The competitive landscape of Brawl Stars continues to evolve in 2025, with Knockout remaining one of the most strategic 3v3 modes in the game. This best-of-three elimination format has seen significant changes since its introduction in 2021, now featuring multiple variants including the recently returned Knockout 5v5 and the temporary 2v2 version we saw earlier this year during the Pizza Planet event.

What Makes Knockout Unique in 2025

Knockout distinguishes itself from other game modes through its elimination mechanics. Once a player is defeated, they stay out for the remainder of the round, creating high-stakes encounters where every life matters. After Supercell's September 2024 update, the poison clouds that seep in from the edges not only deal damage proportional to a Brawler's maximum health but also reduce all healing sources by 50%, adding another layer of strategy to the late-game.

For those looking to speedrun win knockout matches, team composition has never been more crucial. The current meta favors a balanced knockout team with specific roles: a tank to absorb damage, a healer to maintain survivability, and a long-range damage dealer to control space.

Best Brawlers for Knockout in October 2025

Based on the latest community data and professional play, these Brawlers currently dominate the Knockout meta:

1. Meeple - Their homing projectiles and ability to shoot through walls make them exceptional for controlling space

2. Eve - With water features on many Knockout maps, Eve's mobility gives her a significant advantage

3. Otis - His Super can completely shut down enemy abilities, especially valuable during the poison gas phase

4. Byron - Healing capabilities combined with respectable damage output creates versatility

5. Nani - Her Super can navigate complex map layouts to eliminate hiding opponents

Advanced Strategies for Knockout Success

"The key to consistent victories in Knockout is understanding position management," explains professional player Marco Chen, who recently set a record for the fastest speedrun win knockout sequence in the ESL Summer Championship. "It's not just about eliminating opponents but controlling space to force unfavorable engagements."

When playing with your knockout team, communication becomes essential. Coordinate Super abilities to create powerful combinations - for example, using Gale's Super to push enemies into Nani's carefully directed Peep can secure quick eliminations without putting your team at risk.

Map-Specific Approaches

The February 2025 reintroduction of Knockout 5v5 brought with it several reworked maps that require specialized strategies:

Goldarm Gulch

This map favors throwers like Sprout and Tick who can control the central area while remaining protected. The buff system in 5v5 (where remaining teammates get stronger as allies fall) creates interesting dynamics where sometimes sacrificing a lower-health Brawler can be strategically advantageous.

Crimewater

With its teleporters and water features, Crimewater rewards mobile Brawlers who can quickly reposition. Eve and Zip Zap excel here, while Tick can effectively deny teleporter usage by placing mines at exit points.

The Psychology of Knockout

Unlike other modes, Knockout puts immense pressure on players as the rounds progress. Being the last survivor on your team creates a psychological disadvantage that top players learn to overcome.

"When facing a 1v3 situation, patience becomes your greatest weapon," notes competitive coach Sarah Williams. "Using the environment to force enemies to split up gives you the opportunity to create multiple 1v1 encounters instead of facing the entire team at once."

Looking Ahead

As we approach the World Finals later this year, we're likely to see further refinements to the Knockout meta. Supercell has hinted at potential balance changes targeting some of the dominant Brawlers, with community manager Ryan hinting that "we're closely monitoring the performance metrics in Knockout 5v5 to ensure diverse team compositions remain viable."

Whether you're a casual player or aspiring pro, mastering Knockout requires understanding both the mechanical skills and strategic thinking that make Brawl Stars one of mobile gaming's most competitive experiences. Start practicing with a dedicated knockout team, explore different Brawler combinations, and you might just find yourself executing the perfect speedrun win knockout sequence of your own.

The first team to win two rounds wins the match - but the strategies that get you there are what separate the champions from the challengers in Brawl Stars' most tactical 3v3 mode.