Leech

"Life Leech" redirects here. For the support gem, see Life Leech Support. For the passive skill, see Life Leech (passive skill).

"Mana Leech" redirects here. For the support gem, see Mana Leech Support.

Leech recovers an amount of life, mana or energy shield over time, relative to the damage inflicted on an enemy. Leech cares about the damage taken by the enemy, not the amount of life removed.

Mechanics

All leech mechanics act the same way for life, mana, or in the case of Ghost Reaver, energy shield. Examples in this article will use life, but if the character has equal statistics for a different resource (life or energy shield), they will apply in the same way.

Whenever a character hits an enemy while having an applicable source of leech, a leech instance is created on that character. Each leech instance is independent, and will heal the character for Damage Dealt #% damage leeched as life at a default rate of 2% of that character's maximum health per second. Thus, each leech instance will have a different duration, calculated as (HealAmount / (MaximumHealthPool * 0.02) ). Each leech instance will stack and apply to the character simultaneously until it expires or the character is at full life. However, if the total leech per second from all leech instances is greater than the character's leech cap, the extra healing will be ignored. By default, this cap is % of that character's maximum life pool. This is covered in greater detail under the Combined Recovery Rate section.

Modifiers

Leech can be modified significantly through passives, support gems, and equipment. Beyond just adding various sources of leech, modifiers such as #% of maximum Life per second to maximum Life Leech rate or #% increased (or reduced) Life Leeched per second can change how leech is applied to a character.

The #% increased (or reduced) Life Leeched per second modifier provides an increase to how much life per second a character will regain from each leech instance, without changing the duration of the leech instance. This will increase the total amount healed by that leech instance. If previously a leech instance would heal your character for 100 health over 1 second, and you gain 20% increased life leeched per second, it will now heal your character for 120 health over 1 second.

The #% of maximum Life per second to maximum Life Leech rate modifier raises a character's leech cap, calculated as (Maximum Life * (0.20 + #% of maximum Life per second to maximum Life Leech rate) ). Normally a character with 5,000 life can only leech health at a maximum rate of 1,000 per second (5000 * 0.20 = 2000) regardless of how many leech instances they have and what rate they individually regain life. If that character gains 5% of maximum Life per second to maximum Life Leech rate, such as from the notable Vitality Void, they will be able to leech up to 1,250 life per second. (5000 * (0.20 + 0.05) = 1250)

There are a few notable ways for these factors to be altered besides the passive tree:

• The of Smothering modifier for maps slows life and mana leech recovery rate by 50%.
• For life leech by a skill supported by the gem.
• Vorici's master modifier provides #% increased Life Leeched per second.

Combined Recovery Rate

The total leech recovery rate (accounting for all instances of leech) can be calculated by

total leech recovery rate = max life * 0.02 * instances of leech * (1 + increased leech per second)

where max life can also be the character's maximum mana for mana leech. Increased leech per second is the sum of all the #% increased (or reduced) Life/Mana Leeched per second modifiers.

This combined rate is subject to the leech cap, which is by default % of the character's maximum health. This maximum is increased by any #% of maximum Life/Mana per second to maximum Life/Mana Leech rate modifiers.

As such, each character only requires a certain number of leech instances before they will be recovering at their maximum rate. For a default character, this is 10 instances, but any increases or decreases from #% Life Leeched per second or #% of maximum Life per second to maximum Life Leech rate will change this number. If a character has too many leech instances, the extra healing will be ignored. This maximum can be found with the below formula:

max instances = (0.2 + increased max leech rate) / (0.02 * (1 + increased leech per second))

Derivation of max instances ▾ [Expand] ▾

Find the amount of instances that gives the maximum leech recovery rate:

max recovery rate = recovery rate

max life * instances * 0.02 * (1 + increased leech per second) = max instances * (0.2 + increased max leech rate)

setting max instances to instances and solving yields the total amount of active leech instances allowed

max instances = instances = (0.2 + increased max leech rate) / (0.02 * (1 + increased leech per second))

Immunity to leech

A player can become immune to being life leeched from by enemies through allocating the Bloodless notable passive skill or by equipping the following unique items:

• Sin TrekSin Trek
  Stealth BootsEvasion: (396-506)
  Energy Shield: (100-150)Requires Level 62, 117 Dex+(20-30) to Dexterity
  +(20-30) to Intelligence
  (80-100)% increased Evasion Rating
  +(100-150) to maximum Energy Shield
  30% increased Movement Speed
  Enemies Cannot Leech Life From youDo not let them step on your feet. Keep them at bay.
• MindspiralMindspiral
  Aventail HelmetArmour: (101-119)
  Energy Shield: (21-25)Requires Level 37, 42 Str, 42 Int+(100-120) to maximum Mana
  Gain (10-15)% of Maximum Mana as Extra Maximum Energy Shield
  Enemies Cannot Leech Mana From you
  (10-20)% of Damage taken Recouped as Mana
  Cannot Leech ManaWhere top is bottom and weak is strong.
• The VertexThe Vertex
  Vaal MaskEvasion: (714-908)
  Energy Shield: (231-315)Requires Level 62, 79 Dex, 72 Int+1 to Level of Socketed Gems
  Socketed Gems have 50% reduced Mana Cost
  (245-280)% increased Evasion and Energy Shield
  +(30-40) to maximum Energy Shield
  +(24-30)% to Chaos Resistance
  Enemies Cannot Leech Mana From you"A queen should be seen, admired, but never touched."
  - Atziri, Queen of the Vaal

Cannot leech

The following unique items prevent the user from leeching life and/or mana.

• DeidbellDeidbell
  Gilded SalletArmour: (290-397)
  Evasion: (90-97)Requires Level 33, 38 Str, 38 Dex+(20-30) to Strength
  +(20-30) to Dexterity
  Skills which Exert an Attack have (20-40)% chance to not count that Attack
  +(200-300) to Armour
  Cannot Leech when on Low LifeMay you never hear it toll.
• DeidbellowDeidbellow
  Gilded SalletArmour: (290-397)
  Evasion: (90-97)Requires Level 33, 38 Str, 38 Dex+(20-30) to Strength
  +(20-30) to Dexterity
  Adds 10 to 20 Physical Damage to Attacks
  +(200-300) to Armour
  20% increased Melee Damage
  Cannot Leech when on Low Life
  If you've Warcried Recently, you and nearby allies have 20% increased Attack, Cast and Movement SpeedMay it echo through the halls.
• InfractemInfractem
  Decimation BowBow
  Physical Damage: (117.3-142.2) to (258.4-289.8)
  Critical Strike Chance: (6.50-7.50)%
  Attacks per Second: 1.20Requires Level 53, 170 Dex(30-50)% increased Critical Strike Chance+(20-30) to Dexterity
  (70-80)% increased Physical Damage
  Adds (25-35) to (36-45) Physical Damage
  10% increased Movement Speed
  +(350-400) to Accuracy Rating
  Cannot Leech Life
  Arrows Pierce all TargetsMark us with mercy, then press on with care,
  Execute us steadily, notch away at our despair.
• Kondo's PrideKondo's Pride
  Ezomyte BladeTwo Hand Sword
  Physical Damage: (198.4-217) to (368-402.5)
  Critical Strike Chance: 6.50%
  Attacks per Second: 1.40
  Weapon Range: 1.3 metresRequires Level 61, 113 Str, 113 Dex+25% to Global Critical Strike Multiplier(220-250)% increased Physical Damage
  0.6% of Physical Attack Damage Leeched as Life
  50% increased Melee Damage against Bleeding Enemies
  Cannot Leech Life from Critical Strikes
  30% chance to Blind Enemies on Critical Strike
  50% chance to cause Bleeding on Critical StrikeFaintly gleaming in the moonlit night,
  Kondo's Pride was primed to fight.
  Driven by an inner fire,
  bloodlust, spite and ill desire.
  He swiftly moved to strike them all,
  wreaking havoc like a steel squall. (on critical strike)
• MindspiralMindspiral
  Aventail HelmetArmour: (101-119)
  Energy Shield: (21-25)Requires Level 37, 42 Str, 42 Int+(100-120) to maximum Mana
  Gain (10-15)% of Maximum Mana as Extra Maximum Energy Shield
  Enemies Cannot Leech Mana From you
  (10-20)% of Damage taken Recouped as Mana
  Cannot Leech ManaWhere top is bottom and weak is strong.

Types of leech

There are several types of leech that specialize on certain types of skills. Some leech types only work for attacks, others only works with elemental damage or all sources of physical damage. If there is specialization it will be defined in the modifier.

Generally the leech modifiers follow this template:

#% of X Y Damage Z Leeched as Life/Mana

Where X can be:

• Physical/Fire/Cold/Lightning/Elemental/Chaos

Y can be:

• Attack/Spell

and Z can be:

• Dealt with {Weapons}

Note that if X, Y or Z are not specified it means that it applies to all those types.

Examples

• and has the mod #% of Damage Leeched as Life/Mana implying it works for all types of skills that hit a target.
• also has the mod #% of Damage Leeched as Life/Mana, granted the enemy already is cursed.
• The notable passive Soul Raker grants the mod #% of Physical Damage Dealt with Claws Leeched as Life specifying it works for only Physical damage dealt by a Claw, this implies that this passive only works for Attacks because Spells are separate from the weapon.
• The notable passive Lust for Carnage grants the mod #% of Physical Attack Damage Leeched as Life specifying it applies to Physical Attacks. All types of weapons can make use of this notable, however not Spells.

Skill gems

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Passive skills

There are passive skills that grant passive leech or bonuses to leech.

Attack Damage Leeched as Life

These passive skills grant passive life leech when dealing any damage with a weapon. Template:Passive table

Physical Attack Damage Leeched as Life

These passive skills grant passive life leech when dealing physical damage with a weapon. Template:Passive table

Increased Life Leeched per second

These passive skills increase the rate of life gained while leeching. Template:Passive table

Increase to Maximum Life Leech rate

These passive skills increase the maximum life leech rate. Template:Passive table

Minion Life Leech

These passive skills grant life leech for minions. Template:Passive table

Modifiers

These keystone passives change the way Life Leech works, but do not directly enhance Life Leech. These effects do not apply to Mana Leech.

The Vaal Pact Keystone will allow life leech to apply immediately at the cost of losing life regeneration. Ghost Reaver applies life leech to energy shield instead of life. Endless Hunger causes Life Leech effects to not get removed when the user reaches full life. Template:Passive table

Attack Damage Leeched as Mana

These passive skills grant passive mana leech when dealing any damage with a weapon. Template:Passive table

Physical Attack Damage Leeched as Mana

These passive skills grant passive mana leech when dealing physical damage with a weapon. Template:Passive table

Increased Mana Leeched per second

These passive skills increase the rate of mana gained while leeching. Template:Passive table

Increase to Maximum Mana Leech rate

These passive skills increase the maximum mana leech rate. Template:Passive table

Non-Attack Damage Leech

These items and abilities grant leech from damage sources besides attacks.

Items

• All damage:
  • ,
  • Berek's GripBerek's Grip
    Two-Stone RingRequires Level 20+(12-16)% to Cold and Lightning Resistances(25-30)% increased Cold Damage
    Adds 1 to (50-70) Lightning Damage to Spells and Attacks
    +(30-40) to maximum Life
    1% of Damage Leeched as Life against Shocked Enemies
    1% of Damage Leeched as Energy Shield against Frozen Enemies"Berek hid from Storm's lightning wrath
    In the embrace of oblivious Frost
    Repelled by ice, blinded by blizzards
    Storm raged in vain
    While Berek slept."
    - Berek and the Untamed (against frozen/shocked enemies)
  • The HarvestThe Harvest
    Jasper ChopperTwo Handed Axe
    Physical Damage: (127.6-139.2) to (200.2-218.4)
    Critical Strike Chance: 5.00%
    Attacks per Second: 1.15
    Weapon Range: 1.3 metresRequires Level 37, 100 Str, 29 Dex(120-140)% increased Physical Damage
    1.2% of Damage Leeched as Life on Critical Strike
    3% increased Global Critical Strike Chance per Level
    Gain a Flask Charge when you deal a Critical StrikeLet it grow and gather inside them,
    Let it flow through their veins.
    Don't waste a drop. (on critical strike)
  • Trolltimber SpireTrolltimber Spire
    Cedar Tower ShieldChance to Block: 25%
    Armour: (216-282)
    Movement Speed: -3%Requires Level 17, 47 Str+(20-30) to maximum Life(130-150)% increased Armour
    +(40-60) to maximum Life
    You and your Totems Regenerate 0.5% of Life per second for each Summoned Totem
    15% increased Area of Effect for Skills used by Totems
    0.5% of Damage dealt by your Totems is Leeched to you as LifeThe problem with working fresh trolltimber:
    by the time you've carved out one end,
    the other has sprouted fresh roots! (to totems only)
  • Valako's SignValako's Sign
    Topaz RingRequires Level 38+(20-30)% to Lightning Resistance40% increased Damage with Hits against Shocked Enemies
    20% increased Lightning Damage
    +(20-40) to maximum Mana
    1% of Damage Leeched as Life against Shocked Enemies
    25% chance to ShockA gift from Valako,
    appointing Kiloava as the Herald of War.
    A title Kaom claimed when he ended Kiloava's bloodline. (against shocked enemies)
• Physical damage:
  • The Blood ReaperThe Blood Reaper
    Headsman AxeTwo Handed Axe
    Physical Damage: (170.8-183) to (257.6-276)
    Critical Strike Chance: 5.00%
    Attacks per Second: 1.30
    Weapon Range: 1.3 metresRequires Level 45, 99 Str, 57 Dex(180-200)% increased Physical Damage
    +100 to maximum Life
    Regenerate 20 Life per second
    1% of Physical Attack Damage Leeched as Life
    50% increased Mana Cost of Skills
    50% chance to cause Bleeding on HitTo cease the flow of blood is to
    choke the rain in the very clouds.
    Both life and land feel the thirst.
  • (variant)
• Fire damage:
  • (variant)
• Cold damage:
  • (variant)
• Lightning damage:
  • (variant)
• Elemental damage:
  • Doryani's CatalystDoryani's Catalyst
    Vaal SceptreSceptre
    Physical Damage: (102-122) to (170-230)
    Critical Strike Chance: 6.00%
    Attacks per Second: (1.55-1.61)
    Weapon Range: 1.1 metresRequires Level 75, 113 Str, 113 Int32% increased Elemental DamageSocketed Gems are Supported by Level 20 Elemental Proliferation
    Adds (65-85) to (100-160) Physical Damage
    (11-15)% increased Attack Speed
    (6-10)% increased Cast Speed
    (30-40)% increased Global Critical Strike Chance
    0.2% of Elemental Damage Leeched as Life
    (80-100)% increased Elemental DamageThe result of the catalytic reaction would be either immortality for all,
    or death for all. It was a risk Doryani was willing to take.
• Chaos damage:
  • Atziri's PromiseAtziri's Promise
    Amethyst FlaskLasts 6.50 Seconds
    Consumes 35 of 65 Charges on use
    +35% to Chaos ResistanceRequires Level 68Gain (5-8)% of Elemental Damage as Extra Chaos Damage during effect
    2% of Chaos Damage Leeched as Life during Effect
    Gain (5-8)% of Physical Damage as Extra Chaos Damage during effect"Death needs not your understanding. It needs only your loyalty."
    - Atziri, Queen of the VaalRight click to drink. Can only hold charges while in belt. Refills as you kill monsters.
  • Broken FaithBroken Faith
    Archon Kite ShieldChance to Block: 12%
    Armour: (156-179)
    Energy Shield: (32-37)
    Movement Speed: -3%Requires Level 68, 85 Str, 85 Int+12% to all Elemental Resistances0.4% of Chaos Damage Leeched as Life
    -10% Chance to Block
    100% increased Global Armour while you have no Energy Shield
    You have Unholy Might while you have no Energy Shield
    Create Profane Ground instead of Consecrated GroundBe not blinded by the light.
  • Hungry AbyssHungry Abyss
    Viridian JewelLimited to: 1With 5 Corrupted Items Equipped: Life Leech recovers based on your Chaos Damage insteadCorruptedDarkness can never be sated.Place into an allocated Jewel Socket on the Passive Skill Tree. Right click to remove from the Socket. (override)

Related effects

These effects grants bonuses based on Leech:

Items

• Atziri's AcuityAtziri's Acuity
  Vaal GauntletsArmour: (696-851)Requires Level 63, 100 Str+(60-80) to Intelligence
  (40-60)% increased Global Critical Strike Chance
  (200-220)% increased Armour
  +(60-75) to maximum Life
  You have Vaal Pact if you've dealt a Critical Strike Recently"The heart is the herald.
  It will tell me when it is best to strike."
  - Atziri, Queen of the Vaal
• BloodseekerBloodseeker
  Hellion's PawClaw
  Physical Damage: (162-172.8) to (255-272)
  Critical Strike Chance: 6.00%
  Attacks per Second: 1.68
  Weapon Range: 1.1 metresRequires Level 62, 131 Dex, 95 Int1.6% of Physical Attack Damage Leeched as Life(200-220)% increased Physical Damage
  Adds 25 to 30 Physical Damage
  5% increased Attack Speed
  1.2% of Physical Attack Damage Leeched as Life
  5% increased Movement Speed
  Life Leech from Hits with this Weapon is instant"For the life of the flesh will always be in the blood."
  - Atalui, Vaal Priestess
• The RetchThe Retch
  Rustic SashRequires Level 44(12-24)% increased Global Physical Damage+(60-80) to maximum Life
  +(30-40)% to Cold Resistance
  0.4% of Physical Attack Damage Leeched as Life
  60% increased Flask Effect Duration
  30% reduced Flask Charges gained during any Flask Effect
  200% of Life Leech applies to Enemies as Chaos Damage
  15% increased Movement Speed during any Flask EffectBut the grain grew twisted and the water turned dark
  and those who partook of Mother Gull's gift
  birthed monsters that fed
  on the flesh of one another.

Version history

In The Awakening expansion the leech mechanics were changed with the goal to make it harder to leech against a single enemy. Before, Life/Mana was recovered at a constant rate, without taking into account how many enemies were hit by the skill. The leech mechanic was then changed so that a new leech instance was created per hit. These instances can stack meaning a single hit against multiple targets will grant multiple instances, as will multiple hits against a single target.

Version

Changes

2.0.0

Multiple leech effects now stack. A single hit against multiple targets grants multiple effects, as do multiple hits against a single target. The speed at which you leech has been substantially reduced for both life and mana, with less of a reduction to mana leech rate, bringing it in-line with life leech rate. These now default to 2% of maximum life per second. It can be increased. A maximum leech rate caps the rate at which you can leech. It's set to 20% of maximum life or mana per second. Methods of improving leech, leech rate and increasing your maximum leech rate have been added to new clusters in the passive skill tree, primarily in the regions between the Marauder, Duelist and Ranger. Some of the already existing clusters in this region that specialized in specific weapon types have also had leech elements added to them. All existing values of leech have been substantially reduced, including values on existing items. Some things such as Support Gems and Warlord's Mark have had their values brought in line with the other leech changes. Previously, we had modifiers for "increased (or reduced) Life/Mana Leech rate". These did two things: They increased the amount of Life/Mana you're gaining per second for each leech effect and they reduced the duration of each leech effect, such that the total life/mana gained over the duration remained the same. All such modifiers have now been changed to "increased (or reduced) Life/Mana Leeched per second". This still increases the value of Life/Mana you're gaining per second for each leech effect, exactly as it did before. It no longer affects duration of the leech effects, meaning you'll gain more total life/mana from each one as a result.