Brawl Stars Kenji Guide

Kenji

Assassin Legendary

This highly skilled sushi chef has a wholesome life running his restaurant in Starr Park, but it feels like he’s trying to hide something about his past… though his sushi tastes so good, nobody cares!

Stats

Level 1

Health 3800

Movement Speed Very Fast

Attack

Dash Damage 750

Slash Damage 1000

Range Short

Reload Speed Very Fast

Super

Damage 1300

Range Long

Brawl Stars Kenji Guide: Introduction

Brawl Stars Kenji is a Legendary Assassin known for his speed, precision, and deadly swordplay. Once a sushi chef with a hidden past, he now fights under the codename Samurai, blending agility and burst damage to eliminate targets quickly. Released officially on October 3, 2024, Kenji excels at punishing isolated enemies and thrives in skilled hands due to his high-risk, high-reward nature.

Assassin

Brawl Stars Kenji Guide: Skills and Abilities

Attacks

Attack Dash ‘N’ Slash

Kenji’s basic attacks alternate between a Dash and a Slash. Dash deals damage to all enemies in a straight line and Slash deals damage to all enemies in a wide area in front of him.

Super Slashimi

Kenji targets an area with precise slices, dealing heavy damage and gaining invulnerability for the duration of the Super.

Gadgets

Dashi Dash

Kenji’s basic attack only uses Dash for the next 3 seconds.

Hosomaki Healing

Kenji instantly heals 75% of damage taken over the last 3 seconds.

Star Powers

Studied The Blade

Slashimi’s slices have 30% longer range.

Nigiri Nemesis

After avoiding damage for 5 seconds, gets 60% damage reduction from the next enemy attack.

Brawl Stars Kenji Guide: Gears

Brawl Stars Kenji benefits most from Gears that enhance his survivability and damage output, complementing his assassin playstyle. His reliance on quick engagements and close-range combat makes the right Gears essential for maximizing his potential in battle.

⚔️ Gear Pick Rates

GEAR PICK RATES

Damage

36%

Shield

34%

Gadget Charge

13%

Health

10%

Speed

Vision

*pick % from 274 builds

Brawl Stars Kenji Guide: Hypercharge

Brawl Stars Kenji’s Hypercharge: All You Can Eat, enhances his Super by pulling nearby enemies toward the center of his slash zone, making it easier to catch and finish off targets. Instead of returning to his original position, he reappears at the center of the attack. While Hypercharge is active, Kenji also becomes faster, stronger, and slightly more durable, making him even more dangerous in close combat.

Hypercharge

Buffs while Hypercharged:

Super

Pulls enemies to the middle of his Super, and re-appears in the center of the X instead of at the starting location.

Damage

+25%

Speed

+25%

Shield

+5%

Brawl Stars Kenji Guide: Strengths and Weaknesses

Brawl Stars Kenji is a high-risk, high-reward assassin who thrives on mobility, precision, and burst damage. His strengths lie in his ability to quickly close gaps, surprise enemies, and eliminate fragile targets before they can react. However, Kenji’s effectiveness depends heavily on positioning and timing, and his lower durability leaves little room for error. Understanding both his advantages and limitations is key to mastering his deadly playstyle.

Strengths

Reliable Crowd Control

Kenji’s electrified whip attack can hit multiple enemies in a line, making him effective at suppressing grouped foes and holding control zones with consistent pressure.

Disruptive Super Ability

His Super pulls enemies toward the center while dealing damage, disrupting enemy formations and making it easier for teammates to follow up or secure objectives.

Versatile Across Ranges

Kenji can deal with both long-range poke and close-range threats thanks to his flexible attack arc and decent mobility, making him a well-rounded option on most maps.

Weaknesses

Struggles Against Heavy Burst

Kenji’s kit relies on gradual pressure and area control, making him vulnerable to brawlers with high burst damage like Edgar, Shelly, or Spike who can punish his lack of instant escape.

Super Requires Setup

Although powerful, Kenji’s Super can be difficult to land effectively without prior damage or proper timing, and a missed pull can waste a critical opportunity.

Less Effective in Open Maps

Kenji performs better in maps with walls and tight lanes. In open environments, he has trouble dodging snipers and can’t maximize his chaining potential.

Brawl Stars Kenji Guide: Best Game Modes

Brawl Stars Kenji thrives in Brawl Ball and Hot Zone thanks to his mobility and control, but his popularity peaks in Gem Grab, where he sees the most play by a large margin. While his win rates are generally decent across several modes, he sees less success in objective-heavy or high-burst environments like Heist and Knockout.

Game Mode	Win Rate	Use Rate	Star Player Rate
Gem Grab	51.7%	9.62%	223.4
Brawl Ball	44.3%	7.81%	182.8
Hot Zone	48.0%	7.00%	168.8
Showdown	36.8%	5.07%	123.5
Duo Showdown	75.8%	2.76%	100.7
Bounty	49.1%	3.39%	97.3
Wipeout	43.3%	3.32%	92.4
Knockout	30.7%	1.50%	48.4
Heist	20.5%	1.06%	33.5

Brawl Stars Kenji Guide: Best Maps

Kenji performs exceptionally well on certain Gem Grab maps where his speed and lane pressure shine, with Local Restaurants leading in popularity and overall effectiveness. He also sees solid success on Triple Dribble in Brawl Ball, where his quick movement helps him dominate fast-paced plays.

Map	Win Rate	Use Rate	Star Player Rate
Local Restaurants	53.5%	15.23%	336.7
On A Roll	43.6%	12.59%	278.0
Last Stop	64.1%	11.55%	269.5
Triple Dribble	48.0%	11.30%	254.8
Undermine	50.8%	10.92%	248.9

Brawl Stars Kenji Guide: Skins

Brawl Stars Kenji’s skins span a variety of themes and costs, from free event unlocks to premium Brawl Pass exclusives. Each skin highlights a unique style, ranging from traditional motifs in the Battle for Katana Kingdom to futuristic designs in StarrForce Assemble.

Skin Name	Cost	Theme/Event
Default	Free	Base Skin
Fruit Samurai	Free (early bundle) or 49 Gems or 1000 Bling	Starry Meal
Cursed	Free (open 100 Sushi Rolls)	Battle for Katana Kingdom
Oni	Free (open 200 Sushi Rolls)	Battle for Katana Kingdom
True Silver	10,000 Coins	True Silver
True Gold	25,000 Coins	True Gold
Hebi	Brawl Pass Exclusive	StarrForce Assemble
Mamushi	Brawl Pass Plus Exclusive	StarrForce Assemble
Aodaisho	Brawl Pass Plus Exclusive	StarrForce Assemble

Brawl Stars Kenji Guide: Best Builds

Brawl Stars Kenji’s optimal build focuses on survivability and sustain, making him harder to take down in extended fights. Hosomaki Healing gadget allows him to quickly recover a large portion of recent damage, while Nigiri Nemesis star power provides strong damage reduction after avoiding hits. The damage and shield gears further boost his offensive and defensive capabilities, especially when health is low.

Build Element	Type	Description	Pick Rate
Hosomaki Healing	Gadget	Instantly heals 75% of damage taken over the last 3 seconds	79%
Nigiri Nemesis	Star Power	After avoiding damage for 5 seconds, reduces next enemy attack damage by 60%	75%
Damage	Gear 1	Deal 15% extra damage when below 50% health	36%
Shield	Gear 2	Gain extra 900 health as a shield that regenerates in 10 seconds when at full health	34%

Brawl Stars Kenji Guide: Conclusion

Kenji is a highly agile and versatile assassin in Brawl Stars, excelling in both hit-and-run and all-in fights thanks to his rhythmic Dash ‘N’ Slash attack and invulnerable Slashimi Super. His strengths lie in speed, consistent damage, and survivability, but he requires precise timing and smart decisions due to his vulnerability to burst damage and inconsistent damage output. Skilled players who master his playstyle can outmaneuver opponents and capitalize on openings to dominate matches.

Frequently Asked Questions (F.A.Q)

🗡️ What makes Kenji different from other assassins?

Kenji’s unique Dash ‘N’ Slash attack alternates between quick dashes and slashes, rewarding players who master its timing. His Slashimi Super grants brief invulnerability and high mobility, allowing for surprise attacks or quick escapes. This combination of speed, mobility, and survivability sets him apart from other assassins who rely more on raw damage or burst.

🗡️ Which game modes is Kenji best suited for?

Kenji shines in Gem Grab, Brawl Ball, and Hot Zone where his speed and control of space can disrupt enemies and secure objectives. His ability to quickly engage and disengage makes him effective at both chasing down opponents and escaping threats, fitting well in modes that reward map control and sustained pressure.

🗡️ What are the best star powers and gadgets for Kenji?

Hosomaki Healing is the top gadget, healing 75% of recent damage instantly, which greatly increases his survivability. Nigiri Nemesis is a strong star power, granting damage reduction after avoiding damage for a few seconds. These tools help Kenji sustain in fights and punish opponents who fail to burst him down quickly.

🗡️ How should I play Kenji effectively?

To succeed with Kenji, focus on mastering the rhythm of his dash and slash attack to maximize damage. Use your Super strategically to either initiate ambushes or escape danger. Balance aggression with patience—avoid taking unnecessary damage and wait for the right moment to strike. Predict enemy movements to outmaneuver them consistently.

🗡️ What are Kenji’s main weaknesses?

Kenji struggles against burst damage brawlers who can quickly overcome his healing and damage reduction. His damage output can feel inconsistent if you miss attacks or mistime abilities. He also requires good positioning and timing, making him less forgiving for inexperienced players who struggle with precise execution.