You’ve seen it a thousand times in the rotation. It pops up, your teammates immediately lock in Edgar or El Primo, and you just know—deep down—that the match is already over. Out in the Open is one of those Brawl Stars maps that feels like it should be simple. It’s a Knockout classic, after all. But in 2026, with the introduction of Buffies and the shift toward hyper-aggressive sniper metas, playing this map the "old way" is basically a death sentence for your trophies.
Honestly, the name tells you everything you need to know. It’s open. It's punishing. If you aren't respectng the sightlines, you're just a target.
What Really Happened With the Out in the Open Meta
Back when this map first dropped in the Ghost Metro Station environment, it was all about Nani and Piper. Classic long-range duels. You'd sit back, poke, and wait for a mistake. But the game has evolved. We aren't just playing "dodge the bullet" anymore.
With the current Buffies update, certain brawlers have become absolute monsters here. Emz, who used to be a niche pick, is now a legitimate threat if she can close the gap using her speed buffs. And don't even get me started on the new Brawler, Pierce. Being a Legendary Sniper, Pierce was basically designed to dominate the long, narrow lanes of Out in the Open. If you haven't faced a high-level Pierce on this map yet, consider yourself lucky. The projectile speed is just… it’s a lot.
The Myth of the "Safe" Mid Pick
Most people think you can just take any long-range brawler to the middle and be fine. Wrong.
The middle is a trap. If you’re playing someone like Belle or Brock, you have to be constantly aware of the unbreakable walls. They aren't just there for cover; they're there to funnel you into predictable movement patterns. Pro players like Zeta Division’s roster have shown that the strongest way to play Out in the Open isn't by holding the middle, but by winning the right flank.
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Why the right? Because it offers the most natural angle to pressure the enemy's spawn without getting caught in a crossfire.
Best Brawlers for Out in the Open (The 2026 List)
If you want to actually win your Ranked matches, stop picking whatever "felt good" last year. The meta is fast. It's brutal.
- Pierce (The New King): His ability to pierce through multiple targets (obviously) makes the narrow corridors between the bushes a nightmare for the opposing team.
- Gene: Still a god-tier utility pick. His Magic Puffs star power keeps your snipers healthy, and a well-timed pull is a guaranteed round win. Pair him with a Vision Gear. Just trust me on this.
- Angelo: Even with recent tweaks, his mobility across the water and high burst damage make him incredibly slippery on this specific layout.
- Nani: She remains the high-skill ceiling queen. If you can land the shots, you win. If you can't, you're a liability.
It’s also worth mentioning Gigi. While she’s an assassin, her Mythic abilities allow her to close gaps in ways that traditional tanks just can't. If the enemy team goes triple sniper, a last-pick Gigi can literally end the game in forty seconds.
The "Buffie" Factor
If you’re not using your Buffies, you’re selling. Period.
The current meta favors brawlers who can cycle their Hypercharges quickly. In Out in the Open, the match is usually decided in the first thirty seconds. Using a Buffie that enhances your initial movement speed or reload rate can give you the "First Blood" advantage, which is statistically the biggest predictor of a win in Knockout.
Strategies That Actually Work
Stop running straight to the bushes. It’s the most predictable thing you can do. Instead, try the "Split Push."
Send your best sniper (maybe a Piper or a Brock) to the far left lane. Their job isn't to get kills—it's to exist. By just being there, they force the enemy to stay behind cover. Meanwhile, your other two brawlers should double-team the right side.
In a 2v1 scenario on the flank, you'll almost always get a takedown. Once it's a 3v2, the map opens up completely. You can just sit back and wait for the poison clouds to do the work.
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Pro Tip: If you see the enemy team has a Berry or a Byron, you have to play aggressive. You cannot win a poke war against a team that can heal. You need to burst them down before they can reset.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Breaking your own walls: If you’re playing Brock or Colt, be careful with your Super. Breaking the walls on your side of the map gives the enemy snipers a clearer shot at you.
- Forgetting Vision Gear: On a map with this much grass on the edges, not running Vision Gear is a crime. You need to see them before they see you.
- Grouping up: Belle is still a very common pick. If you and your teammates are hugging each other, her bounce shots will dismantle your entire team in seconds.
How to Counter the Current Meta
So, what do you do when the other team locks in Pierce, Nani, and Gene?
You go for the Aggro-Control comp.
Pick something like a Meg to tank shots and a Max to give your team the speed needed to dodge those long-range projectiles. The goal is to make the snipers panic. Snipers hate it when you’re in their face. If you can get a Max-boosted tank into their backline, the "open" part of the map suddenly becomes their biggest weakness because they have nowhere to run.
Honestly, the state of the game right now is all about "The Draft." If you lose in the brawler select screen, you're going to have a bad time. Pay attention to the bans. If they ban Nani, they’re probably planning to run a squishy, high-damage comp. Counter it with something that has high health or fast gap-closing.
Actionable Steps for Your Next Match
To consistently climb the ranks on Out in the Open, start implementing these habits immediately:
- Check the Bush Patterns: Don't just fire into the middle of the grass. Aim for the corners where players tend to "tuck" themselves to avoid splash damage.
- Equip Shield Gear: Since you'll likely be taking chip damage from long range, that extra 900–1200 health can be the difference between surviving a Piper shot and heading back to the lobby.
- Sync Your Hypercharges: Don't pop your Hypercharge the moment you get it. Wait for your teammates. A coordinated push with three Hypercharges active is impossible to stop on a map this open.
- Master the "Jiggle-Peek": Practice moving in and out of cover quickly. The goal is to bait the enemy into wasting their ammo so you can push while they're reloading.
Out in the Open isn't just a test of aim; it's a test of patience. The players who rush are the ones who lose. Stay back, hold your lanes, and wait for that one opening. When it happens, take it.