[RPG] Can an intellect devourer use Devour Intellect while it inhabits a creature’s body

dnd-5emonsters

In the MM (p. 191), it says that an intellect devourer, while using its Body Thief action:

retains its Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma scores, as well as its understanding of Deep Speech, its telepathy, and its traits. It otherwise adopts the target’s statistics.

Is Devour Intellect, an action that the intellect devourer has, considered to be a trait?

It appears to me that the traits are from its ability scores to the actions in the monster stat block, so it wouldn't be able to use Devour Intellect while controlling another's body.

Anybody have any insight on this?

Best Answer

No, it can't use Devour Intellect while controlling a creature in this way

In the intro to the MM (and the corresponding section of the basic rules) it describes special traits as this:

Special traits (which appear after a monster’s challenge rating but before any actions or reactions) are characteristics that are likely to be relevant in a combat encounter and that require some explanation.

I read that as the devourer keeping its Detect Sentience trait.

Devour Intellect is described under the actions section of its entry so not covered under what is kept.

It would be nice if the description of Body Thief were more specific about the Devourer not getting its own actions while in the other body.

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