Ryan Woodrow
April 26, 2022 5:37 am ET
Fortnite’s building mechanics are a big part of what made it stand out in the battle royale genre, yet it has always excluded those looking for a more pure experience. Such players can finally be satisfied as Fortnite Zero Build mode is now available.
Although the fundamental Fortnite experience is still intact, removing building from the equation removes many tactics you have relied on, while opening the door for new ideas. These tips will help you settle into this change in gameplay so you can start earning victory royales in a whole new mode.
Use long-range weaponry
Arguably the biggest difference in how Zero Build should be played is how aggressive you should be. Those who are skilled at building can often force their opponents into close-range skirmishes, where a powerful shotgun is the best weapon.
This mode, has a new set of trials, in addition to the recent Lantern Trials event. and being aggressive is no longer the best option. Being so outwardly aggressive is rarely rewarded, so shifting into a defensive mindset will help win the day. As such, the longer-range a weapon is, the better. Any scoped weapon is going to give a distinct advantage.
Stay low in open areas
The instinct when wandering the terrain is to get as much of a height advantage as possible. When towers and shelters can pop up out of nowhere, this is a viable strategy, but when no such power is available, that thinking should be reversed.
In an open field, having the high ground will give better visibility and range, but the price paid for that is sticking out like a sore thumb. Instead, keeping close to the ground in crevices and dips will stop you from getting caught unaware.
Stay high in built-up areas
When the terrain gets crowded, the opposite strategy needs to be applied. When setting up camp in an area like the recently returned Tilted Towers the high ground is a far better place to be, especially if you’ve followed prior advice and have a long-range weapon.
When buildings and heavy vehicles are in play, staying low just leaves you with low visibility and high vulnerability. Stick to the tall buildings, preferably one with windows on multiple sides, so you can be ready to catch anyone passing by.
Vegetation is your friend
In normal Fortnite, cover can be created at a moment’s notice. It’s easy to hide from shots and create close encounters when a solid wall is just a button press away. That protection isn’t there in Zero Build, so you’ll have to make do with the environment.
The easiest and most widely available form of natural cover is the vegetation that litters the landscape. It can easily hide a character, giving a great opportunity to get the drop on foes or slip out of harm’s way when in a tricky spot
Preserve energy for escapes
Energy is a fairly plentiful resource. Only being used when sprinting, it recharges fairly quickly and gives a nice burst of speed. That said, in Fortnite Zero Build, players must be more careful with this resource than usual.
Fights often come down to positioning around the terrain, and when in a tight spot, getting to slightly higher ground or more solid cover can be a lifesaver. As such, you need to make sure you aren’t using it for frivolous purposes, such as getting from A to B, or tracking down Klombos. Otherwise, you could be caught with their trousers down when you need to make a getaway.
Healing items are low-priority
In a regular Fortnite battle, you can create openings to heal yourself. It’s a tough trick to master, but healing mid-battle is one of the most powerful tactics there is. Zero Build significantly reduces the potential to create such windows of opportunity.
This means that hoarding healing items isn’t of much benefit in this mode. Using them after winning a tricky fight is great, but battles are over so quickly in Zero Build that there won’t be time to even think about healing. Holding onto a few is always a good idea, but you can’t rely on them as much as usual.
Rift-To-Go is great for escapes
Fleeing a battle is significantly more difficult in Zero Build. With no way to stop enemies in their tracks or easily hide from attackers, most fights end up as win-or-die scenarios. Thankfully, there are a few items that can save lives if you use them properly.
The best of these is the Rift-To-Go. This item teleports you up in the air, allowing them to glide back down. If an enemy has you pinned down, this is the perfect way to escape or get a favourable position to counterattack.
Avoid vehicles
Getting in vehicles, particularly heavy vehicles like the Tank, is an extremely aggressive move. Not only does it make your position obvious to anyone in range, but it makes for a very easy target. Since Zero Build typically favours a defensive playstyle, getting in a vehicle to fight is likely going to result in death.
Using them for movement is alright, but still not preferred. Sometimes they will be necessary to escape the storm, but travelling on foot provides much stealthier potential. Getting the drop on someone is such a huge advantage in this mode, and using vehicles is throwing it away.
Let someone else fight first
When down to the last few, it can be tempting to stop playing carefully and go for glory. This is a bad idea. Firstly, someone could easily be hiding somewhere and get the drop on you. Secondly, you’ll leave yourself in a weakened state for any remaining combatants.
If you stumble across a battle in progress, don’t get involved. Wait it out and pick off the survivors. This goes double when there are just a few enemies left, as holding back will allow you to immediately put pressure on the last person standing between you and the sweet XP that comes from a victory royale.
Force quick confrontations
Fortnite Zero Build emphasises clever, stealthy play befitting an Assassin’s Creed skin, rather than grand pushes of aggression. Getting the drop on a player is great, but it isn’t always possible. The best strategy to adopt when things get close is to go for a quick win.
Retreating to recover may seem like a good idea at first, but not only are your chances of escaping slim without a good item, but the opposing player will be able to turn the situation around quite easily. Once you initiate a battle, keeping the pressure on until the opponent breaks is the best strategy to take them down.
Written by Ryan Woodrow on behalf of GLHF.
