The most useful thing I can tell you about a Brawl Stars tier list is that there is no single best brawler, only the best brawler for the mode and map in front of you. A pick that carries in Gem Grab can be almost useless in Showdown, so the players who climb are the ones who read the mode first and choose second.
What I cover
1. How to read a tier list
Tiers are a shorthand, not a law. S tier means a brawler is strong across many maps and hard to misuse. A tier is reliably good with a little more care. B tier works well on the right map or in the right hands. C tier is situational and usually needs a specific setup to shine. The single biggest mistake is treating an S tier pick as an auto-win. A B tier brawler you know inside out will beat an S tier one you are still figuring out, so read tiers as a starting point and let your own comfort break ties.
2. Brawler classes at a glance
Before the mode-by-mode lists, it helps to know what each broad class is for. Every brawler falls into a role, and picking a balanced comp matters more than three players all grabbing the flavour of the week.
- Tanks: high health, close range, great for pushing into objectives and soaking damage.
- Damage dealers: the workhorses of most comps, strong at mid range and steady output.
- Throwers: lob attacks over walls, excellent for zoning bushes and choke points.
- Marksmen: long range and high burst, punish anyone caught in the open.
- Supports and controllers: heal, shield, or lock down space so your team can win fights.
3. Best for Gem Grab
Gem Grab rewards map control and safe positioning around the mine. Throwers and controllers shine because they hold the centre and deny the enemy space without exposing themselves.
| Tier | Style that excels | Why |
|---|---|---|
| S | Throwers and zone controllers | Hold the mine and deny the centre from safety |
| A | Reliable mid-range damage | Steady pressure and safe gem carrying |
| B | Tanks with a support | Strong on open maps but exposed on walled ones |
| C | Pure assassins | Struggle to hold ground alone; better as a flex |
4. Best for Showdown
Showdown is a survival mode, so brawlers that can win one-on-one fights, escape trouble, and control bushes rise to the top. Sustain and mobility matter far more here than in team modes.
| Tier | Style that excels | Why |
|---|---|---|
| S | Self-sustaining bruisers | Heal through fights and outlast the lobby |
| A | Mobile assassins | Pick off low-health targets and reposition |
| B | Long-range marksmen | Great on open maps, weaker in tight bushes |
| C | Objective-focused supports | Little to hold in a mode with no objective |
5. Best for Brawl Ball
Brawl Ball is about breaking walls, controlling the middle, and finishing near the goal. Tanks and brawlers with wall-clearing attacks tend to dominate because they open lanes and bully the net.
| Tier | Style that excels | Why |
|---|---|---|
| S | Tanks and wall-breakers | Push the ball and open the map for teammates |
| A | Burst damage dealers | Clear defenders fast and set up goals |
| B | Zone throwers | Deny the goal mouth but slower to score |
| C | Fragile long-range picks | Get run down in the close chaos of the net |
6. How to pick when in doubt
If you are unsure, default to a brawler you have levelled and played a lot rather than the highest tier on some list. A well-known B tier pick with a maxed star power will out-perform an unfamiliar S tier one nearly every time. Then match the class to the mode: throwers and controllers for objective holding, bruisers for Showdown, tanks and wall-breakers for Brawl Ball. Finally, glance at what your teammates picked and fill the gap in the comp rather than doubling up on the same role. For the wider background on the game, the Brawl Stars article on Wikipedia is a good reference.
FAQ
Is there one best brawler overall?
No. The best brawler depends entirely on the mode and map. A pick that dominates Gem Grab can be weak in Showdown, so read the mode first and choose to fit it.
Should I always pick S tier?
Not necessarily. A B tier brawler you know deeply and have levelled will usually beat an S tier one you are still learning. Comfort and card level often outweigh raw tier.
How do I win Showdown more often?
Pick self-sustaining or mobile brawlers, avoid fights you cannot win early, control bushes for information, and let the lobby thin out before you commit to the strongest opponents.
Why does my team keep losing team modes?
Often because everyone picks the same role. Balance the comp with a tank or controller, a damage dealer, and something that holds the objective, then play around your win condition together.