Brawl Stars Showdown Guide: Power Cubes, Poison Gas and Staying Alive

Showdown is Brawl Stars’ battle royale mode. Brawlers drop onto a map, collect power cubes to grow stronger, and fight as poison gas slowly closes in. The goal isn’t to get the most kills – it’s to be the last one standing.

How Showdown works

• Power cubes come from boxes on the map and from defeated brawlers. Each cube makes you a bit stronger.
• Poison gas shrinks the safe area over time. Standing in it drains your health.
• Your placement decides your trophy change – surviving longer is what matters.

In Solo Showdown it’s every brawler for themselves; in Duo Showdown you play in pairs.

Early game: collect safely

1. Head for boxes away from the busiest areas.
2. Avoid early fights unless you have a clear advantage.
3. Grab cubes from defeated brawlers if a fight happens nearby.

A few extra power cubes early make every later fight easier.

Mid game: pick your fights

• Fight weakened enemies, not full-health ones.
• Watch for third parties – two brawlers fighting often get finished by a third.
• Use bushes to hide and ambush, but check them before walking in.
• Keep track of the gas so you’re never trapped.

Late game: positioning wins

When only a few brawlers remain, the map is small and every move matters:

• Stay near the centre of the safe zone.
• Let others fight each other before you commit.
• Save your Super for the final fights.
• Heal up whenever you have a quiet moment.

Duo Showdown tips

• Stay close to your partner – two brawlers together beat one.
• Combine Supers to win fights quickly.
• Respawn rules give a defeated teammate a chance to come back if their partner survives, so protect each other.

What brawlers do well?

Showdown favours brawlers who win close-range fights or can heal themselves. Tanks and strong all-rounders are popular choices – see our mode tier list.

Common mistakes

• Chasing kills across the map.
• Getting caught in the gas while fighting.
• Ignoring power cubes in the early game.
• Walking into unchecked bushes.

Showdown rewards patience. Collect, survive and strike at the right moment – first place often goes to the player who fought the least.