The qualifiers for the Fortnite is largely negative following what has been a series of in-game changes during Season 8 that many have opposed.
One of the biggest gripes that players have with the game is the continued existence of the Baller vehicle, which many from the competitive community have come out and bashed for being too overpowered and noncompetitive.
SypherPK’s rant about the Baller
On April 12, popular Twitch streamer and YouTuber SypherPK took to Twitter to share his thoughts on what kind of effect the Baller could have on the Fortnite World Cup and its qualifier tournaments.
“I just want to say if Fortnite keeps the Hamster Balls in the World Cup Qualifiers or Finals, then the tournament will be an absolute joke,” he tweeted. “If you don’t understand why the hamster balls are noncompetitive and make for a terrible viewing and playing experience, then I don’t know…”
I just want to say that if @FortniteGame keeps the Hamster Balls in the World Cup Qualifiers or Finals then the tournament will be an absolute joke. If you don't understand why the hamster balls are noncompetitive and make for a terrible viewing and playing experience then idk…
— LG SypherPK (@SypherPK) April 12, 2019
Sypher, who is considered to be one of the better players in the game, announced several weeks ago that he will be taking competing a lot more seriously for the World Cup, whereas previously, his content was based more on casual gameplay.
Why don’t Fortnite players like the Baller?
Most players would agree that the Baller simply has no place in the competitive scene, as fundamental aspects of the vehicle just don’t go well with how competitive matches play out.
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The main concern has always been with the Baller’s overpowered nature, and the fact that players can simply hide in one and use it to move around in such a way that makes them difficult to take down, especially in the all-important endgame phase of matches.
Epic Games nerf the Baller
In an attempt to appease the competitive community, Epic decided to implement some changes to the Baller that saw its health be decreased from 300 to 200.
However, the plans that were originally announced by Epic – to give players the ability to shoot through the Baller’s glass outer layer and hit the driver – have apparently been scrapped after they said “it didn’t feel like the right solution” following a trial phase.
Will the Baller be removed before the World Cup?
Epic have confirmed that the Fortnite World Cup will be played during Season 10, which means that the qualifiers and the final event will together span over three different Seasons (8-10).
With how Epic have treated controversial additions in the past, mainly the X-4 Stormwing plane, it would seem that the Ballers won’t be removed from the game until at least the start of Season 9.
However, if Epic have been one thing it’s unpredictable, so no one really knows how long the Ballers will be there or even what would replace them once they get removed.