Absorb (move)

Absorb すいとる Absorb

Battles Type  Grass Category  Special PP  25 (max. 40) Power  20 Accuracy  100% Priority  0 Does not make contact Affected by Protect Not affected by Magic Coat 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  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  4 ♥♥♥♥ Jamming  0   Quite an appealing move.

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

Absorb (Japanese: すいとる Absorb) is a damage-dealing Grass-type move introduced in Generation I. Absorb 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 does damage, and up to 50% of the damage done to the target is restored to the user, rounded up.

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 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 also be used as part of a Pokémon Contest combination, with the user gaining extra two appeal points if the move Growth was used in the prior turn.

Generations IV and V

Absorb's PP is increased to 25. 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 are the same.

Generation VI onward

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

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. RSEColoXD An attack that absorbs half the damage inflicted. FRLG An attack that absorbs half the damage it inflicted to restore HP. DPPtHGSSPBR BWB2W2 XYORAS SMUSUM A nutrient-draining attack. The user's HP is restored by 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
0041		Zubat		Flying		Flying							1
0042		Golbat		Flying		Flying							1
0043		Oddish		Grass		Grass	1	1	1	1	1	1	1
0044		Gloom		Grass		Grass	1	1	1	1	1	1	1
0045		Vileplume		Grass		Grass		1	1
0046		Paras		Bug	Grass							11
0047		Parasect		Bug	Grass							1, 11
0114		Tangela		Grass		Grass	29RGB 27Y	10	10	8	8BW 10B2W2	10	10
0140		Kabuto		Water 1	Water 3	34	10	13	6	6	6	6
0141		Kabutops		Water 1	Water 3	1, 34	1, 10	1, 13	1, 6	1, 6	1, 6	1, 6
0167		Spinarak		Bug		Bug							5
0168		Ariados		Bug		Bug							1, 5
0169		Crobat		Flying		Flying							1
0182		Bellossom		Grass		Grass		1	1
0187		Hoppip		Fairy	Grass							1USUM
0188		Skiploom		Fairy	Grass							1USUM
0189		Jumpluff		Fairy	Grass							1USUM
0191		Sunkern		Grass		Grass		1	1	1	1	1	1
0192		Sunflora		Grass		Grass		1	1	1	1	1	1
0252		Treecko		Monster	Dragon			6	6	6	6XY 5ORAS	5
0253		Grovyle		Monster	Dragon			1, 6	1, 6	1, 6	1, 6XY 1, 5ORAS	1, 5
0254		Sceptile		Monster	Dragon			1, 6	1, 6	1, 6	1, 6XY 1, 5ORAS	1, 5
0267		Beautifly		Bug		Bug			1, 10	1, 10	1, 10	1, 10XY 12ORAS	12
0270		Lotad		Water 1	Grass			7	5	5	5XY 6ORAS	6
0271		Lombre		Water 1	Grass			7	5	5	5XY 6ORAS	6
0272		Ludicolo		Water 1	Grass			1
0285		Shroomish		Fairy	Grass			1	1	1	1	1
0286		Breloom		Fairy	Grass			1	1	1	1	1
0290		Nincada		Bug		Bug							5
0291		Ninjask		Bug		Bug							1, 5
0292		Shedinja		Mineral		Mineral							1, 5
0315		Roselia		Fairy	Grass			1	1	1	1	1
0331		Cacnea		Grass	Human-Like			5	5	5	5XY 4ORAS	4
0332		Cacturne		Grass	Human-Like			1, 5	1, 5	1, 5	1, 5XY 1, 4ORAS	1, 4
0387		Turtwig		Monster	Grass				9	9	9	9
0388		Grotle		Monster	Grass				9	9	9	1, 9
0389		Torterra		Monster	Grass				1, 9	1, 9	1, 9	1, 9
0402		Kricketune		Bug		Bug							14
0406		Budew		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
0465		Tangrowth		Grass		Grass				8	8BW 10B2W2	10	10
0546		Cottonee		Grass	Fairy					1	1	1
0548		Petilil		Grass		Grass					1	1	1
0556		Maractus		Grass		Grass					1	1	1
0590		Foongus		Grass		Grass					1	1	1
0591		Amoonguss		Grass		Grass					1	1	1
0592		Frillish		Amorphous		Amorphous					5	5	5
0593		Jellicent		Amorphous		Amorphous					1, 5	1, 5	1, 5
0595		Joltik		Bug		Bug							1
0596		Galvantula		Bug		Bug							1
0616		Shelmet		Bug		Bug							1
0617		Accelgor		Bug		Bug							1
0636		Larvesta		Bug		Bug							10
0637		Volcarona		Bug		Bug							1, 10
0704		Goomy		Dragon		Dragon						5	5
0705		Sliggoo		Dragon		Dragon						5	1, 5
0706		Goodra		Dragon		Dragon						5	1, 5
0714		Noibat		Flying		Flying							5
0715		Noivern		Flying		Flying							1, 5
0742		Cutiefly		Bug	Fairy							1
0743		Ribombee		Bug	Fairy							1
0755		Morelull		Grass		Grass							1
0756		Shiinotic		Grass		Grass							1
0769		Sandygast		Amorphous		Amorphous							1
0770		Palossand		Amorphous		Amorphous							1
0781		Dhelmise		Mineral		Mineral							1
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							1
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
0231		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. 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 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 Mystery Dungeon

Absorb has a power of 1, 18 PP, and 93 accuracy. It restores HP to the user equal to 50% of the damage dealt.

Description

Games Description MDRB Inflicts damage on the target. It also restores the user's HP based on the damage it inflicted. Conq. A nutrient-draining attack. The user's HP is restored by half the damage taken by the target. MDTDS Inflicts damage on the target, then restores the user's HP based on the damage inflicted. SMD It absorbs an enemy's HP.

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 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 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 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

In the Pokémon Adventures manga

Tangela
The user absorbs the opponent's energy and adds it to its own.
Pokémon	Method
User	First Chapter Used In		Notes
	Tangela sticks the end of its vines into the opponent's body and absorbs its energy.
Erika's Angela	Striking Golduck		Debut

In the Pokémon Battrio: Aim to be Battrio Master manga

Treecko
The user absorbs the opponent's energy.
Pokémon	Method
User	First Chapter Used In		Notes
	Treecko absorbs the opponent's energy.
Ryū's Treecko	ABM02		Debut

In the Pocket Monsters Platinum: Aim to Be Battle King manga

Budew
The user absorbs the opponent's energy.
Pokémon	Method
User	First Chapter Used In		Notes
	Budew absorbs the opponent's energy.
A wild Budew	PBK1		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

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

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

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 Vol-Vie German Absorber Greek Απορρόφηση Aporrófisi Italian Assorbimento Korean 흡수 Heubsu Polish Absorpcja Portuguese Brazil Absorção Absorver (The Official Pokémon Handbook) Portugal Absorver Romanian Absorbirea Serbian Apsorpcija Spanish Absorber 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.