FORTNITE Content Update 5.40 Patch Notes: Suppressed Assault Rifle Added, Drum Gun Vaulted

Following last week's v5.40 update to Fortnite, Epic released today the v5.40 Content Update. The Content Update doesn't typically address game bugs, but rather the actual weapons and items within Battle Royale and Save the World.

For Battle Royale, Epic has added the new Suppressed Assault Rifle, a variation of the AR that "rewards precision over rapid-fire." As someone who prefers short, controlled bursts (but hates the burst assault rifle), this is a wonderful addition as it means I now have an alternative to the standard AR. The Suppressed Assault Rifle is described as a "sneaky weapon," which suggests it could have a silencing element to its firing as well. The Suppressed AR can be found in Epic and Legendary variants in vending machines, floor loot, treasure chests, and supply drops. It does 32/33 damage per shot.

Unfortunately, with today's update, we say goodbye to the fan-favorite drum gun, which has been sent to the vault. Epic didn't explain why the vaulted the drum gun, though many considered it to be an incredibly powerful weapon that excelled at close-, mid-, and long-range. Perhaps Epic is looking to tweak it to fill more of a niche role so it just doesn't become the go-to weapon in all situations. Last month, Epic said they'd begin vaulting more items - especially as we head into season six and beyond - in an effort to keep the item pool "fresh and dynamic." The Drum Gun still seems like a weird choice considering it had only been added to Battle Royale in July. It's unclear how long the weapon will be gone for or if Epic even has plans to bring it back at some point.

Today's content update also includes bug fixes for the Getaway Limited Time Mode. For Save the World, we're getting the new Mythic Outlander, Field Agent Rio, along with the Week 6 of the Horde Challenge, which brings "more aggressive Husks." Full patch notes for Fortnite Content Update v5.40 can be seen here.