Epic Games has released a new software update for Fortnite on Nintendo Switch, bringing changes to the free-to-play battle royale game to version 5.20.1 on the portable home console.
This has continued to rebalance the game, introducing increases to wall HP and reducing SMG effectiveness – whether that be reducing the Compact SMG damage and magazine size or the decreasing the Drum Gun accuracy and falloff range damage.
“We’ve seen various discussions about SMGs, building material changes, and general weapon vs structure interaction. We agree that weapons should have a unique purpose and that building should feel great as well as show off your tactical skills in the heat of battle,” Epic Games explain.
“Your feedback in combination with internal testing has shown that previous changes in these areas were not achieving the goals we had set out for. The new changes are aimed at allowing for strengths and weaknesses between the SMGs, shotguns and structures during close range combat.”
Fortnite Update Version 5.20.1 Patch Notes
Building Changes
By increasing initial wall health values based on material type, material strength should feel more intuitive when making decisions:
Wood wall initial HP increased from 80 to 90
Stone wall initial HP increased from 80 to 100
Metal wall initial HP increased from 80 to 110
SMG Changes
Dropping SMG effectiveness – they should feel good against structures, but not consistently be the best option in multiple scenarios.
Compact SMG:
Reduced damage from 22/21 to 21/20
Reduced magazine size from 50 to 40
Drum Gun:
Reduced falloff range damage from 80% to 70% at 3500 units
Reduced falloff range damage from 65% to 55% at 5000+ units
Added environmental damage fall off matching player damage fall off
Decreased jumping accuracy by 5%
Decreased targeting accuracy by 10%
Reduced spawn rate from chests and floor loot by 40%
