What it does
Babiri Berry triggers automatically when the holder takes super-effective Steel-type damage, halving it, then is consumed. Only fires on super-effective Steel moves.
Steel hits Ice, Rock, and Fairy for super-effective damage. In competitive doubles, the most common use case is Fairy types running the berry to survive Steel coverage. Fairy is one of the highest-density typings in the current meta, and Steel moves — particularly Iron Head and Flash Cannon — are the standard tools for dealing with Fairy types. A Fairy support that goes down to Steel early breaks your plan. This berry delays that.
Who runs it
Aromatisse (20% of sets) is the top user by a wide margin. Pure Fairy, primary support role via Aroma Veil and assist moves, and completely dependent on staying alive to function. Iron Head into Aromatisse is lethal without the berry; with it, Aromatisse survives and keeps providing that support. Alcremie (6%) is the same story. Hatterene (2%) is Psychic/Fairy and needs the same cushion for its support or trick room roles. Mimikyu (4%) is Ghost/Fairy — Disguise already absorbs one hit for free, so Babiri Berry is a second layer of protection, specifically for Steel moves. Aurorus (1%) is Rock/Ice with a Steel weakness on the Rock side. Crabominable (4%) is Water/Ice, Ice being weak to Steel.
How to use it
Iron Head is one of the most common physical moves in doubles — wide distribution, solid power, and flinch chance. Flash Cannon covers the special side. If you have a Fairy type on the field and the opponent has a Steel attacker, one of those moves is coming. Babiri Berry keeps your Fairy in the fight for one more turn.
Vs. Focus Sash: many Fairy types have strong Special Defense. Babiri Berry leaves them at real HP after triggering — not 1 HP. For a support Fairy like Aromatisse that needs to keep using assist moves and abilities, that surviving HP is the difference between being useful next turn and being chip-shot off the field.
Tips & strategy
Mimikyu with Babiri Berry is a two-layer defensive setup worth knowing. Disguise absorbs one hit entirely — any type, any move, free. Babiri Berry then halves the next super-effective Steel hit. In theory, Mimikyu can absorb two attacks that would otherwise put it in critical condition. It doesn't always line up, but against a heavy Steel attacker in the opponent's team, this combination has real practical value.
Iron Head's flinch chance is relevant even when you survive it. If your Fairy lives the hit with Babiri Berry but flinches, you lost your action anyway. Sometimes eating the hit on a turn where you've already moved — or Protecting through it — is the better call.