Leech Seed (move)

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Leech Seed やどりぎのタネ Mistletoe Seed

File:Leech Seed.png

Battles Type  Grass Category  Status PP  10 (max. 16) Power  — Accuracy  90% Priority  0 Does not make contact Affected by Protect Affected by Magic Coat and Magic Bounce Not affected by Snatch Affected by Mirror Move Not affected by King's Rock

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

Availability Introduced  Generation I Not a TM, TR, HM, or Move Tutor move.

Contests Condition  Smart Appeal  2 ♥♥ Jam  2 ♥♥ Startles all Pokémon that have done their appeals.

Super Contests Condition  Smart Appeal  0   Earn a higher score the later the Pokémon performs.

Contest Spectaculars Condition  Clever Appeal  1 ♥ Jamming  0   Gets the Pokémon pumped up. Helps prevent nervousness, too.

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

Leech Seed (Japanese: やどりぎのタネ Mistletoe Seed) is a non-damaging Grass-type move introduced in Generation I.

Effect

Generation I

Leech Seed plants a seed on the target. After a target under the effect of Leech Seed takes its turn, ¹/₁₆ of its HP will be drained, and the same amount of HP will be restored to the target's opponent (even if it was not the Pokémon that originally used the attack). Recurrent Leech Seed draining will not occur if the seeded Pokémon defeats the target. Unlike other types of damage, the recurrent damage done by Leech Seed can exceed the target's current HP. Leech Seed will not work against Grass-type Pokémon, and attempts to seed an already-seeded Pokémon will fail.

If the target has less than 16 HP, Leech Seed will drain 1 HP per turn. Leech Seed draining will occur even if the seeded Pokémon knocks itself out with crash damage, recoil damage, or self-inflicted confusion damage, or by making a substitute before the end of its turn. Draining from Leech Seed is done after continuing partial trapping damage and recurrent poison or burn damage. Leech Seed can be removed by Haze or switching. If the target is seeded during a round that it switches in, it will take recurrent damage during that round, but only if its speed is less than or equal to the user's speed.

If the target of Leech Seed is also under the effect of Toxic, Leech Seed damage will increase every turn as the N value of Toxic increases because Leech Seed and Toxic both use the same damage algorithm ( N × max (1, int (0.0625 × Max HP)). If the current HP of the recipient of Leech Seed's HP-restoring effect is greater than its maximum HP, its current HP will be set equal to its maximum HP.

In the Pokémon Stadium series, Leech Seed will not work against a target with a substitute.

Generation II

⅛ of the target's HP is drained instead. Rapid Spin will release a Pokémon from the effects of Leech Seed. Also, Leech Seed no longer interacts with Toxic damage and Haze no longer affects Leech Seed. If a Pokémon uses Baton Pass, Leech Seed will still be under effect, even if the switched in Pokémon is a Grass-type. The user can no longer plant a seed on a target with a substitute (but setting up a substitute does not release a Pokémon from existing effects of Leech Seed).

Generation III onward

Leech Seed will now drain HP at the end of each turn.

In battles involving multiple Pokémon, Leech Seed will only heal the Pokémon that is in the same position as the Pokémon that originally used Leech Seed was in. If no Pokémon is in that position (for example, if it fainted and could not be replaced), Leech Seed will not take any health from the seeded Pokémon. However, if a Pokémon is later able to occupy that position (if it was revived), Leech Seed will once again sap HP from the seeded Pokémon. This also means that for as long as a seeded Pokémon stays in battle and Leech Seed is not removed by Rapid Spin, that Pokémon will not be able to be seeded again.

Leech Seed can be used as part of a Pokémon Contest combination, with the user gaining an extra two appeal points if Growth was used in the prior turn. It is also part of a Contest Spectacular combination, with the user gaining an extra three appeal points if Rototiller was used in the prior turn.

If the target has the Ability Liquid Ooze, the user takes damage instead of restoring HP. If the user is under the effect of Heal Block, Leech Seed will not restore any of the user's HP. However, the effect damage will be dealt normally. If the user has a Big Root as its held item, it will recover 30% more HP than it normally would. Big Root does not increase damage dealt. All other effects remain the same.

If powered up by a Grassium Z into Z-Leech Seed, all of the user's lowered stats are reset.

Description

Games Description Stad Plants a seed on the target Pokémon. The seed slowly drains the target's HP for the attacker. Stad2 Plants a seed on the target Pokémon. It slowly drains the target's HP for the attacker. GSC Steals HP from the foe on every turn. RSE Plants a seed on the foe to steal HP on every turn. FRLG A seed is planted on the foe to steal some HP for the user on every turn. ColoXD Plants a seed on the target to steal HP on every turn. DPPtHGSSPBR} A seed is planted on the foe. It steals some HP from the foe to heal the user on every turn. BWB2W2 XYORAS SM A seed is planted on the target. It steals some HP from the target every turn.

Learnset

By leveling up

#	Pokémon		Types	Egg Groups		Level
						I	II	III	IV	V	VI	VII	VIII	IX
0001		Bulbasaur		Monster	Grass	7	7	7	7	7	7
0002		Ivysaur		Monster	Grass	1, 7	1, 7	1, 7	1, 7	1, 7	1, 7	1, 7
0003		Venusaur		Monster	Grass	1, 7	1, 7	1, 7	1, 7	1, 7	1, 7	1, 7
0102		Exeggcute		Grass		Grass	28	13	13	11	11	11	11
0187		Hoppip		Fairy	Grass		20	20	22	22	22	22
0188		Skiploom		Fairy	Grass		22	22	24	24	24	24
0189		Jumpluff		Fairy	Grass		22	22	24	24	24	24
0191		Sunkern		Grass		Grass				17	17BW 13B2W2	13	13
0192		Sunflora		Grass		Grass				17	17BW 13B2W2	13	13
0251		Celebi		style="text-align:center; background:#Template:Undiscovered egg color;" width="140px" colspan="2" | Undiscovered	style="text-align:center; display:none; background:#Template:Undiscovered egg color;" | Undiscovered		1	1	1	1	1	1
0285		Shroomish		Fairy	Grass			10	13	13	13XY 8ORAS	8
0286		Breloom		Fairy	Grass			1, 10	1, 13	1, 13	1, 13XY 1, 8ORAS	1, 8
0315		Roselia		Fairy	Grass			21	16	16	16	16
0331		Cacnea		Grass	Human-Like			13	13	13	13XY 10ORAS	10
0332		Cacturne		Grass	Human-Like			13	13	13	13XY 10ORAS	10
0387		Turtwig		Monster	Grass				29	29	29	29
0388		Grotle		Monster	Grass				32	32	32	32
0389		Torterra		Monster	Grass				33	33	33	33
0420		Cherubi		Fairy	Grass				10	10	10	10
0421		Cherrim		Fairy	Grass				10	10	10	1, 10
0492		Shaymin Land Forme		style="text-align:center; background:#Template:Undiscovered egg color;" width="140px" colspan="2" | Undiscovered	style="text-align:center; display:none; background:#Template:Undiscovered egg color;" | Undiscovered				19	19	19	19
492S		Shaymin Sky Forme		style="text-align:center; background:#Template:Undiscovered egg color;" width="140px" colspan="2" | Undiscovered	style="text-align:center; display:none; background:#Template:Undiscovered egg color;" | Undiscovered				19PtHGSS	19	19	19
0495		Snivy		Field	Grass					19	19	19
0496		Servine		Field	Grass					20	20	20
0497		Serperior		Field	Grass					20	20	20
0511		Pansage		Field		Field					16	16	16
0546		Cottonee		Grass	Fairy					8	8	8
0547		Whimsicott		Grass	Fairy					1	1	1
0548		Petilil		Grass		Grass					8	8	8
0549		Lilligant		Grass		Grass					1	1	1
0585		Deerling		Field		Field					13	13	13
0586		Sawsbuck		Field		Field					13	13	13
0650		Chespin		Field		Field						15	15
0651		Quilladin		Field		Field						15	15
0652		Chesnaught		Field		Field						15	15
0672		Skiddo		Field		Field						12	12
0673		Gogoat		Field		Field						12	12
0708		Phantump		Grass	Amorphous						23	23
0709		Trevenant		Grass	Amorphous						23	23
0710		Pumpkaboo		Amorphous		Amorphous						20	20
0711		Gourgeist		Amorphous		Amorphous						20	20
0764		Comfey		Grass		Grass							4
0787		Tapu Bulu		style="text-align:center; background:#Template:Undiscovered egg color;" width="140px" colspan="2" | Undiscovered	style="text-align:center; display:none; background:#Template:Undiscovered egg color;" | Undiscovered							26
0797		Celesteela		style="text-align:center; background:#Template:Undiscovered egg color;" width="140px" colspan="2" | Undiscovered	style="text-align:center; display:none; background:#Template:Undiscovered egg color;" | Undiscovered							19
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	Parent Egg Groups		Egg Move
						II	III	IV	V	VI	VII	VIII	IX
0046		Paras		Bug	Grass				✔	✔	✔
0114		Tangela		Grass		Grass		✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
0152		Chikorita		Monster	Grass	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
0191		Sunkern		Grass		Grass		✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
0252		Treecko		Monster	Dragon		✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
0270		Lotad		Water 1	Grass		✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
0273		Seedot		Field	Grass		✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
0357		Tropius		Monster	Grass		✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
0455		Carnivine		Grass		Grass			✔	✔	✔	✔
0459		Snover		Monster	Grass			✔	✔	✔	✔
0556		Maractus		Grass		Grass				✔	✔	✔
0597		Ferroseed		Grass	Mineral				✔	✔	✔
0755		Morelull		Grass		Grass						✔
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.

Special move

Generation V

#	Pokémon		Types	Egg Groups		Obtained with
0114		Tangela		Grass		Grass	Dream World - Pleasant Forest
0270		Lotad		Water 1	Grass	Dream World - Pleasant Forest
0357		Tropius		Monster	Grass	Dream World - Windswept Sky
0556		Maractus		Grass		Grass	Dream World - Rugged Mountain
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.

Generation VII

#	Pokémon		Types	Egg Groups		Obtained with
0152		Chikorita		Monster	Grass	Island Scan - Route 2
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 event

Generation II

#	Pokémon		Types	Egg Groups		Obtained with
0043		Oddish		Grass		Grass	New York 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. 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.

Generation III

#	Pokémon		Types	Egg Groups		Obtained with
0043		Oddish		Grass		Grass	Egg Pokémon Present
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

In the Super Smash Bros. series

In Super Smash Bros. Melee, Leech Seed is one of the random outcomes of Togepi's Metronome. All characters within the area of effect will receive a flower on their head that causes 5% damage every few seconds.

Description

Games Description MDRB Inflicts the Leech Seed status on the target. The target's HP is leeched every several turns to restore the user's HP.

In the anime

Lilligant Sunflora Gourgeist Being unaffected by the drain
A seed is planted on the foe. It steals some HP from the foe.
Pokémon	Method
User	First Used In		Notes
	A seed sprouts from Bulbasaur's bulb, which shoots out to the opponent. When hit, the opponent becomes wrapped in thin vines and leaves that restrain it. The vines and leaves then glow red and suck energy from the opponent. Sometimes, the vines have no leaves at all.
Ash's Bulbasaur	The Ninja Poké-Showdown		Debut
	Skiploom shoots one or two seeds from the middle of the flower on top of its head towards the opponent. When hit, the opponent is wrapped in vines that restrain it. The vines then glow red and suck energy from the opponent.
Ephraim's Skippy	The Grass Route		None
	Shroomish shoots multiple seeds from the hole on its head towards the opponent. When the opponent is hit, the seeds sprout vines which wrap around the opponent. The vines glow red and suck energy from the opponent.
Alex's multiple Shroomish	Taming of the Shroomish		None
	Turtwig lowers its head and the sprout on its head releases a brown seed at the opponent. The seed digs into the opponent and sprouts vines which wrap around the opponent and drain its energy.
Gardenia's Turtwig	The Grass-type is Always Greener!		None
	Sunflora releases two brown seeds from the back of its head at the opponent. When the seeds hit the opponent, the seeds sprout vines and wrap up the opponent.
Nando's Sunflora	The Secret Sphere of Influence!		None
	Lilligant releases one giant seed from its head at the opponent.
Mona's Lilligant	Beauties Battling for Pride and Prestige!		None
	Pumpkaboo shoots several seeds from its mouth into the ground. The seeds immediately grow into vines that latch onto a target and drain them of their energy. When a Grass-type Pokémon is seeded, the target is still bound by the roots, but they are a dull gray-brown color, and it is unaffected by the energy draining.
Jessie's Pumpkaboo	The Bamboozling Forest!		None
	Gogoat fires multiple seeds at the opponent. The seeds immediately grow into vines that bind the opponent, or Gogoat fires a seed from its mouth into the ground. The seed immediately grows into vines that latch onto a target and drain them of their energy.
Ramos's Gogoat	Thawing an Icy Panic!		None
	Treecko fires multiple seeds from its mouth into the ground. The seed immediately grows into vines that latch onto a target and drain them of their energy.
Sawyer's Treecko	A Fashionable Battle!		None
	Gourgeist shoots several seeds from its mouth into the ground. The seeds immediately grow into vines that latch onto a target and drain them of their energy. When a Grass-type Pokémon is seeded, the target is still bound by the roots, but they are a dull gray-brown color, and it is unaffected by the energy draining.
Jessie's Gourgeist	A Festival Trade! A Festival Farewell?		None

In the manga

In The Electric Tale of Pikachu manga

Bulbasaur
A seed is planted on the foe. It steals some HP from the foe to heal the user on every turn.
Pokémon	Method
User	First Chapter Used In		Notes
	Bulbasaur releases a seed at the opponent from the bulb on its back. When the seed hits it, it sprouts vines that tie up the opponent.
Ash's Bulbasaur	Welcome to the Big Leagues		Debut

In the Pokémon Adventures manga

Ivysaur Bulbasaur Sceptile Deerling
A seed is planted on the foe. It steals some HP from the foe to heal the user on every turn.
Pokémon	Method
User	First Chapter Used In		Notes
	Bulbasaur releases a seed at the opponent from the bulb on its back. When the seed hits it, it sprouts vines that tie up the opponent.
Red's Saur	Gyarados Splashes In!		Debut
	Ivysaur releases a seed at the opponent from the flower bulb on its back. When the seed hits it, it sprouts vines that tie up the opponent.
Red's Saur	Kalling Kadabra		None
	Jumpluff holds its arms above its head and releases a stream of cotton from the cotton puffs on its head and arms at the opponent. The cotton sticks to the opponent and sprout vines that ties up the opponent.
Eusine's Jumpluff	Great Girafarig		None
	Sceptile touches the opponent with the tip of its tail, releasing a seed from it and planting it onto the opponent. The seed then sprouts into vines that wrap around the opponent's body and absorbs its energy, or a vine with leaves on it sprouts from one of the seeds on Sceptile's back and wraps themselves around the opponent, draining its energy.
Emerald's Sceptile	Gotcha Where I Wantcha, Glalie		None
	Deerling shoots multiple seeds from the flower on its head at the opponent.
White's Darlene	A Stormy Time in the Battle Subway		None

In the Pokémon Diamond and Pearl Adventure! manga

Cherubi
The user spits out seeds which drains the foe's health.
Pokémon	Method
User	First Chapter Used In		Notes
	Cherubi spits out multiple seeds which attaches onto a Pokémon that was sent out on the opponent's side of the field, touching the ground.
Gardenia's Cherubi	Win with Teamwork!!		Debut

In the Pokémon Gotta Catch 'Em All manga

Politoed
Unknown
Pokémon	Method
User	First Chapter Used In		Notes
	Unknown
A wild Celebi	GDZ75		Debut

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

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

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

• Though Leech Seed cannot affect Grass-type Pokémon in the games, Grass-type Pokémon have been affected in the anime.
• Despite the origin of its Japanese name being a parasite that attaches itself to a host plant and absorbs nutrients, Leech Seed cannot affect Grass-type Pokémon.

In other languages

Language Title Chinese Cantonese 寄生種子 Geisāng Júngjí * 寄生樹種子 Geisāngsyuh Júngjí Mandarin 寄生種子 Jìshēng Zhǒngzǐ Czech Semínkový útok Danish Iglefrø Dutch Onttrek HP Finnish Iilisiemen (season 1) Imusiemen (Johto series) Loissiemen (AG series) French Vampigraine German Egelsamen Greek Παρασιτικόσπορος Hindi लीच का बीज Leech Ka Beej लिपटने वाली बेल Lipatne Wali Bayl Italian Parassiseme Korean 씨뿌리기 Ssi Ppurigi Norwegian Snyltefrø Polish Pnącze Mocy Portuguese Brazil Projétil de Semente (XY082)* Semente de Morte (Diamond & Pearl-Secret Wonders) Semente Sanguessuga (XY087-present, Unleashed-present, manga, The Official Pokémon Handbook) Sanguessuga (The Official Pokémon Handbook) Chupa-Vidas (The Official Pokémon Handbook) Portugal Semente Sanguessuga (anime) Semente de Morte (TCG) Romanian Sămânța Parazit Serbian Semenka pijavica Spanish Drenadoras Swedish Blodigelsfrö Turkish Parazit Tohum Vietnamese Hạt Mầm Kí Sinh

Variations of the move Leech Seed
Leech Seed • Toxic

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.