Buddy Barrier Effect and How to Get | Pokemon UNITE

Buddy Barrier is a Held Item found in Pokemon UNITE for the Nintendo Switch and Mobile. Read on to learn more about the Buddy Barrier's stats and effects, how to get Buddy Barrier, and which Pokemon are best for Buddy Barrier!

Buddy Barrier Latest Buffs and Nerfs (04/28)

April 28 Update (Version 1.5.1.2)

Buddy Barrier	• Bonus HP decreased from 600 to 450 (-25%) • Shielding effect decreased from 20%/30%/40% to 15%/20%/25% • Shield stacking removed

Buddy Barrier Stats and Effect

Buddy Barrier Held Item	Tier Ranking
	Stat Boost 1	Stat Boost 2
	HP + 450	-
When the Pokemon uses its Unite Move, that Pokemon and the nearby ally Pokemon with the lowest HP are each granted a shield equal to (15/20/25)% of their max HP.

Held Item Tier List: Best Items to Upgrade

Buddy Barrier Stats Per Level

How to Upgrade Items

Lasts for About 4 Seconds

The shield from Buddy Barrier lasts for about 4 seconds. This means that the shield from the item can expire while the shield from using the Unite Move itself persists, although this differs from case to case.

Stacks with Shields from Other Sources

The shield from Buddy Barrier stacks on top of shields from moves like Cotton Guard, and other held items like Assault Vest. It can also stack with the shield given by your own goal zones. Having multiple shields from various sources can definitely help you survive longer in fights, and discourage enemies from attacking you.

Has a 30-second Cooldown

Buddy Barrier goes on a 30-second cooldown after triggering it. A timer will show up at the bottom right corner of the screen.

How to Get Buddy Barrier

Purchased in the Shop

Aeos Coins	x1000
Aeos Tickets	x625

Shop Purchases Guide and Price List

Best Pokemon for Buddy Barrier

Absol	Alolan Ninetales	Azumarill
Blastoise	Blissey	Charizard
Cinderace	Cramorant	Crustle
Dragonite	Duraludon	Eldegoss
Espeon	Garchomp	Gengar
Greedent	Greninja	Hoopa
Lucario	Mamoswine	Pikachu
Slowbro	Snorlax	Sylveon
Talonflame	Trevenant	Tsareena
Venusaur	Wigglytuff	Zeraora

All Builds for Buddy Barrier

Builds that Use this Held Item
Absol Backstab Build	Absol Blink-Striker Build
Alolan Ninetales Support Build	Alolan Ninetales Boosted Attack Build
Azumarill High Sustain Build	Blastoise Rapid Spin Build
Blastoise Tank Build	Blastoise Disruptor Build
Blissey Healing Build	Blissey Full Support Build
Blissey Disabler Support Build	Cinderace Dash Build
Cinderace Striker Build	Cramorant Unite Move Build
Cramorant AoE Disabler Build	Crustle Scorer Build
Crustle Brawler Build	Dragonite Ranged Build
Dragonite Brawler Build	Dragonite Melee Jungle Build
Duraludon Full Dragon Burst Build	Duraludon Dragon Pulse Burst Build
Eldegoss Shielder Build	Eldegoss Healer Build
Espeon Psychic Solare Build	Espeon Single-Target Burst Build
Garchomp Defensive Build	Garchomp Initiator Build
Gengar Debilitator Build	Greedent Tank DPS Build
Greedent Crowd Control Burst Build	Greedent Jungle Build
Greedent Score Stack Build	Greninja Carry Build
Greninja Balanced Build	Hoopa Unbound Unite Build
Hoopa Utility Tank Build	Lucario Powering Up Build
Machamp Initiator Build	Mamoswine Tank Build
Mamoswine Disabler Build	Mamoswine Initiator Build
Mr. Mime Wall Blocker Build	Pikachu Unite Move Build
Pikachu Single Target Build	Pikachu Balanced Build
Slowbro Tank Build	Snorlax Disabler Build
Snorlax Frontline Build	Sylveon Flexible Tank Build
Sylveon Sustain Build	Sylveon Hyper Voice Build
Talonflame Sniper Build	Trevenant Crowd Control Build
Trevenant Debilitator Tank Build	Tsareena High Sustain Build
Tsareena Jungle Build	Tsareena Brawler Build
Venusaur Sustain Tank Build	Venusaur Offensive Tank Build
Wigglytuff Initiator Build	Wigglytuff Singing Support Build
Zeraora AoE Build	Zeraora Single Target Burst Build

Buddy Barrier Test

Duration Test

Duration Test
The shield duration is about 4 seconds. It is displayed as the white part of the HP bar.

The purpose of this test was to determine how long the shield from Buddy Barrier lasts. The test was conducted by simply taking note of how long it takes before the shield disappers.

As a result of the test, it is confirmed that the Buddy Barrier shield lasts for about 4 seconds.

Range Test

Range Test
Enlarge No Shield	Enlarge With Shield
The range of the Buddy Barrier shield effect is about 3 to 4 Pokemon.

The purpose of this test was to determine how far the effect of Buddy Barrier can get. The test was conducted by having an allied Pokemon start beside the bearer, then continuously get farther from it while the bearer keeps activating the Buddy Barrier effect for each distance until the effect can no longer reach the ally.

As a result of the test, the range is about 3 to 4 Pokemon. With this in mind, it is best to stay near the Pokemon who needs the shield the most during battles.

Overlap Test

Overlap Test
Enlarge After 40% Shield...	Enlarge 20% shield granted

The purpose of this test was to determine if two instances of shields from two Buddy Barrier can overlap. The test was conducted by having two allied Pokemon equip Buddy Barrier each, then activating the effect consecutively to see if the shields add up.

As a result of the test, it is confirmed that multiple instances of Buddy Barrier overlap. The best strategy for this is by having the Pokemon equipped with Buddy Barrier stick together to ensure their shields always overlap. This can be extremely useful in big fights.

No More Than Two Shields Can Stack

Buddy Barrier's effects received a nerf in the 1.5.1.2 Update. After testing, it's found that no more than two instances of shields can stack on top of each other, unlike before.

Shield Stack Test

The purpose of this test was to determine if shields from other sources like moves and other held items stack on top of the shield from Buddy Barrier. The test took note of 5 instances of shields for each source of shield: (1) the shield from the other source only, (2) the shield from the other source and Unite Move but without Buddy Barrier, (3) the shield from the Unite Move only without Buddy Barrier, (4) the shield from the Unite Move with Buddy Barrier, and (5) the shield from the other source and Unite Move with Buddy Barrier.

Cotton Guard Test

Enlarge Cotton Guard Only

Enlarge Cotton Guard and Unite Move without Buddy Barrier

Enlarge Unite Move without Buddy Barrier Only

Enlarge Unite Move with Buddy Barrier Only

Enlarge Cotton Guard and Unite Move with Buddy Barrier

Cotton Guard: Eldegoss Move Effect and Cooldown

Assault Vest Test

Enlarge Assault Vest Only

Enlarge Buddy Barrier Only

Enlarge Assault Vest with Buddy Barrier

Assault Vest Effect and How to Get

Score Shield test

Enlarge Score Shield Only

Enlarge Buddy Barrier Only

Enlarge Score Shield with Buddy Barrier

Score Shield Effect and How to Get

Goal Zone Shield Test

Enlarge Goal Zone Only

Enlarge Goal Zone and Unite Move without Buddy Barrier

Enlarge Unite Move without Buddy Barrier Only

Enlarge Unite Move with Buddy Barrier Only

Enlarge Goal Zone and Unite Move with Buddy Barrier

Shields can Stack

As a result of the tests, apart from stacking shields from two Buddy Barrier, it is confirmed that the shield from Buddy Barrier stacks with other sources of shields like in moves and other held items. Since shields from two Buddy Barrier can overlap, the best scenario is if two allies have Buddy Barrier equipped, and at least one of them picked a Pokemon which have moves that generate shields for the entire team like Eldegoss, it is possible to have triple shields on at least two players.

Pokemon UNITE Related Guides

List of All Items

Held Items

Aeos Cookie	Assault Vest	Attack Weight
Buddy Barrier	Choice Specs	Energy Amplifier
Exp. Share	Float Stone	Focus Band
Leftovers	Muscle Band	Razor Claw
Rocky Helmet	Scope Lens	Score Shield
Shell Bell	Sp. Atk. Specs	Weakness Policy
Wise Glasses	-	-

List of Held Items

Battle Items

Eject Button	Fluffy Tail	Full Heal
Goal-Getter	Potion	Slow Smoke
X Attack	X Speed	-

List of Battle Items