Once you unlock a new brawler, the real depth of Brawl Stars opens up through three separate upgrade systems: Gadgets, Star Powers, and Gears. Each one changes how a brawler plays in a different way, and each one unlocks at a specific power level as you invest Power Points and coins. Understanding what each system actually does, and in what order to unlock them, saves you from wasting resources on upgrades that don’t fit how you actually play a brawler.
What Gadgets Do and When to Use Them
Gadgets are activatable abilities triggered with a dedicated button during a match, and they unlock once a brawler reaches Power Level 7. Every Gadget has exactly three uses per match, and once all three are used, it becomes unavailable for the rest of that game, so timing matters. Gadgets range from utility effects, like a speed boost or a shield, to combat tools, like bonus damage or healing. Because they are limited-use, the best players save Gadgets for high-impact moments rather than triggering them reflexively the moment they become available. Most brawlers have two different Gadgets to choose from, and only one can be equipped at a time, so picking the one that fits your preferred mode or role matters.
What Star Powers Do and How They Differ From Gadgets
Star Powers are passive abilities that unlock at Power Level 9, and unlike Gadgets, they are always active once equipped rather than triggered manually. Each brawler has two Star Powers, but only one can be equipped in a match, and typically the first becomes available directly from leveling up while the second must be purchased separately with in-game gold once unlocked. Star Powers tend to fundamentally reshape how a brawler is played, whether that means changing their attack pattern, boosting their Super generation, or adding a defensive passive that changes their survivability. Because you can only run one at a time, picking a Star Power is often the single most impactful build decision for a given brawler.
What Gears Do and How the Two Slots Work
Gears are stat-boosting upgrades that unlock progressively: the first Gear slot opens at Power Level 8, and the second opens at Power Level 10. Each brawler can equip two Gears at once, chosen from a pool of general Gears available to most brawlers, plus one Super Gear built specifically for that brawler’s kit. Gears provide effects such as increased Gadget charges, faster reload, bonus speed when at low health, or extra shield. Unlike Star Powers, Gears are more about fine-tuning stats than transforming the brawler’s playstyle, but stacking the right two Gears can noticeably change survivability or damage output in close matches.
Unlock Order and Power Levels Explained
The full progression path is the same for every brawler in the game: Gadgets unlock at Power Level 7, the first Gear slot opens at Power Level 8, the first Star Power unlocks at Power Level 9, the second Gear slot opens at Power Level 10, and finally the Hypercharge becomes available at Power Level 11, the current maximum. Reaching these levels requires spending Power Points and coins earned from Trophy Road rewards, Starr Drops, the Brawl Pass, and box drops. Because leveling a brawler to max costs a significant amount of resources, most experienced players focus on getting a small roster of favorite brawlers to Power Level 9 or higher rather than spreading Power Points thin across every brawler they own.
Hypercharge: The Power Level 11 Upgrade
Hypercharge is the newest and most powerful upgrade layer, available only once a brawler reaches Power Level 11. When activated during a match, it wraps the brawler in a visual effect and grants temporary buffs to movement speed, damage, and shield, alongside a significantly enhanced version of that brawler’s Super. Hypercharges are purchased separately for a set amount of coins from the brawler’s profile screen, or obtained through Hypercharge-specific Starr Drops and shop offers. Because Hypercharge requires the brawler to already be fully leveled with both Gears and a Star Power, it represents the last and most expensive investment in a brawler’s build, generally worth prioritizing only for brawlers you already play consistently.
Building a Complete Loadout: Picking the Right Combination
A complete build means one equipped Gadget, one equipped Star Power, and two equipped Gears working together toward a coherent playstyle. Before committing gold to a second Star Power, test the first one across several matches to see whether it actually fits your habits; an aggressive Star Power is wasted on a player who prefers to poke from range, for example. The same logic applies to Gadget selection: a defensive Gadget that grants a shield is far more valuable on a frontline tank than on a long-range sniper who rarely takes direct damage. Matching each upgrade to your actual playstyle produces a much stronger loadout than simply picking whichever option unlocked first.
Common Mistakes New Players Make With Upgrades
The most common mistake is spreading Power Points across too many brawlers at once instead of committing to a core roster, which leaves every brawler undercooked and none of them competitive in Ranked or higher trophy ranges. A second common mistake is ignoring Gears entirely because they feel like a minor stat boost, when in practice the right Gear combination can be the difference in a close 1v1. Finally, many players buy the second Star Power immediately without testing whether the first one suits their style, wasting gold that could go toward a brawler they actually main. If you’re still deciding which brawlers deserve this investment in the first place, check out our complete Brawl Stars guide for a full breakdown of brawler roles and progression priorities.
Gadgets, Star Powers, and Gears together are what separate a brawler’s base kit from its full competitive potential. Understanding what each system does, and unlocking them in the right order for brawlers you actually enjoy playing, is one of the most efficient ways to climb both Trophy Road and Ranked mode.