Brawl Stars 2026 Balance Changes – All Nerfs and Buffs

Balance changes are the fastest way Supercell reshapes the meta — and the easiest way for players to feel “my main is broken” (or “my main is dead”) overnight.

This page is a living tracker: we keep the latest official buffs/nerfs at the top, explain what they likely change in real matches, and move older patches into an archive so the guide stays useful in 2026 and beyond.

Last updated: January 29, 2026
Source priority: official Brawl Stars patch notes & maintenance posts (Supercell).

Latest balance changes (Maintenance – Jan 23, 2026)

Below are the key buffs and nerfs applied in the January 23 maintenance. If you only read one part of this guide — read this.

Buffs

  • Edgar: Health increased (7200 → 7400).

  • Lumi: Slightly faster projectile unload speed (+5%).

  • Griff: Health increased (7200 → 7400).

  • Rico: Faster rate of fire (unload speed buff).

  • Gigi: Attack damage increased (1000 → 1200).

  • Fang: Star Power “Divine Soles” damage bonus increased (720 → 900).

  • Trunk: Bonus movement speed near ants improved (20% → 25%).

  • Poco: Super charge rate improved (5 hits → 4 hits). (Hypercharge remains 10 hits.)

Nerfs

  • Emz: Reduced “Star Buffie” invulnerability (1s → 0.5s) + multiple gadget tuning (damage and range reduced; one gadget now consumes ammo).

  • Spike: Gadget damage reduced (Popping Pincushion 1200 → 1000 per spike), Life Plant cooldown increased (14s → 18s), and the gadget no longer charges Super.

  • Mortis: Combo Spinner cooldown increased (10s → 15s) and no longer charges Super.

Quick takeaway: this maintenance pushes the meta away from “free value from gadgets” and nudges some popular picks back into healthier ranges.

 

Table of Contents

Key Nerfs to Watch Out For

Now, let’s talk nerfs. Alli, the agile Brawler, is getting hit with multiple reductions: her HP drops from 7800 to 7400, dash and jump reload speeds are slowed, and her attack cooldown increases. This cuts down her mobility dominance, making her less of a one-woman army in modes like Brawl Ball.

Mr P’s Service Bell Gadget cooldown stretches from 15 to 17 seconds, limiting his ability to spam summons. Mr P’s always been a threat with his porters, but this nerf means he’ll have to be more strategic in deploying them.

Kaze’s Hypercharge rate is reduced by 18.2%, slowing his ultimate buildup. Kaze’s been strong in controlling lanes, but this change reduces his burst potential in close matches.

Hank’s health takes a hit from 11200 to 10400, softening his tankiness. Hank’s role as a frontline absorber is weakened, requiring more careful positioning.

Shade’s Hypercharge rate drops by 20%, curbing his frequent ultimates. Shade’s crowd control will be less oppressive in team fights.

Lumi’s Frostbitten Gadget cooldown increases to 23 seconds, and Dot effects are removed, toning down her freeze spam. Lumi’s been dominating since release, but this nerf brings her in line.

Charlie’s Spiders Gadget cooldown goes from 18 to 20 seconds, reducing her trap frequency. Charlie’s utility in zoning will be less reliable.

Draco’s Hypercharge rate is slashed by 28.5%, and damage reduced from 15% to 5%, limiting his dragon form terror. Draco’s high-impact plays will be rarer.

These nerfs aim to tone down overperforming Brawlers, giving others a chance to shine.

What this likely changes in the meta

1) Gadget value goes down for a few top picks

If you relied on gadgets to win trades “for free” (especially on Spike and Mortis), you’ll need cleaner timing and better positioning. Expect more punishment for misusing gadgets early.

2) Longer fights become more common

In Update 65, Supercell also introduced broader systemic tuning (including a general HP increase across most Brawlers). That usually means slightly longer time-to-kill, fewer instant deletes, and more room for mid-fight decision-making. In practice, sustained damage and team coordination tend to matter more.

3) Comfort picks get small quality-of-life nudges

Buffs like extra HP (Edgar/Griff) and smoother firing patterns (Rico) often don’t “break” the game — they just make those Brawlers feel more consistent, especially in ranked grind.

Meta note: balance impact always depends on map + mode. A “small” nerf can be huge on one Hot Zone map and almost irrelevant in Showdown.

How to adapt fast (without overthinking it)

If your main was nerfed, don’t panic — do this instead:

Play one step safer in the first 30 seconds.
Most nerfs punish early over-aggression. Treat your first gadget as a “momentum tool,” not your default opener.

Swap your win condition.

  • If you used Spike gadget to force kills, focus more on controlling angles with your Super and winning chip-damage trades.

  • If you used Mortis gadget to snowball Super faster, shift to cleaner engages: wait for key enemy cooldowns, then commit.

Lean into consistency picks when learning the new patch.
Small buffs usually mean “more stable performance.” If you’re climbing, stability is often better than chasing the newest gimmick.

What to Expect in the New Season

Alongside these balance changes, the “Summer Clash” season brings a ton of new content. Expect new skins inspired by beach battles—think surfer Spike or lifeguard Lumi. There are new maps with unique layouts and obstacles, possibly featuring water-themed elements. And who knows, maybe a new game mode or two to keep things interesting. The balance changes are likely designed to complement this new content, ensuring that no single Brawler overshadows the fresh additions. For example, the buffs to Spike and Meeple might tie into new maps that favor their playstyles, while the nerfs to Alli and others prevent them from dominating the new season.

FAQs

When did the latest balance changes go live?

The most recent update covered on this page is the January 23, 2026 maintenance.

Where can I verify changes if something feels different in-game?

Always cross-check with official Brawl Stars release notes / maintenance posts. This page summarizes those notes and adds practical context.

Do balance changes instantly change the “best” Brawlers?

Not always. Some changes are small on paper but massive on specific maps/modes. Give it a few days for the meta to settle — then adjust your pool.

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Our team of expert players knows every Brawler, map, and meta shift like the back of their hands. They’ve been through countless balance changes and know exactly how to adapt. With LFCarry, you’re not just getting a boost—you’re getting a lesson in how to dominate the new meta. Plus, our services are 100% safe and secure. We take your account’s safety seriously, using VPNs and other measures to ensure nothing sketchy happens. And if you’re worried about getting caught, don’t be—our pros play so smoothly, it’ll look like you’re just having a really good day.

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You may also be interested inWhat you’ll learnWhen to read
Mobile Legends Ranks in Order – An OverviewRank tier overview.After learning how balance changes might shift ranks.
How Many People Play League of LegendsPlayer base data.To compare meta shifts with population trends.
How to Uninstall League of LegendsUninstall guide.If moving away from LoL due to meta changes.
Emerald Rank League of LegendsRank explanation.To compare how balance affects rank climbing in LoL vs Brawl Stars.
Brawl Stars Trophy Road RanksRank ladder in Brawl Stars.To understand how balance changes impact your progression.

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1 comment

  1. AI Music Generator
    August 20, 2025 at 12:32 am

    Really interesting to see Supercell hit both buffs and nerfs evenly this time—it feelsBlog comment creation like they’re aiming for a healthier meta rather than just toning down the top picks. I’m especially curious how these changes will impact team comps in Power League since some overlooked Brawlers might finally see play. Do you think this patch will shake up the high-tier ladder more than casual matches?

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