The Fortnite 2.21 update patch notes (Fortnite 9.01 today) have been fully revealed by developer Epic Games. This new Fortnite patch adds the new Tactical Assault Rifle, implements a hefty Drum Gun nerf, and more. At the time of posting, the new update is being deployed across PC, PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Android, and iPhone. Unfortunately, this new Fortnite update does require a downtime period. Expect this to last around 1-2 hours total. Following the maintenance period, players will be able to download and install the 2.21 update. Once installed and servers are back online, you’ll be able to continue grinding through Battle Pass tiers. While waiting for the downtime to end, why not get caught up on the new changes by reading the full list of Fortnite 2.21 patch notes below.
Fortnite 2.21 Update Patch Notes Highlights (Fortnite 9.01)
The main highlight of the Fortnite 2.21 update patch notes is the new Tactical Assault Rifle. Available in Rare, Epic, and Legendary variants, this weapon has a tight spread in close quarters, but is less effective at long range when compared to other ARs.
The Tactical Assault Rifle specs are damage 22/23/24, a headshot multiplier of 1.75x, 30 rounds in the magazine, and fully automatic. It can be found in floor loot, chests, Supply Drops, and Vending Machines.
Though the Tactical Assault Rifle has been added to the game, there isn’t yet any word on the rumored Fortnite x John Wick limited time mode.
The nerf to the recently unvaulted Drum Gun is also worth mentioning in this highlights section. Its base damage has been decreased from 26/27 to 22/23, meaning the user will often need an extra bullet or two to kill enemies.
What’s more, if you were hoping to switch from the newly nerfed Drum Gun to the Compact SMG, that’s no longer possible, as the Compact SMG has been added to the vault.
Fortnite 2.21 Update Patch Notes (Fortnite 9.01)
BATTLE ROYALE
WEAPONS + ITEMS
- Tactical Assault Rifle
- Available in Rare, Epic, and Legendary variants.
- Available from Floor Loot, Chests, Supply Drops, and Vending Machines
- Fully Automatic
- 30 Round Magazine
- Deals 22/23/24 damage
- Headshot Multiplier of 1.75x
- This weapon has a tight spread in close quarters but is less effective at long range when compared to other Assault Rifles.
- Reduced Baller health from 200 to 150
- The primary goal of the Baller is to provide fun and exciting mobility. We feel that it still has a little too much defensive agency – this change should reduce the effectiveness there while not impacting its strengths.
- Drum Gun adjustments
- Reduced base damage from 26/27 to 22/23
- Since its unvaulting, the Drum Gun effectiveness has been slightly higher than we wanted. This change should reduce its combat effectiveness while still retaining its flavor.
- Reduced base damage from 26/27 to 22/23
- Vaulted Compact SMG
- Due to the recent addition of the Drum Gun and the brand new Tactical Assault Rifle, we wanted to reduce the availability of high rate-of-fire weapons.
GAMEPLAY
- Slipstream adjustments
- Slipstreams no longer block building.
- Trying to build up to get into a Slipstream should be an easy & intuitive experience. We noticed some cases where players would build up to the Slipstream, but due to build restrictions would take a ‘leap of faith’ and not make the jump. This should make getting into a Slipstream easier.
- Players flying in a Slipstream will destroy player built objects when they collide.
- Slipstreams are now disabled after storm phase 5.
- We’ve seen a number of cases where Slipstreams caused issues during late game circles – primarily around getting pulled into the storm unexpectedly. Since the value of Slipstream mobility is limited in those scenarios, we felt it’s better to simply disable them.
- Slipstreams no longer block building.
PERFORMANCE
- Improvements made to level streaming performance on all platforms.
- This will reduce cases of buildings not loading in.
- Physics optimizations to improve performance in conduits
CREATIVE
WEAPONS + ITEMS
- Tactical Assault Rifle
- Available in Rare, Epic, and Legendary variants.
- Fully Automatic
- 30 Round Magazine
- Deals 22/23/24 damage
- Headshot Multiplier of 1.75x
- This weapon has a tight spread in close quarters but is less effective at long range when compared to other Assault Rifles.
- Available in Rare, Epic, and Legendary variants.
PREFABS
- 7 New Themes
- Ruined Shops
- Ruined Twin Apartments
- Ruined L Apartments
- Ruined Red Apartments
- Ruined Fish Apartments
- Ruined Basketball Court
- Ruined Clock Tower
- 3 New Galleries
- Ruined Floor Gallery
- Ruined Wall Gallery
- Scorched Gallery
SAVE THE WORLD
MISSIONS + SYSTEMS
- New Wargames simulation: Mist Pods
- Weed that garden, and by garden we mean your Storm Shield. Find and destroy those Mist Pods before they spawn Mini-bosses.
- A new Wargames simulation means more chances for Event Tickets, a new player banner, and more variety to the Daily Quests.
HEROES
- We’ve added a new Hero to the Event store!
- Prehistoric Izza, A new Dinosaur Constructor!
- Standard Perk: Saurian Hide
- While Shield is depleted, increases Armor by 33.
- Commander Perk: Saurian Hide +
- While Shield is depleted, increases Armor by 100.
- Available in the Event Store on May 15 at 8 PM Eastern Time.
- Standard Perk: Saurian Hide
- Prehistoric Izza, A new Dinosaur Constructor!
GAMEPLAY
Bug Fixes & Improvements
- Crashes no longer occur when depositing BlueGlo at the top of a radar tower.
