The tow hook recently joined Fortnite to help deal with cars and trucks wrecked in Fortnite Season 3. While the game faces challenges with player experience, Epic Games continues to introduce new items to enhance the game’s overall state. They’ve strongly committed to the Mad Max collaboration, resulting in chaos across the island. Initially, boogie bombs were added to the meta but were later vaulted due to not blending as well as intended. Now, game creators have reintroduced EMPs and introduced a new item, the “Tow Hook.” In this post, we’ll discuss why this new item might need buffs and why it hasn’t significantly changed the meta.
The tow hook is a solid weapon for player-versus-player combat and against cars. It deals 100 damage to players and 300 damage to cars. It uses heavy ammo and has a range of 50 meters with no damage drop-off. Beyond 50 meters, the tow hook will not reach the target.
Finding the Tow Hook in Fortnite Season 3
You can find the tow hook in upgraded ammo boxes, which is helpful if you’re searching for this item. Check these boxes off spawn, especially in desperate times.
Using the Tow Hook in Combat
When engaging players, the tow hook inflicts 100 damage regardless of where you hit. It lacks a headshot multiplier, ensuring consistent damage everywhere. However, it has a slow pull-out time and reload speed. Ensure it’s loaded before use. It’s better to initiate a fight with the tow hook, then switch to your shotgun for a quick damage combo. The tow hook knocks opponents back, potentially causing fall damage or disorientation.
The knockback effect can push opponents out of shotgun range, which is less effective with certain shotguns like the Mythic Auto. The tow hook can disrupt player momentum, making it useful against opponents using gloves. Aim carefully when targeting moving enemies with the tow hook.
Tow Hook in Fortnite’s Chaotic Car Combat
In vehicular combat, the tow hook deals 300 damage to cars. The boom bolt crossbow also deals 300 damage or more, providing a comparable alternative. Shooting an AR at a car can rapidly accumulate damage if you’re not under immediate threat. When you hit a car with the tow hook, you get dragged behind it, enabling you to shoot at the car or climb on top of it. This strategy can lead to using the pickaxe trick to damage or eliminate players inside the car.
The pickaxe trick involves holding the swing button while entering a car and targeting an opponent. This inflicts 20 damage per swing but doesn’t work if you end up in the turret seat. The pickaxe trick is most effective against players unfamiliar with it and is best used against weakened opponents. Starting a fight with the pickaxe trick can be risky, particularly against full-health opponents.
Risks and Rewards
Shooting at a car while being towed by the hook is risky. You might run out of ammo or become an easy target if the driver switches to the turret seat. In team modes, passengers can easily eliminate you while you’re being towed. Detaching from the car can leave you vulnerable, so use caution.
Comparison with Other Vehicle Counter Items
The tow hook has significant impact when accurate but can backfire if you miss your shot. It offers medium reward and high risk compared to other vehicle counter items like the crossbow and EMPs. EMPs are more effective, disabling cars for 10 seconds and dealing 80 shield damage to players inside. Two EMPs can immobilize a car and strip its shields, making them a superior option.
