Brawl Stars has so many different game modes that they can’t even keep them all up at the same time. They rotate modes in and out regularly to keep matchmaking balanced – and to prevent the mode selection screen from turning into a cluttered mess. With this amount of modes, it’s easy to imagine someone might feel a bit lost when it comes to the best strategy or Brawlers for some of these. That’s where this guide comes in!
In this guide, we’ll explain the most popular modes in Brawl Stars. From rules and strategies to even which Brawlers dominate each of these settings. Once you read all of these, you will have a clearer understanding of each of them and will already be a drastically better resource to your team than you were before. Of course, if you’re reading this guide, it’s because you’re striving to become a better player and possibly even get to higher ranks. If this is the case, you should consider the rank-boosting options for Brawl Stars that you can get over at Skycoach. They’re cheap, fast, and safe – but remember, once you climb, you’ll have to defend that rank, so apply these tips provided by this article to reach higher highs!
Gem Grab – Control Is Everything
Gem Grab is the mode most new players experience first, and it teaches the fundamentals of map control. Two teams fight for control of the central gem mine. The first team to collect 10 gems and hold them for 15 seconds wins.
Key Strategies:
● Control the center: Winning Gem Grab isn’t about collecting every gem. It’s about holding the middle and forcing enemies back.
● Team balance: A tank, a support, and a ranged damage dealer make a solid team composition.
● Don’t get greedy: Carrying too many gems can make you the top target. Spread them among teammates.
Best Brawlers: Pam, Jessie, Poco, and Jean.
Showdown – Survival of the Fittest
Showdown comes in two versions: solo and duo. It’s a battle royale mode where survival is key. Power cubes from crates make brawlers stronger, and the poison storm forces players closer together.
Key Strategies (Solo):
● Play cautiously early on. Don’t rush into fights unless you’re sure of a win.
● Bush camping can be a valid tactic, but don’t rely on it too much.
● Positioning near the storm is risky but can catch opponents off guard.
Key Strategies (Duo):
● Stick close to your partner. Splitting up usually leads to disaster.
● Pick complementary brawlers, like a tank and a ranged fighter.
● Share power cubes evenly to stay balanced.
Best Brawlers: Shelly, Bull, Edgar, and Crow in solos; Max, Pam, and Leon in duos.
Brawl Ball – Football with a Twist
The goal is simple: score two goals before the other team does. It’s fast, chaotic and clearly a fan favorite!
Key Strategies:
● Use walls wisely. Breaking them with brawlers like El Primo or Dynamike opens paths.
● Don’t overcommit – defense is just as important as offense.
● Passing is underrated. Many players try to score alone when a quick pass would be safer.
Best Brawlers: Mortis, Max, Sandy, and El Primo.
Heist – Attack and Defend
In Heist, both teams defend a safe while trying to destroy the opponent’s. Matches are fast and full of clutch plays.
Key Strategies:
● Split responsibilities: one or two players push offense, while another defends.
● Ranged brawlers shine here, as they can chip away at the enemy safe from a distance.
● Sneaky plays work – don’t always push straight down the middle.
Best Brawlers: Colt, Brock, Bull, and Dynamike.
Bounty – Eliminations Count
Bounty is all about kills. Each team starts with two stars, and eliminating enemies adds to your score. The team with the most stars when time runs out wins.
Key Strategies:
● Don’t feed the enemy. Playing safe is often better than taking risky fights.
● Controlling the center of the map gives a strong advantage.
● Snipers excel, but they need protection from tanks or assassins.
Best Brawlers: Piper, Brock, Bea, and Tick.
Hot Zone – Holding Ground
Hot Zone is about capturing and holding specific areas of the map. It’s a tug-of-war mode that rewards teamwork.
Key Strategies:
● Stick together. Lone players get overwhelmed fast.
● Control brawlers like Sandy and Emz dominate in crowded zones.
● Don’t forget to rotate – sometimes giving up one zone to secure another is the smarter move.
Best Brawlers: Sandy, Emz, Pam, and Jessie.
Knockout – High Stakes, No Respawns
Knockout is simple: eliminate the enemy team before time runs out. The catch? No respawns. This makes positioning and patience critical.
Key Strategies:
● Play safe in the early game. Don’t be the first to fall.
● Long-range brawlers are strong, but tanks can clutch if they survive into close quarters.
● Avoid clustering. One explosive attack can wipe your team.
Best Brawlers: Belle, Brock, Piper, and Rosa.
Power League – Ranked Play at Its Best
Power League is where competitive players test their skills. It’s ranked, structured, and requires consistent performance to climb.
Key Strategies:
● Learn the meta. Stay updated with patch notes and tier lists.
● Draft wisely. Sometimes picking a counter brawler is more valuable than your personal favorite.
● Communication is king. If you’re playing with friends, coordinate roles clearly.
Best Brawlers: Varies by season and meta, but Colette, Max, and Belle are consistent picks.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
● Q1: What is the easiest game mode for beginners in Brawl Stars?
Gem Grab is the best starting point since it teaches core mechanics like teamwork and positioning.
● Q2: Which game mode gives the fastest trophies?
Showdown tends to reward trophies quickly, especially if you play carefully in solos.
● Q3: What’s the hardest mode to master in Brawl Stars?
Power League. It requires game sense, draft knowledge, and adaptability across modes.
● Q4: Can I use the same brawlers for all game modes?
Not effectively. Each mode favors different abilities. For example, Piper is great in Bounty but struggles in Brawl Ball.
● Q5: How do I know which brawlers are good in each update?
Follow the official patch notes and community tier lists. The meta shifts with every balance change.
● Q6: Which mode lets you rank up faster?
There’s not a single mode that lets you rank faster than the rest. If you want to speed up the process, then consider getting a Brawl Stars Ranked League Boost instead. Then you will be at whichever rank fits you best.
Wrapping Up
Becoming a better Brawl Stars player is all about learning the subtleties of each game mode. Every mode challenges players in different ways. The best players aren’t just good at one thing; they adapt, experiment, and stay updated with the ever-changing meta.
You can get a Brawl Stars rank boost to help you get to whichever rank you feel suits you best. But if what you want is to improve past that point, you will need to learn all the intricacies of each mode and apply them before you lose your rank over and over again.
