Everything new and different about Fortnite Chapter 2 Season 1

Olivia Richman Published 17/10/2019

When Fortnite disappeared for over a day, fans would likely have panicked were it not for the fact that Chapter 2 had already been leaked, easing people’s concerns. Now that Fortnite Chapter 2 Season 1 is here, players are busy exploring the new map, new mechanics, and all of the other discoveries all over the island.

Here’s a closer look at some of the changes to check out, from new skins to new locations.

Fortnite Chapter 2’s new map

Epic has changed Fortnite’s map before. Many times, actually. But it was essentially always the same map that they toyed around with. Season 1 brings an entirely new map to the battle royale, complete with all new points of interest and landmarks. Some of these new locations are upgrades of old ones, while some locations from previous seasons still remain with just a few new changes.

Slurpy Swamp

This upgraded Moisty Mire is south of Weeping Woods features a swamp as well as a Slurp Juice factory. It’s quickly becoming a favorite landing spot for many Fortnite players thanks to the abundance of materials and loot available. But what makes it even more popular are the slurp kegs and cartons that are scattered throughout the area, which give players health and shield when broken. The water in Slurpy Swamp will also restore players’ health and shield over time.

Frenzy Farm

A farm situated on some verdant farmland, Frenzy Farm is located northwest of Dirty Docks and Lazy Lake. There’s some good materials farming spots here, but the biggest perk is its rotation locations. Players who land here will always catch the first zone without any issue, which is quite helpful in the early game.

Misty Meadows

With a lot of buildings and an abundance of loot, Misty Meadows is sure to be another popular drop spot. This is also a great POI for players who like to play a little more reserved in early game, since it’s in the corner of the map. There will be fewer people to run into here as you build the perfect loadout.

Hideouts

Chapter 2 also introduces players to Hideouts. All across the island are now locations where you can basically camp out until you spot an unsuspecting opponent. This includes hiding in barrels and other objects.

Fortnite’s new mobility mechanics

Mobility was one of the biggest complaints of Season X, not counting the B.R.U.T.E. of course. To combat this, Chapter 2 introduced a brand new vehicle, the speedboat. Seen in leaked footage before Fortnite’s return, the realistic new vehicle helps players quickly traverse the map. So far, this change has been well-received, unlike the controversial Baller or Stormwing.

Speaking of water sports…

Fortnite’s new chapter also introduces a brand new mechanic: swimming. With water being a big focus in the new map, swimming will surely come into play more often than not. Players can also dive a bit beneath the surface, adding to the new map’s immersive feel. Players can fish for items, which Ali “SypherPK” Hassan tried out in a recent stream. Oh, and you can also hook onto other players, too.

Fortnite Chapter 2 Season 1 brings changes to weapons and items

Chapter 2 weapon changes

Twenty-eight weapons and items have been vaulted in Season 1, taking away a lot of the more wacky weapons that had begun to take over the game. One Reddit user created the following chart, outlining which weapons are still available in Chapter 2, bringing the total amount of weapons down to eight.

Here are all the weapons that were vaulted:

Heavy AR (AK)
Suppressed AR (Scar)
Tactical SMG
Suppressed SMG
Infantry Rifle
Minigun
Heavy Sniper
Automatic Sniper
Hand Cannon (Deagle)
Flint Knock Pistol
Silenced Pistol
Revolver
Stink Bombs
Shockwave Grenades
Junk Rifts
Batman gear

Chapter 2 item changes

There are a lot of item changes in Season 1 as well. The removed items include Boogie Boards, Chug Splashes, Zapper Trap, Hoverboards, and Launch Pads. That last item’s removal was a big disappointment to many players who expressed that there seemed to be a lack of mobility items in the new chapter. There’s also fewer shield regeneration items after losing Slurp Juice and the Chug Jug.

But there is one new item available on the island: The Bandage Bazooka, which heals any teammate that is hit with this launched item. This allows players to heal teammates at a distance, with the potential to heal all the way up to 100 HP. It also recharges every 20 seconds. This powerful item also takes up two inventory slots.

Reviving teammates in Season 1

In previous seasons, teammates would crawl to safety once they were downed. But in Chapter 2, teammates in duos and squads can now be picked up and carried to safety before getting revived.

Fortnite Chapter 2 leveling system

It’s not only the map and weapons that have changed in Chapter 2. The Fortnite overhaul also included a new way to gain levels and XP. There are now more ways to level up the Battle Pass, which can be done daily.

Earn Medals in Chapter 2

Ten medals can be put on your Medal Punchcard each day. Each medal is worth 2,000 XP, except the 5th and the 10th, which are worth 4,000. Luckily, getting these medals can be quite easy. Here’s the list of available medals, which refresh daily:

Battle Medal: Get 1 kill in-game.
Scavenger Medal: Search 3 Chests, Llamas, or Supply Drops.
Survivor Medal: Survive to the final 50 players.
First Match Medal – Compete in your first match of the day.

Even after the Medal Punchcard is filled out, players can still keep gaining XP. This is done through other common activities, like surviving, getting eliminations, and getting high placements in a match.

Chapter 2 introduces upgrade benches

Instead of trading materials in return for weapons, now players can upgrade weapons at these benches located throughout the map. Weapons can be upgraded to the next tier by using a certain amount of a specific collection of materials. Here are the costs:

Common (Grey) to Uncommon (Green): 50 Wood, 50 Stone, 50 Metal.
Uncommon (Green) to Rare (Blue): 150 Wood, 150 Stone, 150 Metal.
Rare (Blue) to Epic (Purple): 250 Wood, 250 Stone, 250 Metal.
Epic (Purple) to Legendary (Gold): 350 Wood, 350 Stone, 350 Metal.

There are a total of 23 discovered upgrade benches throughout the island. Most of the benches are found within buildings, out of view. They can also be used multiple times, helping players either upgrade a weapon multiple times or share with others in the squad.

Fortnite Chapter 2 new skins

To no one’s surprise, Fortnite’s newest season also comes with new skins. And every skin includes an “Alter Ego” version as well. It’s still unclear how these dual-personality skins plays into the theme of the new chapter, but nobody is complaining about having even more skins to choose from. All of the “Alter Ego” variants are only available after players complete weekly missions or reach high levels.

Hazard

This skin is unlocked by completing three missions.

Riptide

This Alter Ego skin is unlocked by completing two missions.

Sludge

Sludge is unlocked by completing four missions, bringing a dark crimson coloring to the new Rippley skin.

Toxin

Toxin is available at Level 40.

Scratch

8-Ball’s Alter Ego is unlocked at Level 60.

Chic

This skin is available at Level 80.

Fusion

At Level 100, players can unlock Fusion. The skin appears to be both good and evil blended together. There are two more unlockable styles for Fusion as well.

Olivia Richman

About Olivia Richman

Olivia has worked in media ever since graduating from college, with her coverage ranging from traditional newspaper reporting to digital coverage of all things gaming, online betting, and nerd culture. She has traveled around the world pursuing that coverage, from the far coasts of the United States to the busy downtown core of Tokyo, Japan. Olivia’s favorite games include Overwatch and Super Smash Smash Bros, and she has been published at Esports Illustrated, Inven Global, EsportsInsider, Upcomer, and elsewhere.

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