In one of the recent updates, Epic has significantly changed shotguns in Fortnite: Battle Royale. This change is good for Fortnite in itself – unfortunately, just on paper, our author Robert believes.
This is the shotgun nerf in Fortnite: By now, passionate pump shotgun players have probably noticed a change to their favorite weapon: It is no longer possible to blow away an opponent with full shields in one shot – you now have to shoot at least twice to send the opponent back to the lobby.
Because Epic Games has slightly, but decisively changed the shotguns:
- The critical damage multiplier for Pump Shotguns has been reduced from 2.5 to 2.0, and the base damage has also been weakened: from 90/95 to 80/85.
- For Tactical Shotguns, only the reduction of the critical damage multiplier applies.
This was Epic’s plan: These changes were supposed to have some positive effects:
- The (rarer) heavy shotgun will be upgraded and should now be more popular with players.
- Since one-hit kills are no longer possible, players should now have more room for counterplays or escape options.
- At the same time, the focus should shift from shotguns to other weapons – and provide a certain balance.
Has Epic’s approach worked? No, unfortunately, the problem has merely shifted.
The consequence of the shotgun nerf: Even more double pumping
Pump shotguns have the unpleasant characteristic of having a slow fire rate. However, those who combine two pump shotguns and manage to press the trigger at the right moment will achieve a fire rate that tactical shotguns alone could not handle. The following video illustrates this principle impressively:
The disadvantage of a pump shotgun, having a slow fire rate, is circumvented by the double pump. Due to the shotgun nerf, more and more players are now “forced” to rely on the combination of two pump shotguns.
Fortnite – The Jumping Game
The consequence of double pump shotguns: The effect of damage reduction simply fizzles out. Because if we’re honest, most shotgun battles consist of kangaroo antics. There is jumping and jumping until the opponent has taken enough damage and is down.
In fact, the shotgun nerf has other negative side effects:
- There is no reason to play with tactical shotguns anymore; they are now considered “useless,” as they stand no chance against two well-combined pump shotguns.
- Players are forced to carry two pump shotguns to keep up. Consequently, an important inventory slot is consumed.
- Even the heavy shotgun stands no chance against two well-timed pump shotguns.
Epic’s well-intentioned approach therefore turns out to be a shot in the dark upon closer examination, as the real issue has not been resolved.
No nerf in the world will break the dominance of double pumping
As long as Epic does not put a stop to the use of two pump shotguns, all balance efforts will be nipped in the bud. Submachine guns have become a good alternative for short ranges over time, but they cannot replace pump shotguns.
Epic must ensure that the use of two pump shotguns becomes so unattractive that no player has to rely on them anymore.
In the medium term, a ban on double pumping could actually help Fortnite: Players would need to come up with new tactics, act more variably, and cover different scenarios with their loadout. This could reveal completely new approaches that no one had thought of before.
What do you think? Did Epic do everything right with the shotgun nerf – or did they just exacerbate the problem of double pump shotguns? Simply vote in our poll:
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