With each balance change, Brawl Stars sees shifts in its meta across all game modes. A brawler that dominates in Gem Grab might struggle in Bounty, and someone overlooked in Power League could be an S-tier menace in Showdown. Whether you’re a seasoned competitor or a casual player climbing the ranks, this tier list breaks down the best brawlers for each of the core game modes: Gem Grab, Showdown, Brawl Ball, Heist, Hot Zone, Knockout, and Bounty. Keep in mind, this is taking into consideration the current meta, so it’s subject to change!
There’s going to be a lot of different brawlers mentioned in this article and — specially if you’re just starting out — you might not have all of them unlocked yet. You could always buy Brawl Stars account to start the game with every character unlocked and fully kitted out!
Let’s dive in.
Gem Grab Tier List (3v3 Objective Control)
Gem Grab demands mid-control, sustained presence, and good utility. Mid-dominant brawlers thrive here.
S-Tier
- Gene – His pull Super remains a game-changer, and he can solo anchor the mid with his poke.
- Cordelius – His teleport Super creates chaos and resets mid control.
- Pam – Great for anchoring mid while supporting with heals and turret tanking.
A-Tier
- Bo – With vision and decent control, Bo is always a solid mid pick.
- Squeak – His sticky Super zones out the enemy and denies gems effectively.
- Sandy – The invisibility field is still an underrated control tool.
B-Tier
- 8-Bit – Strong but a bit slow. Good if you’re coordinated.
- Colt – If you hit your shots, he dominates—but that’s a big “if.”
Solo Showdown Tier List (Survival, FFA)
Solo Showdown requires survivability, burst potential, and the ability to secure power cubes without relying on teammates.
S-Tier
- Surge – With his upgrades and mobility, Surge scales incredibly well in solos.
- Shelly – Thanks to her Super and bush play, she remains a top-tier bush camper killer.
- Leon – Great for surprise ambushes and sneaky eliminations.
A-Tier
- Edgar – Strong in lower ranks and still decent in high skill brackets if played smart.
- Buzz – His stun Super is excellent for catching enemies unaware.
- Crow – Great chip damage and poison vision, especially for anti-teaming.
B-Tier
- Darryl – Decent for ambushing, but struggles in open maps.
- Fang – Flashy but risky — miss the Super and you’re toast.
Brawl Ball Tier List (3v3)
This fast-paced mode requires mobility, area control, and strong Supers for disruption and scoring.
S-Tier
- Maisie – A mobility queen with massive denial potential thanks to her gadget and knockback Super.
- Griff – Shreds through tanks and breaks walls — his Super is crucial for late-game pushes.
- Max – Her speed boost enables quick passes and goals, plus she can control lanes well.
A-Tier
- Spike – High DPS and great at controlling the lane.
- El Primo – Can tank hits and score goals with his Super leap.
- Buster – A strong wall of HP and control if well positioned.
B-Tier
- Jacky – She’s tanky but lacks utility outside of close-range matchups.
- Gale – Good defensive pick but very map-dependent.
Heist Tier List (Damage-Race Objective)
In Heist, raw DPS is king. The faster you can shred the enemy safe, the better.
S-Tier
- Colt – With Silver Bullet and long-range bursts, he melts safes.
- Griff – Super + gadget combo is devastating to enemy defenses.
- Bull – A timeless pick for up-close safe destruction.
A-Tier
- Brock – Long-range pressure and rocket rain for zoning.
- Rico – Map-dependent but can do massive damage if used well.
- Ash – Tanky enough to reach the safe and strong enough to destroy it.
B-Tier
- Bea – Great for defense but slower for safe damage.
- Bonnie – Versatil, butt takes time to get damage going.
Image generated with Freepik AI Suite
Hot Zone Tier List (Area Control)
Zone-based combat favors brawlers who can survive while holding space.
S-Tier
- Squeak – Constant area denial and pressure from afar.
- Lou – His freezing zone Super is still one of the best stall tools in the game.
- R-T – Strong utility and can split himself for multitasking.
A-Tier
- Belle – Her mark makes holding mid easier for your team.
- Nita – The bear disrupts control and can tank shots in the zone.
- Barley – Excellent thrower for holding tight zones.
B-Tier
- Poco – He needs good synergy, but his healing can sustain team control.
- Carl – Can be useful with mobility and area denial gadgets.
Knockout Tier List (Elimination-Based Rounds)
No respawns means brawlers with ranged pressure and survivability shine.
S-Tier
- Tick – Annoying but effective, especially when played with smart cover.
- Belle – Can tag and zone with excellent kill potential.
- Piper – Dominates long-range maps and can escape with gadget.
A-Tier
- Lola – Her clone adds massive value and confuses enemy targeting.
- Gus – The shield mechanic adds clutch potential.
- Mandy – At max range, she deals absurd damage, but positioning is key.
B-Tier
- Mortis – Can turn fights but requires extreme skill.
- Ruffs – Good support, but not enough on his own.
Bounty Tier List (Kill-Focused, Ranged Mode)
This long-range sniper mode is all about poking from distance and staying alive.
S-Tier
- Piper – With homemade recipe gadget and ambush star power, she rules Bounty.
- Nani – Her Super is practically a free kill if aimed correctly.
- Tick – Infuriating to deal with, great at deterring aggression.
A-Tier
- Brock – Solid pick with good poke and area denial.
- Belle – Strong marks and chip damage.
- Byron – Healing plus chip poke makes him versatile and deadly.
B-Tier
- Bo – Tripwire plays still work, but his range can be a liability.
- Gray – Teleport gimmicks are fun but risky in high-level play.
Flex Picks & Wildcards
Some brawlers don’t top any single mode, but are flexible enough to be used anywhere:
- Spike – Always decent, especially in tight control maps.
- Crow – Anti-heal and vision make him valuable across modes.
- Gale – While not meta-defining, he’s always a safe support pick in Brawl Ball, Hot Zone, and Knockout.
Additionally, map selection matters. A brawler that feels C-tier in one map can dominate another if the layout supports their kit. Always scout the current map and tailor your picks.
Image generated with Freepik AI Suite
In conclusion
With over 90 brawlers and with the game modes being so different, it’s no wonder someone would need a little help with who to pick for each instance. The current meta is all about versatility, area control, and map awareness. While raw damage still reigns in modes like Heist and Showdown, smart players who utilize vision tools, zoning gadgets, and healing utilities are rewarded more than ever in 3v3 formats.
As balance changes roll out monthly and Power League stats shift, this tier list may evolve. But for now, these are your go-to brawlers to dominate across every core game mode. Now grab your phone and play one of the best mobile games out there with this new information!
