The Complete Guide to Upgrading Brawlers and Their Cost

In the fast-paced world of Brawl Stars, victory often comes down to a sliver of health, a perfectly timed super, or a crucial gadget activation. What separates a good player from a legendary one isn’t just skill—it’s the power of their Brawlers.

Upgrading your Brawlers is the core progression system of the game, directly impacting your effectiveness in every game mode. If you’ve ever asked, “How do I upgrade my Brawlers efficiently, and just how expensive is it?” you’ve come to the right place.

This complete guide will break down everything you need to know: from the resources required and the total cost to max out a Brawler, to strategic tips on how to manage your resources and prioritize your upgrades. Let’s dive in.

More Read: How to Dominate as a Solo Player in Ranked

Why Upgrading Your Brawlers is Non-Negotiable

Before we look at the costs, it’s crucial to understand why upgrading is so important. A level 1 Brawler is at a significant disadvantage against a level 11 Brawler, and here’s why:

1. Increased Health (HP): Higher levels directly increase your Brawler’s survivability, allowing you to win more duels and stay in the fight longer.

2. Increased Damage: Your main attack and your super both deal more damage, enabling you to eliminate opponents faster and control the battlefield.

3. Unlocking Key Abilities: Gadgets and Star Powers: These game-changing abilities are locked behind specific Power Levels. Gadgets unlock at Power Level 7, and Star Powers (and now Hypercharges) unlock at Power Level 11. These abilities often define a Brawler’s playstyle and are essential for competitive play.

Simply put, neglecting upgrades means you’re fighting with one hand tied behind your back.

The Two Currencies of Power: Power Points and Coins

Upgrading Brawlers requires two primary resources:

1. Power Points: These are Brawler-specific tokens used exclusively for increasing Power Level. You earn them from Brawl Pass tiers, seasonal reward tracks, Starr Drops, and shop offers.

2. Coins: This is the universal currency used for everything: upgrading Power Levels, purchasing Gear Scrap, and buying items in the shop. Coins are earned from the Brawl Pass, trophy road, quests, and Starr Drops.

Understanding the scarcity of Coins is key to managing your progression. While Power Points can be targeted, Coins are always in high demand.

The Cost Breakdown: From Level 1 to Level 11

Here is the detailed cost to upgrade a single Brawler from Power Level 1 to the maximum Power Level 11. This table provides a clear, at-a-glance view of the total investment.

Brawler Upgrade Cost Table (Power Level 1 to 11)

Total Cost per Brawler: 1,920 Power Points + 1,920 Coins

That’s the base cost to get a Brawler to Power Level 11. However, this is only half the story. To truly “max out” a Brawler, you need to account for Gears.

The Endgame: The Cost of Gears and Hypercharge

Once a Brawler reaches Power Level 11, the endgame customization begins with Gears and Hypercharges.

Gears Cost

Gears are equipable items that provide passive bonuses on the battlefield. There are two types:

• Level 1 Gear: Costs 500 Coins to craft.

• Level 2 Gear: Costs 1,000 Scrap and 1,000 Coins to craft. (Scrap is earned by recycling duplicate Gear you don’t need).

Most Brawlers benefit from having 2-3 Gears. A common and effective loadout is a Mythic Gear (if the Brawler has one, typically costing 1000-2000 Coins) and two Level 2 Epic Gears.

Typical Gear Cost for one Brawler: ~2,500 – 4,000 Coins.

Hypercharge Cost

Hypercharges are ultra-powerful abilities that supercharge a Brawler’s Super. They are unlocked at Power Level 11 and must be purchased separately.

• Hypercharge Cost: 5,000 Coins.

This is a massive coin sink and is typically the last upgrade you’ll get for a Brawler.

The True “Max Out” Cost

So, what does it cost to completely max out a single Brawler with a standard set of Gears and a Hypercharge?

• Power Points to Level 11: 1,920

• Coins to Level 11: 1,920

• Coins for 2 Level 2 Gears: ~2,000 (plus scrap)

• Coins for Hypercharge: 5,000

Total Approximate Cost: 1,920 Power Points + 8,920 Coins.

As you can see, the coin requirement nearly quintuples when you factor in the endgame upgrades. This highlights the importance of coin management.

The Big Picture: How Much to Max Your Entire Account?

Brawl Stars regularly adds new Brawlers, but as of this writing, there are over 70 Brawlers in the game. Let’s calculate the mind-boggling total cost to max every single one.

• 70 Brawlers x (1,920 Power Points + 1,920 Coins)

• Power Points Needed: 134,400

• Coins Needed: 134,400

And this is just to get them to Level 11, without any Gears or Hypercharges! While this is a daunting number, it’s meant to be a long-term goal. Very few players have a fully maxed account, and it’s not necessary to have fun or be competitive.

Strategic Upgrade Guide: How to Spend Wisely

You don’t need to max every Brawler at once. A smart strategy will accelerate your progress and keep you competitive.

1. Prioritize Your Mains

Identify 3-5 Brawlers you enjoy and perform well with. Focus your resources on getting these Brawlers to Power Level 9 or 10 first. This gives you a strong roster for Power League and pushing trophies.

2. The Power Level 7 & 9 Thresholds

• Power Level 7 is a critical early goal because it unlocks your Gadget. This single ability can completely change a Brawler’s utility.

• Power Level 9 is the next major milestone because it allows you to equip a Star Power. Star Powers are incredibly powerful and are often considered essential for a Brawler’s kit.

3. Don’t Neglect the Brawl Pass

The Brawl Pass is, without a doubt, the most efficient use of your gems. It provides a massive influx of Power Points, Coins, and guaranteed Chromatic Brawlers. Consistently buying the Brawl Pass is the single fastest way to grow your collection and resources.

4. Mastery Madness

Brawler Masteries are a fantastic late-game source of coins. By earning mastery points through playing a Brawler, you can unlock tiers that reward hundreds, and eventually thousands, of coins. If you’re coin-starved, grinding masteries on Brawlers you’re good with is a brilliant strategy.

5. Smart Shop Purchases

Be wary of shop offers. While the “Power Point” doublers can be useful, most direct purchases for Coins or Power Points are not cost-effective. Your resources are better spent earning them through gameplay and the Pass.

6. The Hypercharge Conundrum

At 5,000 Coins, Hypercharges are extremely expensive. Only purchase a Hypercharge for a Brawler you absolutely love and plan to use in ranked modes. It’s often better to have five Brawlers at Power Level 11 than one Brawler with a Hypercharge.

Frequently Asked Question

What is the single most important Power Level to aim for first?

The most critical early-game milestone is Power Level 7. This is because it unlocks your Brawler’s Gadget—a reusable ability that can completely change the tide of a match. While higher levels increase stats, the Gadget provides a new, often game-changing, utility that is more impactful than a simple stat boost.

I’m new and low on coins. Should I buy a Hypercharge or upgrade more Brawlers to Level 11?

Almost always, prioritize getting more Brawlers to Level 11 first. A Hypercharge costs 5,000 coins, which is enough to take a Brawler from Level 1 all the way to Level 11 (1,920 coins) and still have over 3,000 coins left over. Having a diverse roster of max-level Brawlers for Power League and quests is far more valuable than having one Brawler with a Hypercharge.

What should I do with excess Power Points for a Brawler I never use?

Don’t let them sit idle! Once a Brawler is maxed, you can use the “Points Exchange” feature in the Shop. This allows you to convert excess Power Points for one Brawler into Power Points for a Brawler you are actively trying to upgrade, making it one of the best ways to target your progression.

Is the Brawl Pass really worth it for speeding up progression?

Yes, unequivocally. The Brawl Pass is the most efficient investment of gems in the game for progression. It provides a massive, structured flow of Power Points, Coins, and Chests that significantly outpaces what free-to-play players earn. If your goal is to upgrade your Brawlers faster, the Brawl Pass is the single best way to do it.

What’s a good long-term goal for my account’s upgrade progression?

A solid long-term strategy is to work towards having at least one strong Brawler in each class (Tank, Assassin, Sharpshooter, etc.) at Power Level 11. This ensures you have a viable and flexible pick for any map or game mode, especially in Draft modes like Power League. After that, you can focus on Gears and Hypercharges for your absolute favorite Brawlers.

How do Gears change the upgrade cost, and when should I buy them?

Gears add a significant coin cost (typically 2,500-4,000 coins per Brawler) on top of the Level 11 cost. You should only invest in Gears after a Brawler is at Power Level 11 and you are certain you will use them frequently. Focus on the 1-2 most useful Gears for that Brawler first (e.g., Shield and Damage) rather than trying to unlock all of them at once.

I have a Brawler at Power Level 9. Is the jump to Level 11 worth the 850 coins?

Absolutely. The stat increase from Level 9 to 11 is significant, but the real value is unlocking the Star Power at Level 9 and the Hypercharge slot at Level 11. A Star Power is a core part of a Brawler’s kit, and Level 11 makes them “tournament ready.” The 850-coin investment is essential for making a Brawler competitively viable.

Conclusion

Upgrading your Brawlers in Brawl Stars is a marathon, not a sprint. The costs are high by design to provide a long-term sense of progression and achievement.

By understanding the detailed costs—1,920 Power Points and 1,920 Coins to reach Level 11, plus thousands more for Gears and Hypercharges—you can approach your upgrade path with a clear plan.

Remember to prioritize, invest in the Brawl Pass, and grind those masteries. Most importantly, upgrade the Brawlers you have the most fun with.