The Fortnite community is mixed in their response to the major overhaul of shotgun damage, as some speculate Epic Games is attempting to alter the game with a focus on esports.
On June 6th Epic Games released an additional changes as part of the v4.3 content update, most significantly tweaking shotgun damage to make them slightly less powerful.
Fortnite is a very casual game at its core, relying on random generated loot and weapon drops, with players never guaranteed to enter a gunfight with all the same advantages as their opponent, depending largely on luck.
But there is, of course, skill involved also, with the ability to be accurate and build efficiently key to becoming a top player.
If anything, shotguns have been criticized for lowering this skill gap, as there is less emphasis placed on accuracy and more on getting up close and personal while hoping shell spread will be on your side.
So the nerf to damage is likely a move to lessen the reliance some players may have on shotguns and create a more balanced and ‘competitive’ experience – but not everyone is a fan of the decision.
Top Fortnite streamer Tyler “Ninja” Blevins was surprised by the other change, which increased trap damage to 150, and seemed optimistic about the shotgun change.
Interesting shotgun update and trap update. Weird they went from 125 to 75 up to 150… always felt 100 is the sweet spot.
As for shotguns honestly double shotty is still very powerful. Double pump will still dominate, but heavy shotguns now deal more headshot dmg.
— Ninja (@Ninja) June 6, 2018
Others were on the fence however, worried that the changes could lead to perhaps more inconsistent gunfights with shotguns.
While some were concerned about the update, many are reserving their judgement until after they have spent some time with the changes.
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Here’s what some of the top Fortnite streamers and YouTubers had to say about the recent shotgun damage nerf.
FaZe Agony
New Fortnite update doesn’t allow pumps to 1 hit you at 200 health… I kinda like that and I kinda don’t
— FaZe Agony (@Agony) June 6, 2018
NoahJ456
Fortnite Update:
Shotguns nerfed (headshot multiplier + pump damage) Jetpacks being removed Monday Traps now do 150 damage
Thoughts?
— NoahJ456 (@NoahJ456) June 6, 2018
WILDCAT
I think having a shotgun that can do 200+ damage is important, but it needs to reward accuracy. Being able to double pump, or run pump tac didn’t reward accuracy. Make either the pump or heavy do 200+ and make it so you can only have 1 shotgun.
— Tyler (@I_AM_WILDCAT) June 6, 2018
Also, Heavy + Tac will be new shotgun meta imo. Heavy shotty now does the most damage.
— Tyler (@I_AM_WILDCAT) June 6, 2018
ImMarksman
I can’t believe they just shit on the shotguns like that. S you can’t 1 pump anyone anymore with any shotgun in the game…
— Im Marksman (@Marksman) June 6, 2018
The maximum damage a Blue Pump can do now is 170…? Guess if you’re close range now and you’re low HP you’re just screwed, no way to get a clutch shot off and reward accuracy.
— Im Marksman (@Marksman) June 6, 2018
The good news out of this is that I don’t really double shotgun much, you know I love the Pump + SMG, so it doesn’t hurt me A TON. But I still don’t agree with that change.
— Im Marksman (@Marksman) June 6, 2018
NickT28
love the transparency as always but…
REMOVE DOUBLE PUMPING, it genuinly ruins the legitimacy of different shot gun types…
Why do we even have a tac shotty (that shoots fast), or a heavy shotty (that shoots pretty fast), if x2 pump allows 10 shots off even faster?
— Nick (@Nick28T) June 6, 2018