In Fortnite there are now nerfs against the mech vehicles “B.I.E.S.T.” An update adjusted the balance of the mechs. We show you the patch notes.
What happened? On the night of August 23, 2019, the team at Epic Games made some changes in Fortnite. These mainly affect the balance of the mechs. In recent weeks, players and streamers complained loudly that the new mech vehicles, introduced in Season X, were far too powerful.
Recently, the streamer CouRage caused a stir when he dropped a $400,000 tournament due to the mechs.
Nerfs for the mechs – Update from 23.08.
These are the changes: We will show you here what changes have been implemented for the mechs in the game. You do not have to download a new update.
- The maximum number of rockets has been reduced from 10 to 6
- The rate of fire of the rockets has been reduced by 56%
- The explosion radius of the rockets has been reduced by 42%
- The cooldown time for the boost has been increased from 3 to 5 seconds
- The speed increase in the air from boosts has been reduced by 33%
- Those driving the mech cannot collect materials by stomping or boosting
- The material cost to recharge the shield has been reduced from 200 to 75
- The condition of the mechs has been increased from 1,000 to 1,250
Changes to the mech spawns
In the first three storm phases, there should be more variability in the mech spawns. For example, there is now in storm phase 1 the possibility that no mech spawns at all. Previously, at least 2 mechs spawned in the first storm phase.
New storm phase 1:
| Chance for mech spawn | How many mechs spawn |
| 29 % | 0 |
| 14.3 % | 1 |
| 14.3 % | 2 |
| 14.3 % | 3 |
| 14.3 % | 4 |
| 14.3 % | 5 |
Previously, the chances were 33 % for 2 mech spawns, 33 % for 3 mech spawns, and 33 % for 4 mech spawns.
New storm phase 2:
| Chance for mech spawn | How many mechs spawn |
| 25 % | 0 |
| 25 % | 1 |
| 25 % | 2 |
| 25 % | 3 |
Previously, the chances were 33 % for 2 mech spawns, 33 % for 3 mech spawns, and 33 % for 4 mech spawns.
New storm phase 3:
| Chance for mech spawn | How many mechs spawn |
| 25 % | 1 |
| 25 % | 2 |
| 25 % | 3 |
| 25 % | 4 |
Previously, the chances were 33 % for 1 mech spawn, 33 % for 2 mech spawns, and 33 % for 3 mech spawns.
The spawns in the arena modes remain unchanged.
What else does the patch change? The item “Scrap Rift” has been temporarily removed from the arena modes due to an audio bug.
Why is Epic doing this?
More fairness: The patch notes state that Epic wants to balance the combat experience between players using mechs and those without. With slower rockets, players now have more time to dodge.
With a lower explosion radius, mechs should still be strong against buildings, but weaker against individual, mobile players.
Why doesn’t Epic Games remove the mechs? Although the vehicles are very powerful, Epic keeps them in the game. They say that even losers should have a chance to win.
This streamer experienced a glitch that gave her huge advantages. She was somehow invulnerable in Fortnite:
