D&D 5E Preview: Intellect Devourer

[MonsterEnvy]

This is not even really ability damage. If they fail the DC 12 save. A 3d6 is rolled if it is higher or the same as the int of the target they lose it. They don't lose any Int if the score does not equal or surpass it.

 

[Remathilis]

This is not even really ability damage. If they fail the DC 12 save. A 3d6 is rolled if it is higher or the same as the int of the target they lose it. They don't lose any Int if it's not higher if the score does not equal or surpass it.

Correct. Its all or nothing.

If Bob the fighter has a 13 Int, and I roll 3, 3, 4 on 3d6, Bob is just fine. If I roll 5, 5, 4 on 3d6, Bob's brain in turned to oatmeal.

 

[Uchawi]

I guess they will need to add a magic items or spells that adds bonuses to ability damage rolls (3d6) versus saves (DC). I had the same problem with the early version of the fighter when they used superiority dice to determine if an effect landed, versus standardizing on just the save mechanism (DC) the Battlemaster currently has. They can add as many sub-systems as they like, but then those sub-systems must be accounted for in the overall game.

 

[I'm A Banana]

This monster is terrifying. If your healer doesn't have GRS prepared, you could be doomed.

I'm not sure I like how common this specific incident is (you see it also with the clay golem whose max HP damage also require greater restoration)....but then maybe the fact that it's common points to more than just Greater Restoration being able to do anything about it at some point. Unless that one spell is really that important? Hmmm...

 

[MarkB]

It just occurred to me that you could be quite the mean DM when running this encounter to run for players who aren't familiar with the Intellect Devourer. Pre-roll its opposed Intelligence contest, and then when it uses Body Thief, ask the victim for an Intelligence check. If they fail, say "you can't quite figure out what scared it off, but the creature teleports away." Then hand them a pre-written note.

"Bad news, I'm afraid. Your brain and memories have been magically consumed, and the creature is now nestled snugly inside your cranium, pretending to be you while actually leading your companions to its slimy, brain-eating masters. Stay in-character, but try to convince them to take the left passage ahead."

 

[Roger]

If a combat went down in just the right way and the party ended up with a non-dead non-infested zero Intelligence meatsack, I think I'd probably let them get back to normal through the convenient method of themselves eating the Intellect Devourer's brain.

Long-term side effects of this treatment to be determined later.

 

[TwoSix]

If a combat went down in just the right way and the party ended up with a non-dead non-infested zero Intelligence meatsack, I think I'd probably let them get back to normal through the convenient method of themselves eating the Intellect Devourer's brain.

Long-term side effects of this treatment to be determined later.

Strawberries, yogurt, a little bit of kale for nutrients, and an Intellect Devourer brain make a great smoothie.

 

[wedgeski]

It just occurred to me that you could be quite the mean DM when running this encounter <snip>

Did you mistype the word "awesome"..?

 

[Eejit]

Greater Restoration Spell.

This monster is terrifying. If your healer doesn't have GRS prepared, you could be doomed. Cure spells won't work. Revivify won't work. Raise Dead won't work (doesn't restore missing body parts - brain is a body part). Regenerate probably won't work (says limbs, and your brain isn't a limb). Resurrection (restores missing body parts) should work. But that's a 7th level spell.

Shiver....

I think the healer should carry a scroll of greater restoration with them, if you're going somewhere that might have these beasties. Of course, they are a CR 2 creature, and greater restoration is a level three spell (so 5th level caster)....

I may have to send a pack of these things at my fifth level party tomorrow.

Reincarnate should work, it's only 5th level. It's actually superior to Raise Dead in this kind of situation, as long as you don't mind potentially ending up as a Drow or, *shudder* a Gnome. Or having your armor no longer fit.

It might even be worth spending a Bard Magical Secret on if you're heading for the Underdark.

 

[Plane Sailing]

Like the intellect devourers of High Ilvarandin, perhaps?

Incredibly cool. Thanks for bringing it to my attention!