Some Fortnite Pickaxes have a real advantage right now — and it’s all tied to a bug that’s been around for years. After the most recent update, players assumed this little trick had finally been patched. But as it turns out, that’s not exactly the case.
Dual-Wield and Single-Handed Pickaxes Still Work
For those unfamiliar, the pickaxe trick lets players swing their Fortnite Pickaxe inside a vehicle and hit opponents while they’re in the car. It’s been around since vehicles were first introduced, and for whatever reason, Epic has never removed it. Even during the vehicle-heavy season in Chapter 5, this bug was still in the game. That’s what led many to believe Epic was fine with it — it wasn’t a secret, it wasn’t hidden, and it was often discussed in the community.
This week’s update had many thinking the trick had finally been removed. But after testing different styles, it’s clear that certain pickaxes still allow the trick. Specifically, dual-wield pickaxes (one in each hand) and pickaxes that only use a single hand still work. Pickaxes that require both hands — like the default one — no longer function with this trick.
How to Pull Off the Fortnite Pickaxe Trick
Here’s a quick breakdown of how to perform the trick:
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Equip your pickaxe.
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Hold the swing button.
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Enter the car while keeping the swing button held.
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Look at the opponent inside the vehicle.
The key is never letting go of the swing button during the process. Timing isn’t the main issue — it’s all about maintaining the swing input while getting in. Once you’re inside the vehicle and aiming at your target, the damage will land as if you’re swinging freely.
The trick isn’t new, but it’s surprising how many players either don’t know about it or struggle with it. Once you’re aware of how it works, it’s easy to defend against too. Just exit the car and shoot the player before they do too much damage. The pickaxe only deals 20 damage per swing, so it’s not exactly a death sentence if someone manages to pull this off.
Epic Might Patch This Fortnite Pickaxe Bug Soon
Given Epic’s history, there’s a solid chance this gets fixed. Whether the issue was caused by the update itself or if it was an intentional change that wasn’t applied to all pickaxe styles, no one knows. But if Epic follows past patterns — like with the Star Wand pickaxe that randomly dealt critical headshot damage in Chapter 1 Season X — then this could be addressed quickly.
In those situations, Epic has sometimes disabled certain cosmetics entirely until they could fix the problem. That would mean disabling every dual-wield or single-hand pickaxe in the game, which might be a bit extreme. More likely, they’ll let this ride until the next update and quietly remove the trick when the time comes.
Knowledge Still Equals Power in Fortnite
Knowing about these small bugs and tricks can lead to real gameplay advantages. It’s not about being overpowered, but being aware. In games like Call of Duty, players used to take advantage of quirks like the AK-47 doing more damage without attachments or specific sights boosting damage values. The Fortnite Pickaxe trick feels like one of those quirks — small, strange, and potentially useful.
If Epic does patch it out in the next few days or weeks, it won’t be surprising. But while it’s still in the game, players who use dual-wield or one-handed pickaxes can get the upper hand in vehicle fights. The trick may not last forever, but it’s been around for years — and for now, it still works.
