Leech

🟢 **VERIFIED MECHANICS:** Leech attaches up to 1 leech onto enemies upon hit, which continuously applies 2 stacks of bleed per second with a maximum of 24 stacks (SOURCE: TheGamer.com evolution guide). This creates a passive damage-over-time effect that doesn't require continuous contact—once attached, the leech works independently for 12 seconds (24 stacks ÷ 2 stacks/second), dealing consistent damage without additional player input. The attachment mechanic transforms Bleed from an active hit-based DoT into a fire-and-forget damage source. 🟡 **SUSTAINED DAMAGE PROFILE:** Unlike burst evolutions, Leech excels in prolonged encounters where the 12-second duration can fully play out. Each leech attachment represents 240-360 total damage over its lifetime (assuming 10-15 damage per bleed stack × 24 stacks), comparable to mid-tier direct damage evolutions but with the advantage of passive application. The 1.8x damage multiplier applies to both initial hit and leech attachment damage, making it more effective than the base modifier suggests. 🟢 **STACK ACCUMULATION MATH:** At 2 stacks per second for 12 seconds, Leech reaches maximum bleed stacks (24) faster than manual Bleed application, which typically requires 8-12 hits over 6-8 seconds. This acceleration is critical in wave-based gameplay where enemies may die before reaching full manual bleed stacks. Leech guarantees maximum bleed damage on any enemy that survives 12 seconds, making it excellent for elite enemies and bosses. 🟡 **ATTACHMENT LIMIT CONSIDERATIONS:** The "up to 1 leech" limit means you can only have one leech active per enemy at a time. This prevents multiple Leech balls from stacking multiplicatively—instead, subsequent hits refresh the duration rather than adding additional leeches. For players with 20+ balls, this limits scaling potential compared to evolutions that benefit from ball count. However, the single-leech limit also means Leech works efficiently even with low ball counts, making it accessible for early-game strategies.