Carl – Complete Character Review & Tier List Guide (2025)
Carl – Complete Character Review & Tier List Guide (2025)
Overview
Carl is a unique brawler in Brawl Stars, best known for his boomerang-like pickaxe mechanic and his high-mobility Super that turns him into a deadly spinning force. Unlike other throwers or sharpshooters, Carl has a single projectile that returns to him, rewarding precise aim, spacing, and timing. His hybrid role allows him to act as a bruiser, lane controller, and even an assassin when Hypercharged.
Carl is an excellent choice for players who want a versatile character capable of mid-range harassment, map control, and sudden high-damage engages.
Tier Placement
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In the 2025 meta, Carl is frequently placed in A+ to S-tier, especially in Knockout, Brawl Ball, and Siege (noff.gg Tier List).
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Among pro players, Carl is considered a must-pick on maps with walls and tight corridors, where his Super and pickaxe ricochets shine (mmonster.co).
Pros & Strengths
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Consistent poke damage: His pickaxe can hit both on the way out and back, making trades favorable when aimed correctly.
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High mobility Super: Carl’s Super turns him into a spinning tornado, dealing heavy damage while moving fast—perfect for chasing, escaping, or area denial.
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Low ammo dependency: Carl doesn’t have multiple ammo slots, so his reload mechanic is tied to the pickaxe's return, allowing infinite potential shots if positioned well.
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Strong against tanks: His rapid-hitting Super and consistent damage can shred through high-HP brawlers.
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Exceptional with Hypercharge: With Hypercharge, Carl gains shield and enhanced Super speed, making his engages or escapes unstoppable.
Cons & Weaknesses
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Skill reliant: Missing shots or poorly timed pickaxe throws drastically reduce his impact.
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Weak against long-range snipers: Brawlers like Piper or Belle can easily poke Carl before he gets in range.
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Super vulnerability: While spinning, Carl can't shoot his pickaxe, so if enemies survive the Super, Carl can be punished during the cooldown.
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Linear projectile: His pickaxe travels in a straight line, making him easier to dodge for agile enemies.
Best Star Powers & Gadgets
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Star Powers:
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Power Throw: Increases pickaxe speed, allowing faster returns and more consistent damage output.
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Protective Pirouette: Grants 30% shield during Super—crucial for diving into heavy teamfights.
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Gadgets:
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Flying Hook: Allows Carl to grapple to walls or enemies—essential for mobility, quick escapes, or engaging suddenly.
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Heat Ejector: Drops a trail of hot rocks during Super, dealing damage over time—a solid zoning tool, but less favored compared to Flying Hook.
Best Game Modes for Carl
| Game Mode |
Effectiveness |
Why? |
| Knockout |
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Burst mobility and high damage punish isolated enemies. |
| Brawl Ball |
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Flying Hook + Super enable fast goals and defense. |
| Siege |
⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Excellent for collecting bolts and defending lanes. |
| Hot Zone |
⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Can clear zones quickly with Super. |
| Gem Grab |
⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Strong lane presence and quick gem escapes with gadgets. |
| Bounty |
⭐⭐⭐ |
Good, but limited against snipers. |
| Heist |
⭐⭐⭐ |
Decent, but not optimal for direct safe damage. |
Strategy & Playstyle
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Laning Phase: Use Carl’s pickaxe to pressure lanes, keeping mid-range enemies at bay and bouncing shots off walls for multiple hits.
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Engagement: Once the Super is charged, look for aggressive plays with Flying Hook into Super, especially on grouped enemies.
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Map Utilization: Leverage walls for quick pickaxe returns and mobility via Flying Hook. Tight maps give Carl a natural advantage.
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Hypercharge Combo: Activate Hypercharge before diving in with Super; the added shield and speed make it nearly impossible for enemies to escape or retaliate.
Pro Tips & Tricks
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Wall Bounce Mastery: Practice throwing the pickaxe near walls to reduce travel time and maximize DPS.
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Flying Hook Surprise: Engage enemies suddenly from bush or across walls with the hook to catch them off-guard.
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Super Cycling: Finish fights quickly with Super to start recharging another one for continuous pressure.
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Team Coordination: Coordinate with a teammate’s control ability like Sandy's Sandstorm or Tara’s Black Hole to make Carl’s Super even deadlier.
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Patience Against Snipers: Don’t rush snipers without your Super or Hypercharge—wait for the right flank or opening.
Example Loadout
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Star Power: Protective Pirouette
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Gadget: Flying Hook
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Hypercharge: Equip and time for clutch teamfights
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Best Teammates: Sandy, Max, Poco (for sustain and speed boosts)
Conclusion
Carl is a high-ceiling brawler—in the hands of a skilled player, he can carry games with his burst engage potential, map control, and unique pickaxe mechanic. Though he requires good aim, positioning, and map awareness, once mastered, Carl is a top-tier threat in competitive and casual play alike.
If you're looking for a brawler who combines mechanical skill, mobility, and consistent pressure, Carl is your go-to pick in 2025.