When it comes to Fortnite, one of the hardest and most challenging stages of the game is the final few circles. The endgame is where players’ skills are truly put to the test, and while some players may find themselves securing a Victory Royale, others may be making key mistakes that cost them the win. Here are some common mistakes you may be making during the final circles in Fortnite.
Using the Wrong Building Materials
Using the right building materials during Fortnite’s endgame is crucial to improving your chances of getting a Victory Royale. A lot of the time, players will simply stick to whatever material they have in their hand by default. While this can’t be helped if you are running low, players who have farmed enough should be smart about which building materials they use in each situation.
Here’s a rundown of when to use each building material during the final few circles:
- Wood: Has less health but builds faster than the other two materials. Best used for fast build fights, ideally box fights that require heavy use of edits, or when you’re under pressure from other opponents.
- Brick: Has more health than Wood when fully built, and takes less time to build than Metal. It serves as a good middle ground, making it ideal for constructing bases while still being effective for fast-paced build fights.
- Metal: Has the most health when fully built, but takes significantly longer to build than the other materials. It is best suited for base building. While it can be used for build fights and box fights, Metal structures take longer to reach full health, making them easier to break while they are still being constructed.
Not Farming Materials
This next mistake goes hand in hand with the first one, but is still just as important to avoid. In order to be smart about using your materials, you also need to make sure you have enough on hand. During those endgame fights, you may find yourself burning through your materials quickly. Therefore, whenever you get the chance, make sure you replenish them.
This can be as simple as building around a tree or rock before harvesting it for materials, breaking down nearby structures when you’re given a break, or simply looting an enemy you eliminate for a quick refresh. One of the worst things that can happen during the endgame in a Builds match is running out of building materials, putting you at a major disadvantage.
Not Using Cover To Your Advantage
One of the worst mistakes players can make is not using cover. When it comes to Zero Build, cover is your best friend, especially during the last few circles. During your Zero Build matches, be sure to use cover that keeps you protected from all directions. This can include large bushes, boulders, trees, and even buildings. Zero Build players also have access to items like Brick-a-Bunkers to create portable cover, which can be a lifesaver when no natural cover is available.
As for Builds, however, you have a lot more options since you can place your own cover. When constructing your bases, make sure you’re protected from all directions. Placing Cones on top of your towers or walls to shield yourself from shots above or behind can help you avoid getting third-partied. Another useful technique is tunneling during your rotations when the zone starts moving. Tunneling is the act of building multiple connected boxes as you move to keep yourself protected from gunfire, allowing you to rotate more safely.
Not Carrying Enough Heals
Another common mistake players make is not carrying enough healing items. Healing items are crucial during the endgame, as they allow you to keep your health and shields topped up. If you find yourself losing health regularly, it’s recommended that you dedicate at least two inventory slots to healing, ideally one for health and one for shields. However, there are certain items in the loot pool that restore both, such as the Chug Jug, so you can often afford to use only one slot depending on what items you find.
Another thing to keep in mind during your matches is prioritizing carrying items that restore the most health or shields. For instance, three Shield Potions are generally better than six Small Shield Potions, since they allow you to reach a full 100 Shield instead of just 50. A Chug Jug, on the other hand, is better than three Shield Potions, but only if it has 150+ usage remaining, since a full stack of Shield Potions equals 150 total Shield.
Rotating to Zone Too Late
During the final few circles, you may find that the zone often pulls away from you, forcing you to rotate. However, when you choose to rotate can be crucial. For starters, if you are in a position to do so, such as being at full health and stocked up on materials, you will almost always want to be one of the first players to rotate into the safe zone. This ensures that you get to pick the best spot to set up a base, avoid fighting as the storm closes in, and potentially prevent other players who rotated first from catching you off guard.
Not Using Power Positions
Positioning during the final few circles is by far one of the biggest mistakes that players make, as setting up base in a poor spot can often lead to a quick loss. Here’s a rundown of some key positioning tips to keep in mind when heading into the final circle:
- Head for high ground: High ground is by far the best way to get an advantage over players. More height means better leverage over your enemy, making you harder to hit and easier to land shots on opponents below.
- Ensure you’re protected from all directions: Setting yourself up in a spot where you are open to shots from behind is something you need to avoid. Set up base in an area that provides cover. The edge of the Storm is a good spot, along with setting a base up in front of hills, mountains, and buildings.
- Change your position based on how many players are left: While the above tips are good rules to go by, there are caveats. For instance, if there is just one player left, you do not need to hug the edge of the Storm, and sometimes you can afford to stick to the ground if the situation requires it.