Over the years, Fortnite has introduced various items and mechanics that, while exciting, often disrupted the balance of the game. From broken combinations to secret exploits, some additions left Epic Games with serious regrets. Here’s a breakdown of some of the most notable examples.
1. War Machine Jetpack
The War Machine Jetpack was intended to add mobility, but pairing it with the Skull Dash allowed players to zoom across the map at insane speeds. This wasn’t something Epic Games anticipated, making it one of the most overpowered combos in the game.
2. Captain America’s Shield
Captain America’s shield came with a controversial feature—Aimbot-like targeting. You could throw it blindly, and thanks to its ricochet effect, it would hit enemies even around corners. The shield could even penetrate the Shield Bubble and Armored Walls if thrown correctly.
3. Doom’s Ultra Armor
The Doom’s Ultra Armor was nearly impossible to find, with only a 5% chance of appearing after 15 minutes. It offered the power of both Thanos and Doom, virtually guaranteeing victory for whoever captured it. To make matters worse, if you died with it, you wouldn’t drop the armor—making it exclusive to the original player.
4. Statue Emote
Fortnite cosmetics aren’t supposed to give any gameplay advantage, but the Statue Emote broke that rule. Players could literally turn into a statue, tricking enemies and gaining an unexpected upper hand in battle.
5. Emma Frost Medallion
While the Emma Frost Medallion pinged nearby enemies for a short period, players discovered they could pass it around their team for a constant UAV effect. By sharing it among four players, they could keep enemy positions visible indefinitely.
6. Sticky Grenade Launcher
Epic Games accidentally brought back the concept of double-pumping with the Sticky Grenade Launcher. By switching between grenades, players could launch a barrage of explosive damage faster than intended.
9. Doom’s Throne Hideout
Players could destroy specific walls and hide underneath Doom’s Throne, easily avoiding enemies and wiping out Doombot. It also created an excellent hiding spot for ambushing enemies.
Final Thoughts
Fortnite has introduced countless unique items over the years, but some of them brought unexpected consequences. From ridiculous combos to hidden exploits, these additions, while fun, often disrupted the game’s balance in ways that Epic Games never intended.