Leech Seed (move)

**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 (rounded down, but not less than 1), 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.

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 (or was under that effect and healed itself with Rest), because Leech Seed and Toxic both use the same damage algorithm, Leech Seed damage will be affected by Toxic's **N** parameter, and will increase each turn.

In the Pokémon Stadium series and Japanese cartridges, 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 in 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 onwards

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. While a Pokémon is seeded, even if it cannot have its health drained due to there being no Pokémon in the appropriate slot to drain its HP, it cannot be affected by Leech Seed 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 beneficiary Pokémon 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.

Using Sappy Seed will plant a Leech Seed on the target if it hits.

## Description

 **BWB2W2****XYORAS****SMUSUMPE****SwShBDSP** | A seed is planted on the target. It steals some HP from the target every turn.

## In other games

### Pokémon Mystery Dungeon series

In Red Rescue Team and Blue Rescue Team, and Explorers of Time, Darkness and Sky, Leech Seed is a move with 17PP and 100% accuracy. The user targets enemy in front, inflicting them with Leech Seed status condition. A Pokémon affected by Leech Seed will be dealt 10 HP damage at the end of every second turn, and 10 HP returned to the user. The status lasts 11-12 turns. This move is affected by Magic Coat and Taunt.

From Gates to Infinity, the Pokémon affected by Leech Seed will be dealt 5 HP damage every second turn, and 5 HP returned to the user. The status lasts 6 turns.

### 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

 **SMD****MDRTDX** | It gives an enemy the Leech Seed status condition.

## 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.