Brawl Stars Shade Guide – Best Shade build in Brawl Stars (2024)

Key Takeaways:

1. Shade is a close-range assassin with unique abilities to attack through walls, hover over water, and gain mobility with his Super.
2. His best build includes the Longarms Gadget, Hardened Hoodie Star Power, and Shield and Gadget Charge Gears for maximum performance.
3. Shade shines in modes like Brawl Ball, Gem Grab, and Heist but struggles in long-range-oriented modes like Bounty and Knockout.

Meet Shade: Brawl Stars’ Game-Changing Epic Brawler

Shade is the latest addition to Brawl Stars’ roster and is already making waves in the meta. This Epic Brawler is a close-range assassin designed to thrive in fast-paced, obstacle-heavy gameplay. With his ability to hover over water, attack through walls, and gain temporary invincibility while dashing through enemies, Shade is a versatile brawler who brings fresh mechanics to the game. Whether you’re a seasoned player or new to the game, understanding Shade’s strengths, weaknesses, and optimal build is key to mastering him.

How to Unlock Shade in Brawl Stars

Unlocking Shade depends on whether you’re willing to spend gems or earn him as a free-to-play (F2P) player. Here’s how you can get him:

• Early Access Bundle: Available for $14.99 starting November 28, 2024, this value pack includes Shade, eight unique pins, a Cinema Shade skin, 5,000 coins, 80 gems, and a spray.
• Starr Road: Beginning December 5, 2024, you can unlock Shade for 925 credits or 169 gems. Make sure to select Shade on Starr Road to ensure your progress counts toward him.
• Starr Drops: If you’re lucky, you may unlock Shade through Mythic (6.33% chance) or Legendary (10.87% chance) rarity in Starr Drops.

Shade’s Abilities: Attacks, Super, and Traits

Shade is designed to punish enemies at close range while exploiting obstacles for tactical advantages. Here’s a breakdown of his attacks and traits:

Main Attack: Haunted Hug

• Mechanics: Shade unleashes a short-range arc attack (150 degrees wide). The attack has a brief wind-up time, similar to Frank’s attacks.
• Damage: Enemies caught in the center of the attack receive double damage, making precise aim crucial.
• Hover Trait: Like Eve, Shade can hover over water, giving him unique mobility in certain maps.
• Charging Super: Shade’s Super charges when he’s near enemies, within the same radius as Buzz’s passive.

Super: Incorporeal Form

• Effect: Shade dashes forward, passing through walls and enemies while gaining a temporary speed boost.
• Duration: Allows Shade to bypass obstacles for five seconds, making him nearly unstoppable during this period.

Shade’s Star Powers and Gadgets

Shade’s two Gadgets and Star Powers cater to different playstyles. Here’s what they do and which ones to prioritize:

Gadgets

1. Longarms: Extends the range of Shade’s next main attack by 50%. Ideal for catching distant opponents off guard or finishing off enemies safely.
2. Jump Scare: Slows all nearby enemies for four seconds, giving Shade and his teammates time to close the gap or escape danger.

Recommendation: Jump Scare. Slowing enemies provides more utility in team fights and works across various game modes.

Star Powers

1. Spooky Speedster: Landing a hit with the center of Shade’s attack grants him a brief speed boost, enhancing his mobility during combat.
2. Hardened Hoodie: Grants a 30% damage reduction shield while using Incorporeal Form, making Shade more durable when diving into enemies.

Recommendation: Hardened Hoodie. This Star Power synergizes perfectly with Shade’s Super, allowing him to survive aggressive plays.

Best Gear Setup for Shade

Gears can further enhance Shade’s performance. Here’s the optimal setup:

1. Shield Gear: Adds 900 HP when at full health, giving Shade a safety net in early engagements.
2. Gadget Charge Gear: Lets Shade use his Longarms Gadget one extra time per match, boosting his ability to deal damage at a distance.

Other viable options include:

• Damage Gear: Boosts Shade’s attack power when his health is low, perfect for clutch situations.
• Speed Gear: Increases movement speed in bushes, useful for ambushes.

Game Modes: Where Shade Excels

Shade isn’t a one-trick pony. His abilities make him a powerhouse in certain modes, but he’s not without his weaknesses.

Best Modes for Shade

1. Gem Grab

Shade’s high mobility and ability to hover over water make him an excellent gem carrier or assassin. He can easily eliminate enemy gem carriers and escape with the loot.

2. Brawl Ball

Shade’s Super shines in Brawl Ball, allowing him to bypass obstacles, intercept passes, and score goals with ease. On defense, his high damage output can quickly neutralize threats.

3. Heist

Shade excels at shredding the enemy safe with his fast attacks and high damage. Use Longarms to attack the safe from a safe distance or Hardened Hoodie to tank damage while staying aggressive.

4. Showdown (Solo/Duo)

Shade’s ability to hit multiple enemies and hover over water makes him a strong contender in Showdown. He can farm power cubes quickly and dominate the shrinking play area with his mobility and damage.

Weak Modes for Shade

1. Bounty

Long-range maps make it hard for Shade to close the distance without taking significant damage. His short attack range puts him at a disadvantage against snipers.

2. Knockout/Wipeout

Similar to Bounty, Shade struggles to approach opponents safely. One mistake can leave him exposed and out of the fight.

The Ultimate Shade Build

To maximize Shade’s potential, stick to this build:

• Gadget: Jump Scare for slowing multiple enemies.
• Star Power: Hardened Hoodie for survivability during Super use.
• Gears: Shield Gear and Gadget Charge Gear for durability and utility.

This setup balances offense and defense, ensuring Shade can handle various situations on the battlefield.

Tips and Tricks for Mastering Shade

1. Stay Close to Enemies: Shade charges his Super faster when near opponents, so don’t be afraid to play aggressively.
2. Aim for the Center: Landing attacks in the center of Shade’s arc doubles the damage, giving you a significant edge in close combat.
3. Time Your Super: Use Incorporeal Form to escape tricky situations, ambush enemies, or secure objectives like goals in Brawl Ball.
4. Map Awareness: Shade’s ability to hover over water and pass through walls means you can take shortcuts that other brawlers can’t. Use this to outmaneuver opponents.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Shade a Good Brawler in Brawl Stars?

Yes, Shade is classified as an A-tier Brawler. His unique traits and abilities make him a strong pick, especially in modes like Brawl Ball and Heist. However, he struggles on open maps and against tanky brawlers who can bypass obstacles.

What Are Shade’s Best Game Modes?

Shade performs best in Gem Grab, Brawl Ball, Heist, and Showdown. His mobility and damage make him a valuable asset in these modes.

Can Shade Be Countered?

Yes, Shade can be countered by long-range brawlers or tanks like Frank who excel at close combat. Additionally, crowd control abilities like stuns and silences can neutralize his effectiveness.