Chapter 6 Season 4 of Fortnite, titled “Shock and Awesome,” introduces a chaotic warzone overrun by an insect infestation. Players are thrown into battle against the Swarm using the latest military tech, updated POIs, and a new OXR ranking system that delivers exclusive exotic loot drops.
New POIs in Fortnite Season 4: Hive, Rangers Ruin, and OXR HQ
This season’s map changes focus heavily on the center island. Brutal Box Cars and Flooded Frogs are now replaced by Swarmmy Stash and Hive, respectively, while Rangers Ruin takes over Crime City. Each area plays a role in the bug infestation narrative. Hive is the most active zone, with high insect density, while OXR HQ serves as the faction’s stronghold. At the HQ, players can purchase high-grade weapons with gold bars and engage with the season’s militarized theme.
Bugs and Boss Fights: Swarmer, Bomber, and Queen Variants
The Swarm includes three enemy types: the basic Swarmer, the ranged Bomber, and the towering Queen. Queens only emerge after players clear nearby bugs, creating mid-match objectives with significant rewards. Each Queen controls a different POI and drops a mythic weapon and unique medallion when defeated. Medallions provide gameplay perks like slide speed boosts, double jump, and health siphon—while also marking players on the mini-map based on how many they hold.
OXR Rank System and Exotic Weapons Overhaul
Season 4 replaces the hero crate system with OXR drop pods. Players start at rank C and can rank up to S+ by eliminating enemies and looting chests. Each rank increase delivers a drop pod with loot and a boon. At A rank, players gain access to OXR bunkers containing exotics. S+ guarantees mythic drops and the highest boon tier, which includes unlimited stamina and sprint speed.
Weapon updates are significant this season. The bug blaster charges up explosive plasma shots. The roly poly mobility item—rolling bug movement—will be added later. New OXR weapons include:
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Lead Spitter 3000 (minigun)
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Sweeper Shotgun
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OXR Rifle
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Wrecker Revolver
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Swarm Strike Launcher (laser-guided rocket)
Exotics are only accessible via OXR bunkers. Highlights include the Eradicator OXR Rifle, which scales in damage with consecutive hits, the Sentinel Pump Shotguns for double pumping, a Shockwave Launcher that slows players in midair, and Slapberry Fizz, which combines Flowberry healing with unlimited sprint.
Power Rangers, Halo Skins, Battle Pass Bonuses, and Twitch Drops
The Battle Pass features several new characters, including the much-requested Spartan skin from Halo, which unlocks for all players reaching level 100 by August 26, regardless of purchase. Power Rangers content launches August 8, with a Blade Blaster weapon and full skin bundle.
The Megazord outfit drops September 16 via quests. Twitch drops from August 7 to 9 include a wrap, Tome of Skulls back bling, and a pickaxe after watching Fortnite streams. Players who purchase items via the Epic web shop during Season 4 receive the Gold Skull Peel Pack Back Bling.
Additional Content and Updates
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Blitz Royale will gain a new Citadel POI on August 12.
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Mythics, medallions, and select exotics will arrive in Blitz Royale on August 19.
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DirectX12 Performance Mode launches for PC players as an optional setting.
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The Hammerhead Chopper coming later this season will offer hovering mechanics and seat swapping for suppressive fire. It also gets great gas mileage, making it a reliable transport.
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The Slapberry Fizz exotic gives unlimited sprint in addition to healing effects.
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Some loot and boons will drop from OXR chests and hive sacks, while mid-match objectives like swarm clearing grant special rewards.
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One of the boons, previously misspelled as “boounds,” gives progressive buffs as OXR rank increases.
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The Flowberry Fizz healing item is also referenced, now improved as an exotic version.
The season ends November 1.
