Fortnite remove building with separate Zero Build mode

Fortnite Zero Build — (Image credit: Epic Games)

Did Fortnite remove building? Yes, they technically did, but things have changed since that first removal and now it's not so clear, with things changing in the wake of that update's reception. After being an integral part of Fortnite since the beginning, the ability to build constructs and create objects is now a lot more optional, altering the basic nature of the game for good and adding a special Overshield to compensate, not to mention enhancing the basic movement abilities with sprinting and mantling. We'll address the question: did Fortnite remove building, is the Zero Build mode now the main game, and what changes have been made to Fortnite since then?

Did Fortnite remove building?

Fortnite removed all the building mechanics temporarily from the main game mode as part of the Fortnite Season 2 update, altering the way the game is played for the foreseeable future – though it still remains intact in the Competitive and Arena game modes. For most players, this means the ability to create walls and other helpful structures on the fly now isn't available, so players will need to rely solely on the combat mechanics, as well as a newly added Overshield that provides additional protection and regenerates when given time.

On March 29, Fortnite Zero Build was launched as a specific game mode with building disabled for Solo, Duos, Trios, and Squads. This exists in tandem with the standard modes where building is permitted, essentially giving players a choice about which of the two they want to try: a construct-'em-up or a buildless blaster. There's no penalty or advantage to each one beyond these mechanics changes, so feel free to try whichever one you want without fear of penalisation.

Why was Fortnite building removed?

Fortnite Chapter 3 Season 2 — (Image credit: Epic Games)

The reason given in-game for building not being available now is lore-based: the game's Imagined Order villains have removed it as a power by installing hidden jammers, to hamper the Seven Resistance movement. However, there's also an argument to be made that this is designed to be a new way to simply shake up the experience of the game and test a new kind of Fortnite with players. If it's popular, we may see more no-building modes in the future, or it might be set back to normal if players don't take to it.

When is Fortnite building coming back?

Fortnite Season 2 — (Image credit: Epic Games)

At time of writing there's no indication about when building will be an available mechanic back in Fortnite, though the loading screen information stating that "it's up to the Resistance to get it back" implies that this probably isn't going to be a permanent change. Epic have yet to publicly comment on how long this alteration will last, and previous rumors that building would be coming back in nine days seem to actually relate to the launch of Zero Build mode.

With Fortnite Zero Build now available as a specific no building mode, it seems likely that the original version of the battle royale will return as a selectable option, but there's currently no timescale for when this will be back.