If you’ve ever argued with your friend over who’s the better Brawl Stars player, you’ve probably asked can you 1v1 in Brawl Stars to settle the debate once and for all. For years, players have begged Supercell for official 1v1 modes, and while there’s no ranked 1v1 playlist built into the main menu right now, there are totally legitimate ways to set up head-to-head matches with anyone you want. I’ve tested every method over the last three years of playing the game, and I’m breaking down exactly how to do it, what rules to follow, and how to make sure your 1v1s are fair and fun no matter who you’re playing against.
Can You 1v1 in Brawl Stars: Official and Unofficial Methods
First, let’s get the core question out of the way: yes, you absolutely can play 1v1 matches in Brawl Stars, you just won’t find them in the main ranked or casual rotation. The easiest official method is setting up a custom friendly room, which you can access right from the main menu by tapping the “Friendly” button under the play tab. You can set the room to private, invite only one other player, and pick whichever map and game mode you want for your head-to-head fight. That means you don’t have to deal with random teammates ruining your chance to prove you’re the better player. Custom friendly rooms are 100% allowed by Supercell, so you don’t have to worry about getting banned for playing private matches with friends or other community members.
There are also unofficial community 1v1 circuits run by Discord servers and content creators, where you can compete against players of similar skill levels for small prizes or bragging rights. Many of these community tournaments have their own ranking systems, so you can climb the leaderboards and even get noticed by professional Brawl Stars teams if you perform well enough. Just make sure you join trusted communities to avoid scams or unfair rule sets, and always read the full terms of any tournament before you sign up to compete.
How to Set Up a Fair 1v1 Match in Brawl Stars
Setting up a 1v1 is easy, but setting up a fair 1v1 that both players agree on takes a little pre-planning. I’ve had way too many matches get ruined because we forgot to agree on rules ahead of time, so don’t skip this step. First, open the friendly game tab, select your desired mode, set the room to private, and send your opponent an invite. If you want to make the match even more fun, you can add silly rules like only using auto-aim, or only moving backwards, for a casual round when you don’t care about winning. Once they join, you’ll want to agree on these ground rules before you start:
- No using power cubes if you’re playing on a Showdown map, since they create unfair power gaps that don’t reflect actual skill
- Stick to the same brawler rarity tier if you want a truly even match, or agree to a best-of-3 set with different brawlers to test versatility
- Disable friendly fire if you’re using a mode that supports it, so you don’t accidentally knock yourself out with your own explosive attacks
- Agree on a map that doesn’t favor one brawler type over another, like a symmetric Brawl Ball map or a small Gem Grab map with even cover on both sides
If you don’t set these rules ahead of time, you’ll likely end up arguing over cheap wins instead of having fun. I always recommend testing a 1-minute practice round first to make sure the map and settings work for both players before you start the official match. If you’re feeling competitive, you can even do a brawler draft, where each player bans one brawler before picking their own, to make sure no one gets an unfair advantage with an overpowered pick.
Best Brawlers for 1v1 Matches, Ranked by Playstyle
Picking the right brawler for your 1v1 match can make or break your win, even if you’re more skilled than your opponent. The best picks depend a lot on the map and mode you’re using, but there are a few standout brawlers that perform well in almost any head-to-head scenario. Assault brawlers like Colt or Rico are perfect for mid-range maps, since they have high damage output and enough range to keep pressure on your opponent without getting too close. Their consistent damage means you don’t have to land perfect shots to wear down your opponent’s health over time.
If you prefer playing aggressively, tank brawlers like El Primo or Bull work great on small, close-quarters maps, as they can take a lot of damage and burst down opponents in seconds. Just make sure you don’t pick them on large open maps, where you’ll get picked off before you can get close enough to attack. For players who love playing sneaky, assassin brawlers like Mortis or Edgar are ideal for maps with lots of cover, since you can jump in and out of fights to catch your opponent off guard. The only brawlers I’d recommend avoiding for 1v1s are support brawlers like Poco or Byron, since their kits are built around healing teammates instead of dealing high solo damage. That doesn’t mean you can’t use them if you want a fun challenge, just don’t expect to win easily against a meta 1v1 pick.
Tips to Win Every 1v1 Match You Play
Once you’ve got your settings sorted and your brawler picked, there are a few small tricks you can use to get an edge over your opponent, even if they have more experience than you. First, always take the first 10 seconds of the match to scout your opponent’s position and pick up any ammo or health packs near your spawn before you engage. Never rush into a fight without full ammo, since you’ll be left defenseless if your first combo doesn’t take your opponent out.
Pay attention to your opponent’s attack patterns too: if they always dodge left when you fire, start aiming slightly left to catch them off guard. You should also save your super ability for key moments instead of using it as soon as it’s charged. For example, if you’re playing as Colt, saving your super to break your opponent’s cover right as they’re reloading will almost always guarantee you a kill. Don’t forget to use map terrain to your advantage too: duck behind walls to reload, and use bushes to hide your position so you can ambush your opponent when they least expect it. If you lose a round, don’t get tilted and start rushing fights recklessly. Take 10 seconds to breathe and think about what you did wrong, so you can adjust your strategy for the next round. Most 1v1 matches are won or lost based on patience, not raw skill. I’ve won dozens of 1v1s against players with higher trophy counts just by playing smarter, not faster, so don’t get discouraged if you’re facing someone with more playtime than you.
At the end of the day, if you’re still asking can you 1v1 in Brawl Stars, the answer is a resounding yes, and it’s one of the most fun ways to test your skills against friends or other players in the community. You don’t need any special permissions or mods to do it, just a few minutes to set up a custom room and agree on rules with your opponent. Whether you’re playing for bragging rights, practicing for a community tournament, or just looking for a break from the chaos of regular 3v3 matches, 1v1s are a great way to improve your individual skills and have fun with the game. Next time you get into an argument with your friend over who’s the better player, you know exactly what to do to settle it.