Absorb (move)

Absorb
すいとる Absorb
Absorb IX.png
Absorb IX 2.png
Type  Grass
Category  Special
PP  25 (max. 40)
Power  20
Accuracy  100%
Priority  {{{priority}}}
Target
Foe Foe Foe
Self Ally Ally
May affect anyone adjacent to the user
Availability
Introduced  Generation I
Condition  Smart
Appeal  2 ♥♥
Jam  3 ♥♥♥
Startles the Pokémon that appealed before the user.
Condition  Smart
Appeal  1
Earn +3 if two Pokémon raise the Voltage in a row.
Condition  Clever
Appeal  4 ♥♥♥♥
Jamming  0  
Quite an appealing move.

Absorb (Japanese: すいとる Absorb) is a damage-dealing Grass-type move introduced in Generation I.

It is the first in a line of three Grass-type HP-draining attacks, the other two being Mega Drain and Giga Drain.

Effect

Generations I and II

Absorb inflicts damage, and up to 50% of the damage dealt to the target is restored to the user as HP. If this attack deals 1 HP of damage, 1 HP will be restored to the user.

If Absorb breaks a substitute, no HP will be restored to the user. If HP is restored to the user when its current HP would be greater than its maximum HP, its current HP will be set equal to its maximum HP. Absorb has 20 PP.

In the Japanese version of Generation I games, Pokémon Stadium series and Generation II games, Absorb will always miss if the target has a substitute.

Generation III

Absorb will now properly heal the user when damaging a substitute, even if it was broken. When used on a Pokémon with the Liquid Ooze Ability, the user will lose the amount of HP it would have gained instead.

Absorb can be used as the second move of a Pokémon Contest combination, with the user gaining 2 bonus appeal points if Growth was used in the previous turn.

Absorb is no longer affected by King's Rock.

Generation IV

Absorb's PP is increased to 25. If the user is holding a Big Root, the HP restored is increased by 30% (making the restored HP 65% of the damage dealt). Big Root does not increase the damage dealt.

Generation V

Absorb is now affected by King's Rock.

Generation VI

Absorb cannot be used if the user is under the effects of Heal Block.

Generation VII

In Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!, Absorb's power was changed from 20 to 40, while its PP was reduced to 15.

Generation VIII onwards

Absorb's power was changed back to 20, and its PP back to 25.

Pokémon Legends: Arceus

Category  Special
PP  20
Agile Strong
Power  30  20  40
Accuracy  100%  100%  100%
Action speed modifier
Self  0  0  +5
Target  0  +3  0
Additional effect
Heal  50%  50%  75%
   ?  ?
   ?  ?
Restores the user's HP by a percentage of damage dealt

Description

Games Description
StadStad2 A Grass-type attack. It adds half the HP it drained from the target to the attacker's HP.
GSC Steals 1/2 of the damage inflicted.
RSEColo.XD An attack that absorbs half the damage inflicted.
FRLG An attack that absorbs half the damage it inflicted to restore HP.
DPPtHGSSPBR
BWB2W2
XYORAS
SMUSUMPE
SwShBDSP
A nutrient-draining attack. The user's HP is restored by half the damage taken by the target.
LA The user attacks by draining the target’s nutrients. Some of the damage dealt to the target is absorbed by the user to restore their own HP.
SV A nutrient-draining attack. The user's HP is restored by up to half the damage taken by the target.


Learnset

By leveling up

# Pokémon Types Egg Groups Level
I II III IV V VI VII VIII IX
041   Zubat
 
 
Flying Flying 1 1
042   Golbat
 
 
Flying Flying 1 1
043   Oddish
 
 
Grass Grass 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
044   Gloom
 
 
Grass Grass 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
045   Vileplume
 
 
Grass Grass 1 1 1PE 1
046   Paras
 
 
Bug Grass 11SMUSUM
9PE
11BDSP
1LA
047   Parasect
 
 
Bug Grass 1, 11SMUSUM
9PE
1, 11BDSP
1LA
102   Exeggcute
 
 
Grass Grass 1
103   Exeggutor
 
 
Grass Grass 1
103   Exeggutor
Alolan Form
 
 
Grass Grass 1
114   Tangela
  Grass Grass 29RGB
27Y
10 10 8 8BW
10B2W2
10 10SMUSUM
1PE
1
140   Kabuto
 
 
Water 1 Water 3 34 10 13 6 6 6 6SMUSUM
18PE
1
141   Kabutops
 
 
Water 1 Water 3 1, 34 1, 10 1, 13 1, 6 1, 6 1, 6 1, 6SMUSUM
1, 18PE
1
167   Spinarak
 
 
Bug Bug 5 5BDSP
168   Ariados
 
 
Bug Bug 1, 5 1, 5BDSP
169   Crobat
 
 
Flying Flying 1 1
182   Bellossom
  Grass Grass 1 1 1
187   Hoppip
 
 
Fairy Grass 1USUM 1BDSP 6
188   Skiploom
 
 
Fairy Grass 1USUM 1BDSP 1
189   Jumpluff
 
 
Fairy Grass 1USUM 1BDSP 1
191   Sunkern
  Grass Grass 1 1 1 1 1 1 7BDSP 7
192   Sunflora
  Grass Grass 1 1 1 1 1 1 7BDSP 7
252   Treecko
  Monster Dragon 6 6 6 6XY
5ORAS
5
253   Grovyle
  Monster Dragon 1, 6 1, 6 1, 6 1, 6XY
1, 5ORAS
1, 5
254   Sceptile
  Monster Dragon 1, 6 1, 6 1, 6 1, 6XY
1, 5ORAS
1, 5
267   Beautifly
 
 
Bug Bug 1, 10 1, 10 1, 10 1, 10XY
12ORAS
12 12BDSP
270   Lotad
 
 
Water 1 Grass 7 5 5 5XY
6ORAS
6 3
271   Lombre
 
 
Water 1 Grass 7 5 5 5XY
6ORAS
6 1
272   Ludicolo
 
 
Water 1 Grass 1 1
273   Seedot
  Field Grass 3
274   Nuzleaf
 
 
Field Grass 1
275   Shiftry
 
 
Field Grass 1
285   Shroomish
  Fairy Grass 1 1 1 1 1 1BDSP 1
286   Breloom
 
 
Fairy Grass 1 1 1 1 1 1BDSP 1
290   Nincada
 
 
Bug Bug 5 21
291   Ninjask
 
 
Bug Bug 1, 5 23
292   Shedinja
 
 
Mineral Mineral 1, 5 23
315   Roselia
 
 
Fairy Grass 1 1 1 1 1 1SwShBDSP
6LA
331   Cacnea
  Grass Human-Like 5 5 5 5XY
4ORAS
4 4BDSP 4
332   Cacturne
 
 
Grass Human-Like 1, 5 1, 5 1, 5 1, 5XY
1, 4ORAS
1, 4 1, 4BDSP 1
355   Duskull
  Amorphous Amorphous 1LA
356   Dusclops
  Amorphous Amorphous 1LA
387   Turtwig
  Monster Grass 9 9 9 9
388   Grotle
  Monster Grass 9 9 9 1, 9 1BDSP
389   Torterra
 
 
Monster Grass 1, 9 1, 9 1, 9 1, 9 1BDSP
401   Kricketot
  Bug Bug 1LA
402   Kricketune
  Bug Bug 14 14BDSP
1LA
14
406   Budew
 
 
No Eggs Discovered No Eggs Discovered 1 1 1 1 1SwShBDSP
6LA
407   Roserade
 
 
Fairy Grass 1SwShBDSP
6LA
420   Cherubi
  Fairy Grass 1LA
421   Cherrim
  Fairy Grass 1LA
455   Carnivine
  Grass Grass 1LA
465   Tangrowth
  Grass Grass 8 8BW
10B2W2
10 10 1
477   Dusknoir
  Amorphous Amorphous 1LA
546   Cottonee
 
 
Grass Fairy 1 1 1 1
547   Whimsicott
 
 
Grass Fairy 1
548   Petilil
  Grass Grass 1 1 1 1 1
549   Lilligant
  Grass Grass 1 1
549   Lilligant
Hisuian Form
 
 
Grass Grass 1LA 1
556   Maractus
  Grass Grass 1 1 1 1
590   Foongus
 
 
Grass Grass 1 1 1 1 1
591   Amoonguss
 
 
Grass Grass 1 1 1 1 1
592   Frillish
 
 
Amorphous Amorphous 5 5 5 1
593   Jellicent
 
 
Amorphous Amorphous 1, 5 1, 5 1, 5 1
595   Joltik
 
 
Bug Bug 1 1
596   Galvantula
 
 
Bug Bug 1 1
616   Shelmet
  Bug Bug 1 1
617   Accelgor
  Bug Bug 1 1
636   Larvesta
 
 
Bug Bug 10
637   Volcarona
 
 
Bug Bug 1, 10
704   Goomy
  Dragon Dragon 5 5 1 1
705   Sliggoo
  Dragon Dragon 5 1, 5 1 1
705   Sliggoo
Hisuian Form
 
 
Dragon Dragon 1
706   Goodra
  Dragon Dragon 5 1, 5 1 1
706   Goodra
Hisuian Form
 
 
Dragon Dragon 1
714   Noibat
 
 
Flying Dragon 5 1 1
715   Noivern
 
 
Flying Dragon 1, 5 1 1
742   Cutiefly
 
 
Bug Fairy 1 1
743   Ribombee
 
 
Bug Fairy 1 1
755   Morelull
 
 
Grass Grass 1 1
756   Shiinotic
 
 
Grass Grass 1 1
769   Sandygast
 
 
Amorphous Amorphous 1 1 1
770   Palossand
 
 
Amorphous Amorphous 1 1 1
781   Dhelmise
 
 
Mineral Mineral 1 1
797   Celesteela
 
 
No Eggs Discovered No Eggs Discovered 1 1
928   Smoliv
 
 
Grass Grass 5
929   Dolliv
 
 
Grass Grass 5
930   Arboliva
 
 
Grass Grass 5
946   Bramblin
 
 
Grass Grass 5
947   Brambleghast
 
 
Grass Grass 5
948   Toedscool
 
 
Grass Grass 4
949   Toedscruel
 
 
Grass Grass 4
986   Brute Bonnet
 
 
No Eggs Discovered No Eggs Discovered 1
100   Wo-Chien
 
 
No Eggs Discovered No Eggs Discovered 1
Bold indicates a Pokémon gains STAB from this move.
Italics indicates a Pokémon whose evolution or alternate form receives STAB from this move.


By breeding

# Pokémon Types Parent
Egg Groups
Egg Move
II III IV V VI VII VIII IX
252   Treecko
  Monster Dragon
636   Larvesta
 
 
Bug Bug
Bold indicates a Pokémon gains STAB from this move.
Italics indicates a Pokémon whose evolution or alternate form receives STAB from this move.


By event

Generation II

# Pokémon Types Egg Groups Obtained with
231   Phanpy
  Field Field New York City Pokémon Center
Bold indicates a Pokémon gains STAB from this move.
Italics indicates a Pokémon whose evolution or alternate form receives STAB from this move.


In other games

Pokémon Mystery Dungeon series

In Red Rescue Team and Blue Rescue Team, Absorb is a move with 1 base power, 88% accuracy, and 18 PP. The user attacks enemy in the front, and up to 50% of the damage dealt to the target is restored to the user as HP, including excess damage. The move is affected by Muzzle status condition.

In Explorers of Time, Darkness and Sky, the move's PP was decreased to 15.

In Gates to Infinity, the user will heal based on how much HP the target lost, with excess damage not being accounted for. This is changed back to what it previously was in Super Mystery Dungeon.

Pokémon Conquest

 
>
 
Stars: ★
Power: 20
Accuracy: 100%
Effect: It heals the attacking Pokémon of 50% of the damage inflicted.
If the Pokémon has a 100% link with their Warrior, it heals 66% of the damage inflicted.
Users:      
Grid assumes the user is in the square marked by > facing to the right.
Orange squares indicate spaces that are hit.
Red squares indicate the knockback on hit Pokémon.
A blue square indicates the user's position after performing the move.

Pokémon Rumble Rush

  Absorb
★★
Attack power 32.41483
Charge time 0.62 seconds
Range type Arc (melee)
Number of hits 1
Number of projectiles 1
Critical hit rate 1.5%
Additional effect Drains HP

Pokémon Masters EX

Category Move gauge MP Base Power Max Power Accuracy Target Effect Tag Description Playable Users
Special 1 19 22 100% An opponent Absorbs The more damage dealt to the target, the more this move restores the user's HP.* Gardenia & Roserade
Erika & Tangela (Direct link)
Jasmine (Special Costume) & Celesteela
Scottie/Bettie & Support Oddish/Gloom/Vileplume Egg
  • Description prior to Version 2.10.0*: Restores the user's HP based on the amount of damage dealt to the target.

Description

Games Description
MDRB Inflicts damage on the target. It also restores the user's HP based on the damage it inflicted.
MDTDS Inflicts damage on the target, then restores the user's HP based on the damage inflicted.
BSL てきポケモンに ダメージをあたえる あたえたダメージに おうじて じぶんの HPが かいふくする
Conq. A nutrient-draining attack. The user's HP is restored by half the damage taken by the target.
MDGtI
SMD
MDRTDX
It damages an enemy. It also restores your HP. The greater the damage it causes, the more HP it restores.


In the anime

       
Tangrowth Bellsprout Shroomish
A nutrient-draining attack that absorbs the opponent's energy and adds it to the user.
Pokémon Method
User First Used In Notes
  Tangrowth Tangrowth holds out its arms and fires two red beams from them at the opponent. When the opponent is hit, its body glows red and it drains its energy. Sometimes, the red parts of its hands glow red before it fires the beams.
A wild Tangrowth Promoting Healthy Tangrowth! Debut
  Shroomish Shroomish releases a red beam from the hole on its head at the opponent. When hit, the opponent's body glows red and it absorbs its energy.
A wild Shroomish Promoting Healthy Tangrowth! None
  Bellsprout Bellsprout releases two red beams from the leaves on the side of its body at the opponent. When it hits it, the opponent's body glows red and it absorbs its energy.
A wild Bellsprout Promoting Healthy Tangrowth! Bellsprout cannot legally learn Absorb


In the manga

Pokémon Adventures


  • Diamond's Turtwig, Tru, was revealed to know Absorb on the official web site, but he was never shown using the move.

Pokémon Battrio: Aim to be Battrio Master!


Pocket Monsters Platinum: Aim to Be Battle King!!


In other generations

Core series games

Side series games

Spin-off series games

In other languages

Language Title
Chinese Cantonese 吸取 Kāpchéui *
吸收 Kāpsāu *
Mandarin 吸取 Xīqǔ *
吸收 Xīshōu *
  Czech Vstřebání
  Danish Opsuge
  Dutch Absorbeer
  French Vole-VieVIII+
Vol-VieIVII
  German Absorber
  Greek Απορρόφηση Aporrófisi
  Italian Assorbimento
  Korean 흡수 Heupsu
  Polish Absorpcja
Portuguese   Brazil Absorção (GO, TCG, manga)
Absorver (anime, The Official Pokémon Handbook)
  Portugal Absorção
  Romanian Absorbirea
  Serbian Apsorpcija
  Spanish Absorber
  Thai ดูดซับ
  Turkish Emiş
  Vietnamese Hấp Thụ



  This article is part of Project Moves and Abilities, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on two related aspects of the Pokémon games.