archdevil

An archdevil is a high-ranking devil, commonly used in demonology and fantasy fiction to describe the most powerful lords within the infernal hierarchy. In many settings, especially in the Dungeons & Dragons franchise, archdevils rule the layers of the Nine Hells and answer to the supreme devil lord, Asmodeus. They preside over governance, law, and corruption, using schemes and pacts to extend their influence.

In the D&D cosmology, archdevils are the most powerful devils, possessing potent magical abilities, resilience, and the power to command vast legions of other devils. They typically maintain lairs that serve as fortresses and centers of infernal cults, and they engage in political maneuvering, allying with or feuding against rival archdevils to expand their domains and authority.

Notable archdevils commonly named in various editions and campaigns include Asmodeus, the presumed ruler of the Nine Hells; Dispater, ruler of Dis; Baalzebul, lord of Malbolge; Mephistopheles, master of Cania; Belial and Fierna, co-rulers of Phlegethos; Mammon, a symbol of greed; and Leviathan, associated with the higher ranks of the hierarchy in some lore. The exact list and hierarchy vary across editions and settings, but the concept remains consistent: archdevils are the most formidable devils, shaping infernal politics and expansion through strategy, manipulation, and force.