Fortnite Battle Royale: Say goodbye to stockpiling materials

Tuesday, the team over at Epic Games implemented some significant changes to Fortnite Battle Royale with what they have called the “Balance Update.” This patch has many diehard fans up in arms and for a very good reason. Here’s why!

“Oh, llama up there on the side of the mountain,” I yelled into the microphone to my friend Matt.

“Let’s go for it and load up on materials,” he replied. As the two of us jaunted up the side of the mountain just outside of Snobby Shores, I used nearly all of the 250 wood I had accumulated while looting the five houses on the western side of the map.

Not concerned with the amount I used to get to the llama, I was ready to split the 500 wood, brick, and metal with my teammate. I opened the llama and was left awestruck at what came out of the prized find.

“Wait a second,” I mumbled. “Did I just get 200 wood and brick from that?” I sat puzzled trying to piece together if my game was lagging or if indeed I had just picked up 200 material rather than 500.

Matt shared his confusion and reaffirmed that I was not losing my mind, “I just got 200 metal from that. How’s that possible?”

Little did we know the development team at Epic had decided to cut the materials earned from a llama by 300.

In what the developers of the highly successful game are calling the “Balance Update” on Reddit, there was no explanation as to why the changes were made. Unfortunately for those players who have found success in this game by outbuilding opponents or creating massive structures that are nearly impossible to take down, this new update will not be received with praise.

Llamas were not the only place where it will now be harder to load up on materials. Before the update on June 5th, a player could pick up a stack of wood, brick, or metal and be able to build three walls, ramps, floors, or triangles (I don’t know what else to call them).

Instead of getting 30 material from a chest or from randomly spawned floor loot, players will only receive 20. But why?

I had complained before the update that picking up 30 material at the start of a game and immediately going into a close proximity fight in either duos or squads without having the chance to farm up mats was far too little.

Now, for some reason, Epic Games has decided that players need to have fewer build battles and have to work harder to get those coveted materials. Fortnite streamers and YouTubers are not pleased by the update in the slightest.

Famous Twitch streamer and Fortnite personality Tyler “Ninja” Blevins had heavy criticism for the update as he is one of the players who has implanted the idea in gamer’s heads that building is more important than actual gunfights.

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If you aren’t a fan of running through the map chopping down trees and farming up brick and metal, you are basically forced to now do it. Build fights will likely start to decline and the game will start to become more about gun skill and less about building ability.

Say goodbye to the days of having full materials and creating large forts with your squad! This update completely changes the game and players will have to adapt quickly or get left in the dust by those players who can work around the changes.

Stay tuned to Forever Fortnite for more Fortnite Battle Royale news and opinions!