Android Barrier

Android Barrier (アンドロイドバリヤー, Andoroido Bariyā) is the Red Ribbon Androids' version of the Energy Shield. It is primarily employed by Android 17 as his signature move.

Overview

The Android Barrier was first used by Android 17 (his is bluish-green in color) to block Piccolo's Hellzone Grenade.

In the movie Dragon Ball Z: Super Android 13!, Android 15 used the Android Barrier to protect himself from Future Trunks' Continuous Energy Bullets.

CellsBarrier2 — Semi-Perfect Cell using Energy Shield to achieve his perfect form

Semi-Perfect Cell used a barrier in order to completely absorb Android 18 without interference. Perfect Cell uses an even stronger barrier version (the largest of all barrier techniques), called the Perfect Barrier, during the Cell Games.

In the Dragon Ball Super anime, Android 17 uses his barrier in order to block Super Saiyan Blue Goku's God Kamehameha.

Barrierpunch — Android 17 uses the barrier to enhance his punch

During the Tournament of Power Android 17 displays several ways of using the barrier for more than just defense creates. Against Kakunsa, he is able to trap her on it as he spins the barrier rapidly to send her flying. He later creates a small Android Barrier and traps Damon inside it, then kicks it away like a football. One maneuver involves creating a small sized Android Barrier around his fist to increase drastically the power of his punches; he used this Android Barrier-enhanced punch to damage Anilaza's energy reactor.

However, the barrier does have limits as to how much damage it can take. The barrier can block damage, but it cannot fully block any kinetic energy from an attack. This was the case in Android 17's fight against Anilaza, as the Android was using his barrier to defend himself from energy attacks, but was still slowly being pushed back towards the edge of the arena. He uses the barrier against God of Destruction Toppo but it was quickly shattered.

In Dragon Ball GT, Super 17 retains his original barrier, but it also seems to gains the ability to absorb ki-based attacks (the barrier is invisible during this process), this is called the Absorption Barrier.

Video Game Appearance

Android 18 can use the barrier in Dragon Ball Z: Buyū Retsuden to defend herself against super attacks. In the Budokai series and Super Dragon Ball Z, the barrier is called Energy Field (エネルギーフィールド, Enerugī Fīrudo), and is used by both Android 17, Android 18, and Cell (in his second and later transformations). In the Budokai series, both Android 17 and Android 18 have it as an offensive move that expands outward to attack the opponent. When used by Android 18 in the Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi series it is pink in color. Super Android 13 is also able to use an Android Barrier in these game, his is red in color, the same as his ki attacks. In the Supersonic Warriors series, Android 17 performs the technique whenever he is summoned, and Android 18 and Android 20 can use it for defense under the generic name of Ki Shield as part of the game's mechanics. In Dr. Gero's Story in Dragon Ball Z: Supersonic Warriors 2, Dr. Gero develops the Absorption Barrier for himself after forcing the Androids to submit to him using power he absorbed from Gohan. He later tests it during a battle with Future Trunks where it acts as Dr. Gero's Special Ability that allows him to absorb enemy blasts and convert them into Energy while moving. In Dragon Ball Z: Burst Limit, Android 17 and Android 18 can charge an energy shield in their hands and use it offensively; this is called Pinpoint Energy Shield. The androids can also use energy shields in Dragon Ball Z: Ultimate Battle 22, and Dragon Ball Z: The Legend. In Dragon Ball Z: Budokai 2, Super Buu can use the Energy Field after absorbing Perfect Cell. In Dragon Ball: Xenoverse, Android 17's version is called Energy Field while Cell's is called Energy Barrier. Despite not being an Android, the Future Warrior can learn and/or obtain both of these techniques in Xenoverse.

Variations

Perfect Barrier - An energy shield similar to the Super Explosive Wave.
Absorption Barrier - An energy shield with the ability to absorb ki-based attacks.
Pinpoint Energy Shield - An energy shield charged around the user's hands and used offensively.