Fortnite: Battle Royale's New Limited-Time Mode, Shooting Test, Is Now Live

Fortnite's recent Battle Royale mode, Sniper Shootout, may now be over, but a new limited-time event has begun on PS4, Xbox One, and PC. Epic Games has kicked off Shooting Test #1 on all platforms, though this limited-time mode is a little different from previous ones. [Update: Some changes are coming to the the Shooting Test as part of a new Fortnite update.]

Rather than introducing a unique game type, as was the case with the recent Sniper Shootout and 50 vs. 50 events, Shooting Test #1 serves as way for Epic to test a new shooting model for Battle Royale. The general experience is largely the same as the game's current build, but Epic has adjusted some mechanics, most notably giving weapons first-shot accuracy. Additionally, the developer has reduced headshot critical hits and introduced damage fall-off to certain guns.

You can see the full list of gameplay adjustments in the Shooting Test #1 event, courtesy of Epic's official website, below. Epic hasn't announced an end date for the event yet, but the studio says it plans to run "multiple shooting tests" in order to gauge the changes it is making to Fortnite: Battle Royale before implementing them in the live game.

Following a delay, Epic rolled out the latest update for Fortnite, patch 2.4.0, for PS4, Xbox One, and PC last week. Along with an assortment of bug fixes, the update introduced a new minigun weapon type to Battle Royale. Epic is making up for extended server issues Fortnite experienced recently with some freebies. Players can also now purchase new Ski Skins in Battle Royale to celebrate the upcoming Winter Olympic Games.

Fortnite: Battle Royale Shooting Test #1 Event Changes

• Weapons now have first-shot accuracy, indicated by a red glow on the reticle. This is applied when:
  • Standing still
  • Aiming (not hip-firing)
  • Aim spread is at peak accuracy (Basically, if you haven’t fired recently. It is different per weapon)
• Headshot critical hits have been reduced
  • Shotguns are now 150% damage (was 250%).
  • All other weapons with headshot crits are now 200% damage (was 250%).
• Damage fall-off has been introduced for some weapons
  • Damage applies at 100% to a fixed range.
  • Fall-off begins at different ranges (depending on the weapon), and decreases to 70% damage.
  • Sniper Rifles, Rocket/Grenade Launchers, and Shotguns are unaffected.
• Other balance adjustments
  • Semi-Auto Sniper has had its damage increased to 75/78 (from 63/66).
  • Scoped Assault Rifle has had its damage increased to 25/26 (from 23/24).
  • +2 Base damage to all SMGs.