With the update 11.40, we received the new Sidegrading feature in Fortnite. We will show you how it works and 2 ideas that could improve the feature in the future.
What feature was introduced? With the last update 11.40, Sidegrading was introduced. This allows you to exchange a weapon in the same category, with the same rarity.
Epic created a trailer showing how the feature works. This trailer even plays in the game:
Sidegrading Feature in Fortnite – Here’s how it works
Now let’s take a detailed look at how Sidegrading works in Fortnite.
Which weapons can be Sidegraded?
Unfortunately, Sidegrading currently only works for the Assault Rifle. You can convert a standard Assault Rifle into a Heavy Assault Rifle and vice versa.
Important: The Burst Assault Rifle cannot be Sidegraded.
What you need for Sidegrading
To Sidegrade your Assault Rifle, you need a workbench and materials. The Sidegrading comes with a cost.
In this guide, you can see where the workbenches are located on the map.
How much does Sidegrading cost you? To Sidegrade your weapon, you must first collect 20 Wood, Stone, and Metal. This is the cost for a single Sidegrade.
Using the workbench – Here’s how it works
Once you have gathered enough materials and found a workbench, you can start the Sidegrade.
First, equip the Assault Rifle that you want to Sidegrade. When you stand in front of the workbench, two options will be displayed. You can either upgrade or Sidegrade the weapon.
It should be displayed to you immediately which button you need to press to interact with the workbench.
If you have enough materials in your inventory, the Sidegrading should work without any issues.
Sidegrading has great potential
How could Sidegrading improve in the future? So far, Sidegrading is still in an early phase and only affects one weapon in the game. However, there are 2 ways in which Sidegrading could significantly improve in the future.
1. More weapons to Sidegrade
One possibility would be to introduce all weapons in the game into the Sidegrading feature. This way, players can choose which weapon they want in their inventory.
Players who prefer using a shotgun can simply Sidegrade the shotgun they found. This option would make Sidegrading more attractive, and players would likely use it more often.
2. Equipping weapons with gear
A player had an idea about how Sidegrading could develop in the future. He posted his idea on reddit.
He believes that players should be able to equip their weapons with gear. This could include suppressors or scopes found in chests or ammo boxes.
At the workbench, players could then connect the weapon with the suppressor and would have a suppressed weapon. The same could be done with the scopes.
This idea would surely bring variety to the game since players could customize their weapons themselves.
We will see how Sidegrading develops in Fortnite. It certainly has great potential.
What do you think about Sidegrading in Fortnite? Would you use it more often with these possibilities?
