The Nabasu has long been one of my favorite D&D/D20/PF demons, its only rivals being Babau and Succubi (particularly Succubi with class levels. Seriously, give a succubi class levels, and I'm in love.)
However, I'm a little concerned or puzzled by the way Nabasu work in Pathfinder now, as far as their devouring goes.
One one level, it's very simple and straightforward nowadays. I like that. All you need to do is figure out the beast's growth points, consult how many bonuses that gives him, and whether or not he's a grown up. From there, you're good.
Easy peasy!
However, the downside is that because they advance by gaining bonuses but not actual hit dice, they never get new feats or choose new skills (though existing bonuses go up.)
Because their ability scores don't increase until they're all grown up, neither does their damage per attack or the save DCs vs their abilities, which limits some application against higher level characters with good saves.
That leaves my question of when/if/how Nabasu can gain new hit dice, or increase by class levels. Can they? In older editions, they could advance normally or by level once they were adults. Is that still how it works? I know I can always do as I please in home games, which is good because I enjoy custom monsters, but I'd like to know if it's kosher, so to speak.
That leaves my question of when/if/how Nabasu can gain new hit dice, or increase by class levels. Can they? In older editions, they could advance normally or by level once they were adults. Is that still how it works? I know I can always do as I please in home games, which is good because I enjoy custom monsters, but I'd like to know if it's kosher, so to speak.
Well, nothing by the rules prevent any kind of intelligent creature to gain class levels. For example, the description of Ogres do not describe specific rules for gaining class levels - but many adventures include Ogres with Barbarian or Fighter levels. And neither Succubi do have specific rules for gaining class levels - but surely they can (Sorcerers and Bards as best options, followed by Rogues)
As for gaining HD, again, the Nabasu described is an 'average' one. You can simply use the Monster Advancement rules to create a much powerful Nabasu from the beginning (but make sure not to give them the Advanced or Giant template, since that would be granted by its Consume Life ability sooner or later).
You can have a look at all the official rules for improving existing monsters on the Bestiary (pages 294-297) or on the Official PRD here.
True enough. Guess I was thinking by old rules. It doesn't say a nabasu can't advance by hit dice or class in the new PF ruleset, but I'm pretty sure older versions of the Nabasu could only advance by feeding, at least until they matured.