The Mythic Drum Gun was recently added in Fortnite Chapter 6, Season 2, and it has quickly become one of the most effective weapons in the game. Available at the black market outside Masked Meadows for a Dilbit, this weapon offers a unique blend of power, versatility, and accuracy that makes it a top-tier choice.

Why the Drum Gun Is OP

Traditionally, the Drum Gun was a close-range SMG, but in Chapter 6, it has evolved into a weapon that excels at nearly any range. Thanks to its 2x thermal sight, players can now engage enemies with precision from afar. This is a major upgrade over past iterations, which suffered from excessive bloom and a lack of a sight, restricting their effectiveness to close-range encounters.

Additionally, the thermal sight highlights enemies in gold, making it significantly easier to track opponents, even in low-visibility situations. This added zoom helps in long-range battles, although it can sometimes be a disadvantage in mid-range fights, depending on the scenario.

Comparing the Drum Gun to Other ARs

The Mythic Drum Gun competes with the Striker Burst AR and Hollow Twister AR for a spot in many players’ inventories. Here’s how it stacks up:

  • Damage Output: The Drum Gun deals 28 damage per shot, which is slightly lower than its competitors, but it compensates with an 8.5 fire rate, making it one of the fastest-shooting weapons in its class.
  • DPS Superiority: Due to its high fire rate, the Drum Gun has a higher DPS than both the Mythic Striker Burst AR and the Hollow Twister AR. However, DPS assumes perfect accuracy, which is often unrealistic due to recoil.
  • Magazine Size: With 40 rounds per magazine, it holds more ammo than most ARs, allowing for sustained fire without constant reloading.
  • Hipfire Advantage: Being an SMG at its core, it performs exceptionally well in close-range fights, outclassing the Striker Burst and Hollow Twister AR in these scenarios.

Despite these advantages, it still has noticeable recoil, making it harder to control than some of the other ARs. Players who can master its firing mechanics will find it to be one of the most versatile and effective weapons available.

How to Master the Drum Gun’s Recoil

The biggest downside to the Drum Gun is its recoil pattern, which includes both vertical and unpredictable side-to-side movement. However, there are ways to manage this:

  • Burst Firing: Instead of holding down the trigger, tap-firing in quick bursts significantly reduces recoil and improves accuracy. Even a slight break between shots can make a noticeable difference.
  • Controller & Mouse Adjustments: Players can pull down slightly on their analog stick (controller) or mouse (keyboard) while shooting to counteract recoil.
  • Toggle Weapon Sighting: A key feature in Chapter 6 allows players to toggle between thermal sight and third-person aiming, making it easier to use in different scenarios. By default, this function is mapped to the left stick click (controller) or shift (keyboard) while aiming. Customizing this bind can improve usability.

Players who effectively balance sight usage and recoil control will find the Drum Gun deadly in almost any engagement.

Is the Drum Gun the Best Weapon Right Now?

While some may argue that weapons like the Collateral Damage AR are stronger in close-range fights, they lack the long-range versatility of the Drum Gun. The Hollow Twister and Striker Burst ARs remain excellent choices, but the Drum Gun’s ability to dominate in multiple combat situations makes it one of the most well-rounded weapons in Fortnite right now.

That said, it’s not for everyone. If you struggle with recoil control or prefer a more precision-based AR, the Striker Burst AR or Hollow Twister AR may still be better choices. However, for players who can master its fire rate, bursting technique, and recoil, the Mythic Drum Gun is easily one of the best weapons in Chapter 6.