Rico rewards players who want to bounce shots for extra range. This guide covers the general build, favourable modes, draft partners, counters, and the decisions that make the kit work.
Quick Verdict
Choose Rico when your composition can support its main win condition: bounce shots for extra range. Patient positioning and coordinated pressure matter more than chasing every elimination.
Best Modes and Maps
Rico is most comfortable in objective modes where positioning and repeatable team fights matter, including Gem Grab, Brawl Ball, Hot Zone, Knockout, or Bounty depending on the current rotation. Prioritise maps that support the kit’s preferred range and give safe cover without blocking its main pressure tool.
Best Build
Recommended general build: Use Multiball Launcher, Super Bouncy, Damage, Gadget Cooldown, and Trick Shot King. Multiball Launcher gives Rico a vending machine that adds cover and a new ricochet point, while Gadget Cooldown brings it back sooner. Swap to Multiball when its large bouncing gumball can split around walls or through a narrow lane to pressure grouped enemies.
Gear 1 — Damage
Deal 15% extra damage while your Brawler is below 50% Health.
Why it works: Rico’s bouncing bullets can land repeatedly in a corridor, so each bonus-damage hit has amplified value.
Gear 2 — Gadget Cooldown
Reduce the cooldown of Rico’s Gadget by 15%.
Why it works: Multiball Launcher has a long cooldown, and bringing the vending machine back sooner gives Rico more chances to create cover and an extra bounce angle in repeated fights.
Alternatives: Use Speed with Robo Retreat on open maps, or Shield when a diver can reach Rico before he establishes the lane.
Build Options: Gadgets, Star Powers & Hypercharge
Gadget — Multiball
Rico fires a large gumball that splits into smaller projectiles when it hits a wall or an enemy Brawler. Cooldown: 17 seconds.
When to use it: Choose it when one well-placed bounce can split the gumball through a narrow lane, around cover, or into grouped enemies. It is stronger for direct burst and lane pressure than for creating a permanent firing angle.
Gadget — Multiball Launcher
Rico deploys a 4,000-Health vending machine. Rico can bounce his attacks off it; when the machine is destroyed, it fires bouncing projectiles in all directions. Cooldown: 22 seconds.
When to use it: Place it where its body creates cover or a useful new bounce angle. It is strongest on wall-light maps, around an objective, or when Rico needs a temporary obstacle that forces opponents to spend shots before reaching him.
Star Power — Super Bouncy
Rico’s bullets deal extra damage after bouncing.
When to use it: This is the default on maps with walls beside or behind targets, where nearly every shot can gain the bounce bonus.
Star Power — Robo Retreat
Rico moves faster when below 40% Health.
When to use it: Use it on open maps or into aggressive teams where survival and repositioning matter more than wall-bounce damage.
Hypercharge — Trick Shot King
Rico’s Super gains additional bouncing projectiles, filling a wider area with ricochets.
When to use it: Activate in a wall-lined corridor or around a fixed objective where repeated rebounds have little room to miss.
Best Teammates
Rico excels with teammates who hold opponents inside wall-lined lanes, cover his vulnerable angles, or force movement into predictable ricochet paths. This shortlist was reassessed against the full current roster; the cards below link to the selected teammate guides.
- Bonnie — Bonnie controls open sightlines and can dive targets weakened by Rico’s ricochets, covering the spaces where his wall angles are weaker.
- Lola — Lola’s direct lane pressure forces enemies toward cover, where Rico can reach them with bouncing shots.
- Shade — Shade threatens through walls and occupies close-range defenders, creating crossfire with Rico on enclosed maps.
- Kenji — Kenji draws attention and forces defensive movement at close range, giving Rico time to establish a strong bounce angle.
- Melodie — Melodie pressures the objective and chases weakened enemies, while Rico controls the narrow routes opponents use to escape her.
Teammate guide cards will appear here when the selected guides are published.
Strengths and Weaknesses
Strengths
- The kit is designed to bounce shots for extra range.
- Can create a clear advantage when teammates act on the same opening.
- Flexible enough to contribute through positioning even when an immediate elimination is unavailable.
Weaknesses
- Loses value when forced into unfavourable range or terrain.
- Poor ammo discipline can leave the Brawler unable to answer a dive.
- Uncoordinated teammates may fail to convert the space or utility the kit creates.
Story and Personality
Official description: Rico is definitely a real space bounty hunter who tracks down the galaxy’s most wanted criminals, not a gumball machine pretending to be cool.
Fan theory: Community interpretations may connect this character to wider Starr Park stories, but any detail beyond the official description above remains unconfirmed.
Counters and Common Mistakes
Opponents that outrange Rico, close distance safely, or deny its main ability can force awkward fights. Avoid wasting all ammo on low-percentage shots, entering without an exit route, and using a Super before teammates are ready to follow.
Update Details
This guide was reviewed on October 7, 2026 for Brawl Stars Update 69 and Season 54. Balance changes, equipment effects, release events, and map rotations can change the best build and draft. Check the official Brawl Stars release notes for the latest changes.
Editorial note: Equipment and teammate recommendations reflect TradiGame analysis; official lore is labelled separately from community interpretation.