Fortnite has released rebalancing updates for some of the items in Season 4. The season kicked off strong with overpowered weapons and items already adjusted. The rockets have caused major concerns in Fortnite Season 4, but they mark a significant improvement compared to Fortnite a month ago. The new Sovereign shotgun meta has taken over after this update. The ADS fire rate on the new shotgun was initially too slow, and Epic has addressed that issue as well.
Captain America Shield Nerf – Fortnite Season 4 Update
The Captain America shield’s damage decreased from 60 to 50 when it hits an enemy. Although the change isn’t major, it will demand more accuracy when targeting opponents. The hitbox for the shield also received a reduction of 40%, making it 40% harder to land shots using this item. While players with good aim will still perform well, the shield’s use is now less forgiving.
In Fortnite’s first season 4 Update, notable adjustment also affects blocking with the shield. The block now becomes 50% easier to stagger. Previously, players needed to deal 500 damage to stun the shield’s block, but now it only requires 250 damage. This lower threshold means it’s faster to break through the block, allowing for more efficient follow-up attacks. In practice, players will likely have more ammo left after staggering the block, leading to better counterplay.
Additionally, the spawn rate of the Captain America shield was reduced. Sources suggest the reduction ranges from 20% to 30%, so players will encounter it less frequently in matches.
War Machine Arsenal Nerf
The War Machine Arsenal also received significant nerfs. The reload time for the rockets doubled, which should lead to less spam. Players now have a better opportunity to counterattack during the longer reload window, especially after blocking the initial barrage.
Moreover, the rocket’s structure damage dropped from 100 to 80, making it less effective against builds and bunkers. While the change isn’t drastic, it should reduce the ease of melting structures. The spawn rate of the War Machine Arsenal was also reduced by 50% in Avengers chests and by 68% in regular chests, making it less prevalent across the map.
In competitive play, the War Machine Arsenal was removed entirely from the loot pool in tournaments, which should help balance the experience. Overall, the Fortnite Season 4 update hints that there will be quick updates to items and weapons deemed overpowered or underpowered.
Sovereign Shotgun Buff – Fortnite Season 4 Update
The update introduced a minor buff to the Sovereign shotgun. The aim down sights (ADS) time decreased by 25%, making it faster to aim, which is crucial since aiming with this shotgun improves accuracy. When combined with attachments like the angled foregrip, this quicker ADS time should feel smoother. The fire rate when aiming down sights also saw a slight increase, from 65 to 68 shots per second. Although the difference is small, it’s a noticeable improvement for players who prefer a more accurate – aim playstyle. The hip-fire rate remains unchanged, meaning the buff only applies when aiming down sights.
The other modes in the game haven’t been impacted as much by the new update. The focus was on the battle royale modes, and Epic seems to be attentive with Season 4 of Fortnite. While players haven’t yet confirmed their preferred loadout, the majority of pro players have included the jetpack in their primary endgame loadout.
