Fortnite Chapter 3: Epic Deploys Huge Changes To Shotguns, MK-Seven Rifle & More

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Fortnite Chapter 3: Epic Deploys Huge Changes To Shotguns, MK-Seven Rifle & More

An unexpected Fortnite patch today produced several significant changes to most of this season’s weapons.


Only five days have passed since Fortnite Chapter 3 Season 1’s release, following a lengthy stay in Chapter 2. Epic Games utilized this game-changing opportunity to flip the island and create all-new locations and weapons. The new selection of weapons includes Shotguns, Submachine Guns and Assault Rifles.

Players wasted no time testing this new loot pool to decipher which weapons were worth carrying and those that came up short. The MK-Seven Assault Rifle sat comfortably above the totem pole, as did the Stinger SMG. All other weapons, mainly the Shotguns, needed somewhat of a boost.

Today, Epic Games has heard the concerns and announced multiple changes. Let’s see what’s new with Chapter 3 Season 1’s weapons stats and how this will affect the landscape.

Striker & Auto Shotguns Buffed

The Auto Shotgun and Striker Pump Shotgun received much-needed adjustments. While viable, neither stood out as absolute must-have weapons in Season 1. Epic increased the fire rate and accuracy of the Striker version. One of its most significant detractors lied within its slow fire rate, so this change should make a difference. An accuracy boost is merely icing on the cake.

Epic’s solution to the Auto Shotgun was to decrease its pull-out time. Anyone who used this weapon before these changes understands how unreliable it was when swapping weapons. Hopefully, the pull-out time makes for a better experience.

MK-Seven Assault Rifle Nerfed, Ranger Buffed

The MK-Seven Assault Rifle as it appears in Fortnite Chapter 3

Fortnite’s newly introduced MK-Seven Assault Rifle quickly shot to the top of the weapon tier list in Chapter 3. The rifle now deals less damage to environmental structures and is less accurate while firing from the hip. While the MK-Seven remains effective from a distance, it is not as powerful from close range.

The Ranger Assault Rifle netted out positively in the recent shuffle. This single-shot weapon received a damage and accuracy increase—a necessary change for its viability. It doesn’t compare to the MK-Seven, but the Ranger variation is no longer a throwaway.

No Stinger SMG

The Stinger SMG weapon available in Fortnite Chapter 3

An interesting takeaway from this wave of adjustments is that the Stinger SMG went untouched. The community has almost unanimously agreed this weapon is on another level of power compared to its counterparts. Players of late have passed on a Shotgun to carry two SMGs instead. The Shotgun buffs will change that, but the Stinger remains in a different tier.

Overall, Epic addressed some evident issues with the Chapter 3 Season 1 loot pool. However, from a competitive standpoint, not much has changed. Professional players will still carry a Stinger SMG and MK-Seven Assault Rifle. This season’s meta will adjust accordingly following the Shotgun and Ranger Assault Rifle buffs.

We’ll be sure to communicate and analyze any additional weapon adjustments throughout the season, so stay tuned for more!

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Matt Pryor
Matt is a graduate of Southern New Hampshire University. He appreciates all esports titles but primarily focuses on Fortnite and Call of Duty. Matt continuously analyzes gameplay and plays the games himself to better understand in-game decisions by the best players in the world.