Fortnite Chapter 7 is heating up! The latest v40.40 update officially kicks off Act III of the Showdown, and Epic Games has delivered one of the most exciting updates in recent history. Not only are iconic Overwatch heroes joining the Battle Royale island, but the beloved Zero Build mode is getting a massive, game-changing overhaul.
Whether you are a competitive shooter fan or just looking to grab a Victory Royale with your favorite Overwatch characters, here is everything you need to know about this massive update.
Overwatch Heroes Answer the Call
The Foundation has called for reinforcements against the Ice King, and the heroes of Overwatch have answered! Players can now explore brand-new map locations inspired by classic Overwatch maps, including Busan Sanctuary, Hanamura Courtyard, King’s Row Tower, and Watchpoint: Gibraltar.
Key Crossover Features:
- Iconic Mythic Loot: Equip Tracer’s Pulse Pistols or heal up your squad with Mercy’s Caduceus Staff.
- The Payload Event: Land at King’s Row Tower to escort a Payload. Successfully pushing it all the way rewards your squad with top-tier Overwatch loot.
- New Skins & Cosmetics: Starting May 14th, the Item Shop will feature Outfits for Tracer, Mercy, Genji, and D.Va, complete with matching accessories and LEGO Styles.
- Porsche Cayenne EV Bundle: A brand new vehicle bundle featuring custom decals and wheels is also dropping!
A Massive Zero Build Overhaul
Zero Build has been a staple of Fortnite since 2022, but Epic Games is shaking up the meta. To emphasize “pure gunplay,” the v40.40 update introduces wild new mechanics designed to make the mode faster and more tactical.
What’s New in Zero Build?
- Pocket Items: The old “Build” button is gone. It has been replaced by “Pocket Items”—unlimited-use utility items with cooldowns. At launch, choose between Shockwave Grenades, Med Mist Grenades, and Shield Bubbles.
- Ready for Battle: All players now drop into the match equipped with a Pistol, a Small Shield Potion, and their chosen Pocket Item.
- Enhanced Mobility: You can now manually cut your glider to free-fall the final stretch to the ground! Plus, Glider Redeploy is back for elevated positions, and holding your pickaxe now grants unlimited stamina.
- Aggressive Play Rewarded: Scoring eliminations now instantly restores your Overshield.
- Better Cover & New Items: Environmental objects (like trees and boulders) take far less weapon damage, making them reliable cover. The loot pool also introduces Brick-a-Bunkers (a new Port-a-Bunker with ramps and doors) and Improved Smoke Grenades for tactical escapes.
Fall Damage is Officially Gone!
Say goodbye to embarrassing eliminations from missing a jump. In Act III, lethal fall damage has been removed from all Unranked matches (both Build and Zero Build).
Instead of dying, taking what would be a fatal fall now triggers a hilarious “Splat” animation. Your character will fall flat on their face, dropping to exactly 1 HP with all shields wiped out. You will experience a short delay as your character stands back up, leaving you highly vulnerable—but still in the game!
Epic Games has stated that these changes are an “experiment” to shape the future of Season 3 and Chapter 7. Are you excited to play as Genji or D.Va? How do you feel about the new Pocket Items and the removal of fall damage? Jump off the Battle Bus, test out the new features, and let us know your thoughts!
