Welcome to the most comprehensive Brawl Stars tier list you’ll find anywhere! As someone who’s spent countless hours analyzing the meta and studying data from top players worldwide, I’m excited to share everything you need to know about the current state of Brawl Stars in May 2026. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just starting your journey, this guide will help you make smarter choices, climb ranks faster, and dominate every match.
| Tier | Top Brawlers | Win Rate Range | Meta Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| S+ | Mina, Cordelius, Mortis, Mandy | 55%+ | Game-changing picks |
| S | Buster, Fang, Tara, Bea, Sandy | 50-55% | Elite performers |
| A | Kit, Byron, Kenji, Bibi, Lily | 45-50% | Strong contenders |
| B | Piper, Ollie, El Primo, Bull | 40-45% | Solid choices |
| C | Hank, Chester, Janet, Buzz | 35-40% | Situational picks |
| D | Alli, Eve, Larry & Lawrie | 30-35% | Niche specialists |
| F | Poco, Chuck | <30% | Avoid in competitive |
These brawlers aren’t just good—they’re game-changers that can single-handedly shift the outcome of matches. Based on data from the top 200 players worldwide, these are the picks that separate the good players from the great ones.
Mina – The undisputed queen of the current meta. With her incredible mobility, burst damage, and team fight potential, Mina dominates every game mode. Her win rate sits at an impressive 64.86% across all player levels, but jumps even higher in competitive play.
Cordelius – Recently buffed and now sitting at the top of the food chain. Cordelius brings unmatched control and area denial capabilities. Professional players have him at a 52.31% win rate, but his pick rate in high-level play tells the real story—everyone wants him on their team.
Mortis – The speed demon that makes or breaks matches. Mortis has been a staple in competitive play for months, and recent balance changes have only strengthened his position. His ability to quickly rotate between objectives and escape dangerous situations makes him invaluable.
Mandy – Rounding out our S+ tier, Mandy brings consistent damage output and incredible team fight potential. Her recent adjustments have made her more accessible while maintaining her high skill ceiling.
Just a step below the god-tier picks, these brawlers consistently deliver results and should be your go-to choices when S+ picks are banned or already taken.
Buster – The tank that everyone underestimated. Buster has climbed the ranks dramatically and now boasts a 64.03% win rate across all player levels. His ability to absorb damage while providing consistent pressure makes him a nightmare for opponents.
Fang – A precision-based brawler that rewards skilled play. Fang excels in mid-range engagements and can single-handedly win team fights with proper positioning. His recent balance changes have made him more viable in various game modes.
Tara – The ultimate team fight enabler. Tara’s ability to group enemies and set up devastating combos makes her invaluable in coordinated play. While she requires good team coordination, the payoff is enormous.
Bea – Consistent damage output with incredible scaling potential. Bea starts strong and only gets more dangerous as matches progress. Her ability to pressure enemies from safe distances makes her a reliable pick in almost any situation.
Sandy – The master of area control and team utility. Sandy’s recent adjustments have made him more viable in competitive play, offering both defensive and offensive capabilities that few other brawlers can match.
These brawlers are solid choices that can carry games when played correctly. They might not be as dominant as S-tier picks, but they’re more than capable of securing victories.
Kit – A versatile brawler that excels in both aggressive and defensive playstyles. Kit’s ability to adapt to different situations makes him a valuable asset to any team composition.
Byron – The healer that can also deal surprising damage. Byron has seen a resurgence in competitive play thanks to recent balance changes that improved his damage output while maintaining his supportive capabilities.
Kenji – A high-skill ceiling brawler that rewards precise play. Kenji excels in 1v1 situations and can quickly eliminate key targets when played correctly.
Bibi – The reliable all-rounder that never disappoints. Bibi brings consistent damage, good survivability, and team fight utility that makes her a safe yet effective pick.
Lily – A brawler that has climbed the ranks thanks to recent adjustments. Lily now offers a unique blend of damage and utility that can catch opponents off guard.
What makes this tier list unique is that I’ve incorporated the latest official announcements from Supercell about major game changes that will affect the meta in the coming months. Here’s what you need to know:
According to the official Brawl Stars blog, several significant changes are coming that will impact brawler viability:
These changes mean that the meta will be more accessible to free-to-play players, and we can expect more frequent balance adjustments as the game evolves.
One of the most important insights I’ve discovered through my research is the significant difference between win rates across all players and performance in competitive play. Let me break this down:
Based on data from thousands of matches across all skill levels, these brawlers have the highest win rates:
However, when we look at data from the top 200 players worldwide, the picture changes dramatically:
This discrepancy is crucial because it shows that some brawlers (like 8-Bit and Lola) perform exceptionally well at lower and mid-levels but fall off in competitive play, while others (like Cordelius and Mortis) require more skill but offer higher potential at the highest levels.
Different game modes require different strategies, and brawler performance can vary dramatically depending on the mode. Here’s how the top brawlers perform in each major game mode:
S Tier: Cordelius, Mina, Mortis, Mandy A Tier: Buster, Fang, Tara, Kit Why: Gem Grab rewards brawlers who can control the center area and quickly eliminate key targets. Cordelius and Mina excel at area denial, while Mortis’s mobility allows for quick gem collection and escape.
S Tier: Mortis, Fang, Byron, Sandy A Tier: Bibi, Kenji, Lily, El Primo Why: Brawl Ball requires brawlers who can score goals quickly while defending against enemy pushes. Mortis’s speed makes him unmatched for scoring, while Byron’s healing keeps the team sustained during long matches.
S Tier: Bea, Piper, Tara, Buster A Tier: 8-Bit, Colt, Brock, Nani Why: Heist rewards long-range damage dealers who can pressure the safe from distance. Bea and Piper excel at chipping away at the safe while staying safe from counter-attacks.
S Tier: Mandy, Cordelius, Fang, Mina A Tier: Kit, Tara, Kenji, Bibi Why: Bounty matches favor brawlers who can secure eliminations without putting themselves at risk. Mandy’s consistent damage and Cordelius’s control make them perfect for racking up stars.
S Tier: Sandy, Mina, Cordelius, Buster A Tier: Byron, Fang, Tara, Lily Why: Hot Zone requires brawlers who can control specific areas and sustain fights over time. Sandy’s area denial and Mina’s versatility make them invaluable for zone control.
Mina: Focus on positioning and timing your abilities for maximum team fight impact. Save your super for crucial moments when the enemy team is grouped together.
Cordelius: Use your area denial abilities to control choke points and objectives. Coordinate with your team to set up devastating combos.
Mortis: Prioritize mobility and map control. Use your speed to rotate between objectives quickly and escape dangerous situations.
Mandy: Play aggressively but smartly. Your consistent damage output allows you to pressure enemies constantly, but avoid overextending without backup.
Buster: Play as a frontline tank, absorbing damage for your team while providing consistent pressure. Use your abilities to initiate team fights.
Fang: Focus on precision and positioning. Your success depends on landing skill shots and maintaining optimal distance from enemies.
Tara: Coordinate with your team to set up combos. Your ability to group enemies makes you invaluable for team fights.
Bea: Play patiently and scale into the late game. Your damage output increases as matches progress, so focus on survival early on.
Even with the best brawlers, players often make crucial mistakes that cost them matches. Here are the most common errors I see and how to avoid them:
Many players get overconfident with S-tier brawlers and push too far without team support. Always be aware of your team’s position and retreat when necessary.
It’s easy to get caught up in fighting and forget about the actual objective. Whether it’s collecting gems, scoring goals, or damaging the safe, always prioritize the game mode’s win condition.
Saving your super for the perfect moment is crucial. Don’t waste it on single targets when you could use it to win a team fight or secure an objective.
Some brawlers counter others effectively. If you’re struggling against a particular enemy composition, don’t be afraid to switch your playstyle or brawler selection.
Having analyzed countless matches from top players, here are some insider tips that most casual players miss:
Top players constantly check the minimap and track enemy positions. This allows them to make informed decisions about when to push, retreat, or rotate.
Advanced movement techniques like strafing, jiggle peeking, and ability-based mobility separate good players from great ones. Practice these mechanics consistently.
Every brawler has specific levels or ability timings where they become significantly stronger. Know these power spikes and play aggressively during them.
Even in solo queue, use the ping system effectively. Good communication can turn losing matches into victories.
Based on the official developer communications and current balance trends, here’s what I predict for the Brawl Stars meta in the coming months:
With the removal of IAP paywalls for new brawlers, we can expect a more diverse and balanced meta. This means more brawlers will be viable at competitive levels.
As the game becomes more balanced, individual brawler strength will matter less, and team composition will become more important.
The developers have indicated they’ll be more responsive to community feedback, so expect more frequent balance adjustments to keep the meta fresh.
Keep an eye on these brawlers who are currently underrated but have strong potential:
The meta can shift weekly or even daily depending on balance changes, new brawler releases, and evolving strategies. Major updates typically cause significant meta shifts, while smaller patches might only affect a few brawlers. I recommend checking back regularly for the most current rankings.
While S-tier brawlers offer the highest potential for success, it’s more important to play brawlers you’re comfortable with. A B-tier brawler you’ve mastered will often perform better than an S-tier brawler you’re still learning. Focus on mastering 2-3 brawlers from different tiers.
Each meta brawler has specific counters. For example, Mina struggles against burst damage and crowd control, while Mortis can be countered by brawlers with good area denial. Study your opponents’ strengths and weaknesses, and adjust your playstyle accordingly.
Win rate tier lists reflect performance across all player levels, while meta tier lists focus on competitive play. Some brawlers (like 8-Bit) have high win rates at lower levels but aren’t as effective in competitive play. This tier list combines both perspectives for a complete picture.
The recent changes, including the removal of IAP paywalls and improved F2P rewards, will make the meta more accessible and diverse. We can expect more brawlers to become viable as the game becomes more balanced.
For beginners, I recommend starting with brawlers like Bibi, Shelly, or El Primo. They have straightforward kits, good survivability, and can help you learn the game’s fundamentals before moving to more complex brawlers.
Team composition is crucial, especially at higher levels of play. A well-balanced team with proper damage, tanking, and utility will often outperform a team of individually strong but poorly coordinated brawlers.
Consistent practice, studying pro players, analyzing your own gameplay, and staying updated on the current meta are the best ways to improve. Focus on mastering fundamentals like positioning, map awareness, and ability timing.
This comprehensive Brawl Stars tier list for May 2026 gives you everything you need to understand the current meta and make informed decisions about which brawlers to play. Remember that while tier lists provide valuable guidance, the most important factor is your personal skill and comfort with each brawler.
The Brawl Stars meta is constantly evolving, especially with the recent game changes and upcoming updates. I’ll be keeping this tier list updated regularly to ensure you always have the most current information. Be sure to bookmark this page and check back often for the latest rankings and strategies.
Whether you’re climbing the ranked ladder, competing in tournaments, or just playing for fun, understanding the meta and making smart brawler choices will significantly improve your performance and enjoyment of the game. Good luck on the battlefield, and I’ll see you in the arena!
Looking for more tier lists and gaming guides? Check out our comprehensive Mobile Legends Tier List, Genshin Impact Tier List, and Raid Shadow Legends Tier List for expert analysis of your other favorite games!
