Fortnite‘s inaugural Star Wars season introduced one of the most significant meta alterations in the game’s history by eliminating nearly the entire loot pool and substituting it with Star Wars weaponry. The only items retained from Chapter 6 Season 2 are basic healing supplies and shockwave grenades–essentially, items that remain unaffected. Otherwise, it’s an entirely new environment out there.
The most unexpected element, however, isn’t merely the weapons, but the absence of quick movement items. In Season 2, we had the Kneecapper and two varieties of rockets that provided escape routes in dire circumstances. Evacuation was always achievable with that loot selection. But those times have undeniably concluded.
For the Star Wars season, shockwave grenades stand as the sole familiar movement item. You can practice with a hologram character to acquire a lightsaber that accelerates your sprint slightly, but this opportunity is limited to a few players each battle royale match. Additionally, you can utilize Slap Juice for a brief period of unlimited sprint, which pairs well with the lightsaber, although Slap does not inherently increase your speed. Therefore, your frustration is warranted—this season is significantly slower-paced compared to Season 2.
For Build players who can erect walls for immediate defense, the change in tempo isn’t particularly troubling. However, for Zero Build players, the new sluggish meta frequently leaves you vulnerable to enemy fire without many alternatives if surprised. And with the ridiculously powerful IQA-11 Marksman Blaster capable of eliminating you in seconds from a distance, finding yourself exposed generally translates to substantial risk. But we’re here for you. Here are some crucial strategies for thriving in Fortnite’s slower Star Wars meta.
1. Carry shield bubbles
Shield bubbles are items that adept and competitive players appreciate while others often overlook—they’re frequently deprioritized compared to weapons, healing supplies, and mobility aids. However, shield bubbles have proven extremely advantageous whenever they’ve been included in Zero Build’s meta—they were just less critical when players could move quickly during engagements.
In the slower Star Wars meta, though, shield bubbles are vital. Whether traversing an open area or attempting to revive a teammate post-fight, strategically deploying shield bubbles can be the difference between victory and defeat, especially now when escape isn’t easily achievable.
2. Utilize vehicles for travel
In a sluggish meta such as this, relying solely on shockwave grenades for mobility isn’t advisable—save them for critical moments of escape. Instead, when needing to reach safety quickly, such as when you’re far from the circle and the storm encroaches, driving a vehicle or piloting an X-Wing or TIE Fighter is preferable. Vehicles can shield you from gunfire and travel significantly faster than on foot. Moreover, while inside one, it’s possible to evade any skirmish effortlessly.
3. Focus on defense with lightsabers
By pressing the alt-fire button, you can block incoming shots with your lightsaber, and executing a jump while in defensive stance allows you to dodge, making yourself quite tough to hit. You can even effectively spam this dodge, resulting in a frustrating challenge for opponents at close range. Best of all, these abilities don’t require training with a hologram—you can deflect and dodge using any lightsaber acquired from defeating enemies. However, if you do train, Rey’s Force Push ability becomes an essential asset, pushing foes back and creating distance. While they won’t take fall damage from a Force Push, they will no longer be close to you.
Regardless of your thoughts on the slow meta, it won’t last indefinitely—Star Wars season concludes on June 7, after just five weeks. Yet, the sluggish pace won’t persist even that long, as the May 22 update introduces the Mandalorian Jetpack to battle royale for the season’s final two weeks.
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