Pointed Discussion

See Veteran Brawlers.

"Branded Brawlers can't be casted if you don't control an untapped red mana source".

I'd play both Brawlers and either pray that the opponent is stupid enough to tap out, force him to tap, or destroy any untapped lands. Would rather have a Goblin Guide out, but he's a fine 1 drop bear. I'm surprised he's so low rated, as when isn't your opponent tapping out early game?

In Eternal Formats there are better choices, with dual lands (Tundra, Stomping Ground) and Fetchlands, getting a 2/3 Kird Ape on turn one will be much easier than keeping these guys in use.
For tribal i'd probably go for an Elite Vanguard instead.

They aren't that bad nonetheless if you build a deck around them, i'd probably run Rishadan Ports, Wastelands and further cards than can either tap or destroy your opponent's lands.

I prefer Veteran Brawers, you also don't get a 4/4 for two as often as a 2/2 for one. Also he doesn't die to Lightning Bolts. (And he can get cheaper with a Daru Warchief out or can kill Goyfs unharmed with Field Marshal :P)

@nimzo: Given the card read something around the lines like
"Branded Brawlers can't be casted if you don't control an untapped permanent that could produce red mana",
this would actually mean a further restriction since once you tapped your only mountain for mana, you don't have any untapped mana source left so the brawlers couldn't be cast ;)

I like the art, it's just so goofy. Look at background man's neck; how does it do that?
And as someone pointed out, tapping out is common early game.

Wow. I hate to criticize art, but really, this art is horrendous. The proportions are awful, especially when the image is seen up close.

This is still a fine card, it's been a star next to veteran brawlers in some of my casual decks. They hold the field in the early game and quickly punish those who extend. Works better with land destruction.

Veteran Brawlers are superior, but I'll try defending the Branded Brawlers here. I like them (and use them in a mono-red tap-out deck) because they force your opponent to make tough decisions in the early game. Early-game spells frequently stretch mana resources to the limit, and these guys force your opponent to either tap out and get socked each turn with a totally expendable and cheap 2/2 or effectively play a turn behind for the first couple turns. In the tap-out deck they're attackers early and then can get thrown away as blockers in the mid- and late-game. I'm not saying they're great, but a one mana 2/2 in red automatically gets my attention.