This season delivered a solid experience, ranking as one of the best season starts in Fortnite history. While Chapter 4, Season 1 remains highly regarded, this season surpassed the beginning of Chapter 5. Confidence in Fortnite’s future has grown significantly, and the game’s direction over the next year looks promising. Comparing the end of Chapter 5, Season 1 to the conclusion of Chapter 6, Season 1, there is much more optimism about what’s to come.

What Worked Well This Season

A Map Full of Hidden Depth

The Chapter 6 map may not be the best in Fortnite’s history—Chapter 1 still holds that title for many—but it stands out due to its depth and hidden details. Locations such as the vault at Nightshade Forest and the cave at Magic Mosses added intrigue to exploration. The midseason updates also enhanced the experience, with minor but meaningful additions like an extra room at Flooded Frogs, the unflooding of that POI, and the underground section added to Masked Meadows.

The introduction of the Kappa Kappa Pickle Factory midseason wasn’t groundbreaking, but the continuous small adjustments helped keep the game fresh and prevented the map from feeling static, a quality reminiscent of early Fortnite seasons. The continuous evolution of Chapter 6’s map is arguably one of the best Fortnite has ever implemented.

Improved Medallion Balance

Medallions in Chapter 5 were controversial, often dictating game pacing from the start. In Chapter 6, however, the most powerful Medallion spawned on the island in the fourth zone, allowing players to play more freely until then. This shift removed the pressure of landing at specific locations early in the game and made the island a high-stakes battleground later on. The ammo Medallion was also a valuable addition, though not overpowered, contributing to a better-balanced experience overall.

High Mobility Enhancing Gameplay

This season featured multiple mobility items, making matches fast-paced and enjoyable. The Void Mask, Typhoon Blade, and Kinetic Blade waves offered diverse movement options. While the Typhoon Blade had some issues (discussed later), the presence of mobility items made Zero Build a lot more engaging.

Weapon Balance and Modifications

Unlike Chapter 5, where weapon mods played a crucial role, this season removed them entirely. This change was a welcome one, as weapon effectiveness no longer relied on mod availability. Additionally, the Hollow Twister AR and Sentinel Pump were enjoyable to use, reinforcing a solid loot pool. The shotgun meta, in particular, stood out, as the pump shotgun felt satisfying, unlike previous seasons where the auto shotgun dominated.

The Train Finally Served a Purpose

Chapter 5 introduced the train, but it felt like an afterthought. This season, however, capturing the train rewarded players with a Mythic Hollow AR, making it a valuable landing spot. While landing on the train was not the most popular strategy, it added a compelling risk-reward dynamic for those who did.

The Downsides of the Season

The Typhoon Blade’s Overpowered Slash Attack

The biggest issue this season was the Typhoon Blade, specifically its L2 slash attack. While the standard melee swing was manageable, the slash attack’s range, hitbox, and knockback made it frustrating. Many players underestimated its impact, but against skilled opponents, dodging it was nearly impossible. The attack had a generous 14-meter range, often hitting through structures, making counterplay extremely limited.

A simple fix would have been reducing its range and hitbox while making it more precision-based. Increasing the cooldown or making the slash consume more durability could have also helped balance the item.

A Stagnant Fortnite Meta

Despite the enjoyable loot pool, the meta remained largely unchanged throughout the season. The Hollow Twister AR was overpowered and should have received a recoil nerf to introduce more skill-based gunplay. Buffs to the Oni Shotgun were a step in the right direction, but overall, the season lacked a significant shift in the weapon meta.

Durability: A Controversial but Necessary Mechanic

The introduction of item durability was divisive. Many players disliked the idea, but it was a positive addition. Mobility items should have limitations, and durability prevents excessive spamming without consequence. The Kinetic Blade’s 21 uses were still quite generous, and refreshes were obtainable through eliminations.

For example, if the Typhoon Blade’s slash attack consumed more durability, players would need to be more strategic with its use rather than spamming it without a second thought. Balancing durability-based mechanics could be the key to refining mobility in future seasons.