Leech Life (move)

Leech Life きゅうけつ Suck Blood

Battles Type  Bug Category  Physical PP  10 (max. 16) Power  80 Accuracy  100% Priority  0 Makes contact Affected by Protect Not affected by Magic Coat Not affected by Snatch Affected by Mirror Move Affected by King's Rock

Range Opponent Opponent Opponent Self Ally Ally Normal: May affect anyone adjacent to the user

Availability Introduced  Generation I TM28 in Pokémon Sun, Moon, Ultra Sun, and Ultra Moon TR18 in Pokémon Sword and Shield Move Tutor in Pokémon Legends: Arceus TM095 in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet

Contests Condition  Smart Appeal  2 ♥♥ Jam  3 ♥♥♥ Startles the Pokémon that appealed before the user.

Super Contests Condition  Smart Appeal  1 ♥ Earn +3 if two Pokémon raise the Voltage in a row.

Contest Spectaculars Condition  Clever Appeal  1 ♥ Jamming  0   Shows off the Pokémon's appeal about as well as the move used just before it.

On Smogon's Movedex: Generation I Generation II Generation III Generation IV Generation V Generation VI Generation VII Generation VIII Generation IX

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

It is:

• TM28 in Pokémon Sun and Moon and Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon.
• TR18 in Pokémon Sword and Shield.
• TM095 in Generation IX.

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

Description

Learnset

By leveling up

#	Pokémon		Types	Egg Groups		Level
						I	II	III	IV	V	VI	VII		VIII			IX
												SMUSUM	PE	SwSh	BDSP	LA	SV
0041		Zubat		Flying		Flying	1	1	1	1	1	1	31	25	55	55	43
0042		Golbat		Flying		Flying	1	1	1	1	1	1	35	31	69	69	43
0046		Paras		Bug	Grass	20	19	19	11	11	11		23		−	−
0047		Parasect		Bug	Grass	1, 20	19	19	1, 11	1, 11	1, 11		23		−	−
0048		Venonat		Bug		Bug	27	25	25	17	17	17	35	28		35		35
0049		Venomoth		Bug		Bug	1, 27RGB 27Y	25	25	17	17	17	37	28		37		37
0071		Victreebel		Grass		Grass	−	−	−	−	−	−	−	1		−		−
0140		Kabuto		Water 1	Water 3	−	−	−	−	−	−	−	48	45	45
0141		Kabutops		Water 1	Water 3	−	−	−	−	−	−	−	54	49	49
0167		Spinarak		Bug		Bug		23	23	12	12	12	−			29		−
0168		Ariados		Bug		Bug		25	25	12	12	12	−			32		−
0169		Crobat		Flying		Flying		1	1	1	1	1	35		69	69	43
0267		Beautifly		Bug		Bug			−	−	−	−	−			25	−
0269		Dustox		Bug		Bug			−	−	−	−	−			25	−
0290		Nincada		Bug		Bug			5	5	5	5	−		−	−
0291		Ninjask		Bug		Bug			1, 5	1, 5	1, 5	1, 5	−		−	−
0292		Shedinja		Mineral		Mineral			5	5	5	5	−		−	−
0355		Duskull		Amorphous		Amorphous			−	−	−	−	−		−	−	18	−
0356		Dusclops		Amorphous		Amorphous			−	−	−	−	−		−	−	18	−
0402		Kricketune		Bug		Bug				14	14	14	−			−	−	−
0477		Dusknoir		Amorphous		Amorphous				−	−	−	−		−	−	18	−
0595		Joltik		Bug		Bug					1	1	−		−			−
0596		Galvantula		Bug		Bug					1	1	−		−			−
0616		Shelmet		Bug		Bug					1	1	−		−
0617		Accelgor		Bug		Bug					1	1	−		−
0636		Larvesta		Bug		Bug					10	10	−		36			36
0637		Volcarona		Bug		Bug					1, 10	1, 10	−		36			36
0714		Noibat		Flying	Dragon						5	−		−			−
0715		Noivern		Flying	Dragon						5	−		−			−
0751		Dewpider		Water 1	Bug							29		44			44
0752		Araquanid		Water 1	Bug							33		56			56
0794		Buzzwole		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered							29		−
0988		Slither Wing		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
						VII	VIII		IX
						SMUSUM TM28	SwSh TR18	LA Tutor	SV TM095
0023		Ekans		Field	Dragon	−			✔
0024		Arbok		Field	Dragon	−			✔
0027		Sandshrew		Field		Field	−	✔		✔
0027		Sandshrew Alolan Form		Field		Field	✔	✔		✔
0028		Sandslash		Field		Field	−	✔		✔
0028		Sandslash Alolan Form		Field		Field	✔	✔		✔
0041		Zubat		Flying		Flying	✔	✔	✔
0042		Golbat		Flying		Flying	✔	✔	✔
0046		Paras		Bug	Grass	✔		✔
0047		Parasect		Bug	Grass	✔		✔
0048		Venonat		Bug		Bug	✔			✔
0049		Venomoth		Bug		Bug	✔			✔
0069		Bellsprout		Grass		Grass	−			✔
0070		Weepinbell		Grass		Grass	−			✔
0071		Victreebel		Grass		Grass	−			✔
0140		Kabuto		Water 1	Water 3	−	✔
0141		Kabutops		Water 1	Water 3	−	✔
0151		Mew		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered	✔	✔		✔
0167		Spinarak		Bug		Bug	✔			✔
0168		Ariados		Bug		Bug	✔			✔
0169		Crobat		Flying		Flying	✔	✔	✔
0193		Yanma		Bug		Bug	−		✔	✔
0267		Beautifly		Bug		Bug	−		✔
0283		Surskit		Water 1	Bug	−			✔
0284		Masquerain		Water 1	Bug	−			✔
0290		Nincada		Bug		Bug	✔	✔
0291		Ninjask		Bug		Bug	✔	✔
0292		Shedinja		Mineral		Mineral	✔	✔
0355		Duskull		Amorphous		Amorphous	−	−	✔	✔
0356		Dusclops		Amorphous		Amorphous	−	−	✔	✔
0402		Kricketune		Bug		Bug	✔		✔	✔
0452		Drapion		Bug	Water 3	−	✔	✔
0455		Carnivine		Grass		Grass	−		✔
0469		Yanmega		Bug		Bug	✔		✔	✔
0477		Dusknoir		Amorphous		Amorphous	−	−	✔	✔
0595		Joltik		Bug		Bug	✔	✔		✔
0596		Galvantula		Bug		Bug	✔	✔		✔
0616		Shelmet		Bug		Bug	✔	✔
0617		Accelgor		Bug		Bug	✔	✔
0636		Larvesta		Bug		Bug	✔	✔		✔
0637		Volcarona		Bug		Bug	✔	✔		✔
0649		Genesect All forms		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered	−	✔
0714		Noibat		Flying	Dragon	✔	✔		✔
0715		Noivern		Flying	Dragon	✔	✔		✔
0725		Litten		Field		Field	✔	✔		✔
0726		Torracat		Field		Field	✔	✔		✔
0727		Incineroar		Field		Field	✔	✔		✔
0742		Cutiefly		Bug	Fairy	✔	✔		✔
0743		Ribombee		Bug	Fairy	✔	✔		✔
0751		Dewpider		Water 1	Bug	✔	✔		✔
0752		Araquanid		Water 1	Bug	✔	✔		✔
0753		Fomantis		Grass		Grass	✔	✔		✔
0754		Lurantis		Grass		Grass	✔	✔		✔
0757		Salandit		Monster	Dragon	✔	✔		✔
0758		Salazzle		Monster	Dragon	✔	✔		✔
0767		Wimpod		Bug	Water 3	✔	✔
0768		Golisopod		Bug	Water 3	✔	✔
0778		Mimikyu		Amorphous		Amorphous	✔	✔		✔
0794		Buzzwole		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered	✔	✔
0804		Naganadel		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered	✔USUM	✔
0825		Dottler		Bug		Bug		✔
0826		Orbeetle		Bug		Bug		✔
0850		Sizzlipede		Bug		Bug		✔
0851		Centiskorch		Bug		Bug		✔
0859		Impidimp		Fairy	Human-Like		✔		✔
0860		Morgrem		Fairy	Human-Like		✔		✔
0861		Grimmsnarl		Fairy	Human-Like		✔		✔
0864		Cursola		Water 1	Water 3		✔
0873		Frosmoth		Bug		Bug		✔		✔
0882		Dracovish		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered		✔
0917		Tarountula		Bug		Bug				✔
0918		Spidops		Bug		Bug				✔
0919		Nymble		Bug		Bug				✔
0920		Lokix		Bug		Bug				✔
0953		Rellor		Bug		Bug				✔
0954		Rabsca		Bug		Bug				✔
0988		Slither Wing		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
						II	III	IV	V	VI	VII	VIII
											SMUSUM	BDSP
0069		Bellsprout		Grass		Grass	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
0193		Yanma		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.

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 ?%
Max Battles Power Level 1: 250 Level 2: 300 Level 3: 350
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

Name	Category	Move gauge cost	MP (uses)	Base power	Max power	Accuracy	Target	Effect tag	Description	Playable sync pair(s)
Leech Life	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 Elesa & Joltik Teddy (Hiker) & Rellor Scottie/Bettie & Buzzwole Scottie/Bettie & Paras/ParasectEgg (Support role only)
Buddy move
Bugs' Singing Leech Life	Physical	2	—	120	144	100%	An opponent	•Heals •Absorbs	Activation Condition: When a circle is applied to the allied field of play. Deactivation Condition: When there are no longer any circles applied to the allied field of play. Lowers one of the target's following stats by two stat ranks at random: Attack, Defense, Sp. Atk, Sp. Def, Speed, accuracy, or evasiveness. Raises the user's stat by the same amount. The more damage dealt to the target, the more it restores the user's HP. Restores the HP of all allied sync pairs by approximately 10% of their maximum HP. Turns the field of play's zone into a Bug Zone the first time this attack move is successful each battle. (A Bug Zone powers up Bug-type attacks.)	Bugsy (Holiday 2024) & Kricketune

Notes:

• Leech Life:
  • Description prior to Version 2.10.0 (from June 28, 2021): Restores the user's HP based on the amount of damage dealt to the target.

Description

In animation

Pokémon animated series

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

Golbat Crobat
The user bites the opponent and drains their blood for energy.
Pokémon	Method
User	First Chapter Used In		Notes
	Golbat bites the opponent and drains their blood for energy. Golbat can also spit the blood it drained at the opponent.
Koga's Golbat	Weezing Winks Out		Debut
	Crobat bites the opponent and drains their blood for energy.
Janine's Crobat	Crossing Crobat		None

• In The Secret of Kangaskhan, Blue's Venomoth was revealed to know Leech Life by his Pokédex.

In other generations

Core series games

Generation I	RBY	Generation I (Japanese)	Generation I (international)	Generation II	Generation II (Japanese)	Generation II (international)	Crystal	Generation III	Generation III (Japanese)	Generation III (international)	RS	FRLG	FRLGE	Generation IV	Generation IV (Japanese)	Generation IV (international)	PtHGSS	HGSS	Generation V	BW	B2W2	Generation V (Japanese)	Generation V (international)	Generation VI	XY	ORAS	Generation VII	SMUSUM	LGPE	Generation VIII	SwSh	BDSP	Legends: Arceus	Generation IX	Stadium (JP)	Stadium	Stadium 2	Colosseum	XD	Battle Revolution	Battrio	MD: Red and Blue	MD: Time, Darkness, and Sky	MD: Blazing, Stormy, & Light Adventure Squad	MD: GTI	SMD	MD: RTDX	Rumble	Rumble Blast	Masters EX

Generation I	RBY	Generation I (Japanese)	Generation I (international)	Generation II	Generation II (Japanese)	Generation II (international)	Crystal	Generation III	Generation III (Japanese)	Generation III (international)	RS	FRLG	FRLGE	Generation IV	Generation IV (Japanese)	Generation IV (international)	PtHGSS	HGSS	Generation V	BW	B2W2	Generation V (Japanese)	Generation V (international)	Generation VI	XY	ORAS	Generation VII	SMUSUM	LGPE	Generation VIII	SwSh	BDSP	Legends: Arceus	Generation IX	Stadium (JP)	Stadium	Stadium 2	Colosseum	XD	Battle Revolution	Battrio	MD: Red and Blue	MD: Time, Darkness, and Sky	MD: Blazing, Stormy, & Light Adventure Squad	MD: GTI	SMD	MD: RTDX	Rumble	Rumble Blast	Masters EX

Generation I	RBY	Generation I (Japanese)	Generation I (international)	Generation II	Generation II (Japanese)	Generation II (international)	Crystal	Generation III	Generation III (Japanese)	Generation III (international)	RS	FRLG	FRLGE	Generation IV	Generation IV (Japanese)	Generation IV (international)	PtHGSS	HGSS	Generation V	BW	B2W2	Generation V (Japanese)	Generation V (international)	Generation VI	XY	ORAS	Generation VII	SMUSUM	LGPE	Generation VIII	SwSh	BDSP	Legends: Arceus	Generation IX	Stadium (JP)	Stadium	Stadium 2	Colosseum	XD	Battle Revolution	Battrio	MD: Red and Blue	MD: Time, Darkness, and Sky	MD: Blazing, Stormy, & Light Adventure Squad	MD: GTI	SMD	MD: RTDX	Rumble	Rumble Blast	Masters EX

Side series games

Generation I	RBY	Generation I (Japanese)	Generation I (international)	Generation II	Generation II (Japanese)	Generation II (international)	Crystal	Generation III	Generation III (Japanese)	Generation III (international)	RS	FRLG	FRLGE	Generation IV	Generation IV (Japanese)	Generation IV (international)	PtHGSS	HGSS	Generation V	BW	B2W2	Generation V (Japanese)	Generation V (international)	Generation VI	XY	ORAS	Generation VII	SMUSUM	LGPE	Generation VIII	SwSh	BDSP	Legends: Arceus	Generation IX	Stadium (JP)	Stadium	Stadium 2	Colosseum	XD	Battle Revolution	Battrio	MD: Red and Blue	MD: Time, Darkness, and Sky	MD: Blazing, Stormy, & Light Adventure Squad	MD: GTI	SMD	MD: RTDX	Rumble	Rumble Blast	Masters EX

Generation I	RBY	Generation I (Japanese)	Generation I (international)	Generation II	Generation II (Japanese)	Generation II (international)	Crystal	Generation III	Generation III (Japanese)	Generation III (international)	RS	FRLG	FRLGE	Generation IV	Generation IV (Japanese)	Generation IV (international)	PtHGSS	HGSS	Generation V	BW	B2W2	Generation V (Japanese)	Generation V (international)	Generation VI	XY	ORAS	Generation VII	SMUSUM	LGPE	Generation VIII	SwSh	BDSP	Legends: Arceus	Generation IX	Stadium (JP)	Stadium	Stadium 2	Colosseum	XD	Battle Revolution	Battrio	MD: Red and Blue	MD: Time, Darkness, and Sky	MD: Blazing, Stormy, & Light Adventure Squad	MD: GTI	SMD	MD: RTDX	Rumble	Rumble Blast	Masters EX

Spin-off series games

Generation I	RBY	Generation I (Japanese)	Generation I (international)	Generation II	Generation II (Japanese)	Generation II (international)	Crystal	Generation III	Generation III (Japanese)	Generation III (international)	RS	FRLG	FRLGE	Generation IV	Generation IV (Japanese)	Generation IV (international)	PtHGSS	HGSS	Generation V	BW	B2W2	Generation V (Japanese)	Generation V (international)	Generation VI	XY	ORAS	Generation VII	SMUSUM	LGPE	Generation VIII	SwSh	BDSP	Legends: Arceus	Generation IX	Stadium (JP)	Stadium	Stadium 2	Colosseum	XD	Battle Revolution	Battrio	MD: Red and Blue	MD: Time, Darkness, and Sky	MD: Blazing, Stormy, & Light Adventure Squad	MD: GTI	SMD	MD: RTDX	Rumble	Rumble Blast	Masters EX

Generation I	RBY	Generation I (Japanese)	Generation I (international)	Generation II	Generation II (Japanese)	Generation II (international)	Crystal	Generation III	Generation III (Japanese)	Generation III (international)	RS	FRLG	FRLGE	Generation IV	Generation IV (Japanese)	Generation IV (international)	PtHGSS	HGSS	Generation V	BW	B2W2	Generation V (Japanese)	Generation V (international)	Generation VI	XY	ORAS	Generation VII	SMUSUM	LGPE	Generation VIII	SwSh	BDSP	Legends: Arceus	Generation IX	Stadium (JP)	Stadium	Stadium 2	Colosseum	XD	Battle Revolution	Battrio	MD: Red and Blue	MD: Time, Darkness, and Sky	MD: Blazing, Stormy, & Light Adventure Squad	MD: GTI	SMD	MD: RTDX	Rumble	Rumble Blast	Masters EX

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

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.