Leech Life (move)

Leech Life
きゅうけつ Suck Blood
Leech Life IX.png
Leech Life IX 2.png
Type  Bug
Category  Physical
PP  10 (max. 16)
Power  80
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  1
Jamming  0  
Shows off the Pokémon's appeal about as well as the move used just before it.

Leech Life (Japanese: きゅうけつ Suck Blood) is a damage-dealing Bug-type move introduced in Generation I.

It is:

Effect

Generations I and II

Leech Life inflicts damage, and up to 50% of the damage dealt to the target is restored to the user as HP (but not less than 1 HP), restoring up to the Pokémon's maximum HP.

In the localized versions of the Generation I games, if Leech Life breaks a substitute, no HP will be restored to the user. In the Japanese version of Generation I games, and all versions of the Pokémon Stadium series and Generation II games, Leech Life will always miss if the target has a substitute.

Generations III and IV

Leech Life will now properly heal the user when damaging a substitute, even if it was broken. If the target has the Ability Liquid Ooze, the user takes damage instead of restoring HP.

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.

Leech Life is no longer affected by King's Rock.

Generation V

Leech Life is now affected by King's Rock.

Generation VI

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

Generation VII onwards

Leech Life's power was increased from 20 to 80 and its PP was reduced from 15 to 10. With this change, Absorb replaced Leech Life on most Pokémon's level up moves.

Generation VIII

Pokémon Legends: Arceus

Category  Physical
PP  10
Agile Strong
Power  75  60  90
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 the damage dealt

Description

Games Description
StadStad2 An HP-draining attack. It adds half the HP it drained from the target to the attacker's HP.
GSC Steals 1/2 of the damage inflicted.
RSE An attack that steals half the damage inflicted.
FRLG An attack that absorbs half the damage it inflicted to restore HP.
Colo.XD An attack that absorbs half the damage inflicted.
DPPtHGSSPBR A blood-draining attack. The user's HP is restored by half the damage taken by the target.
BWB2W2
XYORAS
SMUSUMPE
SwShBDSPLA
The user drains the target's blood. The user's HP is restored by half the damage taken by the target.
SV The user drains the target's blood. 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
0041    
 
Flying Flying 1 1 1 1 1 1 31 25 55 55 43
0042    
 
Flying Flying 1 1 1 1 1 1 35 31 69 69 43
0046    
 
Bug Grass 20 19 19 11 11 11 23
0047    
 
Bug Grass 1, 20 19 19 1, 11 1, 11 1, 11 23
0048    
 
Bug Bug 27 25 25 17 17 17 35 28 35 35
0049    
 
Bug Bug 1, 27RGB
27Y
25 25 17 17 17 37 28 37 37
0071    
 
Grass Grass 1
0140    
 
Water 1 Water 3 48 45 45
0141    
 
Water 1 Water 3 54 49 49
0167    
 
Bug Bug 23 23 12 12 12 29
0168    
 
Bug Bug 25 25 12 12 12 32
0169    
 
Flying Flying 1 1 1 1 1 35 69 69 43
0267    
 
Bug Bug 25
0269    
 
Bug Bug 25
0290    
 
Bug Bug 5 5 5 5
0291    
 
Bug Bug 1, 5 1, 5 1, 5 1, 5
0292    
 
Mineral Mineral 5 5 5 5
0355     Amorphous Amorphous 18
0356     Amorphous Amorphous 18
0402     Bug Bug 14 14 14
0477     Amorphous Amorphous 18
0595    
 
Bug Bug 1 1
0596    
 
Bug Bug 1 1
0616     Bug Bug 1 1
0617     Bug Bug 1 1
0636    
 
Bug Bug 10 10 36 36
0637    
 
Bug Bug 1, 10 1, 10 36 36
0714    
 
Flying Dragon 5
0715    
 
Flying Dragon 5
0751    
 
Water 1 Bug 29 44 44
0752    
 
Water 1 Bug 33 56 56
0794    
 
No Eggs Discovered No Eggs Discovered 29
0988    
 
No Eggs Discovered No Eggs Discovered 84
Bold indicates a Pokémon gains STAB from this move.
Italics indicates a Pokémon whose evolution or alternate form receives STAB from this move.
A dash (−) indicates a Pokémon cannot learn the move by the designated method.
An empty cell indicates a Pokémon that is unavailable in that game/generation.


By TM/TR/Move Tutor

# Pokémon Types Egg Groups Compatibility
0023     Field Dragon
0024     Field Dragon
0027     Field Field
0027  
Sandshrew
Alolan Form
 
 
Field Field
0028     Field Field
0028  
Sandslash
Alolan Form
 
 
Field Field
0041    
 
Flying Flying
0042    
 
Flying Flying
0046    
 
Bug Grass
0047    
 
Bug Grass
0048    
 
Bug Bug
0049    
 
Bug Bug
0069    
 
Grass Grass
0070    
 
Grass Grass
0071    
 
Grass Grass
0140    
 
Water 1 Water 3
0141    
 
Water 1 Water 3
0151     No Eggs Discovered No Eggs Discovered
0167    
 
Bug Bug
0168    
 
Bug Bug
0169    
 
Flying Flying
0193    
 
Bug Bug
0267    
 
Bug Bug
0283    
 
Water 1 Bug
0284    
 
Water 1 Bug
0290    
 
Bug Bug
0291    
 
Bug Bug
0292    
 
Mineral Mineral
0355     Amorphous Amorphous
0356     Amorphous Amorphous
0402     Bug Bug
0452    
 
Bug Water 3
0455     Grass Grass
0469    
 
Bug Bug
0477     Amorphous Amorphous
0595    
 
Bug Bug
0596    
 
Bug Bug
0616     Bug Bug
0617     Bug Bug
0636    
 
Bug Bug
0637    
 
Bug Bug
0649  
Genesect
All forms
 
 
No Eggs Discovered No Eggs Discovered
0714    
 
Flying Dragon
0715    
 
Flying Dragon
0725     Field Field
0726     Field Field
0727    
 
Field Field
0742    
 
Bug Fairy
0743    
 
Bug Fairy
0751    
 
Water 1 Bug
0752    
 
Water 1 Bug
0753     Grass Grass
0754     Grass Grass
0757    
 
Monster Dragon
0758    
 
Monster Dragon
0767    
 
Bug Water 3
0768    
 
Bug Water 3
0778    
 
Amorphous Amorphous
0794    
 
No Eggs Discovered No Eggs Discovered
0804    
 
No Eggs Discovered No Eggs Discovered USUM
0825    
 
Bug Bug
0826    
 
Bug Bug
0850    
 
Bug Bug
0851    
 
Bug Bug
0859    
 
Fairy Human-Like
0860    
 
Fairy Human-Like
0861    
 
Fairy Human-Like
0864     Water 1 Water 3
0873    
 
Bug Bug
0882    
 
No Eggs Discovered No Eggs Discovered
0917     Bug Bug
0918     Bug Bug
0919     Bug Bug
0920    
 
Bug Bug
0953     Bug Bug
0954    
 
Bug Bug
0988    
 
No Eggs Discovered No Eggs Discovered
Bold indicates a Pokémon gains STAB from this move.
Italics indicates a Pokémon whose evolution or alternate form receives STAB from this move.
A dash (−) indicates a Pokémon cannot learn the move by the designated method.
An empty cell indicates a Pokémon that is unavailable in that game/generation.


By breeding

# Pokémon Types Egg Groups Egg Move
0069    
 
Grass Grass
0193    
 
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.
A dash (−) indicates a Pokémon cannot learn the move by the designated method.
An empty cell indicates a Pokémon that is unavailable in that game/generation.


In other games

Pokémon Mystery Dungeon series

Leech Life deals damage and up to 50% of the damage dealt to the target is restored to the user as HP, including excess damage. In Adventure Squad only, the move heals by 20% of dealt damage instead. In Gates to Infinity only, the user will heal based on how much HP the target lost, and excess damage is not accounted for.

This move is affected by the Muzzled status condition.

Game Base
Power
Max
Power
Base
PP
Max
PP
Base
Accuracy
Max
Accuracy
Range Target Cuts
corners
MDRB 4 - 19 - 90% - Front Enemy No
MDTDS 4 - 19 - 90% - Front Enemy No
BSL 4 - 19 - 90% - Front Enemy No
MDGtI 2 99 15 50 95% 98% Front Enemy No
SMD 2 99 15 30 95% 98% Front Enemy No
With some exceptions, Pokémon learnsets match those from the core series games:

Pokémon GO

  Leech Life
Charged Attack
Gyms & Raids
Power ?
Energy cost ?
Duration 2.5 seconds
Damage window 1.15 - 1.4 seconds
Trainer Battles
Power ?
Energy cost ?
Secondary effect ?
Effect chance ?%
Eligible Pokémon:
Standard eligibility
By Elite Charged TM
By GO Snapshot
As Shadow Pokémon
As Purified Pokémon
Formerly eligible
None

Pokémon Rumble Rush

  Leech Life
★★★★
Attack power 26.3395
Charge time 0.5 seconds
Range type Projectile
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
Physical 3 91 109 100% An opponent Absorbs The more damage dealt to the target, the more this move restores the user's HP.* Lillie (New Year's 2021) & Ribombee
Lana & Araquanid
Scottie/Bettie & Support Paras/Parasect 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
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

 
Zubat


The user bites the opponent and drains their energy.
Pokémon Method
User First Used In Notes
  Zubat bites down on the opponent, draining their energy.
Rapp's three Zubat Alola to New Adventure! Debut


In the manga

Pokémon Adventures


In other generations

Core series games

Side series games

Spin-off series games

Trivia

  • Leech Life is the only Bug-type HP-draining move.
  • The power of Leech Life was quadrupled in Generation VII, this marks the largest increase for the power of a move in percentage over a single Generation, and ties with Fury Cutter if multiple increases are considered.
    • This is also the greatest increase to a move in terms of power since Self-Destruct and Explosion in Generation II.
    • However, the change also includes a removal from the level-up learnsets of many Pokémon which could learn Leech Life early on in previous generations, with Absorb taking its place instead.

In other languages

Language Title
Chinese Cantonese 吸血 Kāphyut
Mandarin 吸血 Xīxuè / Xīxiě *
汲取 Jíqǔ *
  Czech Pijavičí útok
  Danish Livigle
Sug Liv
  Dutch Onttrek Leven
  French Vampirisme
  German Blutsauger
  Greek Παρασιτισμός Parasitismós
  Italian Sanguisuga
  Korean 흡혈 Heuphyeol
  Polish Pijawka*
Wysysanie Krwi*
Portuguese   Brazil Suga-vidas (games, anime, HeartGold & SoulSilver-present, manga)
Suga-Vida (Fossil)
Sanguessuga (The Official Pokémon Handbook)
Dreno de Energia
  Portugal Suga-vidas
  Russian Пиявка Piyavka
  Serbian Isisavanje
  Spanish Chupavidas*
Chupa Vidas*
  Thai ดูดเลือด
  Vietnamese Hút Máu


Generation VII TMs
SMUSUM
0102030405060708091011121314151617181920
2122232425262728293031323334353637383940
4142434445464748495051525354555657585960
6162636465666768697071727374757677787980
81828384858687888990919293949596979899100
PE
0102030405060708091011121314151617181920
2122232425262728293031323334353637383940
4142434445464748495051525354555657585960
Generation VIII TMs
SwSh
0001020304050607080910111213141516171819
2021222324252627282930313233343536373839
4041424344454647484950515253545556575859
6061626364656667686970717273747576777879
8081828384858687888990919293949596979899
BDSP
0102030405060708091011121314151617181920
2122232425262728293031323334353637383940
4142434445464748495051525354555657585960
6162636465666768697071727374757677787980
81828384858687888990919293949596979899100
Generation VIII TRs (SwSh)
0001020304050607080910111213141516171819
2021222324252627282930313233343536373839
4041424344454647484950515253545556575859
6061626364656667686970717273747576777879
8081828384858687888990919293949596979899
Generation IX TMs
SV
001002003004005006007008009010011012013014015016017018019
020021022023024025026027028029030031032033034035036037038
039040041042043044045046047048049050051052053054055056057
058059060061062063064065066067068069070071072073074075076
077078079080081082083084085086087088089090091092093094095
096097098099100101102103104105106107108109110111112113114
115116117118119120121122123124125126127128129130131132133
134135136137138139140141142143144145146147148149150151152
153154155156157158159160161162163164165166167168169170171
Added in SV 2.0.1
172173174175176177178179180181182183184185186
187188189190191192193194195196197198199200201
Added in SV 3.0.0
202203204205206207208209210211212213214215216
217218219220221222223224225226227228229


  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.