In any game competitive or casual, paid or free-to-play, there will always be some sort of cosmetic feature that will be offered to players to help enhance the experience of the game. Fortnite is no exception, having some of the largest collaborations with third-party brands, there is a plethora of skins and cosmetics offered to players through the in-game shop or battle pass.
While these cosmetics don’t offer any competitive advantage or disadvantage outright through hitboxes or mechanics, some fall shorter than others for a variety of reasons.
This article is going to cover the five worst cosmetics in the game that you should avoid if you want a slight edge on your opponents.
Before We Start…
Before getting onto the list, it is important to remember that ALL cosmetics and skins are not meant to provide any positive or negative effects when they are used. Epic has confirmed that ALL skins have the same hitbox, no matter how big or small. So, if there is a skin on this list that you personally enjoy using, keep rocking it!
1. Large Character Models
As it was just mentioned, all skins in Fortnite have the same hitbox, meaning that picking a bigger skin does not make you a “bigger target” regarding bullets making an impact on your character. However, using a skin with a larger character model does make you more visible to enemies, so while you are not necessarily easier to hit, you are easier to see.
On the other hand, using a larger character model could hinder your vision. Since your character takes up more of your screen, there is less to see around you which can sometimes lead to being caught off-guard from a shot that you otherwise would have anticipated. Skins like Brutus or Peely are good examples of skins with large models.
2. Skins With Cell Shading
This one may ruffle some feathers, but it is undeniably true, and even I do not like to admit it, but yes, the skins with cell shading, especially those anime skins with bright colors, are not the best to use for those who are looking to stay hidden. While these skins are cool, the cell shading can tend to make you stick out and make sneaking around unnoticed a more difficult task than it needs to be.
There are several instances where someone using a skin with cell shading is trying to traverse the map or go unnoticed, but the brightness and boldness of the skin make it difficult to do so without getting spotted. So, while these skins are a cool addition to the game, they can sometimes hinder gameplay with how easy they are to spot.
3. Skins With Distracting Features
In a similar vein as cell shading, some skins have some unnecessary features that can not only make you easier for enemies to spot but can also be distracting to use at times. These skins tend to fall somewhere in between the categories of having a large character model or bright colors and cell shading. These skins tend to have certain features that can either distract or block the player’s view or make them stand out from opponents.
A good example of this is the skin Giddy Up. While this skin is fun and goofy to use in-game, it tends to mesh perfectly with categories of bright colors and large models to create the ultimate distracting skin.
4. Cosmetics With Too Many Particle Effects
A lot more gliders and harvesting tools tend to fall under this category. However, there are quite a few skins that can fall under this category as well. While having a lot of different features and particle effects is cool, oftentimes they can draw some unwanted attention from players like some of the previous skins.
Skins like Rippley or Drift, have effects to them that while cool, can be distracting to some players, or catch the attention of others. There are also harvesting tools and gliders that can fall victim to this as well. So, while these skins are not as bad as some, it’s something to be aware of.
5. Large Gliders
Lastly, one topic that is important to touch on is gliders. While they are not a significant portion of cosmetics, there are certain areas where having a glider that is too large or distracting can be a disadvantage. Especially when there are things like augments, jump pads, or slipstreams that can allow players to redeploy in the other stages of the game besides when hopping out of the Battle Bus.
So, while they may not seem like that much of an issue, having a glider that is easier to spot can cause you to stand out when you might be trying to escape a fight or roam the map unnoticed.
Conclusion
At the end of the day, skins and other cosmetics are meant to add an additional layer of fun and enjoyment to the game. While skins intend to allow players to customize their character’s cosmetic features in a fun way, it can sometimes affect gameplay even though that is not the intention. Remember, use the skins that you enjoy the most, however, if you are looking for a balance of cosmetics and gameplay, keep these five points in mind when customizing your character loadout.
