The Supercell Creator Program has officially opened the gates to the 2026 update cycle, and our team has spent the last 48 hours dissecting the Brawl Stars Dev Build review assets. This update, internally known as Update 65, is perhaps the most ambitious since the introduction of Hypercharge. With the introduction of Buffies and the debut of the Mythic brawler Gigi, the game mechanics are shifting toward a higher skill ceiling and deeper customization.
The New Power System: Buffies Mechanic Explained
The standout feature of this Brawl Stars Dev Build review is undoubtedly the Buffies mechanic. Buffies are collectible keychains that permanently enhance your brawler once unlocked via the new Starr Park Claw Machine. In the current dev build access, we tested Buffies for six core brawlers: Colt, Shelly, Spike, Mortis, Frank, and Emz.
Unlike Gears, which provided passive stat boosts, Buffies actively change how your Star Powers and Gadgets function. For example, Colt’s Speedloader Buffie now allows him to steal 1 ammo for every hit landed during the activation. Furthermore, the dev build introduces aimable gadgets, allowing players to use the gadget button like a Super joystick for more precise execution.
New Brawler Spotlight: Gigi Gameplay and Abilities
Gigi is the latest Mythic Assassin to join the roster. In our gameplay testing, Gigi’s primary attack damage was recently buffed from 1000 to 1200, making her a formidable threat to squishy targets. Her kit revolves around a fear mechanic that forces enemies to move away from her when her Super is activated, creating significant disruption in teamfights.
While Gigi excels in Upside Down Showdown, her true potential lies in Competitive Brawl Stars. Players using a Creator Code will likely see her as a high-tier pick in the upcoming preseason tournaments, especially when paired with a Star Buffie that increases her movement speed during her Super.
Meta Changes and Balance Adjustments
Supercell News from the dev build suggests a significant shift in the brawler tier list. Here are the key balance changes we observed:
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Edgar: Received a health buff to 7400, increasing his survivability in the current high-damage meta.
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Emz: Faced several nerfs to her Star Buffie duration and gadget knockback range, likely to compensate for her high pick rate in the Upside Down Showdown mode.
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Rico: An unload speed buff makes his basic attacks feel more responsive and lethal at close range.
How to Access Sneak Peeks and the Dev Build
It is important to note that dev build access is restricted to those within the Supercell Creator Program. To become a Supercell partner and gain this level of insight, creators generally need a minimum of 5,000 subscribers on YouTube or 15,000 followers on TikTok. For regular players, the official Brawl Talk 2026 and subsequent sneak peeks from your favorite creators are the only legitimate ways to view this content before the global release.
The progression system is also receiving an overhaul with Chaos Drops and the Brawl Pass Plus vault, ensuring that both new and veteran players have a clear path to unlocking these new power layers.
