Fortnite 5.30 Update Impressions: What We Like And More

The newest Fortnite patch, v5.30, launched recently on PS4, Xbox One, PC, Nintendo Switch, and mobile. It adds one of Fortnite’s most unique Limited-Time Modes to date in Score Royale. Also, Playground Mode gets an update and a new item, Rift-To-Go, comes to the world. You can read the full patch notes here. We’ve spent some time with the new update and here are our thoughts:

Score Royale LTM Is Fortnite’s Biggest, Most Exciting Change Yet

All of the Fortnite Limited Time Modes have twisted the familiar, last-player-standing formula in some way, but Score Royale is the biggest change yet. The mode gives players a very different objective. Instead of fighting to stay alive, you’re going for the highest Point total. You earn Points by collecting coins scattered throughout the map; opening chests, ammo boxes, and Supply Llamas; eating apples and mushrooms; and of course by eliminating enemies. The first to hit the target score of 2,000 points is the winner. It’s an intriguing change of pace, and one that forces you to rethink some of the strategies you may already be familiar with.

Accruing points quickly is essential. So right off the bat, you have a big decision to make. You can drop right away (don’t forget to thank the driver first, of course) to start collecting points, but doing so means you will face a warzone populated with like-minded players; if you get lucky and find a great weapon you can clean up and begin the match with a nice point advantage. But that is not easy. Another choice is to wait it out and drop in a safer zone where your chances of dying in the first minute are far less. I had the most success dropping later.

Dropping later can feel frustrating at first, as you might be 150 or more Points down before you even hit the ground. But don’t lose hope–the first wave of coins doesn’t arrive until a few minutes into the match. So while you may start the round at a theoretical disadvantage by dropping later, you may be able to make up the difference by collecting unclaimed coins and opening uncontested crates. You still need to build smartly and often, while your gun skills will continue to make all the difference in battle. The major change with Score Royale is that you have to always be on the run; that is the only way to win, and it makes the Fortnite experience totally different (and camper-free).

Another noteworthy element of Score Royale is that there are more Llamas on the map and the Storm circle at the beginning…