Getting Started
Getting Started: Your First Hour in Brawl Stars
First Hour Walkthrough (0-60 Minutes)
Minute 0-5: Download & Install (covered in previous section). Once installed, launch the game. You will be greeted by an intro video. Skip it if you want (tap screen). You will be asked to sign in with Supercell ID (optional but recommended for cloud save). For now, skip or sign in later.
Minute 5-10: Tutorial Match. The game forces you into a 1v1 bot match using Shelly (a shotgunner). Follow the on-screen instructions: move with joystick, attack with button, use super when charged. Win easily.
Minute 10-15: After tutorial, you get your first reward: a Brawl Box (free). Open it in the Shop. You'll likely get a few coins, power points, maybe a Brawler. You also unlock the main menu: Brawlers tab, Events, Shop, etc.
Minute 15-30: Play more matches in Gem Grab (3v3) or Solo Showdown. Focus on learning controls and map awareness. You will unlock the Brawl Pass (free track) and daily quests.
Minute 30-45: Complete your first daily quests (e.g., "Play 3 matches" or "Collect 10 gems"). This gives tokens to advance Brawl Pass.
Minute 45-60: By now you should have around 5 Brawlers (starting with Shelly, plus maybe Nita, Colt, etc.). You can start upgrading them using Power Points and Coins. Focus on one Brawler to level 3-5.
Character Creation
There is no character creation in Brawl Stars. All Brawlers are pre-designed with unique abilities, stats, and appearances. You unlock them through Brawl Boxes (now called "Starr Drops" after recent revamp, but still commonly referred to as boxes). You cannot customize appearance aside from skins (cosmetic, bought with gems or bling). Your "character" is the Brawler you choose for each match.
Controls on All Platforms
Mobile (iOS/Android) – Default:
- Left thumb: Virtual joystick for movement.
- Right thumb: Tap to shoot (auto-aim available) or tap and drag to aim manually.
- Super button (above attack): Tap when charged.
- Gadget and Star Power buttons (when unlocked): appear near super.
- There is no "tap to move" option; only joystick.
- Special: Showdown has a "shield" button for survival.
- WASD to move.
- Mouse click to attack (left click) or aim (right click to aim, left click to fire).
- Q for Super.
- E for Gadget, R for Star Power (configurable).
- Spacebar for special actions (like Showdown shield).
- Top bar: Player level, Brawl Pass progress, Gems, Coins, Bling.
- Left side: Brawlers tab (all your Brawlers), Events (playlist of game modes), Shop (buy boxes, offers).
- Bottom: Battle button (enter matchmaking), plus chat/club buttons.
- Right: Quests button, Starr Drop button (when available).
- Brawler info: When you tap a Brawler, you see stats, upgrade path, skin options.
- Unlock your first 5 Brawlers (almost automatic from boxes).
- Reach Player Level 5 quickly (by playing matches).
- Upgrade one Brawler to level 5 (using Power Points and Coins) to be competitive.
- Complete all daily quests for tokens.
- Join a Club (after player level 4) for extra rewards and team play.
- Play every event mode at least once to understand different objectives.
- Practice in Solo Showdown to learn movement and aiming without team pressure.
- Save Gems for Brawl Pass (best value).
- Focus upgrade resources on one or two Brawlers initially.
- Use auto-aim at close range, but learn to aim manually for long range.
- Don't spend Gems on boxes (poor value).
- Don't upgrade all Brawlers equally (spread thin).
- Don't play Ranked mode (Power Play or League) until you have a level 7+ Brawler.
- Don't ignore gadgets/star powers until you get them (but don't buy them with gems early).
- Don't tilt (get frustrated) if you lose; matchmaking balances based on trophies.
- Coins: Use to upgrade Brawlers. Priority: upgrade your main Brawler to level 7+.
- Power Points: Needed for upgrades. Earn from boxes and Brawl Pass.
- Gems: Premium currency. Save for Brawl Pass (169 gems). Never buy skins or boxes.
- Bling: Earned from Brawl Pass and Starr Drops. Use for exclusive skins (cosmetic only).
- Starr Drops: New loot system; open them as you get them (they contain everything).
- Tokens: Use to advance Brawl Pass track. Do quests.
- [ ] Complete the tutorial and first match.
- [ ] Open your first Brawl Box.
- [ ] Play 3 matches in any mode (to get daily quest progress).
- [ ] Complete the "Win 3 matches" or "Collect X gems" quest.
- [ ] Check the Shop for free offers (often a free box).
- [ ] Upgrade Shelly to at least level 2.
- [ ] Unlock your second Brawler (likely Nita or Colt).
- [ ] Try Solo Showdown to practice.
- [ ] Reach Player Level 3.
- [ ] Join a Club (optional but recommended).
- [ ] Set a goal: Get one Brawler to 15 trophies.
PC (via emulator like BlueStacks or LDPlayer):
No console versions exist.
UI Overview
Main screen:
Essential Early Objectives
What to Do First and What to Avoid
Do:
Avoid:
Early Resource Priorities
Common Beginner Mistakes
1. Wasting Gems on Boxes: Boxes can be earned for free; gems are scarce.
2. Upgrading Every Brawler: Focus on one so you can play in higher trophy matches.
3. Ignoring Movement: Standing still gets you killed. Always strafe.
4. Not Using Walls/Cover: Brawl Stars maps have lots of walls; use them to block enemy fire.
5. Overextending: Don't chase enemies into their spawn or into multiple enemies.
6. Not Understanding Brawler Roles: Tanks up front, damage dealers mid, snipers back. Choose accordingly.
7. Playing Ranked Too Early: You need star powers and gadgets to compete.
8. Not Completing Quests: Quests are main source of tokens and progression.
9. Selling Duplicate Star Powers: Don't; store them for future use.
10. Forgetting to Claim Starr Drops: They expire after season? Actually, they stack, but claim them regularly.