How to Start Playing Fortnite Battle Royale
If you haven’t played Fortnite yet, you probably know someone who has played. Free battle royale style game is inevitable in 2018. Children cannot stop playing it. Even rappers and NBA players are in battles.
The basic premise of Fortnite Battle Royale (compete with 99 other people to be the last person standing) may seem simple, but it’s actually a lot. Here are a few things to know before you start your first match.
How to start playing
Part of Fortnite’s success stems from the fact that you can play it on just about any platform. It is available on PS4 and Xbox One , as well as PC and Mac. You can even play on your iPhone , but that’s not available on Android – at least not yet .
After the game is installed, you still have a few options to choose from. First, be sure to pick Battle Royale, the free game everyone obsesses with, over the paid Save the World mode.
Finally, you will need to choose from several different Battle Royale modes. Solo is a standard game for every player, while Duos team you up with one other player, and Squad allows you to create teams of up to four people. There is also a 50/50 temporary mode, which is roughly what it looks like.
How to land
The start of every Fornite match starts out the same: you jump off the flying bus and fall towards the island, eventually using the paraglider to get to the ground. Where you land plays a huge role in the rest of the game, so think twice before jumping off the bus.
If you are playing one of the normal game modes, you probably want to land in a relatively secluded area. Thus, you can spend the first part of the game collecting weapons and resources without fighting off a bunch of enemies. You need to avoid the more developed parts of the map and instead look for areas of grass. It is also generally recommended to stay on the bus until the last minute; most people will jump off early, so you find yourself in seclusion at the far end of the map.
How to build
One of the things that sets Fortnite apart from the competition is its ability to build. Using resources (wood, brick and steel), you can create walls, ramps, floors and ceilings. Combine them to create structures that can protect you from enemy fire or help you navigate the map.
The first thing you need to do is find materials. Luckily, you start every game with a pickaxe. So start swinging anything to break it down into materials. When you have a decent supply, switch to Build Mode (Circle on PS4, B on Xbox One, and G on PC or Mac). From there, you can switch between structural types and materials, and even edit the objects you build by adding windows and doors.
If you are under attack, building is your first line of defense. Build four walls around you to block any fire. Then place a ramp in the middle and climb it to peer through walls and rise above enemies. Congratulations! You have just built your first fort.
How to use weapons
Building forts is great, but you’ll need some kind of weapon if you want to destroy all your enemies and win the match. Fortunately, the map is full of them. Just enter any house or building and you will find some kind of weapon, although the best items are often hidden in golden treasure chests.
You can carry up to five weapons at the same time, so the trick is to mix the melee, medium, and ranged options. Shotguns are great for close range shooting, but they take time to reload, and the sniper rifle is great for targeting enemies from afar. Rocket launchers are a lot of fun too, just make sure you always have at least one melee weapon on hand or you might run into problems.
Weapons in Fortnite are also sorted by rarity, with the rarest of them having the strongest hit. Gray is common, green is rare, blue is rare, purple is epic, and orange is legendary. So keep this in mind as you build up your arsenal.
Armor and health
If you want to stay alive, you need to keep an eye on your armor and health, which are displayed in blue and green (respectively) in the lower center of the screen. If you are injured, you can use the first aid kit to heal the wounds. So if you find one, stick with it later.
As for your armor, it starts at zero, but you can accumulate it by drinking the blue potions scattered around the map. Use one as soon as you find it to free up space in your inventory, and keep as many extra items as possible in case you need them later.
With these tips, you should be able to start your first match without too much trouble, but don’t be discouraged if you lose. Your next game is just a click away.