Honestly, if you haven’t logged into Brawl Stars since the ball dropped for 2026, you’re in for a massive shock. The Brawl Pass isn't just a list of rewards anymore. It’s basically been overhauled into this weird, complex "Vault" system that has everyone on Reddit arguing.
Some people are calling it a "hidden tax," while others think it’s the best thing Supercell has ever done for account progression.
The $8.99 Reality Check
Let’s just address the elephant in the room. The price went up.
For the longest time, we were used to that $6.99 price point. But as of January 2026, the standard Brawl Pass is $8.99, and the Brawl Pass Plus has jumped to $12.99. It’s a literal price hike, and yeah, it hurts the wallet a bit more.
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Why did they do it? Supercell claims the value is higher now—roughly 20x to 25x the actual cost in Gems. They added 10 extra tiers, making it a 60-tier grind instead of 50. But the real meat of the update is the introduction of Vault Keys.
How the Vault and Keys Actually Work
This is the part everyone is tripping over. Instead of the game just handing you a specific skin or a specific pile of coins at Tier 25, you now earn "Keys."
Think of it like a shopping spree. You get a Resource Key? You go to the Vault and choose between 2,000 Coins, 2,000 Power Points, or 5,000 Bling. It’s great if you’re trying to max out a specific Brawler, but it adds a layer of decision-making that wasn't there before.
There are four main types of keys floating around in the 2026 system:
- Resource Keys: For your basic currency needs.
- Skin Keys: These let you pick from seasonal cosmetics (including the new Steampunk sets).
- Brawler Keys: Usually found in the Plus track, helping you skip the Credit grind.
- Buffie Keys: The newest addition for the "Buffies" power system.
The "Buffies" are actually a huge deal. They basically supercharge your Gadgets and Star Powers. If you’re playing competitively, you almost need these keys from the pass because the alternative is grinding the "Claw Machine" with coins, and the RNG there is... well, it’s a claw machine. You know how that goes.
Is the Free Track Still Worth Playing?
Surprisingly, they didn't leave the F2P players in the dirt. The free track actually got a decent buff. You get a Resource Key for free now, which basically equals one free Buffie or a solid chunk of gold.
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They also added Chaos Drops. These are like Starr Drops but they can "split" or upgrade into an "Ultra" rarity. It’s flashy, it’s noisy, and it actually feels better than pulling 25 Power Points for the tenth time in a row.
But here’s the kicker: the Tail Rewards.
Once you finish all 60 tiers, you used to get a standard Starr Drop every 1,600 XP. Now, it costs 2,800 XP, but the reward is a "Vault Box" or a Chaos Drop. It takes longer to get them, but the quality is way higher. It’s a trade-off. If you’re a casual player who barely finishes the pass, you might never see these. If you’re a grinder, you’ll probably prefer the better loot over the quantity.
The "Buffies" Power Creep
We have to talk about the power gap. With the January 2026 update, Brawlers like Pierce and Glowbert are dominating the meta. If you have the Brawl Pass Plus, you’re getting Buffie Keys that let you instantly upgrade these Brawlers' kits.
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If you're F2P, you're looking at a slower climb. Is it "pay to win"? Sorta. It's more like "pay to skip the line." You can still get everything eventually, but the Pass makes it happen in a weekend instead of a month.
Actionable Steps for the Current Season
If you’re sitting on some Gems or considering the buy, here’s how to handle the new 2026 economy:
- Don't spend Resource Keys on Power Points. Since Supercell changed the conversion rate (Power Points are now valued at a 1:1 ratio with Coins in many shops), Coins are almost always the better "value" pick in the Vault.
- Save your Chaos Drops. If you're close to the end of a season, hold onto your unopened drops. When the new season starts, the "auto-collect" feature often triggers XP Doublers that give you a massive head start on the new 60-tier track.
- Prioritize the "Buffie" Vault. If you get a choice, go for the Buffie rewards first. The stat boosts to Gadgets are currently the biggest factor in winning Ranked matches at Diamond and above.
- Check the Supercell Store first. Sometimes the web store has "Brawl Pass Bundles" for $8.99 that include extra Gems or Starr Drops that you don't get if you buy directly through the app.
The 2026 Brawl Pass is definitely more expensive, and the Key system is a bit of a headache at first. But if you're looking to actually stay competitive in the current Steampunk meta, it's basically the only way to keep your account from falling behind the power curve. Just make sure you're picking Coins over Power Points in the Vault—your late-game upgrades will thank you.