Let’s look at what’s new and improved in Fortnite.
Fortnite version 3.76 has finally arrived. The update brought several minor changes to the battle royale, including a midseason skin drop, the return of the shockwave hammer, and more. On the night of January 10, Epic Games announced that their servers would be offline temporarily to make way for the patch. Thankfully, the Fortnite update 3.76 is now available for download. PC players with Fortnite accounts can expect an installation size of around 1 GB, with varying differences on other platforms. Now, without further ado, let’s take a comprehensive look at all the changes and additions in Fortnite.
Get Earnable Rewards Through Midseason Drops
The 3.76 patch update for Fortnite kicked off a week’s worth of new and earnable rewards via midseason drops. Now, you can unlock more cosmetic items in the Fortnite Item Shop and Battle Pass each week. Midseason drops are a new addition to this season, and what better way to make an entrance than by unveiling the Thrasher Massai skin? This radical out for one of the Battle Pass characters is a surefire way to leave a lasting impression on whoever you face—regardless of who wins the firefight.
This also allows us to obtain alt styles for outfits in Chapter 4: Season 1. You can earn 10 Account Levels to obtain a fresh, new look for Selene. If you keep earning Account Levels for the next four weeks, you can get even better rewards, such as the Nezumi, Doom Slayer, and Dusty outfits. You can view all the midseason drops via the Midseason Drops section of the Battle Pass.
The Reintroduction of the Shockwave Hammer
One of the main highlights of the 3.76 update is the reintroduction of the Shockwave Hammer to Fortnite. Before the update, the Shockwave Hammer was disabled due to a glitch that allows players to fly around the map. You could easily exploit the glitch and have infinite use of the item to launch yourself across the map by continually slamming the ground. By bypassing the 20-second cooldown that was supposed to trigger after using the item four times, you could go to any location within the in-game map with the Shockwave Hammer.
Many players weren’t expecting the item to make a return so quickly when Epic explained that they were going to disable it. Still, considering the developers felt the fix was urgent, we’re not complaining. If we take into account Fortnite’s massive fanbase and size in scope, exploits, bugs, and glitches are bound to show up now and then. For example, when the Mythic Deku Smash debuted, Epic Games immediately removed it because of potential “player safety issues.”
Besides that, the Shockwave Hammer was also reported for not dealing damage to player-built structures in Build Mode; this issue has since been addressed as well during the 3.76 update’s release.
Reboot Rally is Finishing Up
Over the past weeks, the Reboot Rally Challenges have been available for completion to players looking to flex their skills in the game. Now, it’s coming to a close, and you can no longer earn its exclusive rewards like a surfboard glider, a Snikt! Snikt! emote that features Wolverine claws and a wrap. But fear not—the Challenges disappear on Week 6’s arrival, which means you’ll be allowed to progress further through the Battle Pass. You can’t start the Reboot Rally Challenges anymore. Still, at least you can redeem additional rewards while getting small snippets of the ongoing story for this season.
The Guardian Shield is Here
But wait, there’s more. The Fortnite update brings a new protective item to the fray: the Guardian Shield. The Guardian Shield adds another layer of strategy; if used correctly, you can block enemy gunfire, rockets, grenades, and almost anything under the sun that goes boom. A little cover goes a long way, and what better to increase your chances than having the ability to block hard-hitting attacks?
Remember that the shield’s energy will be depleted as you block. This is denoted by the green bar right of the Guardian Shield’s icon in your list of items. Thankfully, the energy can be recharged. Besides that, you can also throw the item to create a stationary shield for your allies. It works more effectively that way in terms of blocking gunfire. Just remember to pick it up after you’re finished using it.
You can find Guardian Shields in high-traffic areas that have Oathbound Chests. If you don’t know what they look like, they’re large, white chests that you can find in the main hubs. They usually have rarer loot than normal chests, so if you happen to chance upon an Oathbound Chest at the start of your match, consider yourself lucky.
Download the Update Now!
The 3.76 patch for Fortnite is now available for all players with Fortnite accounts. Whether you’re playing on a PC or a console, you’ll be able to download the update—just make sure you’ve got enough storage space for it. This hotfix isn’t an extensive update since it doesn’t add anything significant to Fortnite, but rather, it’s meant to enhance your gameplay experience.