Fortnite Chapter 7 Season 1: Everything You Need to Know

Fortnite’s latest chapter has arrived, delivering a massive overhaul to the game. Chapter 7 Season 1 introduces a brand-new map, a revamped arsenal, and several innovative gameplay mechanics. This season aims to reshape the Battle Royale experience, offering fresh challenges and strategies for players. From the temporary absence of the Battle Bus to the introduction of drivable reboot vans and wingsuits, this season promises a dramatically different way to play Fortnite.

A Fresh Battle Pass Experience

Chapter 7 Season 1 brings a new Battle Pass packed with exciting rewards. This season features eight unique skins, including two major collaborations: The Bride from Kill Bill and Marty McFly from Back to the Future. In addition to these iconic characters, the Battle Pass includes original skins, a lion-themed character, and a reimagined version of the classic Dark Voyager.

What makes this Battle Pass different is the player’s freedom in unlocking rewards. Aside from The Bride (unlocked immediately) and Dark Voyager (unlocked last), players can choose the order in which they unlock the remaining skins and cosmetics. Certain skins even require engagement with specific game modes to unlock alternate styles, adding a layer of gameplay-driven progression.

A Completely New Island

The Chapter 7 map introduces a setting unlike any seen before in Fortnite. Departing from previous themes, this season transports players to a region inspired by the southwestern United States. Key locations include areas reminiscent of Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and even a mysterious Area 51. This new island is designed for exploration and offers unique traversal options.

Players will find interactive elements throughout the map, such as hot air balloons and a fully functional roller coaster. These additions encourage exploration and provide new strategic advantages, as well as fun distractions from the usual battle royale chaos. The diverse terrain and distinct locations provide a unique backdrop for intense firefights and strategic maneuvers.

Farewell, Battle Bus… For Now

In a surprising twist, the iconic Battle Bus is temporarily retired for Chapter 7 Season 1. Players now deploy directly from the storm, entering the match within a smaller, pre-defined area of the map. While this change may be jarring for longtime fans, it aims to improve map balance and prevent overcrowding in specific locations. It also forces people to choose different drop locations.

Fortunately, the absence of the Battle Bus is not permanent. Quests are available to rebuild the Battle Bus, hinting at its potential return in future updates. These quests provide a narrative reason for the change and give players a role in bringing back this iconic vehicle.

Temporary Vaulting of OG, Reload, and Blitz Modes

To encourage players to fully experience the new features and mechanics of Chapter 7, Epic Games has temporarily vaulted the OG, Reload, and Blitz game modes. This allows players to focus on the new map, weapons, and gameplay changes without being distracted by familiar modes.

Blitz and Reload modes are scheduled to return on December 5th, followed by the return of OG mode with the launch of the new Fortnite OG season on December 11th. The in-game explanation connects the absence of these modes to the temporary retirement of the Battle Bus, which traditionally transported players to those game modes.

Innovative Weapons and Gear

As expected with a new chapter, Chapter 7 introduces a fresh loot pool filled with never-before-seen weapons. New additions include the Holo Rush SMG, Iron Pump Shotgun, and the powerful Lightning Gun. These weapons offer unique playstyles and strategic advantages, encouraging players to experiment and adapt their tactics.

Dual-wielding makes a triumphant return, offering players the ability to wield two Micro SMGs or two shotguns simultaneously. This harkens back to the popular “Pump and Dump” mechanic from previous seasons, providing a high-risk, high-reward option for close-quarters combat. Players can also wield The Bride’s signature Hanzo sword, gained after completing training challenges.

Enhanced Mobility: Hot Air Balloons and Wingsuits

Chapter 7 significantly enhances player mobility with the addition of hot air balloons and wingsuits. Hot air balloons provide a unique way to traverse the map, offering a high vantage point for scouting and engaging enemies. These balloons are fixed locations, allowing for controlled ascents and strategic repositioning.

Wingsuits enable controlled aerial movement, functioning similarly to Iron Man’s Flight Kit from a previous season. Players can initiate a burst of vertical speed and then glide across the terrain, covering large distances quickly and efficiently. This allows for rapid rotations, surprise attacks, and strategic escapes.

Self-Revive and Drivable Reboot Vans

The reboot mechanic undergoes a significant evolution in Chapter 7. Reboot vans are now mobile, allowing players to transport downed teammates and revive them on the go. This adds a new layer of strategy, as teams can prioritize rescuing teammates without being tied to a fixed location.

Furthermore, players can now obtain a self-revive item from med machines or supply drops. While it doesn’t occupy an inventory slot, activating the self-revive requires ten seconds, mirroring the time it takes for another player to revive you. This item provides a crucial second chance in tense situations, giving players a chance to survive solo encounters.

Becoming the Boss

NPC bosses have been revamped, offering a more engaging and rewarding experience. Instead of simply dropping medallions, defeating bosses now grants players items that allow them to assume the boss’s form and abilities. This transforms players into formidable forces on the battlefield.

This new mechanic creates moments of intense, high-stakes gameplay, akin to mini player-controlled kaiju scenarios from Chapter 6. Players can utilize the boss’s unique powers and abilities to dominate their opponents, adding a fun and chaotic element to the matches.

Anomalies and Chaos

Chapter 7 introduces Anomalies, randomized game modifiers that change gameplay dynamics in unpredictable ways. These Anomalies add a layer of chaos and excitement to each match, forcing players to adapt and strategize on the fly. One example is Gold Rush, which accelerates pickaxe swings and converts destroyed items into gold bars.

The presence of Anomalies ensures that no two matches are exactly alike, promoting replayability and challenging players to master different gameplay scenarios. These modifiers can range from subtle tweaks to major changes, keeping players on their toes and adding a welcome element of surprise.

Music Pass Returns

Fortnite Festival is back in Chapter 7, with BlackPink’s Lisa headlining the music pass and appearing in the item shop. This addition brings back the prominent music component that was absent in the previous season, blending popular culture with Fortnite’s dynamic universe.

The return of the Music Pass allows players to unlock new songs and instruments, further enhancing the in-game musical experience. This collaboration highlights Fortnite’s ability to seamlessly integrate music and gaming, attracting both fans of the game and music enthusiasts alike.