Fortnite update 18.30 is here, and it’s bringing loads of new content including the Redacted Bunker POI, more Fortnitemares items, and a new weapon vote. Here are the patch notes.
Fortnite Season 8 has been one of the most content-heavy seasons in recent memory, with significant map changes like the Convergence at the center of the Island and some brilliant crossovers including Ariana Grande and Resident Evil.
Epic Games aren’t stopping there, as there’s already another update on the way just one week after the last one. 18.30 is expected to bring Fortnitemares to a close with fresh content drops like Shadow Midas as well as the Shortnitemares Film Festival.
Fortnite 18.30 release date & downtime details
Downtime for the Fortnite v18.21 patch is expected to begin on Tuesday, October 26, at around 1AM PST / 4AM EST / 9AM BST / 10AM CEST.
Based on previous Fortnite updates this season, downtime for the 18.30 patch could last up to two hours. It all depends on how much content Epic are adding to the game this time.
Fortnite 18.30 patch notes
The **Redacted** Bunker is now a Mountain Base
For the longest time, Fortnite players have wondered what lies inside the **Redacted** Bunker landmark at the southeast corner of the map near Catty Corner. It’s always remained a mystery… until now!
Doctor Slone has arrived and opened the bunker, revealing a Mountain Base. What the Imagined Order are doing there is a mystery, but it probably has something to do with the Cube Queen.
Gameplay of the Open Redacted Bunker!
via: @m1fnbr pic.twitter.com/pnJniuP89F
— Happy Power (@HappyPower) October 26, 2021
New weapons: Combat Pistol and Icy Grappler
Leakers have revealed that two new weapons have been added to the files in the 18.30 update: The Combat Pistol, which joins the recently added Combat Assault Rifle, and the Icy Grappler.
We don’t know exactly when these will go live in Fortnite yet, but it should happen at some point over the next couple of weeks before the 18.40 update arrives.
2 NEW WEAPONS! pic.twitter.com/ON6GCFPBCj
— HYPEX (@HYPEX) October 26, 2021
Cube Queen Secret Skin will be unlocked
The villainous Cube Queen made her dramatic entrance to the Fortnite Island in last week’s 18.21 update, and this week she’s expected to be unveiled as the Secret Skin of the Season 8 Battle Pass.
The countdown for the Secret Skin now ends on October 26 at 9am ET (2pm BST), at which point there should be a set of challenges to unlock her skin, as well as plenty of matching cosmetics.
Cube Town might become a Pyramid
In addition to the Cube Queen’s Secret Skin, leakers are reporting that Cube Town, also known as The Convergence in the 18.21 update, could be turning into a pyramid.
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HYPEX explained that it’s because there’s a string in the Cube Queen’s effects that refers to something called “Pyramid Tip,” which he believes supports this idea.
The Cube Town MIGHT turn into a Pyramid slowly (the Pyramid that I talked about last season), because there's a string in the Cube Queen's effects that refers to her as the "Pyramid Tip", and she will also be holding her pickaxe after 18.30 with lightning effects around her!
— HYPEX (@HYPEX) October 20, 2021
Fortnite The Batman Who Laughs arrives
The Batman Who Laughs skin will be available in the Item Shop starting on October 26, which means it will coincide with the 18.30 update. It marks the beginning of the much-anticipated Batman/Fortnite: Foundation story.
The skin also comes with the Dark Multiverse Set, which includes a Pickaxe and Glider. Robin’s Perch Back Bling and Dark Days Loading Screen are expected to arrive at a later date.
More Fortnitemares skins
The 18.30 update kicks off the fourth and final week of Fortnitemares 2021, so players can expect the last round of Halloween-themed skins and cosmetics to arrive in the Item Shop.
Leakers have predicted that this final week could include the long-awaited Shadow Midas skin, and potentially a new version of Dusk. We’ll just have to wait and see what gets unveiled!
Combat Shotgun vs Boogie Bomb
Leakers have shared that the next War Effort vote will be between the Combat Shotgun and the Boogie Bomb, a unique item that forces opponents to dance for five seconds (or until damaged).
It’s likely that this vote will take place following the 18.30 update, so keep your eyes peeled and start saving up those Gold Bars.
Shortnitemares Film Festival details announced
To coincide with Fortnitemares 2021, Epic revealed their third Short Nite film festival, which is called Shortnitemares. It will feature several animated shorts based on the “ghoulish and sinister”.
There’s no exact date or time yet, but Epic previously confirmed Shortnitemares will take place during Week 4 of Fortnitemares (that’s this week,) so details should be unveiled with the 18.30 update.
Fortnite 18.30 bug fixes
As always, a number of bug fixes are expected to ship with the 18.30 update. They’re not as exciting as the new content, but they’re essential to keeping Fortnite running smoothly for everyone.
Here are all the bugs expected to be fixed in this update:
- Using the “Smash Attack” ability with the Sideways Scythe may result in fall damage.
- Red dot indicator no longer shows on compass when enemies are firing.
- Error message when trying to equip certain color combinations of Tricksy.
- Trees are not appearing on Island Map (Creative).
- Players can get stuck inside the vault door in the Lab Dungeon (Save The World).
That’s everything we know about the Fortnite 18.30 update so far! We’ll keep this page updated as Epic Games announce more details, so make sure you check back soon.