Prepare to lay down suppressing fire in Fortnite Ballistic with the Drum Gun going live with v33.30! This update goes live on January 31, 2025, and also brings several balance changes and economy adjustments.
As we continue to update Ballistic in early access, follow along on Fortnite’s social channels for further balance changes we may make in the coming weeks. In the longer term, we’re excited to launch additions like more weapons, Flex Gadgets, and maps — so stay tuned!
Lock and Load with the Drum Gun
Because of its high damage output and large magazine, the Drum Gun is a perfect weapon for close-to-mid-range skirmishes. Picking it up means a dedication to going in LOUD and controlling narrow lanes like those around B-Site.
Take full advantage of the clip size by generously laying on the trigger for cover fire. Sustained fire comes at the cost of increased recoil, though, so be sure to utilize controlled bursts rather than prolonged sprays for the most accurate results!
The Drum Gun is available from the start-of-round Buy Menu for 3500 Credits.
Balance Changes and Economy Adjustments
Ballistic v33.30 includes balance changes for the Hammer Pump Shotgun, Frenzy Auto Shotgun, and Reaper Sniper Rifle, plus adjustments to the in-match economy.
Weapon Balance Changes
Hammer Pump Shotgun
- Point-blank damage increased.
- Mid-range damage increased.
- Long-range damage slightly reduced.
- Headshot multiplier reduced from 3 to 2.
Frenzy Auto Shotgun
- Point-blank damage slightly increased.
- Mid-range damage slightly increased.
- Long-range damage slightly reduced.
Reaper Sniper Rifle
- First shot accuracy recovery time reduced.
- Magazine size increased from 3 to 5.
Economy Adjustments
- Rift Point Device plant bonus reduced from 500 to 200 Credits.
- Hyper SMG cost increased from 1500 to 1800 Credits.
- Frenzy Auto Shotgun cost reduced from 1600 to 1500 Credits.
- Reaper Sniper Rifle cost reduced from 5000 to 4700 Credits.
Other Improvements & Updates
- Players are no longer able to manually drop Smoke Grenades or Flashbangs during the buy phase.
- Players are no longer able to use Flex Gadgets, Smoke Grenades, or Flashbangs during the buy phase.
- The pre-match “waiting for players” screen now shows how many remaining players are needed for the match to begin.
Crash the party with the Drum Gun when v33.30 rifts in on January 31.
Go Full Tilt into Fortnite OG Chapter 1 Season 2!
Grab your Glider and jump off the Battle Bus as Fortnite OG enters Chapter 1 Season 2, bringing back beloved POIs like Tilted Towers and Shifty Shafts! The days of the Fort Knights are upon us again, so rise to the challenge and fight valiantly with upcoming loot like the Boogie Bomb and Minigun. Chapter 1 Season 2 starts today and ends March 25, 2025 ET
Old Haunts Return - Chapter 1 Season 2 POIs
Chapter 1 Season 2 reintroduces POIs from the classic Chapter 1 Season 2, so get ready to cause HOA complaints at Snobby Shores once again!
Here are the nostalgic points of interest that await:
Tilted Towers
Let’s be honest, you’re gonna drop here first. Boasting towering high-rises, Tilted Towers is a magnet for both Chests and danger! Take refuge and loot up in the slew of apartment complexes and offices, or brave the streets of the concrete jungle.
Junk Junction
This scrapyard paradise is a treasure trove of loot, but watch out — every car stack and rubbish pile in Junk Junction could be obscuring a sneaky opponent! Even if the coast is clear, you’ll still be under the watchful eye of the Metal Llama.
Haunted Hills
Lurking just below Junk Junction is Chapter 1 Season 2’s creepiest spot, Haunted Hills! This dilapidated POI is full of abandoned tombs and crumbling architecture, and enemy players will only add to the scare.
Snobby Shores
At Snobby Shores, expect high-rolling residences and enough loot to keep up with the Joneses and then some. Can you find the underground bunker in this opulent enclave?
Shifty Shafts
This isn’t your average mining facility! Delve deep into the ground and explore the labyrinth of tunnels that await. The close-quarters combat of Shifty Shafts isn’t for the faint of heart, but there’s always a chance to strike (figurative) gold if luck is on your side!
(Sky)Dive into a Vintage Loot Pool
OG Chapter 1 Season 2 will expand the loot pool with gear from the classic Chapter 1 Season 2 being added on a regular basis:
- Small Shield Potion (live now!) - Need a quick boost to your defense? This is your go-to drink, offering 25 Shield each ‘til you’re at 50!
- Multi-Surface Damage Trap (live now!) - The spike is mightier than the sword. Place the upgraded Damage Trap on a floor, ceiling, or wall to ambush unsuspecting enemies!
- Boogie Bomb - Throw this funky orb into the fray to unleash a momentary, disco-fueled dance party on your foes. Let the rhythm take over and turn the tide of battle in style!
- Suppressed Pistol - The ideal weapon for stealthy attacks. Be quick on the draw and even quicker on the reload to make the most of this sneaky sidearm!
- Cozy Campfire - Need to heal up after a frantic fight? Choose a place for this benign Trap and restore your HP for up to 25 seconds at 2 HP per second. A great opportunity to tell your friends a quick story
- Chug Jug - The ultimate lifeline in a firefight, this whopping beverage takes quite a bit to consume, but grants full Health and full Shield. Just make sure you’re not interrupted before you chug it all!
- You can drink the Chug Jug while moving. “Chug along,” as they say!
- Minigun - With no magazine limit, this weapon is the perfect tool for razing buildings or going on a haphazard offensive. Fire away for too long, though, and you’ll become vulnerable with the Minigun’s prolonged cooldown period!
- Crossbow - Swap bullets for arrows. Fun fact: The Crossbow was first introduced as Cupid’s Crossbow before becoming the Crossbow in Season 3!
- Impulse Grenade - Launch yourself to outmaneuver incoming attacks, or end an elevated skirmish by sending enemies to the ground below towards elimination!
Chapter 1 Season 2 OG Pass
An all-new OG Pass is here with 45 tiers of rewards based on the classic Chapter 1 Season 2. Specifically, unlock items inspired by Sparkle Specialist and Black Knight, which were Outfits in the Chapter 1 Season 2 Battle Pass, and Cuddle Team Leader — an Outfit that made its Shop debut in Chapter 1 Season 2.
Like with the other Passes in Fortnite, unlock and claim rewards in the OG Pass by earning XP in any Fortnite experience. The OG Pass is a single track of both free and premium rewards. To claim the premium rewards as you earn XP, purchase the Pass for only 1,000 V-Bucks or get it through Fortnite Crew! Included as premium rewards, there are three Outfits in the Pass:
- Sparkle Diva: Shine in style. (Sparkle Diva is claimable right away upon purchasing the OG Pass!)
- Cuddle Team Specialist: Strategy. Stealth. Snuggles.
- Knight Conqueror: The snarling scourge of Fatal Fields.
Of course, there are more than just Outfits to unlock! The Chapter 1 Season 2 OG Pass is full of accessories like Back Blings, Gliders, and Pickaxes. For example, be prepared to shine wherever you go with the Sparkle Satchel Back Bling, fly in on bearcraft with the Cuddle Team Sierra Glider, and don’t axe twice with the Conqueror's Axe Pickaxe.
This Season’s OG Pass also has an unlockable alt Style for each Outfit, and for many of the accessories! The Pass will be available to progress in until the Season ends March 25, 2025 ET.
It’s time to drop Tilted. See you in Season 2!
Valentine’s Day is almost here, which means it’s time to build connections — brick by brick. Flowers and sweets play a big part, but the Brick Life Valentine’s 2025 Update also brings fun-filled activities that all of Brick Bay’s citizens will… well, love!
It all snaps together perfectly when the update arrives January 31, 2025.
The Stud to Your Brick, The Sun to Your Flower
Is it just us, or have things suddenly gotten a whole lot brighter? Maybe it’s the presence of Brick Bay’s most radiant resident, Sunflower, who’s opening up a flower shop right in time for Valentine’s Day!
Starting January 31, some familiar faces around Brick Bay will ask for help spreading the love around town. Say yes and pick up Flowers, Love Letters, and Heart Wands as gifts at Sunflower’s Stand by The Trot Lot! January 31 is two weeks before Valentine’s Day, giving you lots of time to help these Brick Bayers before they stop asking on February 21 Eastern Time.
What to do after you complete a request? Sunflower will reward your sweet gesture with a Cupid’s Surprise, a special valentine that may carry a sweet treat. Just talk to her to get the Cupid's Surprise! It has a chance to contain a Box of Chocolates, a piece of delicious decor for your home.
Keep collecting Boxes of Chocolates until the Valentine’s fun ends in the early hours of February 21 Eastern Time!
Fall Head Over Pieces for These Daily Activities
What strengthens bonds more than a bit of friendly competition? The Valentine’s 2025 Update will add daily activities — a new Brick Life tradition which is here to stay well into the future!
Three activities will start things off: Vampire Experiment, Litter Boxing, and A Race with Drift. One of these activities will start every day at 5 PM Brick Bay Time… The perfect way to relax after a hard day’s work! Do you tend to be forgetful? Not a problem, a handy notification will be sent to your phone before each activity begins.
Vampire Experiment The students at Mourndale Academy need your help testing their all-new invisibility potion! What could possibly go wrong?
At the start of the experiment, all test subjects must pick up a potion from the dispenser in Mourndale Courtyard. But not all the potions work as intended: some test subjects will become vampires! If you’re a vampire, hunt down the other test subjects and make them vampires too. Or if you’re a survivor, use your invisibility to stay safe ‘til time runs out!
All test subjects will be awarded Creds for their contributions to supernatural science. Subjects who don’t become a vampire will also get the Vamp Champ Trophy Decor item, courtesy of Bobom Milk Tea.
Litter Boxing
Meowscles is building a beachfront boxing ring near his gym, and we’re pawsitive it’s gonna be a knockout! The boxing match begins if there are two or more players in the ring. Prove you’re as ferocious as a feline by knocking all the other players out of it!
All boxers will be awarded Creds for their purr-fect sportsmanship. Whoever claws their way to the top will be awarded even more Creds and the Undisputed Gloves Decor item.
A Race with Drift
Racing was in Brick Life before, but now it’s a “daily activity” and offers a trophy! Head to the front of Wheels n' Deals in your favorite ride and get ready for the high-speed hijinks.
Whoever races their way across Brick Bay the fastest will be awarded Creds (including street cred) and the Speedster Trophy Decor item.
A heads-up for you: you can start Vampire Experiment and Litter Boxing anytime you want, but you’ll only get their full rewards if you’re playing them as a daily activity! A Race with Drift is only available as a daily activity.
Bonus Stuff! There’s even more to love about the Valentine’s 2025 Update! Here are some improvements to city livin’ coming January 31:
- The in-game lighting will better reflect the time of day in Brick Bay.
- Messages from Brick Bay regulars will now be notifications in your phone. Keep track of them using your phone’s new Notifications app.
How to know when exactly on January 31 the update will be in your game? Just look out for the Fortnite patch update you’ll need to download!
Happy Friday, Commanders! We've prepared an overview of the latest fixes that came with v33.30, including but not limited to:
Bug Fixes[]
- Resolved an issue that caused a portion of players to become stuck in the first Storm Shield Defense Mission after leaving the Tutorial in progress.
- Tornadoes will no longer destroy Traps in Wargames runs - they’ll only break if the structure they’re placed on is destroyed.
- When falling off a tall enough cliff, building or structure while riding the Hoverboard, players will now take less damage.
- Earsplitter now properly grants other players the intended temporary damage buff when Sonic Pulse is used.
- The teleporter now consistently appears in the starting cave in Storm King’s Domain, allowing for a quicker return to the fight (Xbox One).
- The Mission Lobby music now stops when leaving Save the World, and no longer carries into the main Lobby.
- Changing items in the Locker no longer stops or overwrites the Mission Lobby music.
- The “Not usable in the current experience” tag no longer appears on the Locker slots when equipping a new Hero in Save the World.
- Any BluGlo that is carried by a player will now drop when the player is knocked down or leaves a Mission early, allowing teammates to collect it.
- Fixed an issue where a number of Collection Book categories wouldn’t be ticked as complete when all the items have already been slotted.
- The preview size of the Anti-Air Floor Trap now matches its actual size when placed.
- Addressed an issue where display names weren’t fully visible in the Mission Lobby on PS4.
- Kicks are now consistently visible to other players in the Lobby and will update when a new pair of Kicks is selected.
- Johnny Silverhand’s hair no longer disappears in the Lobby or Command tab when equipped by another player.
- Fixed the incorrect swing animation on several Pickaxes:
- Reduced the fog along the top of the World Map, improving overall visibility.
- Players will now automatically rejoin the previous game session once the Rejoin Timer hits 0:00.
- The Chat button on the left side of the screen no longer disappears after opening the Vote Screen.
- The Direct Message Chat notification will now disappear when all unread DMs are read.
Known Issues[]
- Mantling sound is louder than intended.
- Banner no longer respawns players near it.
As always, if you spot any issues that need looking into, drop ‘em in the comments below. Thanks! 🫡