Fortnite Introduces Major Update to Fall Damage, Sparking Mixed Reactions Among Players

Fortnite’s latest major update has dropped across all platforms, introducing characters from Overwatch and implementing several other tweaks to the beloved battle royale. However, the most talked-about change is the new approach to fall damage, which is no longer lethal in non-ranked modes.

On May 14, Epic released update 40.40 for Fortnite, likely the final significant patch for Chapter 7, Season 2. This update brings substantial alterations to Zero Build, the mode where building is off the table. Players now start with a pistol and a shield potion, and they enjoy infinite stamina while sprinting with their pickaxe. This is a game-changer that will significantly alter the flow of Zero Build matches. Additionally, both Battle Royale and Zero Build non-ranked modes have completely eliminated lethal fall damage, replacing it with a new splat animation.

YOU NO LONGER DIE FROM FALL DAMAGE

BATTLE ROYALE & ZERO BUILD (Unranked)

This major shift in fall damage mechanics was first highlighted by dataminer HypeX. Now that the update is live, players can see the new system in action. After years of gameplay, it’s a strange sight to see someone leap from a high ledge, hit the ground with a splat, and simply get back up.

If you take a significant fall, you’ll rise with no shields and just 1HP, making you vulnerable to a single shot from nearby opponents. So while it’s still risky to jump off a cliff to escape gunfire or the storm, you’ll survive the fall, and if you have a health item, you can recover. Alongside this, Epic has introduced the ability to cut your glider mid-air in Zero Build, allowing for quicker landings. This adds a risk/reward element, as you can hit the ground faster and start looting immediately, but you’ll be left with only 1HP upon landing. Given that everyone in Zero Build starts with a pistol, this could lead to some intense early-game encounters.

You can now cut your glider mid-air in Zero Build when you get closer to the ground.

Reactions to this change on social media have ranged from confusion—many players didn’t see fall damage as a significant issue—to frustration, as the quirky kills from mishaps or props collapsing will no longer occur. Some players express cautious optimism that this change might be rolled back in a future update. The few positive comments seem to be either tongue-in-cheek or quickly met with backlash.

It appears Epic is experimenting with Fortnite ahead of the next major season, and it’s likely that some of these changes will be adjusted or reversed by then. By keeping these fall damage modifications exclusive to casual modes, Epic seems to be testing the waters without disrupting the competitive integrity of ranked play at this late stage in the season.

While the new fall damage system is facing criticism, it will be interesting to see how players adapt to these changes in the coming days. Will the community embrace it, or will this tweak be short-lived? Only time will tell.