'Fortnite' Finds a Sneaky Way to Nerf a Popular Weapon
Goodbye Tactical SMG, we hardly knew ye.
The latest Fortnite update isn’t as big as the patch that ushered in Season 5, but it does include one tweak that could change how you play the game. The powerful Tactical SMG weapon has been replaced with a slightly less deadly new Submachine Gun. Here’s what you need to know about the switch.
Fortnite’s official description of the new Submachine Gun hints at another powerful weapon ideal for one-on-one shootouts, which makes sense considering what it’s replacing.
“Make enemies think twice before they push you,” it reads. “Run and gun with the new Submachine Gun, ideal for those intense close range battles.”
More specifically, the Submachine Gun features a 30 round capacity and a base damage of 19-21 depending on rarity. It comes in Common, Uncommon, and Rare variants, and can be found both in treasure chests and regular loot spots around the map (like inside buildings).
Overall, the Submachine Gun is actually a slight downgrade from the Tactical SMG, which boasts a 35 round capacity. That might not sound like much, but if you wind up in a firefight it could be the difference between death and Victory Royale. So basically, Fortnite is nerfing the weapon without actually nerfing it.
The only other change to Fortnite: Battle Royale at the moment is a slight buff to the Semi-Auto Sniper Rifle. Moving forward, this long-range weapon will do 75/78 damage, up from 63/66. Not too shabby.
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