Buckle Bruiser

The Buckle Bruiser is an armored version of a Bruiser Unversed. They possess the ability to deflect enemy attacks, much like the Large Body or Land Armor-type Heartless, except they retaliate with a powerful lunge that usually cannot be blocked or dodged.

The Buckle Bruiser was the second Unversed to have its name publicly unveiled before the release of Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep, the first being the Wheel Master.

Journal Entry
''Buckles! Who knew? Sadly, they serve a purpose: keeping this Bruiser's sturdy armor strapped on. Head-on attacks won't work. You'll need to get behind it to hit its weak spot (try magic!) but don't get careless just because it's slow. Buckle rhymes with knuckle, which rhymes with pain, which you'll be seeing a lot if you're not ready to block.''

Story
A Buckle Bruiser is first spotted in Terra's story with a group of smaller Unversed attacking a young Hercules but they are defeated at Terra's hand. Another is spotted in Aqua's story just as she enters the Coliseum. Phil at first offers to protect her, but runs away leaving Aqua and Hercules to fight them

Design
A Buckle Bruiser is a large, bottom-heavy creature with predominantly black skin, though it is almost entirely covered in predominantly blue armor. Its feet, which are covered in gold armor, curl up at the toes and its conical arms are protected by circular, blue and gold shields that it can throw. Its head is spherical, light grey, and covered by a blue helmet with a gladiator-esque, light grey crest and two grey spikes on its sides. The armor on the Buckle Bruiser's midsection is black with gold designs decorating it, and somewhat resembles a belt. Its red eyes are set in an angry expression and the Unversed symbol is emblazoned on the center of its belt.

Attacks
Buckle Bruisers use the shields on their arms to deflect frontal attacks as well as offensive purposes. It can throw its shields like boomerangs at opponents. It also attacks by body slamming and punching opponents. It can also retaliate with a lunge.

Strategy
The Buckle Bruiser isn't a difficult enemy if you know where to attack. The shields on its arms deflect frontal attacks, and it can either punch players or toss the shields at them. The tactic to defeat one is similar to beating a Large Body or Fat Bandit Heartless: avoid its attacks and attack from behind. But be careful as it usually retaliates with a lunge that can't be blocked.