The new season of Fortnite has been out for a few weeks now, and most players are enjoying the added content. "Paradise," Chapter 3 Season 4, is all about new items, new ways to obtain loot, additional skins, map additions and changes, and a world full of chrome that has both an aesthetic and functional purpose.
Some updates are the usual things games like Fortnite change from season to season -- things that have happened before or don't need a lengthy explanation. However, chrome is a whole new ball game for seasoned Fortnite players. As with any update, there are new challenges to overcome, but most of the added features offer a competitive advantage when players know how to utilize them correctly.
General Updates for Fortnite Paradise
This season of Fortnite brings with it many new things. Small white keys drop from players or chests, and they unlock caves filled with quite a bit of loot. Some take one key to unlock and others take two, but keys aren't difficult to find and are well worth the effort. A lock appears on the map in the location of the caves whenever a key is looted. The new battle pass provides the opportunity to earn exciting new items, skins, and characters, and even earn back V-bucks. Legend also has it that many places are trying to escape the chrome invasion, and Condo Canyon is no exception. Players can now find it floating in the sky with a new name: Cloudy Condos. Sniper Rifles were also given a damage increase this season, so players can once again one-shot kill their opponents.
A brand-new spot on the map is called the Herald's Sanctum. This visually appealing, chrome-colored geometric city contains a multitude of ammo boxes and a great variety of weapons. If it's far enough away from the battle bus flight path, it's worth exploring near the start of the game, but stay away if it's too close, as players are likely to encounter opponents too early on. While the same could be said for most spots near the flight path, more opponents will be drawn to the Herald's Sanctum because of the new boss at the top of the tower: The Herald. Killing The Herald is part of a quest, so it's worth doing, but bring some friends to help. The Herald doesn't go down easy, and she spawns two chrome wolves mid-battle.
Using Chrome to Gain the Advantage in Fortnite Paradise
The most obvious change to the look and feel of Fortnite this season is the introduction of chrome. Many buildings have been covered in a shiny, silvery chrome. This provides an aesthetic update to things, but that's not the only change. Any chrome walls or doors can be walked through; players are able to phase through chrome. It's helpful in certain situations -- like running from or chasing an opponent -- wherein opening the door would take longer than the player would prefer. However, it can also be a danger if players phase through walls where an unknown opponent waits. Chrome is reflective, so players may be startled thinking they've seen an opponent when it's only a reflection of themselves.
These are not the only instances in which chrome has changed the gameplay. Chrome has also taken over the players. When one uses the new grenade-like item called "chrome splash" on themselves and/or other players, they turn chrome. Not only does this item make the player look different, but it also serves an important purpose. While players are chrome, they are immune to damage from opponents. When sprinting, a chrome player turns into a cute blob that offers increased speed, no damage from falling, and the ability to quickly phase through walls. It is well worth it to save one precious inventory slot open for chrome splash.
In addition to these changes, there are two new chrome-splashed weapons this season: the Evochrome Shotgun and the Evochrome Burst Rifle. The rarity actually increases on these weapons the more they are used, so if players run across a green one, they could eventually build it up to legendary with enough usage. If these Evochrome weapons are picked up from defeated opponents, the player keeps all the weapon progress made by the opponent.
Players are happy overall with the new season of Fortnite and all it has to offer -- especially the key system for loot and the return of headshots causing 250 damage. It's hard to say whether chrome will be a returning part of Fortnite going forward, but for now, it's a welcome addition.