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Brawl Stars 2026 First Balance Changes Analysis 🕹️
This video provides a detailed analysis of the Brawl Stars balance adjustments for January 2026. It examines the buffs and nerfs to Brawlers and offers in-depth insights into how these changes will affect the game meta. In particular, it focuses on the changes to various Brawlers such as Edgar, Griff, Lou, Rico, Gigi, Peng, Trunk, and Poco, predicting how each adjustment will impact gameplay. It also explains the changes and reasons for the nerfed Brawlers, including Emz, Spike, Mortis, Shelly, Kit, Maisie, Pierce, Cordelius, and Frank.
The following is the change in Rico's damage.
1. 💪 Edgar & Griff: Slight Health Buff, Minimal Meta Impact?
- ✅ Edgar and Griff's health has been increased by 3%, but this is not expected to have a significant impact on the competitive meta.
- ⚠️ In Edgar's case, it may be slightly helpful in narrow map areas or Heist mode, but overall it will not bring about a big change.
- ✅ Griff may perform slightly better against strong tanks and assassins in the current meta, and his ability to open up maps may also be helpful.
| Brawler | Change | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Edgar | 3% increase in health | Minimal, slight help on narrow maps |
| Griff | 3% increase in health | Slightly better against tanks/assassins |
00:22 - 00:54
1. 💪 Edgar & Griff: Slight Health Buff, Minimal Meta Impact?
- ✅ Edgar and Griff's health has been increased by 3%, but this is not expected to have a significant impact on the competitive meta.
- ⚠️ In Edgar's case, it may be slightly helpful in narrow map areas or Heist mode, but overall it will not bring about a big change.
- ✅ Griff may perform slightly better against strong tanks and assassins in the current meta, and his ability to open up maps may also be helpful.
| Brawler | Change | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Edgar | 3% increase in health | Minimal, slight help on narrow maps |
| Griff | 3% increase in health | Slightly better against tanks/assassins |
01:43 - 02:52
2. 🚀 Lou & Rico: Attack Speed and Damage Buff, Increased Potential?
- ✅ Lou's projectile speed has been increased by 5%, which appears to be an attempt to compensate for the weakening in the previous balance adjustment.
- ⚠️ However, it is uncertain whether this change will have a significant impact, and additional buffs may be needed.
- ✅ Rico has increased the number of bullets fired per attack from 5 to 6, which has greatly increased his potential damage output.
- ✅ Rico's damage has increased from 3200 to 3840, which may allow him to regain competitiveness against Ruffs on certain maps.
| Brawler | Change | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Lou | 5% increase in projectile speed | Minimal, additional buffs needed |
| Rico | Bullet count increased 5 -> 6 | Damage increased, Ruffs competitiveness restored |
The following is the change in Rico's damage.
| Situation | Existing Damage | Damage After Change |
|---|---|---|
| When 5 bullets hit | 3200 | 3840 |
02:53 - 04:29
3. Balance Adjustments: Analyzing the Changes to Gigi, Peng, and Trunk 📊
- ✅ Gigi's basic attack damage has been increased from 1000 to 1200, but this appears to be mainly to increase survivability in close combat.
- ⚠️ Gigi remains a vulnerable Brawler, and this change will not make Gigi strong.
- ✅ Peng's 'Solo Enhance' Star Power damage has been increased from 720 to 900, but this appears to be an adjustment due to the overall increase in Brawlers' health.
- ⚠️ Peng will still remain a weak Brawler in high-level competition.
- ✅ Trunk's movement speed bonus near ants has been increased from 20% to 25%, improving mobility.
- ✅ Trunk can replace Jacky and will remain a good Brawler, but will not be overly powerful.
| Brawler | Change | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Gigi | Basic attack damage increased (1000 -> 1200) | Improved close combat survivability, still vulnerable |
| Peng | 'Solo Enhance' damage increased (720 -> 900) | Adjustment due to increased health, still weak |
| Trunk | Increased movement speed near ants (20% -> 25%) | Improved mobility, can replace Jacky |
04:30 - 06:07
4. 🎶 Poco: Super Charge Rate Improved, Meta Change Expected?
- ✅ Poco's Super charge rate has been reduced from 5 attacks to 4 attacks, which is expected to increase the frequency of Super use.
- ✅ This means that Poco may be more effective at disrupting enemies and healing the team by utilizing the 'Damage' Star Power.
- ✅ Poco may become stronger in strategic zones, Gem Grab, and bushy Brawl Ball maps.
- ⚠️ However, he may still be vulnerable to meta Brawlers like Crow.
| Brawler | Change | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Poco | Super charge rate decreased (5 -> 4) | Increased Super usage, strong on strategic maps |
06:08 - 07:23
5. 📉 Emz: Stat Nerfs, Meta Impact?
- ✅ The shield duration of Emz's 'Blogger' Star Power has been reduced from 1 second to 0.5 seconds.
- ✅ The damage of the 'Block Button' Gadget has been reduced from 1200 to 1000, and the knockback range has been reduced by 20%.
- ✅ The 'Lethal Perfume' Gadget now consumes ammo when used.
- ⚠️ These changes appear to be aimed at balancing Emz, but she is likely to remain a strong Brawler.
| Element | Change | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| 'Blogger' Star Power | Shield duration reduced (1 second -> 0.5 seconds) | Reduced survivability |
| 'Block Button' Gadget | Damage reduced (1200 -> 1000), range reduced | Reduced attack power and utility |
| 'Lethal Perfume' Gadget | Ammo consumption | Reduced usage frequency |
07:24 - 08:34
6. 🌵 Spike & Mortis: Gadget Nerfs, Still Strong?
- ✅ Spike's 'Cactus Bomb' Gadget damage has been reduced from 1200 to 1000 per spike and no longer charges the Super.
- ✅ The recharge time of the 'Fertilizer' Gadget has been increased from 14 seconds to 18 seconds.
- ⚠️ These changes are intended to slightly reduce Spike's power, but he will still remain a powerful Brawler with Hypercharge and Star Power.
- ✅ Mortis's 'Survival Shovel' Gadget recharge time has been increased from 10 seconds to 15 seconds and no longer charges the Super.
- ⚠️ This could significantly change Mortis's playstyle and seems like a necessary adjustment.
| Brawler | Change | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Spike | 'Cactus Bomb' damage reduced, Super charge unavailable | Slightly weakened, still powerful |
| Mortis | 'Survival Shovel' recharge time increased, Super charge unavailable | Playstyle change, necessary adjustment |
08:35 - 10:11
7. 🎯 Shelly & Kit: Stat Nerfs, Balance Adjustments?
- ✅ The slow effect of Shelly's 'Clay Pigeons' Gadget has been reduced from 60% to 30%, and the duration has been reduced by 50%.
- ⚠️ This is intended to reduce Shelly's power in certain interactions, but she will still remain a good Brawler.
- ✅ Kit's health has been reduced from 8200 to 8000.
- ⚠️ This is intended to reduce Kit's power, but he will still remain a powerful Brawler in the meta.
| Brawler | Change | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Shelly | 'Clay Pigeons' slow effect reduced, duration reduced | Weakened specific interactions, still good |
| Kit | Health reduced (8200 -> 8000) | Slightly weakened, still powerful |
10:12 - 11:30
8. 🌪️ Maisie: Gadget Duration Reduced, Balance Adjustments?
- ✅ The shield duration of Maisie's 'Windmill' Gadget has been reduced from 3 seconds to 2 seconds.
- ⚠️ This is intended to reduce Maisie's power, and there may be more nerfs in the future.
- ✅ Maisie will still remain one of the best Brawlers.
| Brawler | Change | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Maisie | 'Windmill' shield duration reduced (3 seconds -> 2 seconds) | Slightly weakened, potential for additional nerfs |
11:31 - 12:16
9. 🔫 Pierce: Gadget Recharge Time Increased, What's the Impact?
- ✅ The recharge time of Pierce's 'Unlimited Ammo' Gadget has been increased from 3 seconds to 16 seconds.
- ⚠️ This is intended to reduce Pierce's power, but he will still remain a powerful Brawler in the meta.
- ✅ There may be more nerfs in the future.
| Brawler | Change | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Pierce | 'Unlimited Ammo' recharge time increased (3 seconds -> 16 seconds) | Slightly weakened, potential for additional nerfs |
12:17 - 13:13
10. 💥 Cordelius & Frank: Analyzing Stat Adjustments
- ✅ The amount of ammo gained from Cordelius's 'Fast Reload' Gadget has been reduced from 1 to 0.5.
- ⚠️ This is intended to reduce Cordelius's power, and he will still remain a good Brawler.
- ✅ The slow duration of Frank's 'Pull' Gadget has been reduced to 2 seconds, and the immunity duration of the 'Noise Canceling Headphones' Gadget has been increased from 2.5 seconds to 3.5 seconds.
- ⚠️ This is intended to balance Frank, and there are questions as to whether it was a more intelligent decision.
| Brawler | Change | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Cordelius | 'Fast Reload' ammo gain reduced (1 -> 0.5) | Slightly weakened, still good |
| Frank | 'Pull' slow duration reduced, 'Noise Canceling Headphones' immunity duration increased | Balance adjustment, effectiveness is unknown |