Fortnite Chapter 4 has dropped and along with a new map, and many new weapons, there are some changes to game mechanics with the introduction of Reality Augments. In essence, Augments are special abilities or power-ups that may give you the advantage over your opponent enough to give you the Victory Royale. In this article, we will take an in-depth look at what Augments are available, how to use them, the possible downfalls to some, and give you a guide to pick the best Augments to fit your playstyle.

How Do I Unlock Augments?

There are currently 22 Augments listed under your “Augments” tab. To get here, you will use the same button you use to open your map, then cycle over to the tab listed “Augments.” Here, you will be able to see what Augments you have unlocked and will possibly get to choose from during gameplay. At the start of the season, Augments are all locked and by continuing to play, these features will unlock at random. Within a short length of play time, all the Augments should become available to you.

How Do I Know Augments Are Ready?

As you continue to live throughout a match, your survival is rewarded up to four times by offering you a choice between two different Augments. These two choices are spawned at random from the Augments that you have already unlocked. Keep your eyes and ears ready for indication that an Augment is ready by looking between your mini-map and your mats to see an indicator pop up. There is also an aural cue in the form of a mechanical-sounding device charging up, so even if you do not notice the Augments button surface and begin a count-down, the noise may alert you that an Augment is ready.

How Do I Select an Augment?

Just as every player has their favorite weapon, you will probably find that you have your favorite Augments that fit the type of Fortnite player you are. When an Augment is ready to be picked, push the button indicated to see a choice of two rolled at random. If you do not like either Augments, you can choose to reroll your choices only once for free per match, or by paying 100 gold for every reroll after that. Once selected the power of the Augment will stay activated the entire game and every new Augment you earn does not cancel out the previously applied powers. If you do not immediately apply an Augment when ready, they will stack, and you may notice the Augment button listed as “x2” or “x3.” The indicator bar above where you choose your Augment out of two listed, will place the icon of the Augment chosen in one of four boxes.

Fortnite Augment List:

Next, let us take a look at the names and attributes of each Augment. These Augments are classified into four different subcategories: Combat, Game Changer, Mobility and Scouting, and Looting. Depending on your playstyle, abilities you have unlocked, weapons of choice, and time in game may make some Augments more valuable to you.

Combat Arguments

1. First Assault: The first bullet in the magazine of your assault rifle deals bonus damage.
2. Pistol Amp: Pistols have greatly increased magazine size.
3. Light Fingers: Weapons using light ammo reload faster.
4. Bow Specialist: Bows draw and reload faster, and you regenerate arrows over time.
5. Mechanical Archer: Receive an Explosive and Shockwave Bow.
6. Demolitions Munitions: Objects you destroy have a chance to drop explosives. Excludes player-built structures.
7. Rifle Recycle: Weapons using medium ammo have a chance not to consume ammo.
8. Tactical Armory: Grants a rare Tactical AR and Combat Shotgun.
9. Rushing Reload: Sprinting slowly reloads your equipped shotgun.

Game Changer Augments

1. Aerialist: Gain the ability to deploy your glider.
2. Chug Gunner: Receive a Chug Cannon.

Mobility and Scouting Augments

1. More Parkour: Your energy regenerates briefly after mantling or hurdling.
2. Supercharged: Vehicles you’re inside do not consume fuel and have increased health.
3. Bloodhound: Enemies hit by your marksman rifle or bow shots are marked for a brief duration.
4. Bush Warrior: You regenerate health and partial shields while inside large foliage.
5. Party Time: Gains balloons over time.
6. Tricked Out: Entering a Car or Truck applies Chonkers and a Cow Catcher to it.
7. Forecast: You can always see the next storm circle.
8. Storm Mark: When the storm changes, ping the area to highlight nearby enemies for a short duration.
9. Soaring Sprints: Jump much higher and with lower gravity while sprinting. “Keeping your Energy up while you move is important.”

Looting Augments

1. Splash Medic: You have a chance to find Chug Splash in every container you open.
2. Jelly Angle: Receive a Fishing Rod. You can use it to fish anywhere, but you can only fish up jellyfish.

What Augments Are the Best?

While this is somewhat a matter of opinion, there are certainly more useful (and less useful) Augments, depending on how you play the game. But a few of the Augments are useful to players across the board for things like mobility, survivability and offense. Let us take a closer look at the top six most useful Augments to the general Fortnite-playing population.

Bow Specialist: Bows draw and reload faster, and you regenerate arrows over time

Advantages: This Augment is quite useful for a variety of reasons. First, there are a variety of bows that possess a varying degree of usefulness. Many of these bows can be picked up in game, but a few of these bows like the Shockwave Bow, Explosive Bow, or Grapple Bow have to be obtained via an Augment or by using a key on a chest. However–this Augment actually gives you three advantages: regenerating arrows, a faster draw time and a faster reload time.

Disadvantages: The one drawback to this Augment is if you are an anti-bow-carrying player in-game. But with the removal of the Bolt-Action Sniper Rifle or any heavy-hitting snipers, putting long-range pressure on opponents using Stink Bows or Fire Bows may be the advantage you need to get to the Victory Crown.

Aerialist: Gain the ability to deploy your glider

Advantages: The best advantage for this one is no fall damage! But having the ability to deploy a glider can give you extreme confidence in not getting knocked down during a build fight. This also can give you extreme mobility or a quick exit by jumping off a building, cliff or player-built ramp/structure where other players without the ability could not follow.

Disadvantages: The only disadvantages this could offer is when gliding, it does leave you as a hanging target in the air. Making sure to use evasive maneuvers while escaping enemy fire may prevent you from getting shot-down in the air. Also if not playing solo, if you have the tendency to lead the duo, trio or squad group, make sure to communicate that you have the Augment active before building a ramp and jumping off, or you may find yourself having to circle back to pick up your fallen dedicated teammate!

Bloodhound: Enemies hit by your marksman rifle or bow shots are marked for a brief duration

Advantages: When you have the ability to see enemy movement, even behind solid objects, player builds or game structures, that gives you a huge advantage in-game. Especially if you are playing with a duo, trio or squad. Being able to show your teammates where to focus fire by targeting members of the opposing team, you can work together faster to eliminate the competition. This Augment luckily includes both types of long-range weapons, the DMR and all bows.

Disadvantages: As with “Bow Specialist” is if you do not like to carry bows, this may not be a good option for you. However, if you do not like to use bows, you do have the option of using a DMR for long-range targeting. If you are more of an “up-close-and-personal” Fortnite player, this may not be your ideal Augment. Having at least one long-range player per team with this Augment enabled can help give the team the clarity in where the enemy player is hidden–as long as the shots are hit!

Storm Mark: When the storm changes, ping the area to highlight nearby enemies for a short duration

Advantages: As with Bloodhound, having the ability to see your opponent is a big edge, especially with working with a team. This Augment is not dependent on hitting a target, but instead reveals all the enemy players for a short time.

Disadvantage: The mark over the enemy players only lasts for a short duration, and if you are not in place or do not have a clear shot, this Augment may not get used effectively.

Forecast: You can always see the next storm circle

Advantages: Having future game-knowledge is always a good idea to make sure that you are rotating quickly, efficiently, and you can be there to take the high ground before your opponent does. Another great advantage is if you have a tendency to get caught in-storm, this Augment will ensure you know where you are headed before having to run for your life.

Disadvantages: The only drawback to having this Augment is if you are in a duo, trio or squad and more than one person enables this Augment, it could take away the ability for a diversified Augment. The one thing that is needed to ensure this does not happen is communication. Get used to letting your teammates know if you enable Forecast, and then conveying this information to the other players on your team. Otherwise someone else could enable this Augment unecessarily.

Splash Medic: You have a chance to find Chug Splash in every container you open

Advantages: The advantage of having Chug Splash at your disposal any time during game is twofold–both health and shield can be fully restored using this healing item. Whether it is an ammo box, a chest, a toolbox or a cooler, the rate at which Chug Splash drops for this Augment is pretty high, along with the frequency of having items to open, giving you a quick and productive way to heal. You could even roll the dice once enabling this Augment and carry five weapons, betting on the fact you will be able to heal from opening things in your environment.

Disadvantages: If you are in a duo, trio or squad match, having one person open everything in hopes of a Chug Splash drop may become a little tedious. Also, if you do roll the dice on finding Chug Splash, you do not carry any heals because of the Augment, and then late-game end up in an area where there is little to open –you may be dependent on your teammates to heal you.

Conclusion

Ultimately, the Augments you choose to use through the game can help you have small advantages over your opponents. When working with a team, communicating what Augments everyone has so you do not double up unnecessarily, as well as using what you do have to your advantage as a team, can make you an unstoppable force. One word of caution–if choosing Party Time which adds balloons over time, you may want to first enable Aerialist in case you mismanage the addition of balloons or get shot-down mid-air. Also, if you have a greatly preferred weapon this season, stacking upgrades on that weapon class like Pistol Amp and Light Fingers for the pistol can make the weapon go from “good” to “great!” Take some time to get to know these Augments, as well as how and when to use them, to give yourself the best chance at the Victory Royale.