract.

The five Contracts are:

• Architect of Ruin;
• Hellspeaker;
• Painkiller;
• Sanguine Knight;
• Shadowmaster.

Each Contract grants features at 3rd, 7th, 11th, and 15th level.

Each also provides Invoke Hell options, giving the subclass a distinctive way to channel infernal power.

Extra Attack and Infernal Conduit

At 5th level, Extra Attack provides the normal martial two-attack baseline.

At 6th level, Infernal Conduit adds a pool of d10s that can transfer vitality in either direction.

The Illrigger can use the feature to restore another creature by taking necrotic damage personally or drain another creature to restore the Illrigger, subject to the saving throw and exact feature rules.

This creates an unusual support and sustain mechanic that is deliberately tied to risk.

High-level infernal features

Later levels add features such as Blood Price, Terrorizing Force, Superior Interdict, Infernal Majesty, and Master of Hell.

These improve seal pressure, fear-based battlefield presence, and the overall effectiveness of the class's infernal systems.

The Contract continues contributing major features alongside that base progression.

Party role

An Illrigger can function as:

• melee or ranged martial pressure;
• target debuffer;
• battlefield controller;
• infernal support character;
• face through Charisma;
• subclass-specific caster, assassin, tank, or manipulator.

The class works best when the player manages seals rather than treating them as automatic bonus damage.

In short

The Illrigger is a Charisma-powered infernal martial class whose core resource is Baleful Interdict.

Place seals, decide when to burn or expend them, use Interdict Boons deliberately, and let the Diabolic Contract determine the specialist play style.