PUBG: Blindspot Operator Guide: Buddy

You'll find Buddy positioned at the back of most winning teams in PUBG: BLINDSPOT, and there's a good reason for that. As the leader of the 8.1 Squad, she brings a unique combination of long-range firepower and wall-penetrating intel that can turn defensive holds into offensive breakthroughs. Here's the thing: most players treat her like a standard sniper and miss the real value she brings to tactical play.

What Makes Buddy Different from Other Operators?

Buddy fills the Recon role through a combination of her AWM bolt-action sniper rifle and her signature Drill Camera gadget. While operators like Heinz also provide intel, Buddy's approach is safer and more versatile. You're not exposing yourself to wallbangs while gathering information.

Her loadout consists of:

• Primary Weapon: AWM (bolt-action sniper)
• Secondary Weapon: G18 (automatic pistol)
• Unique Gadget: Drill Camera
• Class: Recon

The AWM hits hard enough to drop most operators in two body shots or one headshot, but you'll need to make those shots count. The bolt-action mechanism means missing costs you precious seconds in a game where vision is everything.

Pro Tip: The G18 isn't just a backup weapon. Use it when defending tight corners where the AWM's slow cycling would get you killed.

How to Use Buddy's Drill Camera Effectively

What most players miss about the Drill Camera is that it's not just a drone you fly around. You deploy this gadget directly against walls, and it burrows through to reveal what's on the other side. Think of it as temporary wall hacks for your entire team.

Drill Camera Deployment 

Here's where positioning becomes critical. You need to:

1. Approach walls at an angle - Standing perpendicular to a wall makes you an easy target
2. Listen before drilling - Audio cues reveal if enemies are nearby
3. Communicate immediately - Your team sees what you see, but they need callouts
4. Retreat after deployment - The camera stays active even if you move

The key here is understanding that the Drill Camera creates a shared vision bubble for your team. When you spot enemies through the wall, everyone on your team can see their positions on the UI. This means you don't always need to take the shot yourself.

AWM Positioning and Sightlines

The AWM excels at holding long corridors and punishing aggressive pushes, but the top-down perspective changes how you approach sniper positioning. You can't just find a headglitch and hold an angle like in traditional shooters.

Essential AWM Techniques

Pre-aiming corners becomes mandatory. In PUBG: BLINDSPOT, you must hold right-click to raise your weapon before you can fire. This split-second delay will get you killed if you're not already aimed when enemies appear.

Pro players position Buddy in three key spots:

1. Elevated positions - Use Spacebar to vault onto crates or platforms for better sightlines
2. Choke point coverage - Lock down doorways and narrow hallways where enemies must funnel through
3. Backline anchor - Protect the Decryptor during plant/defuse phases

The AWM's damage output makes it lethal for area denial. Even if you don't secure kills, forcing enemies to respect your sightline creates space for your team to execute strategies.

Buddy's Role in Team Composition

You'll want to pair Buddy with aggressive entry operators who can capitalize on the intel you provide. Check out our PUBG: Blindspot Guide: Operators and Weapons to understand how she fits into different team compositions.

Synergy with Other Operators

Kayak and Karnival (breachers) become significantly more effective when you've already drilled the wall and identified enemy positions. They can breach confidently knowing exactly where to aim.

Dropdown and Apex (area denial) benefit from your intel by placing their gas grenades and Blue Zone grenades in rooms you've confirmed have enemies.

Here's a practical example: You drill a wall on defense and spot three attackers stacking up for a push. You call it out, Dropdown launches gas into that room, and suddenly their entire strategy collapses before they even breach.

Common Mistakes Buddy Players Make

The biggest error I see is treating the Drill Camera like a throwaway gadget. You only get one deployment per round in most modes, so wasting it on an obvious empty room is a massive throw.

Mistakes to Avoid

• Drilling walls while standing still - You're a stationary target
• Not communicating camera intel - Your team can't read your mind
• Trying to quickscope with the AWM - The bolt-action delay punishes panic shots
• Ignoring the G18 - This pistol saves your life in close quarters
• Camping too far back - You need to support your team, not spectate

Advanced Drill Camera Tactics

Once you've mastered basic deployment, start thinking about psychological warfare. Enemies who know you have a Drill Camera will play differently. They'll avoid clustering near walls and constantly reposition, which creates opportunities.

Mind Games with Intel

Sometimes the threat of the Drill Camera is more valuable than actually using it. If you've established early that you're gathering intel, enemies become paranoid. They waste time checking for cameras instead of executing their strategy.

You can also fake deployments by approaching walls and then backing off, forcing enemies to respect angles they think you've already drilled.

Map-Specific Buddy Strategies

Different maps require different approaches. On tight, close-quarters maps, your AWM becomes less valuable than your Drill Camera. On maps with long sightlines, the sniper rifle dominates.

For detailed control schemes and vision mechanics that apply to Buddy specifically, our PUBG: Blindspot Controls and Vision Guide breaks down the exact inputs you need.

Rotation Timing

Buddy players need to rotate earlier than entry fraggers. You want to be set up in your next position before the fight starts, not scrambling to get there while enemies are already pushing.

Use the vision cone system to your advantage. Position yourself where you can see multiple approach angles without exposing your back. The top-down perspective means you literally cannot see behind you unless you turn your character.

Weapon Loadout Optimization

The AWM is locked to Buddy, but you have control over how you use your secondary and utility. The G18 automatic pistol fires fast enough to compete in close range, but you need to land headshots.

When to Switch Weapons

Don't try to no-scope with the AWM in close quarters. The hip-fire accuracy is terrible, and you'll just die while cycling the bolt. Swap to the G18 and commit to the pistol fight.

Final Thoughts on Playing Buddy

Buddy rewards patience and communication more than mechanical skill. You're not the star fragger who gets highlight reels. You're the player who makes everyone else's job easier by removing uncertainty from the equation.

If you're new to PUBG: BLINDSPOT's tactical gameplay, start with our PUBG: Blindspot Ultimate Beginners Guide to understand the fundamentals before diving into operator-specific strategies.

The Drill Camera is your primary tool. The AWM is your punishment for enemies who ignore your intel. Master both, and you'll understand why Buddy is essential to every serious team composition.