Fortnite Patch V8.10 Breakdown

by MikeJ in Fortnite | Mar, 12th 2019

Fortnite Patch V8.10 is live with a bunch of new updates. Kicking things off, we’ve got a new single-seat vehicle, known as The Baller, that will allow you to literally roll around the map. Furthermore, there has also been a significant change to the Vending Machine; now you can only use it once and then it disappears. Though perhaps most importantly, Xbox One and PS4 players will finally get to face-off against each other — battle royale cross-play matchmaking has been enabled on both consoles. At long last, we’ll get to see which console has the superior Fortnite players!

Let’s take a closer look at all the changes in Fortnite Patch V8.10.

Battle Royale Changes

New Vehicle

The Baller

This vehicle is found at Expedition Outposts and near pirate camp loot.
It has a Grappler and Boost functionality that will enhance its movement.
As the driver, you’re safe from damage, but the actual Baller vehicle can be damaged by enemies.
The Baller has 300 health.

Keep rollin’ rollin’ rollin’…Fortnite fans are going to have a lot of fun using this giant hamster ball. Not only is it fast, but there’s also a Grappler attached to it, so you can latch onto nearby cliffs or trees and swing through the air!

Also, enemies won’t be able to shoot you while you’re driving this. Be careful though, the Baller will eventually blow up if it takes too much damage.

Nerfs

Vending Machines

Removed the item/weapon cost.
Vending Machine will be destroyed after item/weapon is claimed.
Common and Uncommon Vending Machines have been removed from the game.
You can longer get a Mounted Turret in a Legendary Vending Machine.

Vending Machines were a bit too useful, so now they’ve been significantly nerfed. The Vending Machine basically functions as a care package now — you get a free item (or weapon) from it, and then it can’t be used again.

It will be harder to find Vending Machines as well since the common and uncommon variants have been removed.

Infantry Rifle

Common rarity has been removed.

The Infantry Rifle drop rate was nerfed in Patch V8.01, and it’s only a matter of time before this weapon is removed from the game.

Heavy Assault Rifle

Rarity has been adjusted from Rare/Epic/Legendary to Common/Uncommon/Rare.
The base damage scaling on the Common/Uncommon/Rare variants has been decreased.

This is another big nerf that will shake up the Fortnite Battle Royale meta. There are now only common/uncommon/rare variants of the Heavy Assault Rifle on the map, and these rifles do a lot less damage as well. Ouch!

Clingers

The max stack size has been decreased from 10 to 6.

Clingers were also nerfed in Patch V8.01, but apparently Epic Games felt this powerful grenade was still too common. So, now you won’t be able to carry as many Clingers in your inventory.

Why don’t they just nerf its damage already?

Treasure Maps

Reduced availability of Treasure Maps from floor and chest loot.

It’s going to be a little bit harder to find that Buried Treasure. Argh!

Gameplay Update

Battle Royale Cross-play Matchmaking

Xbox One and PS4 player pools have been combined.
You must opt-in into cross-play, otherwise you’re restricted to Creative mode and Playgrounds.
Nintendo Switch players will not be matched against Xbox One or PS4 players.
Mobile and Nintendo Switch player pools have been combined.

The Xbox One and PS4 console war continues in Fortnite! PC players, feel free to just sit back and laugh, because we all know that mouse/keyboard will beat a console controller any day.

There was originally a beta for this, and considering this change is now live, it’s safe to say it went pretty well.

it was also a good decision to combine the Nintendo Switch and Mobile player pools; Switch players will have an easier time finding games now.

New Limited Time Mode

The Getaway

The goal of this LTM is to find or steal a Jewel and take it to one of the getaway vans to win.
Four Jewels will be available on the map at all times.
Jewels can be found in special supply drop safes along the edge of the first storm circle. These safes take a long time to open.
Four getaway vans will appear on the map; three will arrive early, and then another van shows up near the end.
Getaway vans float in mid-air, and the Jewel carrier must interact with the van before completing their getaway.
Safe drops and getaway vans are always visible on the map.
If you pick up a Jewel, you’re visible on the map for 30 seconds.
Holding a Jewel will give you increased shields and health over time, but it slows you down.
Only Rare weapons or better are available in this LTM.
The ATK vehicle has been unvaulted for this LTM.
10 red “Pursuit” supply drops will land at the beginning of the match. They carry longer-ranged weapons, and the Grappler.

This mode is for all you aspiring jewel thieves out there (I’m joking; stay in school). But this really does look like it will a be a lot of fun, and your goal here is simple — find or steal a jewel, take it to a getaway van, interact with the van, and you win!

Other Changes

Those are all the significant Battle Royale changes in Fortnite Patch V8.10, but there are also some neat updates for fans of Creative and Save The World.

Creative received two new exotic island locations and some new game options.

Aside from that, The Staredown Southie has returned to Save The World. Plus, there’s the new Test the Limits Beta Storm mission, so definitely go try that out.

For more details on all these changes and more, be sure to check out the official patch notes.