In Fortnite with each map change, it is always a tough decision to make on where you should start your match. Several factors are at play when picking where to drop such as the location’s popularity, the bus’s path, and how much loot spawns there that allow for a good start. Not to mention, different players want different things, some prefer an easy start with less aggression, and some want to rack up eliminations on the second touchdown on the map. This list is going to go over a variety of locations, old and new this season, that allow for a good start for all kinds of players.

Kenjutsu Crossing

Starting this list is Kenjutsu Crossing. It is one of the better locations on the entire map when you are looking for value in terms of pure itemization. There is a lot of good loot that can be found in and around the temple, and if the Battle Bus path is heading towards it, it can be a great area if you are looking for an action-packed start to your game since a lot of people tend to land there. Another great thing about the location is its position on the map. Now being in the bottom right corner is a bit tough regarding the possible locations of the storm circle, but the fact that three other locations are very close by (MEGA City, Knotty Nets, and Steamy Springs) gives you a lot of different options for rotations after you are finished at Kenjutsu Crossing. Overall, Kenjutsu Crossing is a great place to start if you are more focused on looting chests and getting some solid rotations in after you are settled.

Knotty Nets

Up next is Knotty Nets. This POI is like Lonely Labs or Breakwater Bay in the fact that it is relatively secluded and provides a quieter start for players when it is not too close to the path of the Battle Bus. This location is great when you finish clearing the area and want to get an edge on items before you make your next move. Speaking of which, where this location outshines these other locations is its rotations. It is close to MEGA City and Kenjutsu Crossing, so once you finish up at Knotty Nets, you have two good locations to make your next move. In addition, some very good landmarks have solid loot on the way to both of those areas. Knotty Nets is a very versatile drop depending on the bus path that a wide variety of players can take advantage of.

MEGA City

Being the largest POI ever added to the game, you just had to know that it would make this list, but it’s for good reason. People drop at MEGA City for the same two reasons people dropped at Tilted Towers: good items and chaos. Being relatively in the center of the map covering such an area attracts a lot of players, which is great for people who want to rack up kills early on. Not to mention, since the area is so big if you are going here for the loot it provides but don’t want to get into too many fights, you can oftentimes loot one of the buildings for a bit, then slip away using a jump pad nearby or one of the grind rails. Being close to the center of the map provides good options for rotating as well. Overall, MEGA City is the place to go for an action-packed start as well as good itemization to begin your match.

Shady Stilts

Up next we have one of the new areas provided by Season 3: Shady Stilts. Now while all three of the new areas are fun and can be solid spots to land, Shady Stilts has its advantages over them. The layout of the area has a lot of verticality due to all of the trees in the area making drops safer and quicker in some cases, allowing you to immediately react to others dropping. The vines in the area work identically to grind rails, making traversal around the area very easy. While Creeky Compound and Rumble Ruins are more towards the center of the map for better rotations, Shady Stilts still has plenty of options regarding rotations, solidifying it as a great option for starting the game off strong.

Slappy Shores

Rounding out the list is going to be Slappy Shores. Being its third season in the game, you would think that other locations would be valued over Slappy Shores, but it just provides so much utility and loot that it can’t be overlooked. The Slap barrels scattered around make it very easy to gain a full shield, and the various buildings provide great loot both on the floor and in chests, especially in the main factory area. It also is relatively close to the center of the map, making it very easy to rotate based on where the circle lands. Slappy Shores provide such a great start for any type of player looking to land there with all that it has to offer, making it remain one of the best places for people to drop this season.

Honorable Mention: Lonely Labs

Not quite making the top five on this list is Lonely Labs. For most people, you look to drop by Lonely Labs for a nice quiet start, with some very solid loot in the main buildings or on the coast. While not a bad area by any means, it falls just short of the list for its secluded location and distance from other named locations in the area. The only close location is Brutal Bastion, and while there are options for rotations with the jump pads there, it’s a bit out of the way. Overall, if you prefer a nice, secluded area to start your games and want to get set up without an abundance of other players in your way, Lonely Labs is the place to go.

Conclusion

There are always so many options for players to choose from when deciding where to start a match. Each match is different in the sense that the bus has multiple different paths it can take. This can make it overwhelming to decide where to land. Hopefully, this list has assisted in narrowing down where you look to land in Fortnite and helps you find your new favorite location in the game.