Fortnite just shook things up again, and this time Epic actually explained why. The Holo-Twister AR, MK-Seven Assault Rifle, and Frenzy Auto Shotgun are back, but the reasoning behind these decisions is just as interesting as the changes themselves. According to Epic, this round of adjustments is all about making rare items feel special again while keeping matches fresh and unpredictable.
Why These Weapons Came Back
Epic’s Fortnite Status account confirmed that the Holo-Twister AR, MK-Seven, and Frenzy Auto Shotgun were unvaulted because players wanted scoped ARs and more powerful shotguns. Bringing all three back at once may feel unusual, but the intent is clear—give players more variety without oversaturating the loot pool. The Holo-Twister AR feels like the standout, while the Frenzy Auto leans into the demand for higher-damage shotguns.
The shotgun balance this chapter has been praised for rewarding accuracy, especially with the Sentinel Pump Shotgun. But Epic’s changes signal a push to make each option distinct, even if some already feel strong.
Fortnite Loot Pool Changes and Drop Rates
Epic said the goal was to “reset and go back to the heart of Fortnite Battle Royale.” Loot, ammo, and chests have been rebalanced to cut down on clutter while making rare items more rewarding to find. Shockwave Hammers, Miniguns, and Swarmstrike Rocket Launchers now drop less often, while common heals like Bandages, Minis, and Flowberry Fizz appear more frequently.
The idea is to restore that early-game feeling when discovering a gold weapon felt like a big moment. At the same time, higher rarity loot is now less common, making the difference between a Mythic or Exotic and standard weapons much larger.
OXR Chests and Drone Adjustments
One of the biggest shakeups happened with OXR chests. Green versions of weapons like the Sweeper Shotgun, OXR Rifle, and Wrecker Revolver were added, lowering the guaranteed high-tier loot expectation. Purple variants also now appear more often, while gold versions were completely removed. This means players can’t just rely on OXR chests for instant top-tier gear.
Drones at golden POIs also saw major changes. They now favor blue weapons, Flowberry Fizz, and mobility items like Shockwave Grenades and Crash Pads. Minis and Medkits were removed from the pool, while Chug Splashes were added. This makes drones a more reliable source of strong healing and movement options.
How Fortnite Loot Pool Changes Affect Matches
The short-term impact is divisive. Matches can feel slower and sometimes frustrating when mobility or shotguns don’t drop early. But in the long term, the new system encourages players to adapt, loot more deliberately, and value high-rarity gear when it appears.
Mythics and Exotics now stand out more than ever. If everyone else is running blue gear, having a Mythic weapon is a bigger advantage than before. The same is true for rare heals—Legendary Slurp Juice feels legendary again, which is exactly what Epic wanted.
