[CN] AXR Goes 3/3, Usurps TL's Dynasty

Connections at the 2025 CN Finals

April 18^th marked the final BSC China Monthly Finals before Brawl Cup. While Ace Xero and Toxic Lotus had already secured the region’s two international slots, the event is still highly significant. Beyond serving as crucial pre-event preparation for both qualified teams, the tournament also acted as a key benchmark for evaluating the evolving competitive landscape of the Chinese Brawl Stars region.

The central narrative revolved around three questions: could TL reclaim their former dominance, would AXR continue their championship momentum, or might a new dark horse emerge to disrupt the hierarchy?

Quarterfinals

AXR vs. Mimimi 

The opening match featured back-to-back Monthly Finals champions AXR against rising dark horse team, Mimimi. With all three Mimimi players,“小天,” “artist,” and “灰度,” making their Monthly Finals debut, the team showed visible nerves against the reigning champions. AXR quickly took control of the pace, dominating both in drafting and execution to secure a swift 3-0 victory.

Toxic Lotus vs Nihilum

TL faced off against the formidable Nihilum roster. In the opening Brawl Ball set Nihilum initially held the advantage, but Engine’s Alli gradually found their rhythm, turning the tide through high-impact plays to secure the win. In Gem Grab, TL showcased their signature coordination with OU’s Ruffs provided near-flawless defense, toc’s Max exerted overwhelming mid-lane pressure, and engine’s signature Stu, delivering multiple highlight moments, echoing the team’s peak form. TL maintained full control in the third set, closing out the series 3-0 to advance.

TIG Revival vs Irisout

TIG entered with their established lineup, while Irisout had a new roster featuring Valentine, Shadow, and Expression. TIG secured the first two sets with consistent play, but Irisout fought back to take one in Gem Grab. Ultimately, TIG’s more stable drafting and execution proved decisive, as they closed the game 3-1.

AWSL vs ESF

Newcomers AWSL made their Monthly Finals debut with a roster of “命运之轮,”  “若水,” and AXB. ESF introduced Clear into their lineup, alongside fengou and soda. Despite early disadvantages in drafting, ESF relied on stronger in-game execution to take the first two sets. AWSL responded with a Hot Zone win, showing promising potential. However, ESF quickly stabilized and secured the series 3-1. Post-match comments revealed early drafting errors due to map and side misreads.

Semifinals

AXR vs TL

Due to the randomized bracket system, the upper half once again formed a “death bracket,” with AXR and TL meeting in the semifinals for the second consecutive month. In Heist, Nagi secured his signature Melodie, leveraging draft advantage to give AXR an early lead. AXR maintained momentum in Brawl Ball, extending the series to 2-0. TL attempted to replicate the EMEA BGT draft (Kit + Sandy + Moe) in Game 3, but they lacked the synergy and execution required to make it effective. AXR capitalized decisively, completing a dominant 3-0 sweep over TL, once again proving their championship pedigree.

TIG vs ESF

The second semifinal between TIG Revival and ESF was far more contested. With both teams evenly matched, the series quickly reached a 2-2 decider. In the final Safe Zone map, TIG’s Linglin surprisingly locks in his signature Edgar. Known for his dominance on the Edgar global leaderboard, Linglin owns all three Top 3 accounts and pushed 6 accounts to Top 11 on the Edgar Global legacy leaderboard. After a tightly contested series of exchanges, Linglin delivered, despite under pressure with his teammates, and TIG edged out the win and advanced to the Grand Finals.

Grand Finals

The Grand Finals saw Ace Xero face TIG Revival. AXR opened strong on Shooting Star, leveraging superior laning and drafting to take the first set, then extended their lead to 2-0 with a win in Gem Grab. TIG responded in Heist, utilizing Nita’s high safe damage to take a set. In Hot Zone they also achieved a dominant 100-0 control round. However, AXR quickly regrouped and denied any comeback opportunity, closing out the series 3-1 to secure back-to-back Monthly Finals titles.

Looking ahead

This tournament once again reaffirmed Ace Xero’s dominance within the CN BS region. Their structured drafting, high-level execution, and consistent laning remain the foundation of their continued success. While Toxic Lotus fell short of advancing further, their performance indicates they remain a strong contender heading into international competition. Meanwhile, TIG Revival deserves recognition for its impressive run to a runner-up finish.

As the Brawl Cup approaches, the regional hierarchy has become increasingly clear. A new AXR-led era is taking shape, while TL and several rising teams continue to apply pressure from behind. The upcoming international stage will serve as the ultimate test of this evolving competitive landscape.

CN Season 3 Leaderboard. 1.5 points are in effect.