The Guided Missile, a weapon capable of being remotely controlled after launch, made a significant impact on Fortnite Battle Royale. But When Was The Guided Missile Added To Fortnite, and what changes did it bring to the gameplay? This article explores the weapon’s introduction and its impact on player strategies.
The addition of new elements is a constant in games that receive regular updates. Developers are always trying to address play patterns that they feel don’t align with the core experience. To understand the Guided Missile’s impact, let’s first consider the state of Fortnite before its arrival.
The Pre-Missile Meta: Tower Sniping and Hiding
Before the Guided Missile, a common strategy, especially in the top 5, involved building sniper towers on high hills and engaging in long-range sniper battles. Alternatively, some players would choose to hide, waiting for the storm circle to force engagements.
This screenshot illustrates a typical sniper tower built for long-range engagements in Fortnite, a strategy that was prevalent before the introduction of the Guided Missile.
While not entirely negative, this playstyle didn’t fully embody the spirit of Battle Royale, a mode intended to ramp up action as the number of players dwindled. The ideal scenario involves players actively seeking each other out, engaging in dynamic firefights that culminate in an epic final showdown.
The Guided Missile Arrives: Patch 3.4
The Guided Missile was introduced in Fortnite Patch 3.4 on March 28, 2018. This rocket launcher allowed players to control the missile’s trajectory after firing, though it required the player to remain stationary during use. Direct hits inflicted 100 damage to opponents.
A player using the guided missile in Fortnite, highlighting the perspective and controls available to guide the rocket’s trajectory towards targets.
Disrupting the Meta and Forcing Engagement
The Guided Missile effectively countered the established tower-sniping strategy. Building a tower became a liability, essentially marking players as easy targets for missile strikes from above.
Furthermore, the missile served as a reconnaissance tool, flushing out hiding players. This forced players to actively seek engagement rather than passively waiting for others to fight.
A Two-Way Street: Risk and Reward
The Guided Missile wasn’t a one-sided weapon. The missile’s smoke trail allowed observant players to identify the shooter’s location. Downing a missile became a tactical imperative, incentivizing players to charge the missile pilot, who was vulnerable while stationary. This created dynamic and exciting encounters.
This back-and-forth exchange of information transformed the late-game from a passive standoff into a series of aggressive maneuvers, fostering the epic final fights that the Battle Royale mode intended.
A Powerful, but Imperfect Weapon
Despite its positive impacts, the Guided Missile wasn’t without its drawbacks. Some players were able to dominate matches by continuously bombing opponents, dealing significant damage with each hit. This led to concerns about the weapon’s balance.
Conclusion: A Positive, but Temporary Shift
The Guided Missile served as a valuable tool for addressing undesirable play patterns in Fortnite. It encouraged engagement, disrupted passive strategies, and injected a dose of excitement into the late-game. While adjustments were likely needed to fine-tune its balance, the Guided Missile’s initial impact was undeniably positive. It showcased how targeted weapon additions can shape the meta and enhance the overall gameplay experience. The weapon was eventually vaulted (removed from the game) due to the balance issues, but its initial impact was a significant moment in Fortnite’s history.
