It’s not uncommon for players to find difficulties transitioning between seasons and chapters. Changes to the game, such as map changes, weapon changes, and item changes, can be difficult to navigate for some players. This article aims to help players find their footing when new chapters and seasons are introduced to Fortnite.
Adjusting to the changes between Chapters and Seasons in Fortnite can be tricky for some players when they are not sure what to look out for when changes make their way into the game. Map changes, new weapons, new items, and even the removal of weapons and items—all of these can happen between updates. This article is going to give players some insight into how to adjust to these changes so that they can make a smoother transition when new Chapters and Seasons roll out in Fortnite.
One of the most obvious changes players are going to need to adjust to between Seasons and Chapters are changes to the map. There are two different changes to the map that we will go over. Now, when Fortnite enters a new Chapter, the previous map is completely overhauled, and a new map is brought to the game. When the game enters a new Season, the changes are far less dramatic. Typically, there will be a few new locations, or some existing locations will be modified with a new theme, bringing new interactions with the map.
A side-by-side comparison of the maps from Chapter 2: Season 1 (shown top) and Chapter 3: Season 1 (shown bottom)
As it was previously mentioned, map changes between Chapters tend to be a complete overhaul of the current map for a new one. We can see throughout all the Chapters that Fortnite has had that every time, the map is a completely different one from the prior Chapter.
So how can we adjust to this? First, one helpful thing that you can do is stay off ranked mode for your first few games in a new Chapter. I know that you probably want to hop right into the action and climb the ladder. However, taking some time in unranked Fortnite to discover all the new locations and learn the ins and outs of each area can be extremely helpful. The next thing you can do is find around three or four locations that you like to make your regular drop spot. Having a game plan before you hop into a game already can give you an edge against other players, so finding which locations you like and studying them well so you know where to loot and land can already put you ahead of the curve.
Finally, learning which locations are best to rotate to and which ones are a good idea to stay away from depending on your personal playstyle and where the Storm circle is headed is important. Just like on any map, understanding rotations, where people might be based on the circle, and what benefits your playstyle the most is how you survive the mid to late stages of the game. So, take your time to learn the map and apply these three tips to get your footing during the beginning of a new Chapter.
A side-by-side comparison of the maps from Chapter 5: Season 1 (shown top) and Chapter 5: Season 2 (shown bottom)
Adjusting to changes between Seasons in Fortnite is a lot easier to understand due to the smaller changes that are made when compared to the changes in between Chapters. New Seasons in Fortnite tend to only bring a few changes to the map, such as a new location replacing others, new map interactions such as NPCs, or some new mechanics.
So how can we adjust to these changes? Well, it’s quite simple, considering most of the time you do not need to completely change your playstyle or game plan. Like changes between Chapters, hopping into a few unranked matches to test the waters of the new changes that are brought is never a bad idea. However, do be careful, because there are some things such as environmental interactions, world bosses, and other additions that do not carry over to ranked gameplay. A good idea is to always check patch notes or check up on the Fortnite Wiki to see what changes to the game affect each mode and adjust your game plan based on the information you find there.
The other major change that is brought in the transition of Chapters and Seasons is the changes to the weapon and item pools. Typically, when Chapters and Seasons change, there is a similar trend to how the maps change. A lot of the time when there is a Chapter change, there will be a complete overhaul of the weapon and item pool. Several new weapons and items will be introduced, as well as the return of some old ones as well. On the flip side, when there is a change in between Seasons, typically there will only be a few changes, such as the introduction of a few new weapons and items, the removal of some weapons and items, or both options.
The Void Oni Mask is a new weapon that is completely new to the game and was introduced in Chapter 6: Season 1
When hopping into an entirely new Chapter, the new items and weapons can be a bit overwhelming to try out. The change in the weapon and item pool can be drastic, as mentioned before, introducing an entirely new arsenal to learn. So how can we adjust to these changes and find out which weapons work best for players?
Like map changes, looking at the Fortnite Wiki and patch notes is a great way to learn about the new additions and removals that Epic makes to the weapon and item pool. To take this a step further, hopping into a custom Creative map and trying these out on your own before hopping into a game is a great idea if you want to see how each weapon and item works in a less hostile low stakes environment.
After testing these weapons out on your own, you have a couple of options. The first is to hop into an unranked match to test out different loadouts with the new weapons and items before you play in a higher-stakes ranked match to get used to fighting real players with these items. However, if you are comfortable just hopping in ranked right away, you could honestly skip this step. Another good idea is to hop into creative with a friend and test these new weapons and items out on each other in 1v1 situations to see how they work. This way you can craft loadouts with each other and do some more in-depth testing before hopping into a match against other players.
The Suppressed Pistol is a weapon that has been in the game for a while but has been removed and made its return throughout the years
For changes in between Seasons, you can just follow the exact same blueprint as for changes between Chapters. Especially since these changes tend to be less severe, only adding or removing a few items at a time, you will find yourself needing to test things out on your own before hopping into any kind of ranked match. Just make sure you understand what each of the items does and how they interact with players and the environment before you plan on using them.
Adapting to changes in between metas can be a difficult task if you don’t go in with a plan. However, if you use the blueprint for adjusting to the map, weapon, and item changes laid out for you in this article, you will find yourself adjusting to the changes that are made between Seasons and Chapters faster and easier with each transition. Hopefully this has prepared you for the next change that is brought to Fortnite, and you are ready to take on the opposition!
