Brawlhalla is a free to play platform fighter from Blue Mammoth Games with over 50 million players. Matches center on knocking opponents off the stage as their damage climbs, using two weapons each legend draws from a shared pool.
This walkthrough takes you from your first session to endgame content. Each phase has specific goals, priorities, and milestones. New to the game? Start with our beginner's guide first.
Quick Progression Summary
| Phase | Area | Focus | Role | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Start | Brawlball arenas | Platform fighter combat basics | Zoner spacer | 1-2 hours |
| 2. Early | Standard 1v1 maps | Weapon pickup system mastery | Zoner spacer | 3-5 hours |
| 3. Mid | Free for all stages | Dodge and recovery + gear | Rushdown aggressor or Zoner spacer | 5-10 hours |
| 4. Late | Ranked Brawl of the Dead | Build optimization | Rushdown aggressor | 5-10 hours |
| 5. Endgame | Experimental maps | Min-max | Rushdown aggressor or Edgeguard hunter | Ongoing |
See our maps guide for detailed area breakdowns.
Phase 1: Getting Started (Brawlball arenas)
Brawlball arenas is the starting area where you learn fundamentals.
Level/Difficulty: Beginner Key Rewards: Progression materials and gear upgrades
What to Do in Brawlball arenas
- Learn Platform fighter combat. You win by knocking opponents off the stage rather than draining a health bar, with higher damage meaning longer knockback. Spend your first session getting comfortable with this.
- Pick Zoner spacer as your starting role. See our builds guide for why.
- Master your dodge timing, since a well timed dodge beats blocking and resets your spacing in neutral.
- Acquire your first weapons upgrade: Hammer or whatever's available.
- Clear all main content before moving on.
Phase 1 Checklist
- Understand Platform fighter combat fundamentals
- Zoner spacer selected and functional
- Brawlball arenas main content cleared
- Ready for Standard 1v1 maps
Phase 2: Early Game (Standard 1v1 maps)
Standard 1v1 maps is the first real challenge beyond the basics.
Level/Difficulty: Early Key Rewards: Progression materials and gear upgrades
What to Do in Standard 1v1 maps
- Work on Weapon pickup system. Each legend has two of the game's weapons, and dropped weapons can be thrown or picked up mid match. This system becomes critical from here on.
- Farm for Hammer if you haven't already. It's the key upgrade for this phase.
- Pick two legends and learn their weapons deeply rather than rotating the whole roster.
- Complete all objectives before pushing to Free for all stages.
- Consider whether Rushdown aggressor might suit your playstyle better than Zoner spacer.
Phase 2 Checklist
- Weapon pickup system integrated into gameplay
- Hammer acquired
- Standard 1v1 maps fully cleared
- Ready for Free for all stages
Phase 3: Mid Game (Free for all stages)
Free for all stages is the mid-game skill check.
Level/Difficulty: Intermediate Key Rewards: Progression materials and gear upgrades
What to Do in Free for all stages
- Master Dodge and recovery. A directional dodge avoids attacks and resets spacing, while recovery moves bring you back from off stage. This unlocks a new layer of gameplay.
- Start working toward Sword. It's the best weapon and becomes accessible around now.
- Practice edgeguarding, because most high level kills come from denying recovery off stage.
- This area is the main skill check. If you can clear it, you're ready for late game.
- Start investing in Signature and light attacks for the tactical depth you'll need going forward.
Phase 3 Checklist
- Dodge and recovery mastered
- Sword acquired or in progress
- Free for all stages fully cleared
- Ready for Ranked Brawl of the Dead
Phase 4: Late Game (Ranked Brawl of the Dead)
Ranked Brawl of the Dead is the late-game area with advanced content.
Level/Difficulty: Advanced Key Rewards: Progression materials and gear upgrades
What to Do in Ranked Brawl of the Dead
- Finalize your build. You should be running Rushdown aggressor or Zoner spacer with optimized gear.
- Sword should be your primary. If you don't have it yet, prioritize getting it.
- Mix light attacks into signatures so opponents cannot simply hold dodge through your strings.
- Ranked and casual queues optimization starts here. Small improvements compound into massive advantages.
- Farm this area for the resources needed to push into Experimental maps.
Phase 4 Checklist
- Build fully optimized
- Sword upgraded to max
- Ranked Brawl of the Dead fully cleared
- Ready for Experimental maps
Phase 5: Endgame (Experimental maps)
Experimental maps is the endgame zone with the hardest challenges.
Level/Difficulty: Expert Key Rewards: Progression materials and gear upgrades
What to Do in Experimental maps
- Experimental maps tests everything. Come prepared with your best build and gear.
- Recover low and vary your angle so opponents cannot predict and punish your return.
- The endgame loop: run Experimental maps, optimize gear, push harder content.
- Experiment with Edgeguard hunter for a fresh take once you've mastered the standard builds.
- This is where Ranked and casual queues mastery separates good players from great ones. See our tips guide for advanced strategies.
Phase 5 Checklist
- Endgame content on farm
- Best-in-slot gear acquired
- Experimental maps fully cleared
- Ready for challenge content
Common Progression Mistakes
- Mashing signatures in neutral instead of confirming them off light attack strings.
- Recovering high and predictable, letting opponents read and punish every return.
- Switching legends every match and never learning any weapon kit deeply.
- Ignoring edgeguarding and waiting for opponents to come back safely to stage.
- Holding dodge too early so the invincibility runs out before the attack lands.
Key Tips for Smooth Progression
- Master your dodge timing, since a well timed dodge beats blocking and resets your spacing in neutral.
- Pick two legends and learn their weapons deeply rather than rotating the whole roster.
- Practice edgeguarding, because most high level kills come from denying recovery off stage.
- Mix light attacks into signatures so opponents cannot simply hold dodge through your strings.
- Recover low and vary your angle so opponents cannot predict and punish your return.
For more advanced strategies, see our tips & tricks guide.
More Brawlhalla Guides
- Brawlhalla Brawlhalla Overview
- Brawlhalla Best Builds
- Brawlhalla Tier List
- Brawlhalla Beginner's Guide
- Brawlhalla Tips & Tricks
- Brawlhalla Weapons Guide
- Brawlhalla Combat Guide
- Brawlhalla Boss Guide
- Brawlhalla Maps & Locations
- Brawlhalla Crafting Guide
- Brawlhalla Classes & Characters
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