Fortnite Season 3 of Chapter 7, titled Runners, is now underway and there are some significant changes you need to be aware of. The island has shifted around, so you'll need to get your bearings on the new map, while the cute little Sprites running around the place are key to unlocking additional powers that can give you a competitive edge.
As always with a fresh season of Fortnite, we've got a new battle pass to work through with plenty of characters to meet, along with an update to the loot pool so you can get your hands on the latest weapons. If you want to know what to look out for, then here are the biggest changes for Fortnite Season 3 in Chapter 7.
There's a new map, Shattered Coast
Following the epic battle that took place between The Foundation and The Ice King during the Fortnite live event, the island has been fractured to form a new map called Shattered Coast. While some previous POI remain, in either their original or a relocated position, a lot of new named locations have been added including Cluster Coast and Heatwave Harbor. Head to The Zero Point in the center of the map, and you can use it to rift into the sky then glide to distant areas.
Sprites deliver a fresh gameplay mechanic
You can either equip one of the Fortnite Sprites from your collection before you board the battle bus or find them running around the island, and having one active means you can use their special powers to give yourself a boost. This can be anything from increasing your chance of finding rare items to dealing fiery damage with your weapons, and as you use them more they'll level up to become more powerful. Make sure you extract them at some point in the match though, as if you get eliminated while carrying one you'll lose your progress.
The battle pass brings a host of new characters
The Season 3 Battle Pass introduces a selection of fresh Fortnite characters to meet around the island or unlock as skins, including:
- Heatwave PJ
- Cluster
- Dylan
- The Guardian
- John Wick (Pen & Ink style)
- The Voidblade
- Vanguard Slone
- Wolfe
This is a mix of returning characters such as Slone and John Wick with new styles, plus some fresh faces – Cluster the duck is my favorite so far! Customizable Sprite Mechs are available, plus an option to display your Sprite collection. For those who sign up for the Battle Pass during launch week, there are bonus items including the Gold Huntress style for Dylan plus Marbled Speedboat, Venomous Chainsaw, and Gilded Cherub Holster, and further rewards will be available during the season such as John Wick and Dog, Gunglider, Dark Cubic Sneakers, and Blade of the Void.
In the meantime, make sure you rescue or pet John Wick's dog in Fortnite to add his canine companion to your locker as an equippable Sidekick.
There are fresh weapons in the loot pool
As always, a fresh season means there are Fortnite new weapons added to the loot pool to try out, and there are some interesting ones to watch out for. The Chaos Exploder Rifle is an AR that fires explosive cubes, which is great for taking out cover to reach a bunkered-down enemy, while the Seven Sliders let you slide at speed then enter slow time while aiming down sights to line up the perfect shot.
© GamesRadar+. Not to be reproduced without permission.
