The Lootbox Era is Dead —But Is Brawl Stars Really Better Off?

Loot boxes have officially been phased out of Brawl Stars, marking a major shift in how players engage with the game. What started as a controversial move by Supercell in late 2023 has now fully taken shape, with new monetization models replacing the randomness of Brawl Boxes. But is the game fairer now, or has it simply shifted towards a more explicit pay-to-win model? Players are more divided than ever, and the numbers paint a complex picture.

What Replaced Loot Boxes?

When Supercell announced the removal of loot boxes, the idea was to introduce a system that allowed players to purchase specific items directly. However, rather than eliminating monetization concerns, the new system has sparked fresh debates. The introduction of Starr Drops, a mechanic designed to give players daily rewards, initially seemed like a compromise. But many argue that the real change came with the introduction of the new Pro Pass in February 2025, which took the monetization structure to another level.

The Pro Pass: A New Monetization Strategy

Supercell’s Pro Pass mirrors the traditional Battle Pass but with a heavier focus on esports and ranked play. Players now earn Pro Pass XP not just by winning matches but also by engaging with official Brawl Stars esports broadcasts. While this initiative integrates competitive gaming more deeply into the player experience, some view it as yet another way to incentivize spending.

Pay-to-Win Concerns Intensify

Despite Supercell’s claims that Brawl Stars remains skill-based, data suggests a growing gap between paying and non-paying players. A community-led analysis of top 500 leaderboard rankings shows that over 75% of the top playerspurchased the Pro Pass and invested heavily in power-ups. Meanwhile, free-to-play players report struggling to progress at the same pace, particularly due to the cost of Power Level upgrades and the introduction of Hypercharges, which grant temporary stat boosts.

On Reddit and Discord, players voice concerns that new Brawlers are often overpowered at launch and available only via direct purchase. This has led to a scenario where those who spend money gain an unfair advantage in ranked play.

Nostalgia for Loot Boxes? A Surprising Shift

A fascinating trend has emerged in 2025: some players actually miss loot boxes. This nostalgia stems from the thrill of randomized rewards, which added an element of surprise and excitement. Even though loot boxes were considered exploitative, players claim they were at least fun. Without them, the current system feels like a straight-up cash grab.

Game psychology studies have long suggested that the dopamine hit from loot boxes keeps players engaged, making them return for more. This unpredictability was one reason Brawl Stars kept its player base hooked. Now, without that mechanic, some players are losing interest faster than before. According to mobile gaming analytics firm Sensor Tower, Brawl Stars saw a 12% drop in daily active users in January 2025, the first such decline since its initial launch.

Matchmaking Issues Are Worse Than Ever

Another fallout from this shift is the growing problem of unbalanced matchmaking. Many non-paying players report facing opponents with fully upgraded Brawlers, making competitive play feel impossible. Supercell attempted to address this in a recent patch by adjusting matchmaking algorithms, but early community feedback suggests that problems persist.

One of the biggest issues? High-rank players ‘smurfing’ in lower tiers by creating new accounts and purchasing Pro Pass upgrades early, giving them a significant advantage over casual players. Without a strict matchmaking system to prevent this, ranked play is becoming increasingly frustrating for free-to-play users.

Why Did Supercell Remove Loot Boxes in the First Place?

Aside from ethical concerns, legal pressures played a role in Supercell’s decision. Many countries, including the Netherlands, Belgium and Slovakia, have outright banned loot boxes, categorizing them as unregulated gambling. With growing scrutiny from European regulators, Supercell likely acted preemptively to avoid legal battles. The U.S. has also hinted at upcoming loot box regulations, prompting game developers worldwide to rethink their monetization strategies.

Interestingly, while Brawl Stars removed loot boxes to comply with regulations, real-money gambling remains fully legal in many regions, provided it operates under licensed frameworks. For those who still enjoy the thrill of chance-based games, platforms like livecasinohouse offer a regulated environment where players can engage in live dealer games with real payouts. Unlike in-game loot boxes, live casino gaming is subject to transparency requirements, ensuring fairness and accountability.

Community Response: The Divide Continues

The Brawl Stars community remains deeply divided. Some players welcome the changes, arguing that direct purchases at least provide clarity—you know what you’re getting, unlike loot boxes. Others believe that monetization has only become more aggressive.

A recent community-led petition calling for price reductions in the Pro Pass has gained over 50,000 signatures, demanding that Supercell lower the costs of key upgrades. Whether the developers will respond remains to be seen.

What’s Next for Brawl Stars?

With the game now fully entrenched in its pay-to-progress model, Supercell will need to tread carefully. The balance between monetization and fair competition remains fragile, and community trust is at stake. As the year progresses, watch for potential matchmaking fixes, price adjustments, and changes to how new Brawlers are introduced.

One thing is clear: Brawl Stars isn’t the same game it was two years ago. Whether these changes lead to its long-term success or alienate its core player base is a story still unfolding.