The Fortnite Chapter Throwback Season takes players back to the iconic Chapter 2 Season 2 map and loot pool, but with a twist. Instead of the traditional bosses, popular rappers take on the roles. Snoop Dogg, for instance, now controls the Agency or “Dog Pound” POI at the center of the map. Upon elimination, he drops the Mythic Drum Gun and a key card for his vault. The Midas NPC appears at the Yacht and drops the Mythic Heavy AR, while a remix version of TNTina at the Rig drops the Mythic Boom Bow. Later in the season, Eminem and Ice Spice will join, with Eminem holding The Grotto and Ice Spice having the Shark POI, each bringing unique Mythic items to their areas.
Rappers as Bosses and Mythic Rewards
These rapper-themed POIs feature bosses that drop Mythic weapons and key cards upon elimination, unlocking vaults filled with exclusive loot. Eliminating a boss not only grants access to their vault and Mythic weapon but also allows the boss to become a hired NPC for the player. For example, the Snoop Dogg boss might drop Boogie Bombs, while other bosses provide healing. Additionally, special chests around the map require a guard disguise, obtained from phone booths in the vicinity. This disguise prevents guards from attacking unless the player shoots, at which point the disguise is lost, and guards will retaliate.
The Throwback Loot Pool and Weapon Dynamics
The loot pool this season brings back classic Chapter 2 weapons with a mix of hit-scan and projectile weapons. Assault rifles include the regular AR, burst AR, scoped AR, and suppressed AR. Shotguns feature the standard pump and tactical shotgun, while SMGs include the regular SMG and drum gun. Snipers include the Bolt, Heavy Sniper, and Semi-Auto Sniper, with NPCs potentially dropping the Hunting Rifle. For utility, the Grappler now has 20 uses, and Impulse Grenades are available, though they lack fall damage negation. Boogie Bombs, regular grenades, Clingers, Stink Grenades, and the Porta Fort are back, making for versatile combat options, especially in zero-build mode.
Healing items include mini shields, big pots, bandages, medkits, Chug Jugs, and vegetables. Fish can be found in coolers or through fishing, though coolers only contain vegetables as of now, making shield acquisition challenging. This scarcity of shields mirrors a common complaint about Fortnite OG last year, where the shield spawn rate was low. Adding vending machines to Chapter 2 POIs could improve shield availability, though this season hasn’t yet included them. Big ammo boxes offer potential heals but are not guaranteed.
Vehicles and Helicopters Across the Map
Vehicles such as cars, boats, and helicopters (choppas) enhance mobility on the map. A helicopter spawn can be found at the weather station near Retail Row, though helicopters seem sparse. Cars on the map, while not as fast as those from Chapter 5, add an extra layer of strategy. Whiplashes, for instance, perform comparably to Chapter 5 cars, though slower models like taxis, semi-trucks, and pickup trucks move at a significantly reduced speed.
Fortnite Chapter 2 Bosses Replaced with Rappers
The Fortnite Chapter Throwback Season brings back the Chapter 2 map, Chapter 2 loot pool, and introduces rappers as new boss characters. Over time, additional bosses and POIs will appear. Speculation about revisiting Chapter 2 Seasons 1, 2, and 3 in rotation proved inaccurate, as the throwback season focuses solely on Chapter 2 Season 2. Each boss is now represented by a rapper, adding a fresh and entertaining take to familiar locations.
The New Oasis Map and Reload Mode
Alongside the Chapter 2 throwback, Fortnite Reload mode now includes the new Oasis map, available in solo, duo, trio, and squad modes. The map rotation switches every 30 minutes between the Oasis and original Reload map. The Oasis map, with its desert theme, includes throwback POIs such as Paradise Palms, Shifty Shafts, Lazy Links, and an unnamed desert village reminiscent of Chapter 1’s “Mexico.” The Reload loot pool mainly consists of Chapter 3 and Chapter 4 weapons, with standard healing and utility items. The return of the Flapjack AR provides an exciting choice in the absence of Red Dot weapons.
Reload solos give players two respawns, meaning elimination three times results in permanent elimination. After respawns disable, subsequent eliminations are final, resembling regular Reload mode gameplay. This three-life mechanic offers an engaging twist for solo players in Reload mode, making survival more challenging yet rewarding.
