Which is higher in the Infernal Ranking? A White Abishai or a Barbed Devil?

[Cisturn]

I know Abishai are a bit outside the ranking. They have a higher CR but I was wondering what other people's perspectives are, or if there was a definative answer.

[Naanomi]

Given the nature of the Hells, I bet that neither is 'higher' absolutely... rather there are treaties and books of legalese defining their specific roles and interactions in excruciating and nearly incomprehensible detail

[Osuniev]

Depends on context. In a mission mandated by Tiamat ? The Abishai. In NEssus ? The Barbed Devil. Really, it depends on the DM.

[Unoriginal]

I know Abishai are a bit outside the ranking. They have a higher CR but I was wondering what other people's perspectives are, or if there was a definative answer.

Well, as you said, Abishai are not part of the standard infernal hierarchy. So in general a White Abishai would have no official authority over a Barbed Devil, and neither would the Barbed Devil over the Abishai.

That being said:

- If both work under the same boss, then it depends on which position the boss assigned to each

- In consequence of the previous point, if the Barbed Devil works for Tiamat or for servants of Tiamat, the Abishai is likely to be of higher rank.

- If they work for different bosses, then it depends on the current ties between said bosses, how much both fiends know about said situation, and which orders they were given.

[dreast]

I know Abishai are a bit outside the ranking. They have a higher CR but I was wondering what other people's perspectives are, or if there was a definative answer.

I can easily see the resolution of this question, with the PCs viewed as pawns by both sides, to be the basis for an extremely fun low-to-mid level campaign, where the two opposing sides can never attack each other directly. A cold war, if you will (get it? Because white Abishai?).

In which case, the answer would be: the PC’s, when they finally slaughter both of their competing “patrons” and decide to gird up and go for their respective boss(es).

Now go out there and run it!