Succubi are beautiful and desirable women, unlike their male counterparts, Incubi. Though Succubi do sometimes have bat-like wings or demonic features such as horns, a tail, hooves and fangs.

In medieval European lore, Succubi appeared to men in the night and seduced them into sexual encounters. Celibate monks seemed to be especially prone to such attacks, often blaming Succubi for their lustful thoughts or sexual dreams. Succubi could suck the life force of men, leaving them exhausted or even killing them.