In his review for AllMusic, Stephen Thomas Erlewine states, "Lovano and Osby are both first-class improvisers, and they turn in dynamic performances throughout the album, whether it's on originals or standards. They turn Friendly Fire into a compelling listen that's the musical equivalent of the title's promise".[2] Bill Shoemaker of JazzTimes commented "Track after track, Lovano and Osby confirm their marquee status. Consistently, their flinty exchanges provoke them to go beyond their usual high standards of passionate intelligence. As a result, this pairing has long-term potential. Hopefully, Lovano and Osby won’t wait for the next Blue Note anniversary for a second session".[5]