How to Land Faster in Fortnite - Quick Drop Strategies
Fortnite, developed by Epic Games, is a free-to-play Battle Royale game where players find themselves on an island, fighting against each other in a fast-paced match until only one player or team remains. The game is celebrated for its unique building mechanics, engaging gameplay, and strategic depth required to secure a Victory Royale.
One of the most crucial aspects of Fortnite is the art of landing quickly and efficiently. Being able to descend and reach your desired location before your opponents can provide a significant advantage. It allows you to gather resources and weapons and potentially eliminate other players before they're fully equipped. It becomes especially critical in high-traffic areas where many players are aiming for the same loot.
In this blog post, we're going to dive deep into how you can improve your landing speed and precision in Fortnite. We'll cover the basic concepts of dropping from the Battle Bus, the impact of your dropping strategy on the overall game, and essential techniques to land faster and more accurately.
Understand the Basics of Dropping in Fortnite
Every Fortnite match begins with all players aboard the Battle Bus, a flying vehicle that traverses a set path over the island. Players decide when and where to jump from the Battle Bus, then control their descent towards the terrain below. The path of the Battle Bus changes every game, meaning that each drop is a unique experience that requires quick thinking and adaptability.
The way you drop and where you land can greatly influence your performance in the game. Landing first can mean the difference between acquiring the gear you need and being eliminated early. Furthermore, the location you choose for landing can affect your game strategy. Different areas of the map offer varying amounts of resources, weapons, and strategic advantages.
The process of dropping from the Battle Bus and descending to the island involves two main concepts: skydiving and gliding. When you first jump from the Battle Bus, your character is in skydiving mode, allowing you to control the speed and direction of your descent. At a certain point in the descent, your character automatically deploys their glider. The glider slows your descent and provides increased control over your landing location. Balancing the use of skydiving and gliding effectively is key to landing faster in Fortnite. In the upcoming sections, we will dive deeper into these techniques and strategies for optimal landing.
Strategies to Land Faster
Dropping Over Water or Lower Terrain
Fortnite’s physics engine factors in the elevation of the terrain directly beneath your character when deciding to auto-deploy the glider. By diving towards bodies of water or lower terrain, your glider will deploy later, allowing you to land faster than players who dive towards higher ground.
Aim Towards Your Landing Zone
A common mistake players make is not aiming directly at their landing zone while skydiving. If your targeted landing zone is off to the side of your view, it will take longer to reach there due to the angular descent. Keep your landing spot at the center of your view to ensure the shortest and fastest route.
'W' Key or Forward Key Usage for Faster Landing
While gliding, holding down the 'W' key or the forward key can make you land faster. It is because pressing forward while in the gliding phase will angle your character downwards, leading to a faster descent. However, remember to adjust your glider's angle as you approach your landing spot to ensure accuracy.
Timing the Deployment of the Glider
Deploying your glider at the right moment is a crucial aspect of landing faster. Wait until the last possible moment to deploy your glider to spend more time in the faster skydiving phase. It requires a good understanding of the glider's auto-deployment mechanics, which you'll acquire over time and practice.
Detailed Techniques for Faster Landing
The 45-Degree Drop Technique
In the 45-degree drop technique, players angle their characters at approximately 45 degrees toward their landing spot as soon as they jump off the Battle Bus. This technique balances forward motion and descent speed, allowing players to reach their destination quickly without overshooting the target.
The Straight-Down Dive Method
This method involves diving straight down from the Battle Bus until your glider auto-deploys. After the glider deploys, angle yourself toward your landing spot. This technique is most effective when the Battle Bus is passing directly over your desired landing spot.
Glider Pulling
Glider pulling is a technique that involves deploying your glider manually a bit earlier than the auto-deployment point. This method is useful when you need to travel a large horizontal distance from the Battle Bus's path to reach your desired location. It allows you to cover more distance while in the gliding phase.
The Low Glide Technique
The low glide technique involves deploying your glider as close to the ground as possible and gliding at a nearly horizontal angle toward your landing zone. This technique is beneficial when the Battle Bus's path is far from your landing zone, and you need to cover a significant horizontal distance after your glider deploys.
Hitting the Low Points
In Fortnite, your glider deploys based on the height of the terrain directly below you. By aiming for valleys, rivers, or the sides of mountains (instead of their peaks), your glider will deploy lower, allowing you to land faster. Practice this strategy to become adept at identifying and targeting these low points on the map.
Conclusion
Land faster in Fortnite isn't just about luck or chance. It's a calculated technique that can give you a significant edge in your gameplay. From understanding the Battle Bus path, terrain elevation, and glider mechanics to employing advanced strategies like the 45-degree drop, straight-down dive, and low glide techniques, the road to faster landing requires both knowledge and practice.
And remember, while landing first provides an initial advantage, it's your strategic thinking, swift decision-making, and adaptability that will ultimately lead you to that coveted Victory Royale. Keep practicing these techniques, refine your landing strategy, and soon enough, you'll see your game performance significantly improving. Now, it's time to hop onto the Battle Bus and put these strategies to the test.
