Latest Fortnite update includes Drum Shotgun and July 4th heroes

Olivia Richman Published 03/07/2019

Another update is now live on Fortnite. 

Epic has released the latest patch notes for Fortnite as the 14 Days of Summer event continues. Now live for PS4, Xbox One, PC, Nintendo Switch, and mobile devices, the small update includes a brand new weapon for the game’s Battle Royale mode. 

The Drum Shotgun is a new addition to Fortnite this week. It comes in common, uncommon, and rare varieties, and can be found as floor loot or inside vending machines and Loot Carriers. With a clip size of 12 and dealing up to 50 damage per shot it’s no Pump Shotgun, but it’s still a very powerful weapon. 

Some are saying it might even be a bit too powerful. 

The Drug Shotgun’s damage per second is 180 to 200. Compare that to the grey Tactical Shotgun, which only delivers 106 DPS, or the rare Combat Shotgun’s 135. The Drum Shotgun can easily break down walls with only a few shots. 

Check it out in action. 

Famous Fortnite streamer Tyler “Ninja” Blevins called the gun “effective.” 

While this was the only major update, there were a few other notable updates. As the 14 Days of Summer event continues, new challenges and limited time modes will continue to become available each day. 

For the Fourth of July holiday, Epic brought back four heroes for a limited time. This includes Stars and Stripes Jonesy, Star-Spangled Headhunter, Patriot Penny, and Old Glory AC. Gamers can earn Stars and Stripes Jonesy by completing the “Light’em Up” quest. 

A new Wargames simulation is also available. Called Meltdown, the simulation has the Storm Shield going critically wrong. It’s now emitting a growing radiation field. This causes some issues while in direct contact, according to patch notes. The simulation brings about more chances for Event Tickets, a new banner, and more variety to the Daily Wargames Challenges. 

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.

View full profile

Read Also

News

Has a Fortnite Collaboration Revealed the Kingdom Hearts 4 Release Date? Zachary Roberts There is currently very little information in the public domain about the upcoming Kingdom Hearts 4 from Square Enix. We know the game exists, and we know it's going to be available on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC, even if there isn't even a release date yet. There's been no trailer yet, either, just a blink-and-you'll-miss-it teaser from a Nintendo Direct. But a Fortnite collaboration leak, of ...

Esports Betting

MLBB is the most-watched game from the EWC, and it’s hard to see another game beating it Michael Hassall The Esports World Cup 2026 has officially passed its midway point and viewership figures for the tournament have surpassed many expectations so far, as per Esports Charts. The viewership tracking site revealed new statistics for the event on Aug. 6, showcasing just how many games had set new records in viewership, including one name leading the way in views: Mobile Legends: Bang Bang. MLBB leads the viewership charts with the ...

Fortnite

A Guide to All Fortnite Icon Series Skins So Far Zachary Roberts Are you wondering about all the Fortnite Icon Series skins in the game so far? There are plenty, and more are added all the time. These essentially represent real-life people. In some instances, they are also made-up characters that are portrayed by real people. The game is full of collaborations, and this series collabs with real things. For skins, that means people. For emotes, that means real songs or dances. ...

Fortnite

These Are the Best Fortnite Players of All Time in 2026 Zachary Roberts The best Fortnite players put casual gamers to shame. They have mastered the craft to an incredible level since the game initially launched in 2017 and are capable of performances and consistency that intermittent players can only dream of. This is true to such an extent that watching them at work is almost like viewing a a totally different game. Simply put, there are levels to Fortnite, and the following ...

Fortnite

Fortnite Chapter 7 Season 4: Confirmed Collabs, Date, and More Details Zachary Roberts Fortnite Chapter 7 Season 4 is on the way! Season 3 is climaxing soon, and it will give way to a fresh season with new characters, items, storyline, and plenty more. Because the new season is so close, leaks are coming thick and fast. Some are even being confirmed outright before the season arrives. Here is exactly what you need to know. It has long been known that Fortnite Chapter ...

Fortnite

Fortnite Adds Proximity Chat Back in a Very Limited Way Zachary Roberts In September 2025, Fortnite added proximity chat for the first time. It was something fans had wanted for a long time, so Epic Games added a dedicated game mode, Delulu Mode, to allow it. In that mode, players could talk to nearby players via proximity chat, recruiting them to team up or to troll them. You could even join and leave teams as much as you wanted. That mode, and ...

Twitch

Lacy Announces He Is Leaving CORE As Ludwig Questions the Group’s Future Khizar Mundia Ludwig Ahgren recently discussed CORE and claimed that the group will fail. Nick “Lacy” Fosco initially defended the organization before announcing in an X post that he was leaving CORE. Lacy is known for his over-the-top streams and memorable Fortnite content. The streamer left FaZe Clan during the organization’s mass exodus and joined CORE along with the key members of FaZe. The new organization has since been growing consistently, but streamer ...