The best brawlers in Brawl Stars are the ones that stay strong no matter the map, the mode, or your trophy count. With more than 80 brawlers to choose from, picking who to unlock and upgrade can feel overwhelming. This ranked guide breaks the roster into tiers, highlights the strongest all-round picks, names the best brawler for each role, and shows beginners where to start.
Brawl Stars is constantly balanced, so exact placements shift with each update. Instead of chasing one perfect list, this guide focuses on the qualities that keep a brawler near the top — and on choices that will serve you well across seasons.
What to look for before you commit
Before sinking Credits and Coins into a brawler, weigh four things: damage output, range and area control, survivability, and versatility across modes. A brawler that excels in only one map type is fun, but the genuinely "best" brawlers carry games in Gem Grab, Showdown, Brawl Ball and ranked alike. Keep that lens as you read the rankings below.
How brawlers are ranked into tiers
Most tier lists sort brawlers into S, A, B and C tiers. S-Tier brawlers are meta-defining and rarely a wasted pick; A-Tier are very strong with minor weaknesses; B-Tier are solid, reliable choices; and C-Tier shine only in specific maps or comps. A tier blends raw power with flexibility — the more modes a brawler dominates, the higher it climbs.
S-Tier: the strongest all-round brawlers
The brawlers that sit at the very top tend to combine reliable damage with a game-changing Super. Long-time favourites like Spike (huge area control with his cactus grenades and slowing Super), Surge (who literally upgrades his attack and movement mid-match), and Gene (a support who can pull enemies in or heal allies) are textbook examples of S-Tier value. They are flexible enough to fit almost any team and map.
If you only have the resources to fully upgrade a couple of brawlers, S-Tier picks are the safest long-term investment because they rarely fall out of relevance after a balance patch.
The best brawler for every role
A winning team usually mixes four jobs. Tanks like Frank soak damage and create space up close. Marksmen such as Piper punish enemies from long range. Supports like Pam heal and shield teammates, while assassins like Crow dart in to delete squishy targets. The "best" brawler often depends on the gap in your team rather than an absolute ranking.
In ranked modes especially, drafting to cover all four roles beats stacking three of the same archetype. Learn at least one strong brawler per role so you can adapt to whatever your teammates pick.
Best brawlers for new players
If you are just starting out, prioritise forgiving brawlers over flashy meta picks. Shelly is free, easy to aim, and a genuinely strong all-rounder. Colt teaches you ranged spacing, Nita summons a bear that tanks for you, and El Primo is bulky enough to survive your early mistakes. Master these before chasing the latest S-Tier release.
The early Trophy Road and Starr Road hand out plenty of brawlers, so beginners can practise fundamentals — positioning, aiming, and timing Supers — without spending a thing.
How to unlock and upgrade your best brawlers
There are three main ways to add brawlers to your collection: the Starr Road, where you spend Credits to choose exactly who you unlock; the Trophy Road, which rewards brawlers as you climb; and the Brawl Pass, which offers seasonal and sometimes exclusive brawlers. Pick deliberately — Credits are limited.
Once unlocked, a brawler grows through its Power Level (up to Power 11), Star Powers (game-changing passives), Gadgets (on-demand abilities), and Gears (small stat boosts). A fully upgraded mid-tier brawler often beats a brand-new S-Tier one, so concentrate your resources on a few favourites first.
Quick tips for climbing
- Upgrade depth over breadth. Three maxed brawlers will win you more games than fifteen at Power 1.
- Match the brawler to the mode. Throwers and snipers shine on open maps; tanks and assassins thrive in tight, bushy layouts.
- Save Credits for who you want. The Starr Road lets you target specific brawlers, so plan around your role gaps.
- Watch the balance changes. Read each update's patch notes so you know when a favourite gets buffed or nerfed.
Frequently asked questions
Who is the best brawler in Brawl Stars right now?
It changes with every balance patch, but consistently top-rated brawlers include flexible, high-impact picks like Spike, Surge and Gene. Always check the current patch notes, since the meta shifts regularly.
What is the best brawler for beginners?
Shelly is the standout starter — she is free, easy to aim, and strong in most modes. Colt, Nita and El Primo are also forgiving picks you unlock early.
How many brawlers are there in Brawl Stars?
There are more than 80 brawlers, and Supercell adds new ones throughout the year, so the roster keeps growing with each season.
Should I unlock a new brawler or upgrade an old one?
Usually upgrade. A fully maxed brawler outperforms a fresh, low-Power one, so deepen a few favourites before spreading your Coins and Credits thin.
Do tier lists ever change?
Yes. Brawl Stars is balanced frequently, so brawlers move between tiers after buffs, nerfs and new releases. Treat any ranking as a snapshot, not a permanent verdict.
Final thoughts
The best brawlers in Brawl Stars reward smart investment more than blindly chasing the meta. Focus on versatile S-Tier picks, learn at least one strong brawler per role, start with forgiving choices if you are new, and upgrade a small core to Power 11. For the latest balance changes and new releases, check the official Brawl Stars website.
