Also… Aliens are abducting Slurpy Swamp.

Fortnite Chapter 2, Season 7 is now live and with it comes several new skins guns and map changes. The new patch will also see Ariana Grande star in the Rift Tour in August. Here’s everything that’s new in the Fortnite 17.30 update.

New Weapons

Burst Pulse Rifle

<em>Image Credit: </em><a href="https://twitter.com/iFireMonkey/status/1422457625799766030"><em>iFireMon</em></a><em><a href="https://twitter.com/iFireMonkey/status/1422457625799766030" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">k</a></em><a href="https://twitter.com/iFireMonkey/status/1422457625799766030"><em>ey</em></a>.
Image Credit: iFireMonkey.

As the name suggests, it is a Pulse rifle with burst fire. You can still shoot slower for more accuracy, but players have the option to spray their bullets in close combat.

Grab-itron

The Grab-itron can be used to pull objects in front of you. You can then launch the object at an opponent dealing damage. The quantity of damage depends on the size of the object, its speed and its material. 

But the Grabitron is not useful only for dealing damage. Players can use the Grab-itron to block incoming damage. The object will block damage upto a certain threshold. 

Where can I find a Grab-itron?

<em>The Grab-itron. Image Credit: </em><a href="https://www.epicgames.com/fortnite/en-US/news/fortnite-battle-royale-v17-30-update-the-grab-itron-and-the-abduction-of-slurpy-swamp" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Epic Games</em></a><em>.</em>
The Grab-itron. Image Credit: Epic Games.

Players can find the Grab-itron in Chests, on top of Abductors, and inside the Mothership. Players can use the Grab-itron to catch explosives and throw them at opponents.

Map Changes

<em>The 17.30 Map. Image Credit: </em><a href="https://twitter.com/FunGamesLeaks/status/1422511830841401345" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>FunGames</em></a><em>.</em>
The 17.30 Map. Image Credit: FunGames.

The latest update’s storyline mentions a new strategy by the Aliens in the war. They are now abducting entire districts off the map. The Fortnite 17.30 update will see the abduction of Slurpy Swamp via a giant tractor beam.

Chunks of land from Slurpy Swamp are beamed up via the tractor beam. Image Credit: <a href="https://www.epicgames.com/fortnite/en-US/news/fortnite-battle-royale-v17-30-update-the-grab-itron-and-the-abduction-of-slurpy-swamp" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Epic Games</a>.
Chunks of land from Slurpy Swamp are beamed up via the tractor beam. Image Credit: Epic Games.

It isn’t possible to abduct the entire district in one go, so the tractor beam breaks up the POI in chunks before lifting them. Players in the low-gravity tractor beam  can jump from platform to platform working their way around opponents. 

The Slurpy Swamp abduction will take place gradually over the next few days. Players should check in regularly to see what happens next.

New LTM: Team Brawl

<em>The 17.30 update adds a new LTM: Team Brawl. Image Credit: </em><a href="https://www.epicgames.com/fortnite/en-US/news/fortnite-battle-royale-v17-30-update-the-grab-itron-and-the-abduction-of-slurpy-swamp" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Epic Games</em></a><em>.</em>
The 17.30 update adds a new LTM: Team Brawl. Image Credit: Epic Games.

There is a new Limited Time Mode in Fortnite: Team Brawl. There are two teams and the goal of either team is to reach 60 eliminations before the other. Players respawn by plummeting to the ground instead of diving from the sky, so you are back in action instantly. 

All matches take place at a single POI and non-player buildings are stronger for better protection. The entire LTM gives the feeling of a small Storm circle. If one team pulls ahead by a large margin, the game will provide help to the losing team. After a team falls behind by a large margin, the losing team players will be able to see their opponents even behind walls. These benefits will expire once the lead margin narrows down. Team Brawl will go live on August 5, 2021, at 9 AM ET.

New NPCs

There are also several new NPCs as part of Fortnite 17.30 update:

  • Superman.
  • Batman.
  • Beast Boy.
<em>The spawn locations for the three NPCs in the latest Fortnite update. Image Credit: </em><a href="https://twitter.com/HYPEX/status/1422659614122856448" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>HYPEX</em></a><em> (modified).</em>
The spawn locations for the three NPCs in the latest Fortnite update. Image Credit: HYPEX (modified).

 Balance Changes

  • IO R&D has paid off: the Pulse Rifle now does more damage when aiming down sights.
  • The Heavy Assault Rifle now deals increased damage, has a slightly reduced fire rate, and for the first few shots, has a higher accuracy than before.

Stay tuned to esports.gg for the latest Fortnite news and updates

Featured Image Credit: FortTory.