In the first Fortnite update since the start of Season 9, Epic Games has already added a new weapon into the mix.
The new Tactical Assault Rifle is “robust and precise assault rifle is the ideal option for tight quarters.” As such, it’s deadly in close quarters but less effective at long range when compared to other Assault Rifles. The Tactical Assault Rifle is fully automatic and holds a 30-round magazine. Its damage scales 22/23/24 depending on the variant, with a headshot multiplier of 1.75x.
The update also slightly nerfs the Drum Gun, which was unvaulted back at the end of Season 8. Realizing its power, Epic has reduced its base damage from 26/27 to 22/23 in hopes of “reducing its combat effectiveness while still retaining its flavor.” The controversial Drum Gun was considered overpowered when it was sent to the vault and it was odd to see it brought back with no major changes. Hopefully, this tweak makes it feel less overpowered in combat.
With the arrival of the Tactical Assault Rifle and the recent reintroduction of the Drum Gun, Epic wanted to reduce the availability of “high rate-of-fire weapons.” So, today’s update sends the Compact SMG (P90) to the vault.
Beyond weaponry, the update also adjusts the Slipstream mechanic. Slipstreams were introduced with Season 9 as a new travel mechanic, allowing players to jump into an airstream and fly across a predetermined path.
Slipstrips will no longer block player building allowing easier and safer access when jumping in. Players flying in a Slipstream will also destroy any player-built objects should there be a collision. Lastly, Slipstreams will now be disabled after storm phase 5 in order to prevent unexpected flying into the storm in the later stages of the map.
Fortnite update v9.01 is now live. You can check out the full patch notes over on Epic’s blog.