If you’ve ever wondered “Which Brawlers should I use to climb faster?”, you’re in the right place. The Brawl Stars tier list is your roadmap to mastering the current meta and optimizing your picks—whether you’re grinding trophies or dominating Power League matches.
Here’s how to make sense of the tier list, why it matters for competitive and casual gameplay, and which Brawlers lead the pack as of summer 2025.
What Is a Brawl Stars Tier List?
A tier list is simply a ranking of all playable Brawlers, sorted by how strong they are in the current game environment. That includes:
- Win-rate data from top ladder and tournament matches
- Recent balance adjustments: buffs, nerfs and gadget reworks
- Mode-specific performance: 3v3 (like Gem Grab, Brawl Ball, Heist) vs Showdown formats
- Community and pro analysis: insights from creators like SpenLC, KairosTime, Reddit discussions, etc.
How the Tier List Comes Together
Creators typically combine:
- Statistical data from top 200 global players
- Patch notes and meta-shifting changes
- Community feedback and tier list consensus
- Matchup value and usability in real comps
- Mode adaptability across maps and rotations
Tools like TierMaker and BrawlTime also allow players to customize their own lists, but expert consensus gives the best meta snapshot.
May 2025 Meta Tier List — Where the Top Creators Landed
Based on an average of six respected meta tier lists (SpenLC, iKaioss, Replay Totem, KairosTime, Humble, Heretics), here’s the broad consensus:
This matches closely with ExitLag’s May 2025 breakdown and Reddit’s meta monitoring.
Mode-by-Mode Breakdown: Who’s Dominating?
3v3 Modes (Gem Grab, Brawl Ball, Heist)
Top picks this season:
- Buzz: Game-changing stun super resets pushes.
- Charlie: Burst assassin with high first-strike potential.
- El Primo: Reliable frontline and lane pressure.
Secondary strong options: Shelly, Janet, Gray.
Solo Showdown
Key considerations: self‑sustain, escape, swift burst.
- Cordelius (anti-team‑wipe dimension shift + DPS)
- Darryl (barrel roll dominance in bush maps)
- Edgar (agility, hypercharge engages/chases)
Community-favorite gadgets:
- Edgar: Hardcore + Fisticuffs
- Cordelius: Replanting + Mushroom Kingdom
- Darryl: Recoiling Rotator + Steel Hoops
Duo Showdown
Synergy is key:
- Gray + Sam: resets with synchronized damage
- Janet + Darryl: zoning plus flank utility
Major Meta Shifts This Season
Key Balance Updates in May–June 2025
- Buzz: slight cooldown nerf dampened stun spam
- Charlie: faster gadget activation and burst consistency
- Dynamike: super speed reduced—less area denial viability
- Gray: teleport buff expanded his synergy with aggressive comps
- Sam: reload speed improved, helping sustained fights
These tweaks shifted power toward control brawlers in Solo modes, while traditional tanks lost edge because crowd control now restricts their dominance.
In a Reddit debate thread, one user bluntly observed:
“Cordelius 2 stars is outrageous… the amount of counterpick value he has…”
August 2025 Snapshot: What’s Trending Now
According to recent data aggregation by Noff and MmonsteR (and lead-ladder stats):
- Mortis, Kit, Bea, Bo, Fang, Mandy, Stu, Rico, Kenji are appearing as top‑tier picks in S-tier.
- There’s a broader S-tier including more mobile, high‑use Brawlers. Meta is more diverse but still driven by burst and consistent output.
How to Use the Tier List to Climb
Tier lists are more than rankings—they’re strategy tools:
- Pick per mode:
- 3v3: prioritize control and zoning brawlers (Buzz, Charlie, Gray)
- Solo/Duo: pick self-sustain assassins (Cordelius, Edgar, Darryl)
- 3v3: prioritize control and zoning brawlers (Buzz, Charlie, Gray)
- Upgrade smart:
- Early priority: S‑Tier picks you can reliably play
- Medium-term: flexible A‑Tier brawlers for match variety
- Early priority: S‑Tier picks you can reliably play
- Recognize power windows:
Timing gadget and super usage (like Nita’s bear or Gray’s teleport) can swing outcomes. - Adapt to map rotations:
Bush-heavy maps vs open lanes demand different picks. Check weekly game mode/map changes. - Master a core roster per mode:
Having 2–3 go‑to Brawlers helps you avoid match-to-match adaptation issues.
What Makes a Brawler Meta in 2025?
Meta is shaped by several factors:
- High-value control supers (e.g., Buzz, Charlie, Gray) for objective pressure
- Mobility & adaptability, both for offense and retreat
- Fast reload/cooldowns, enabling repeated aggression
- Synergy potential: builds with two or more brawlers that combo well
- Counter flexibility: ability to outplay or escape threats
Gray is a prime example: recently bumped up to S-tier because his teleport pairs well with aggressive teammates like Sam and Buzz.
Wrap-Up: Tier List Takeaways
Top picks (May–Aug 2025):
S‑Tier: Charlie, Buzz, Cordelius, Gray, El Primo (based on combined data)
A‑Tier: Janet, Sam, Edgar, Shelly, Darryl
B‑Tier: Penny, Dynamike, Lou
C‑Tier: Gale, Jessie, Bull
Why this matters:
- Climbing faster means playing meta picks with consistent power
- You must adapt tier list usage to each mode and map
- Data from Reddit, pro tier listers (SpenLC, KairosTime, etc.) keeps you aligned with the evolving meta
FAQs
What’s the strongest Brawler right now?
As of May–June 2025 consensus, Charlie frequently tops the list, combining burst kills, utility, and gadget consistency.
Was Dynamike nerfed?
Yes. His super got slower, which reduces his area-denial presence in team fights. That dropped him to B‑Tier territory in May.
Who should I upgrade first?
Start with S‑Tier picks like Charlie, Cordelius, Gray or Buzz—especially ones you’re comfortable playing. Then expand into flexible A‑Tier brawlers for map and mode viability.
Should I trust tier lists for competitive play?
Absolutely—especially when based on top‑200 stats and pro opinions. Still, match fluidity and map changes mean you should stay flexible and informed.
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