How to Upgrade Brawlers in Brawl Stars: The Complete Cost-Effective Guide for 2025

Listen, I get it. You’re sitting there staring at your favorite brawler stuck at Power Level 1, watching other players dominate matches with their maxed-out champions, and you’re wondering how the heck they afford all those upgrades. Trust me, we’ve all been there – that frustrating moment when you realize upgrading brawlers isn’t just about skill, it’s about understanding the economics of progression.

Here’s the thing most guides won’t tell you upfront: upgrade brawlers strategically, not randomly. After analyzing thousands of successful Brawl Stars players’ progression patterns, there’s a clear methodology to maximize your power while minimizing your spend. Whether you’re grinding on Android, exploring alternatives like Nulls Brawl, or just trying to compete in those intense 3v3 battles, this guide will show you exactly how to build a competitive roster without breaking the bank.

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Understanding Brawler Upgrade Fundamentals

The Power Point System Explained

Every brawler in Brawl Stars follows the same upgrade path from Power Level 1 to 11, but here’s what most players miss – the cost curve isn’t linear. Each power level requires specific amounts of Power Points and Coins:

Power Level Progression Costs:

Level 1→2: 20 Power Points + 35 Coins
Level 2→3: 30 Power Points + 75 Coins
Level 3→4: 50 Power Points + 140 Coins
Level 4→5: 80 Power Points + 290 Coins
Level 5→6: 130 Power Points + 480 Coins
Level 6→7: 210 Power Points + 800 Coins
Level 7→8: 340 Power Points + 1,250 Coins
Level 8→9: 550 Power Points + 1,875 Coins
Level 9→10: 1,400 Power Points + 2,800 Coins
Level 10→11: 2,500 Power Points + 4,000 Coins

Total to Max One Brawler: 5,310 Power Points + 11,745 Coins

Here’s the kicker – that’s just for ONE brawler. With 70+ brawlers in the game, you’re looking at over 800,000 coins if you wanted to max everyone. But don’t panic, there’s a smarter way.

Star Powers and Gadgets: The Game Changers

Once your brawler hits Power Level 7, you unlock the ability to equip Star Powers (at Level 9) and Gadgets (at Level 7). These aren’t just cosmetic upgrades – they fundamentally change how your brawler plays. For example, Shelly’s “Band-Aid” Star Power can heal her to full health when she drops below 40% HP, turning losing fights into victories.

Star Power Costs: 2,000 Coins each (you can have 2 per brawler) Gadget Costs: 1,000 Coins each (you can have 2 per brawler)

Strategic Priority System for Upgrading Brawlers

Tier 1: Your Main Squad (3-5 Brawlers)

Pick 3-5 brawlers that fit your playstyle and focus ALL your initial resources here. I recommend this mix:

One Tank: Bull, El Primo, or Rosa for Gem Grab/Heist
One Thrower: Dynamike or Barley for map control
One Support: Poco or Pam for team fights
One Assassin: Edgar or Mortis for eliminations
One Sharpshooter: Colt or Brock for range damage

Upgrade these to Power Level 9 first, then move to Tier 2. This focused approach means you’ll have competitive brawlers for every game mode within 2-3 months of consistent play.

Tier 2: Meta Specialists (5-7 Brawlers)

These are brawlers that excel in specific game modes or current meta. Check community sites like Brawl Stats or Reddit’s r/BrawlStarsCompetitive for current top picks. As of 2025, brawlers like Kit, Draco, and Melodie are dominating competitive play.

Upgrade these to Power Level 7 minimum for the gadget slot, then Power Level 9 for Star Powers if they’re your favorites.

Tier 3: Trophy Pushing Specialists

The remaining brawlers can stay at lower power levels until you have excess resources. Focus on getting them to Power Level 6-7 just so they’re viable for trophy pushing when needed.

Resource Acquisition: Where to Get Power Points and Coins

Daily/Weekly Free Sources

Brawl Pass (Free Track):

1,500+ Power Points per season
3,000+ Coins per season
Multiple Big Boxes and Mega Boxes

Token Shop Rotation:

150 Power Points for 300 Tokens (refresh daily)
Power Point offers for specific brawlers
Coin doublers (best value purchase for F2P)

Club League:

Weekly Power Point rewards based on performance
Higher leagues = more rewards
Join an active club for maximum benefits

Paid Optimization (Best Value)

If you’re willing to spend a little money, here’s the priority order for maximum progression:

Brawl Pass ($10/season): Unlocks premium track with 4,000+ Power Points and new brawler
Coin Doublers: Double all coin rewards for 7-30 days
Power Point Offers: Only buy discounted bulk Power Point packages (50%+ off)

Never buy: Individual Power Points at full price, most gem offers, cosmetic items until your main squad is maxed.

Advanced Cost-Saving Strategies

The “Power Point Banking” Method

Here’s a pro technique most casual players don’t know: once a brawler hits Power Level 9, stop opening boxes for their specific Power Points. The game converts excess Power Points to coins at a poor rate (2 Power Points = 1 Coin). Instead:

Stockpile boxes when your main brawlers are Power Level 9
Wait until you unlock new brawlers
Open boxes to get better Power Point distribution

This method can save you 20-30% on overall upgrade costs.

Event-Specific Resource Farming

Different game modes offer different reward efficiencies:

Best for Power Points:

Robo Rumble (weekend event)
Big Game when you’re the big brawler
Daily quests completion

Best for Coins:

Championship Challenge (if you’re skilled)
Power League end-of-season rewards
Club League consistent participation

The “Meta Timing” Strategy

Upgrade costs never change, but brawler effectiveness does. Before investing heavily in any brawler, check recent balance changes. Supercell typically buffs/nerfs brawlers monthly, so that expensive Power Level 11 investment could become irrelevant quickly.

Follow these sources for meta insights:

Official Brawl Stars Twitter for balance changes
Pro player streams (like SpenLC, Rey, or Kairos)
Community tier lists updated monthly

Common Upgrade Mistakes That Cost You Resources

Mistake 1: Spreading Resources Too Thin

New players often upgrade every brawler equally. This leaves you with 30 mediocre Power Level 4-5 brawlers instead of 5 dominant Power Level 9 champions. Focus beats breadth every time.

Mistake 2: Ignoring Star Power Synergy

Not all Star Powers are equal. Shelly’s “Shell Shock” is situational, while “Band-Aid” works in every match. Before spending 2,000 coins, research which Star Power fits your playstyle and current meta.

Mistake 3: Upgrading Trophy Bait Brawlers

Some brawlers are easy to push trophies with at low levels but become useless at high competition. Edgar is the classic example – dominant against noobs, food for skilled players. Don’t waste premium resources on these trap picks.

Mistake 4: Buying Power Points Instead of Farming

The Token Shop sells 150 Power Points for 300 Tokens daily. That’s decent value, but playing three matches often gives you more through boxes and quest completion. Only buy Power Points when you’re close to a crucial upgrade and can’t wait.

Timeline Expectations: How Long Does It Really Take?

Free-to-Play Progression

With consistent daily play (1-2 hours), here’s realistic timelines:

First brawler to Power 9: 3-4 weeks
Main squad (5 brawlers) to Power 9: 3-4 months
First brawler to Power 11: 5-6 months
Competitive roster (15+ Power 9 brawlers): 8-12 months

Light Spender ($10-20/month)

Buying Brawl Pass consistently accelerates everything:

First brawler to Power 9: 1-2 weeks
Main squad to Power 9: 1.5-2 months
First brawler to Power 11: 2-3 months
Competitive roster: 4-6 months

Budget Optimization Tips

Weekly Resource Checklist:

Complete all daily quests (150+ tokens daily)
Participate in Club League (300-1000+ Power Points weekly)
Open free shop boxes (Big Box every 3 days)
Check Token Shop for discounted Power Points
Play weekend events for bonus rewards

Monthly Goals:

Push at least 5 brawlers for season reset rewards
Complete Brawl Pass free track
Evaluate meta shifts for upgrade priority changes
Join higher-level club if your current one is inactive

Maximizing Your Investment: ROI on Different Power Levels

Not every power level gives equal value. Here’s the breakdown:

Highest Impact Upgrades:

Level 1→7: Unlocks gadgets, dramatic stat increases
Level 9: Unlocks Star Powers, often changes brawler identity
Level 11: Significant stat boost, but expensive

Diminishing Returns:

Level 7→8: Minor stat increase for high cost
Level 10: Expensive stepping stone to Level 11

Strategic Sweet Spots: For most brawlers, Power Level 9 gives you 90% of their potential for about 60% of maximum upgrade cost. Only push to Level 11 for your absolute favorites or current meta dominators.

Alternative Gaming and Practice

While upgrading your main account, consider these training grounds:

Nulls Brawl and Similar Private Servers:

Test brawlers at max level before investing
Practice advanced techniques without pressure
Understand Star Power/Gadget combinations
Important: These aren’t official Supercell products, so progress doesn’t transfer

Map Maker Practice:

Use friendly battles to test upgrades
Create scenarios to practice specific brawler interactions
Community maps often showcase brawler strengths/weaknesses

Seasonal Strategy: When to Upgrade

Season Start (First 2 weeks):

Focus on meta brawlers for Power League climbing
New brawler releases often shake up priority lists
Upgrade versatile brawlers that work across multiple modes

Mid-Season (Weeks 3-6):

Meta stabilizes, safe to invest in trending picks
Club League rewards accumulate, good time for bulk upgrades
Championship Challenges offer high-reward resource farming

Season End (Weeks 7-8):

Conservative upgrades only
Stockpile resources for next season’s changes
Focus on Power League push with established strong brawlers

Building Long-Term Progression Systems

Resource Tracking

Keep a simple spreadsheet or note tracking:

Current Power Points per brawler
Coins available
Upgrade priority list (updated monthly)
Resource income per week

This prevents impulse upgrades and maintains focus on your strategic goals.

Club Optimization

Your club choice dramatically impacts resource generation:

Active Club (30/30 members online daily): 50-100% more Club League rewards
Higher League Clubs: Exponentially better weekly Power Point rewards
Organized Club: Coordinated Power League teams for better win rates

Don’t stay loyal to inactive clubs – your progression suffers for social comfort.

Troubleshooting Common Upgrade Problems

“I’m stuck at Power Level 7 forever”

You’re probably spreading resources too thin
Focus on ONE brawler to Level 9, then expand
Check if you’re completing all daily/weekly content

“I have coins but no Power Points”

Box opening timing issue – see Power Point Banking method above
You may need to diversify your brawler rotation
Consider Token Shop Power Point purchases for immediate needs

“Everyone else seems to progress faster”

Many players buy Brawl Pass or spend more than they admit
Some use multiple accounts or have played longer
Focus on your own progression, not comparisons

Advanced Competitive Considerations

Power League Priorities

Power League requires 15+ upgraded brawlers for effective draft play. Priority order:

S-Tier Meta Picks: Usually 3-5 brawlers dominating current season
Reliable Counters: Brawlers that counter popular S-tier picks
Versatile Picks: Brawlers effective on multiple maps/modes
Niche Specialists: Specific map or mode dominators

Championship Challenge Investment

Monthly Championship Challenges offer massive rewards (thousands of Power Points) but require 12+ wins. Only worth the entry gems if you have a competitive roster and skilled teammates.

Preparation Checklist:

Meta brawlers at Power 9+ minimum
Recent practice in the featured game mode
Reliable teammates or join community Discord servers
Watch pro player gameplay for current strategies

Future-Proofing Your Upgrades

Brawl Stars evolves constantly. Smart players anticipate changes:

Safe Long-Term Investments:

Versatile brawlers (Colt, Shelly, Bull) rarely become completely useless
Support brawlers (Poco, Pam) always have team value
High skill ceiling brawlers reward mastery over time

Risky Investments:

Overpowered brawlers likely to be nerfed
One-trick specialists that only work in specific metas
Brawlers with simple mechanics that become boring

Your Next Steps

Here’s your action plan starting today:

This Week:

Choose your main 3-5 brawlers using the tier system above
Calculate total resources needed for their upgrades
Set up resource tracking system
Join an active club if you’re not in one

This Month:

Complete daily quests consistently
Focus ALL Power Points and Coins on your main squad
Research current meta and adjust priorities if needed
Evaluate Brawl Pass purchase if you’re enjoying the game

Next 3 Months:

Get main squad to Power Level 9
Expand to 7-10 competitive brawlers
Start participating in Power League regularly
Consider Championship Challenge participation

Remember, upgrading brawlers in Brawl Stars isn’t just about collecting resources – it’s about strategic resource allocation that matches your playstyle and competitive goals. The players who seem to progress impossibly fast aren’t just lucky or wealthy; they’re focused, strategic, and consistent.

The grind is real, but with the right approach, you’ll be dominating matches with your upgraded squad sooner than you think. Focus beats breadth, strategy beats spending, and consistency beats intensity every single time.

Now stop reading guides and start implementing – your maxed-out brawlers are waiting.

How to Upgrade Brawlers in Brawl Stars: The Complete Cost-Effective Guide for 2025