For those that are having trouble during the mobility desert, this article will run through make-shift mobility options to help you get victory royales during one of the most challenging seasons.
Now more than ever, Epic Games has made it so players must contemplate their every move. Starting fights or prolonging fights may mean the difference between winning and getting eliminated, mainly due to Storm Damage. Let's go over the different methods any player can use to navigate the map in its current state.
To make this part easier to understand, it will be divided into physical items on the map, items/weaponry, and augments. This list may look relatively long; however, considering the practicality and the areas these modes of transportation reside in, your ability to use them in the game is situational.
CARS
The spawn locations of cars are concentrated within the bottom half of the map with focal points in Slappy Shores and Mega City.
MOTORBOATS
These can be found around the outskirts of the maps where the river meets the ocean surrounding the map. They are also found on the river in makeshift docks.
DIRT BIKES
Dirt Bikes spawn at all corners of the map, however, the ill protection they provide means that any player who wishes to use it must be cautious.
Rifts are located underneath the Rift Island that spawns during the match. They also spawn when a Llama is activated and not opened. Rifts can be activated at ominous stone statues within the Jungle Biome.
WOLVES
HOGS
RAPTORS
These animals spawn all around the map except for Raptors that spawn strictly within the new Jungle biome.
Launches players into the air and allows them to deploy a glider.
Here are the locations of all launch pads on the map.
Mud coats the player and gives a slipper effect when sliding and sprinting. The mud layer can allow for sliding down hills and across valleys faster and is similar to the effects of the Icy Slide augment. Mud can only be found inside and surrounding the Jungle biome in the POI’s Rumble Ruins, Creaky Compound, and Shady Stilts. The effects wear off after a short amount of time or if you swim in the water.
The “mobility desert” facing Fortnite occurs with items. Usually, there are at least two to three items you can hold or have that are specifically meant for moving around the map. Although there are currently none of these items, Fortnite still has a couple that are adequate replacements.
1. HEISTED RUN ‘N’ GUN SMG
Exotic SMG infused with Slap and reloads your magazine while sprinting.
There are two ways to get this weapon: 1) purchase it in a holo-chest with two keys or receive it from the Exotic Grab Bag augment.
2. SPICY ICECREAM CONE
Heals 5 Health, gives you a speed boost.
This brand of ice cream can be found in coolers and ice machines.
1. ICY SLIDE
Gain icy speed boost briefly after sliding.
If not practiced enough, the slide mechanic may be more of a hindrance than a benefit.
2. SOARING SPRINTS
Jump much higher and with lower gravity while sprinting.
The zero gravity added to your jump is loud and slows down your character making it easier for an enemy team to spot you and deal a lot of damage to you.
3. AQUATIC WARRIOR
You move faster and regenerate health and partial shields while in a body of water, except while in the storm.
There is not a lot of water on the map. Oftentimes you would find yourself trying to run to the Safe Zone from the Storm on land.
4. SPLASH PARTY
Receive Slap Splashes.
Each Slap Splash gives 15 HP/SP. It makes up for this amount with the infinite stamina bar it gives for a limited amount of time.
5. ROAMING REDEPLOY
Gain Glider Redeploy whenever you gain immunity to fall damage, such as exiting Vines, Rails, Ziplines, or using Hop plants.
Using vines and ziplines may alert the enemies around you. While redeploy is nice in theory, the redeploy given to players is slow enough where a player with good accuracy can hit you while you're in the sky.
The Fortnite community is facing a limited variety of reliable methods of mobility, however, Epic Games has shown that they are really listening to their community. Farther down in the season, Epic has planned to release the following mobility apparatus:
1. QUAD CRASHER
2. CHOPPA
3. KINETIC BLADE
A masterfully crafted blade that taps into the physical properties of Kinetic Ore. Allows the wielder to move great distances quickly and strike down foes with precise strikes.
4. SHOCKWAVE HAMMER
Blast away friends and foes with the swing of your mighty hammer.
5. GRAPPLE GLOVE
This may not seem like much now, but once it is released on the Battle Royale map, it will change up the meta and overall rotation strategies for all players across the board.
This may be trying times for many Fortnite players that have gotten used to having mobility all around the map, Epic has taken a “back to basics” approach that was seen in the OG days. This mobility desert is not permanent, but while it lasts, players should shift their mindset on the implications of playing without mobility. Pushing through the frustration of it all is the best way to improve on other skills that are integral to gameplay.
