fortnitesmg.0.jpg

Today’s Fortnite content update brings a new submachine gun to Battle Royale, while the drum gun, now called the typewriter assault rift, is coming to the game’s Save the World mode.

“Make enemies think twice before they push you,” the Fortnite team wrote in the official notes. “Run and gun with the new Submachine Gun, ideal for those intense close range battles.”

The in-game text describes it as a weapon with “a fast rate of fire and improved mobility.” Here is the rest of the information provided about the weapon:

  • Available in Common, Uncommon, and Rare variants.
  • 19-21 base damage.
  • Uses Light Ammo.
  • 30 round capacity.
  • Can be found in floor loot and chests.

The tactical SMG has been put in the vault, and we thank it for its service. This move was likely meant as a balancing act, as the tactical SMG was a beast at close range and had a 35-round capacity.

It’s likely that Epic Games wanted a substitute weapon that didn’t shred through enemies and structures quite so efficiently while keeping the basic characteristics that helped round out the game’s arsenal.

In other words, this is a nerf hidden as a weapon substitution.

The only other change in the update comes to Semi-Auto Sniper Rifle damage, which has been increased to 75/78 from 63/66.

Source: Polygon