How to Play Fortnite

Download and install Fortnite. Fortnite: Battle Royale can be installed for free on Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, iPhone, Android, or Mac/Windows computers by opening the respective app store and searching for Fortnite.

• If you come across a paid version of Fortnite, note that it is not the Battle Royale game.
• If you plan to install Fortnite on a Windows computer, you need to visit the Epic Games download page, click on WINDOWS, double-click the downloaded setup file, click Install, and follow the on-screen instructions.

Launch Fortnite. To do this, you need to select the Fortnite icon from your game library or the Applications folder.

• On Windows, double-click the Epic Games Launcher icon.

Create an account. On the login page, choose the "Create Account" option, then enter your first and last name, desired display name, email address, and password. Check the box for "I have read and agreed to the terms of service," then click CREATE ACCOUNT.

• On Windows, click Sign Up before entering your email address, then click Install under Fortnite and follow the on-screen instructions. Afterward, you can open Fortnite by clicking Play.

Choose your game mode. Select the current gameplay style (such as SQUADS), then, from the menu that appears, choose one of the following modes:

• Solo — 100 players compete against each other.
• Duo — You and one teammate compete against 49 other teams.
• Squads — You and three teammates compete against 24 other teams.
• Soaring 50's — You and 49 other players compete against another 50 players. In this mode, the Glider item can be reused (This is a Limited Time Mode).

Click PLAY. This button is located at the bottom of the page. Afterward, you will wait for the game to load. Once you select a game mode, you will enter a lobby with other players. When the lobby is full, you will be added to the game along with the other players in the waiting room.

Understand the essence of Fortnite. Essentially, Fortnite is an elimination-style shooter game where players strive to be the last person, duo, or team standing. To achieve this ultimate goal, skilled Fortnite players remain cautious and alert in every situation.

• Surviving in Fortnite is far more important than eliminating other players.

Familiarize yourself with the basics of Fortnite. There are a few key elements in Fortnite that make its gameplay unique:

• Start — All Fortnite players begin in the same location (the Battle Bus), from which they must jump out to land on the island below.
• Pickaxe — Every Fortnite player starts with a pickaxe in their inventory. This tool can be used for everything from attacking to harvesting resources.
• Resources — Materials like wood can be gathered by using the pickaxe to hit objects such as houses and trees. These resources can then be used to build structures like walls or ramps.
• Storm — The storm is a slow-moving force that makes the edges of the map unplayable as the game progresses. It expands inward at specific intervals (e.g., after 3 minutes). If caught in the storm, your health will gradually deplete.

Avoid the storm. After the first 3 minutes of a Fortnite match, a storm will appear at the edge of the map. This storm will grow, shrinking the playable area and forcing remaining players closer together. If you enter the storm, it will quickly drain your health, eventually killing you if you stay too long.

• The storm often causes many player eliminations during the mid-to-late game, so always keep an eye on its location as the match progresses.

Try playing cautiously at first. To win in Fortnite, you simply need to survive until all other players are eliminated. While easier said than done, the best way to survive is by avoiding unnecessary confrontations and risks.

• Aggressive playstyles aren’t impossible in Fortnite, but they’re typically better suited for more experienced and quick-thinking players.

Land at Tilted Towers. Many Fortnite players jump out of the Battle Bus early in the match or when they spot a large settlement below. Instead of following the crowd, you can wait until the last second to jump and aim for a smaller village or house rather than a larger structure.

• If you do this, you’ll be on the edge of the map, so you’ll need to move more than other players to avoid the storm later in the game.

Grab weapons as soon as possible. While the pickaxe can serve as a weapon in emergencies, firearms like assault rifles, sniper rifles, and shotguns are the most common tools for combat in Fortnite.

• Remember, having any weapon is better than being unarmed, so picking up a pistol or SMG when you can’t find your preferred weapon is a smart move—you can always swap it out later.

Use resources to build shelters when necessary. By using your pickaxe on materials like wood or stone, you can gather resources to create ramps, walls, barriers, and more. Player-built shelters are often visible but provide essential cover between you and enemies if they’ve spotted your location.

• Another way to use resources for shelter is to hide in existing structures (like houses) or natural cover such as bushes.

Always keep your back to the water. Facing the center of the map with your back to the ocean reduces the risk of being ambushed, especially as the storm begins to form.

• Water and the storm are areas where you can’t be attacked, making them the only "safe" corner you can rely on.
• Be cautious not to get trapped between a fight and the storm, as you’ll be forced into a battle that might be overwhelming.

Communicate with your team if needed. When playing in Duo or Squad modes, it’s crucial to communicate with your teammates about enemy locations, discovered resources, and similar details.

• This step can be skipped if you’re playing Solo.
• You should also notify your teammates if you’re downed, making it easier for them to locate and revive you.

Assess enemies before engaging in combat. You can often gauge what weapons an enemy is using from a distance. This is especially important if you’re struggling to find strong weapons, as facing an opponent with an assault rifle while you only have a pistol is almost certain death.

• Consider hiding instead of fighting if the enemy has stronger weapons and/or a better position.
• It’s also important to observe the behavior of potential targets. If an enemy is running around looting, they’re more likely to be caught off guard than if they’re hiding in a bunker.

Search for enemies in common hiding spots. Enemies might be lurking in bushes, houses, or other easily concealable areas, especially later in the match when more players are concentrated in one area.

• Fortnite players are often creative with their hiding spots. If you hear someone inside a house but can’t locate them, it’s best to retreat rather than waste time searching.

Keep playing. Like any other online shooter, Fortnite requires players to learn many things early on, and the only way to improve is by continuing to play.

• After a few matches, you’ll likely grasp the basics of Fortnite and find it easier to secure victories.