- Party basics: Gundam Battle Operation 2 lets up to 6 players form a party before matchmaking
- Pilot ID: Add friends using their in-game pilot name and ID number
- Cross-play: PS4, PS5, and Steam PC players share matchmaking pools
- Custom matches: Use free battles to practice with friends without ranked risk
- Role balance: Coordinate Raid/General/Support picks before deploying
How to Play With Friends: Party System Basics
Gundam Battle Operation 2 is built around 6v6 team combat, so queuing with friends is one of the best ways to improve win rates. The party system lets you group up before entering matchmaking, keeping your squad on the same deployment list. Parties work across Rating Match, Rated Match, and casual playlists, and the game matches your full squad against another team of similar total rating.
Before inviting anyone, make sure both players have completed the tutorial and unlocked online matchmaking. New pilots may need to reach a minimum rank before certain rated playlists appear.
Video Highlights:
- How the party menu works on PS5 and Steam
- Adding friends by pilot ID
- Deploying into a match as a coordinated squad
Add your friends immediately after your first match together. Pilot IDs are easy to forget, and random teammates rarely land in the same lobby twice.
Step-by-Step: Forming a Party
Get Your Friend's Pilot ID
Open the multiplayer menu and select your own profile to view your pilot name and ID number. Share this with your friend, or ask for theirs.
Send a Friend Request
Navigate to the Friend menu, enter the pilot ID, and send a request. Requests must be accepted before you can invite them to a party.
Create or Join a Party
From the multiplayer lobby, choose Create Party, then invite accepted friends from your friend list. The party leader controls the playlist and match search.
Pick a Cost Bracket and Playlist
Agree on a cost range (350-700) and mode before searching. Random queue settings split squads if you wait too long without starting the search.
Deploy Together
In the suit selection screen, coordinate roles so your squad covers the General, Raid, and Support triangle before launching.
Console players must have an active PSN account and, on some networks, an open NAT type for party invites to go through. If invites fail, check NAT status in console network settings.
Coordinating Roles Before Deployment
A coordinated squad beats random teammates almost every time because of the role triangle: Raids beat Generals, Generals beat Supports, and Supports beat Raids. Locking a healthy mix before the search starts removes the classic problem of five Generals and zero Supports.
Use this table to plan a balanced 4-player core that fills well with two randoms:
| Squad Slot | Recommended Role | Example Suit | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| Slot 1 | General | Gundam (RX-78-2) | Frontline flexibility, brawl control |
| Slot 2 | Raid | Gundam NT-1 Alex | Flank and hunt enemy Supports |
| Slot 3 | Support | GM Sniper II / Zeong | Ranged pressure and stuns |
| Slot 4 | General/Support | Gelgoog (FS) or Zaku Cannon | Fill enemy composition gaps |
| Cost Bracket | Squad Pace | Communication Priority |
|---|---|---|
| 350-400 | Fast respawns, constant pressure | Call base captures and respawn timing |
| 500 | Balanced brawls, terrain control | Call stagger windows and flank routes |
| 600-700 | Slow, lethal, focus-fire fights | Call targets and protect your Support |
Even simple voice calls like "Support low HP, left building" win matches at 600+ cost. Most GBO2 rounds are decided by focus fire, not individual skill.
Custom Matches and Practice Sessions
Beyond standard matchmaking, free battle options let you and your friends practice maneuvers, melee combos, and base strategies without rating at stake. This is the fastest way to rehearse squad rotations before taking them into rated play.
Open the Free Battle Menu
Look for practice or free battle options from the main multiplayer screen, where rules and maps can be configured freely.
Set Map and Cost Rules
Pick the map your squad struggles on and set a cost bracket to simulate rated conditions.
Run Role Drills
Split your squad: one side practices the Raid/General/Support triangle, the other defends the Repair Base and relay beacons.
Rebuild and Repeat
Swap roles each round. Learning both sides of a matchup makes your squad far harder to counter in rated queues.
Use practice sessions to teach friends the dodge roll, stagger mechanics, and stagger-cancel melee combos before their first rated match. New pilots who skip this often feed deployment points to the enemy team.
Cross-Play Between PS4, PS5, and Steam
Gundam Battle Operation 2 supports cross-platform play, so a squad can mix PS4, PS5, and Steam PC players in the same party. Matchmaking pools are shared, which keeps queue times short and lets friend groups play together regardless of platform.
| Platform | Party With Friends | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| PS4 | Yes, cross-play with PS5 and PC | Requires PSN account |
| PS5 | Yes, cross-play with PS4 and PC | Higher resolution and load performance |
| Steam PC | Yes, cross-play with PlayStation | Link a Bandai Namco account to manage purchases |
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Friend list | In-game friends added by pilot ID |
| Party size | Up to 6 players (full team) |
| Progression | Progress is tied to your platform account, not the party |
| Version | All squad members need the current game version after updates |
After each balance patch, older client versions cannot join the same party as updated ones. If a friend suddenly cannot be invited, have them check for the latest update on their platform.
Squad Goals and Habits for Long-Term Play
Consistent squads climb rating far faster than skilled solo players. Set recurring goals so your group keeps improving instead of just grinding matches.
Squad Improvement Checklist:
- Add all squad members by pilot ID
- Agree on a main cost bracket (500 is a great learning bracket)
- Assign one dedicated Support pilot before queueing
- Run at least one practice round before rated sessions
- Review matches lost to base damage, not just kills
- Stockpile DP and Recycle Tickets for suits your squad lacks
For squads on a budget, DP Shop suits like Gelgoog (FS) at 650 and Zaku Cannon at 500 cover General and Support roles without touching the gacha. Spend Recycle Tickets on a reliable Raid like Gundam NT-1 Alex when it appears in rotation.
FAQ
Q: How many friends can I play with in Gundam Battle Operation 2?
You can form a party of up to 6 players, which fills an entire team in standard 6v6 matches. A full pre-made squad queues together against another team of similar total rating.
Q: Can PS5 players party up with Steam players?
Yes. Gundam Battle Operation 2 supports cross-platform play between PS4, PS5, and Steam PC, so mixed-platform friend groups can form parties and queue together normally.
Q: Why can't I invite my friend to a party?
The most common causes are an unaccepted friend request, a NAT type blocking invitations, or a version mismatch after a recent update. Check your friend list, console network settings, and game version before retrying.
Q: What cost bracket is best for playing with friends?
The 500 cost bracket is the most balanced and popular range, with a clear General-Raid-Support triangle and forgiving pace. Squads can practice role play there before moving into the faster 350-400 bracket or the lethal 600-700 range.