Fortnite Patch Update: Nerf Shotgun & Buff Traps, Jetpacks Vaulted

As with any game, balance changes and adjustments are necessary through patches and updates. Tonight’s usual Fortnite update will make some make some major nerfs to shotguns, while traps get a big boost. This comes with the news of Jetpacks leaving soon.

According to a Reddit post from Epic Games Design Lead EpicEricSW, they noticed some changes that needed to be made after the recent equip time change happened. According to the Reddit post:

“For awhile we felt that Shotguns promoted healthy close quarter gameplay, however with the recent equip time changes, Shotguns are being used more often than we like. It's something we've been keeping an eye on, but broadly speaking we feel Shotguns are a little too strong in their current state... Shotgun consistency across the board is also something we're looking into and aim to improve. We want to make it more apparent when you hit or miss a shot. In addition to that, making sure the accuracy is more consistent and improving other odd behaviors with the weapon is a top priority. We've identified a number of issues that we're currently working on solving in the near future.”

Here's the changes being made to them:

Pump Shotgun

Headshot multiplier reduced from 2.5 to 2.0

Damage reduced from 90/95 to 80/85

Tactical Shotgun

Headshot multiplier reduced from 2.5 to 2.0

In the opposite direction, Traps are going up in damage, as explained in the same Reddit post:

“We made a large change to traps a few weeks ago to test decreasing damage from 125 to 75. This was done in an effort to better understand the impact traps have throughout a match. The change sparked a great deal of excellent discussion about traps and we are going to lean more into improving their effectiveness. We want this to add more ways for you to be potent in combat. Here’s the change: Trap Damage increased from 75 to 150.”

Fans within the Fortnite Reddit community are already making fun of the traps getting such a buff. Reddit user JustthatITguy joked that he's "just waiting for the inevitable nerf to 25 hp, then buff to instakill, then nerf to heals all in building," while Rodsoldier believes that "considering like 90% of the people would agree 100hp was ideal, them going higher than it was makes no sense and surely will make people mad."

For those that have been enjoying the recent addition of Jetpacks, that was a limited time item and they explain that the Jetpack will be leaving the game again at 8:00 AM on Monday, June 11, likely PST. “Get in your last matches before then!” he exclaims. “We may bring back the Jetpack at a future date with some improvements and new changes.”

For more coverage on Fortnite's update tonight, check out the nerfing of the llama today as well as the above changes.