Buckler

Splash screen featuring Buckler

Alternate splash screen

Bucklers are Rabbid enemies in Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle. They are large Rabbids that carry shields and blast guns. These guns fire in a cone-shaped arc, doing increasing damage based on how close their targets are. Their shots are capable of destroying Mega Blocks and inflicting status effects. Their shields protect them from frontal weapon attacks, forcing the heroes to attack from their unprotected sides and back; alternatively, they can bypass the shield with dashes, Team Jumps, and splash damage attacks. Also, when Bucklers are moving, they lower their shields thus leaving the enemies open to heroes' reaction shot techniques. Bucklers can also use an ability similar to Yoshi's Super Chance, giving themselves and nearby allies an aura that guarantees a critical hit on their next attack. However, Tropical Bucklers instead have the technique of Protection, shared with Valkyries and Princess Peach, reducing damage dealt to nearby enemies through partial absorption.

In the introductory cutscene, the Buckler is seen on top of a mountain, coming down by riding its shield. When it reaches the bottom it holds its shield up and points its Boomshot towards the player, followed by the introductory tagline appearing.

In the Donkey Kong Adventure DLC, they have no introductory cutscene. Instead, the camera simply zooms on them and shows the introductory tagline. Bucklers are the only enemies to have their introductory tagline shown in both the main game and the Donkey Kong Adventure DLC. This is due to the DLC being available from before the Bucklers introduction in Sherbet Desert in the main game, as the DLC is available after finishing Ancient Gardens.

Variants

There are four Buckler variants, one for each area apart from Ancient Gardens. As an exception, several Sherbet Bucklers do appear in Challenge 8 of said world.

• Sherbet Buckler: Encountered in Sherbet Desert, this Buckler has 195 HP. Its gun, shield, and scarf are cactus themed with darker stripes. The shield also has ice and a fan on it. Their shots inflict the Honey status.
• Spooky Buckler: Encountered in Spooky Trails, this 295 HP Buckler appears to be undead, with a pale body, glowing blue eyes, and black accessories. Their shots inflict the Push status.
• Lava Buckler: The final Buckler variant is encountered in the Lava Pit, with a charred appearance, glowing orange eyes, orange accessories including a Bowser Jr. scarf, and 445 HP. Their shots inflict the Ink status.
• Tropical Buckler: The Buckler variant for Donkey Kong Adventure. It wears a feathered headdress resembling a skull and shoulder plate resembling bones, and 170 HP. They can be encountered before their actual introduction in Sherbet Desert.

Stats

Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle enemy
Sherbet Buckler
	Health Points	195 / 670	Team Jump	None	Boom Dash	40 DMG / 105 DMG
	Area of Movement	4 Cells	Primary Weapon	Boomshot	Secondary Weapon
				65 DMG / 145 DMG		None
	Pipe Exit Range	2 Cells	Primary Technique	Super Chance	Secondary Technique	Buckle Cover
				Super Effect guaranteed		Portable Cover
	Chase Range	None	Tertiary Technique		Much-Maligned Hidebehind!
				None

Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle enemy
Spooky Buckler
	Health Points	295 / 670	Team Jump	None	Boom Dash	55 DMG / 105 DMG
	Area of Movement	4 Cells	Primary Weapon	Boomshot	Secondary Weapon
				85 DMG / 145 DMG		None
	Pipe Exit Range	2 Cells	Primary Technique	Super Chance	Secondary Technique	Buckle Cover
				Super Effect guaranteed		Portable cover
	Chase Range	None	Tertiary Technique		Much-Maligned Hidebehind!
				None

Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle enemy
Lava Buckler
	Health Points	445 / 670	Team Jump	None	Boom Dash	75 DMG / 105 DMG
	Area of Movement	4 Cells	Primary Weapon	Boomshot	Secondary Weapon
				110 DMG / 145 DMG		None
	Pipe Exit Range	2 Cells	Primary Technique	Super Chance	Secondary Technique	Buckle Cover
				Super Effect guaranteed		Portable cover
	Chase Range	None	Tertiary Technique		Much-Maligned Hidebehind!
				None

Names in other languages

Language	Name	Meaning	Notes
Russian	Щитоносец Schitonosets Заснеженный щитоносец Zasnezhennyi schitonosets Жуткий щитоносец Zhutkiy schitonosets Лавовый щитоносец Lavovyi schitonosets Тропический щитоносец Tropicheskiy schitonosets [?]	Armor-bearer Snowy Armor-bearer Spooky Armor-bearer Lava Armor-bearer Tropical Armor-bearer

Trivia

• If a Buckler is underground, its ears appear bigger than when it spawns.
• The Buckler's name comes from a type of shield with the same name. However, the shield is actually very small, unlike the Buckler and its shield, which are both large.