The updates continue to roll in for Fortnite, and the latest (v4.2) brings along a much anticipated item of equipment for players: jetpacks. Previously scheduled to arrive with v3.1.0, the item finally makes its appearance as part of Backpacks, a brand new item type. There’s also a new limited time game mode and a new hero.
As mentioned above, the main draw for Battle Royale players is the new Jetpack item. As part of the new Backpacks item type, it is strictly a gameplay item and players won’t be able to purchase it as a cosmetic. There’s also a new game mode: Solid Gold v2. Like before, players will always be equipped with legendary weapons, and this variant of the mode now includes the Heavy Shotgun and Legendary Burst Assault Rifle. More details on both of these and all of the other changes for Battle Royale can be found in the patch notes below.
Weapons + Items
- Jetpack added.
- Legendary Rarity.
- Found in Treasure Chests.
- The Jetpack is the first of a new item type: Backpacks.
- Backpacks take an inventory slot (like weapons & consumables) and can be moved to different positions.
- Only one Backpack can be carried at a time.
- If you pick up a different Backpack, it will be automatically swapped with the one currently equipped.
- When a Backpack is fully consumed, it will be automatically destroyed.
- While a Backpack is equipped, your Back Bling cosmetics will be hidden.
- Back Bling will be reapplied when the Backpack is no longer equipped.
- The Jetpack is engaged by jumping while in mid-air, providing additional mobility.
- While flying, there is a limited duration it can be used before it must charge again.
- Recharge begins when the Jetpack is not in use.
- You can not enter Targeting Mode while in the air.
- On controller, using the Targeting Mode input will trigger the Jetpack.
- While flying, there is a limited duration it can be used before it must charge again.
Gameplay
- Limited Time Mode: Solid Gold v2
- All weapon drops are legendary!
- Floor Drops: High chance of Hand Cannon & Suppressed Pistols. Low chance of Assault Rifle & Sniper Rifle.
- Chests: High chance of Assault Rifle, Minigun & Sniper Rifle. Low chance of Heavy Shotgun & Rocket/Grenade Launchers. No Pistols.
- Supply Drops: High chance of Rocket/Grenade Launchers, Medium chance of Sniper Rifles. Low chance of Heavy Shotgun & Assault Rifles. No Pistols.
- 50% extra stone and metal resources gained from farming.
- Stone Floor Drops increased to 60 per pickup.
- Metal Floor Drops increased to 90 per pickup.
- Increased drop rates of: Chug Jugs, Slurp Juice, Shields, all Special Grenades, Launch Pads and Campfires.
- Decreased drop rates of: Grenades, Spike Traps and Bandages.
- All weapon drops are legendary!
- Limited Time Mode: Close Encounters (available Friday, May 25)
- Close quarters combat with Shotguns & Jetpacks!
- The only guns in this mode are the various types of Shotguns.
- Jetpacks & Heavy Shotguns can be found in Chests & Supply Drops.
- Other Shotgun types are spawned as Floor Loot.
- The storm moves in more quickly than normal mid to late game.
- Typical match length is about 15 minutes.
- Stats are enabled for this mode.
Meanwhile, the Save the World game mode gets a new hero: Archaeolo Jess. The patch notes for Save the World are below, but don’t blink or you’ll miss them.
Missions + Systems
- Doubled the Weekly Limit for Flux in the Weekly Store (available Wed., May 23 at 8pm ET).
Heroes
- Archaeolo-Jess, new Outlander Hero, has been added to the Event Store (available Wed., May 23 at 8pm ET).
V4.2 and all of the new improvements and additions will be in your game now.