In D&D 5e, When an Intellect Devourer consumes the brain of a 3rd-level fighter, for instance, can it continue to gain fighter levels?
Or due to its monstrous nature, is it locked to that 3rd-level state?
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2\$\begingroup\$ Welcome to RPG.SE! Take the tour if you haven't already, and check out the help center for more guidance. Which RPG and edition are you asking about? (I'm guessing it's probably an edition of D&D or Pathfinder, but which one?) \$\endgroup\$– V2BlastCommented Oct 26, 2023 at 20:14
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2\$\begingroup\$ Please edit your question to clarify if you are asking about 5e vs some other edition of DnD. \$\endgroup\$– Valley LadCommented Oct 26, 2023 at 20:38
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\$\begingroup\$ Thanks, I often forget in my own little world that not everyone is using the same edition as me :) \$\endgroup\$– MartiganCommented Oct 26, 2023 at 22:02
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If you're asking about Intellect Devourers in D&D 5e, then when it uses its Body Thief ability it gains the ability to use all of the target's statistics with the exception of its Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma scores. This includes the abilities of the 3rd-level fighter.
The Intellect Devourer is a Monster, however, not a player character. Generally Monsters don't have character classes unless the DM is using the "Monsters with classes" rules from the Dungeon Master's Workshop in the DMG.
At that point, if the DM wants to have the Monster begin to gain class levels it seems like it would be logical to assign future levels in light of the Monster already having abilities equivalent to a character having three fighter levels (i.e., on level up have the monster acquire the abilities of a 4th level fighter). This prevents the Monster from getting the benefits of a 1st-level fighter twice, something that isn't available to PCs.
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3\$\begingroup\$ Since the asker has not specified a game system, it might be good to indicate you are answering for dnd-5e \$\endgroup\$ Commented Oct 26, 2023 at 20:29
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1\$\begingroup\$ Thanks, you're right! I did a bunch of assuming there. \$\endgroup\$– mkdirCommented Oct 26, 2023 at 20:31
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\$\begingroup\$ Yeah I meant 5e, updated Q, but that was the answer I was looking for, thanks :) \$\endgroup\$– MartiganCommented Oct 26, 2023 at 22:03
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\$\begingroup\$ You're welcome! While I appreciate you accepting my answer, typically folks wait a day or so to not discourage other folks from answering. Someone else might have another perspective you might find valuable as well! \$\endgroup\$– mkdirCommented Oct 26, 2023 at 23:47