Shelly vs Colt: Which Brawler Should You Upgrade First? Which is better ?

If you’ve just started playing Brawl Stars, one of the first decisions you’ll have to make is which brawler deserves your resources. Should you keep upgrading Shelly, the very first brawler you unlock, or start investing in Colt instead?

Both are powerful in the right hands, and both are available early in the game. They play very differently, though, and choosing the wrong one for your playstyle could slow down your progress.

This guide compares Shelly and Colt across everything that matters, including damage, range, difficulty, game modes, upgrades, and long-term value, before helping you decide which one is the better investment.

Meet the brawlers

Shelly is a close-range damage dealer who becomes stronger the closer she gets to her target. Her shotgun fires multiple pellets, letting her deal incredible burst damage up close.

Her Super, Super Shell, is one of the strongest in the game, dealing heavy damage, knocking enemies back, and destroying walls. Because of her simple mechanics, Shelly is one of the easiest brawlers for beginners to learn.

Colt is almost the complete opposite. Instead of fighting up close, he relies on long-range precision.

His attacks, Six-Shooters, fire a stream of bullets that deal massive damage if multiple shots connect, and his Super, Bullet Storm, can destroy walls while dealing incredible damage across a long distance. Unlike Shelly, Colt rewards accuracy and positioning much more than aggressive close-range fighting.

One quick note before we get into the comparison. This is about learning fundamentals and finding the playstyle that fits you, not about who’s topping the live win-rate charts this patch.

Shelly and Colt both currently sit lower on our Tier List than their reputations suggest, which is common for two of the very first brawlers most players unlock and lean on while they’re still learning the game.

Damage at close range

Shelly wins if an enemy walks into her effective range. Very few brawlers can survive a full attack followed by her Super.

Colt has much more consistent damage throughout an entire match. Because of his long range, he can pressure enemies safely without needing to risk getting close.

If we’re talking burst damage, Shelly takes this round. For consistent damage over time, Colt comes out ahead.

Range

This one isn’t even close. Colt has one of the longest attack ranges among early game brawlers.

He can pressure enemies from a safe distance and control open maps much more effectively. Shelly, on the other hand, struggles whenever enemies stay outside her shotgun range.

If range is important to your playstyle, Colt is the clear winner.

Survivability

Shelly has more health and is much more forgiving when you make mistakes. If you miss an attack or accidentally get too close to danger, she usually has enough health to recover.

Colt has lower health and depends heavily on positioning. One mistake can often result in getting eliminated.

For beginners, Shelly is definitely the safer option.

Difficulty

Again, Shelly has the advantage. Her attacks spread out, making them easier to land.

Her gameplay is straightforward, and she teaches new players the fundamentals of positioning and timing.

Colt has a much higher skill ceiling because his bullets travel in a straight line. You’ll need good aim to deal maximum damage, and missing just a few shots can completely change the outcome of a fight.

If you’re completely new to Brawl Stars, Shelly is much easier to learn.

Best game modes and maps

Shelly shines in close-range modes like Brawl Ball and Showdown, especially on maps with lots of walls and bushes. She’s excellent at punishing tanks and protecting objectives.

Colt performs much better on open maps, where he has room to use his range. He’s strong in modes like Heist, Knockout, and Gem Grab, where consistent damage from a distance is extremely valuable.

Neither brawler is better everywhere. The map plays a huge role in deciding which one performs best.

Upgrades and long term value

Both brawlers become significantly stronger with gadgets, star powers, and gears. Shelly becomes much more dangerous once she can close the distance more effectively and chain powerful Supers.

Colt benefits from upgrades that improve his consistency, letting skilled players take full advantage of his incredible damage output.

If you’re planning to fully invest in one brawler, both have excellent upgrade paths, but they reward different types of players.

Many players assume Shelly becomes useless later in the game. That’s simply not true.

Even experienced players continue using her on specific maps and game modes, because she’s such an effective counter to close-range brawlers.

Colt also remains relevant throughout the game. In fact, as your aim improves, he becomes even stronger.

His skill ceiling is much higher, meaning experienced players can unlock far more of his potential.

So which brawler should you actually upgrade

If you’re completely new to Brawl Stars, choose Shelly. She’s easier to learn, more forgiving, and teaches the core mechanics of the game without demanding perfect aim.

If you’re already comfortable with aiming and enjoy long-range combat, choose Colt. He offers incredible damage, excellent map control, and rewards players who continue improving their mechanics.

Our final verdict is that neither brawler is objectively better. They’re designed for different types of players.

Shelly is the best choice if you’re looking for a simple, beginner-friendly brawler that performs well in close-range fights. Colt is the better investment if you’re willing to spend time mastering your aim and want a brawler that scales with your skill.

The good news is that you really can’t go wrong with either choice for building fundamentals. Both remain genuinely useful brawlers to keep in rotation throughout your Brawl Stars journey, even if neither currently tops the win-rate charts.

FAQ

Is Shelly or Colt currently the stronger brawler?

Both currently sit lower on our Tier List than their reputations suggest. This comparison focuses on which one teaches you the fundamentals you’ll need for the rest of the game, not which one wins the most right now.

Can I switch from Shelly to Colt later, or do I need to commit?

You don’t need to commit permanently. Many players keep both upgraded, since they cover very different situations, and switching between them as you improve is completely normal.

Which one is better for Ranked?

Neither has a clear edge in Ranked by default. Map and mode matter more than the brawler alone, so check the Tier List for how each is trending before locking in a pick.

Does this comparison change with balance updates?

Yes, both brawlers’ stats and win rates shift with balance patches. Check our Tier List for current standings before deciding who to prioritize.

Related tools & resources

Browse more guides and tools on the Brawl Stars home page.

Compare Shelly and Colt stat for stat with the Compare Brawlers tool.

Check exact stats, gadgets, and star powers in the full Brawlers Database.

Not sure who to upgrade first? Try the Upgrade Advisor.

See where each brawler currently ranks on the live Tier List.