Fortnite players have expressed their wish for the return of Bows, a weapon category that made its debut back in Season 8 of 2019. Anticipation was high among fans prior to the launch of the latest season, speculating that Bows might make a comeback given the new theme of Fortnite.
Chapter 5 Season 2 of Fortnite, released in early March, embraced a Greek mythology motif, introducing new weaponry and abilities inspired by ancient legends. Players can now wield powers like hurling Zeus' lightning bolts, utilizing the Chains of Hades, or soaring with the Wings of Icarus after looting or defeating bosses. The update also incorporated thematic locations tied to these mythological figures, leading some players to believe that Bows would have been a perfect addition.
On Reddit, user Leozzarios initiated a discussion on the FortniteBR subreddit expressing disappointment in the prevalence of sniper rifles as the long-range weapon of choice this season, suggesting that Bows would have been a more fitting alternative. The post resonated with many other Fortnite enthusiasts who shared similar sentiments, highlighting the compatibility of Bows with the current season's theme. Even the latest loading screen from Fortnite's The Legend of Korra event features the goddess Artemis wielding a Bow. While there is still time for Bows to resurface in Chapter 5 Season 2, which concludes on May 24, it is improbable that Epic Games would introduce such a significant meta shift late in the season.
Fortnite's assortment of Bows offers diverse abilities, including enhanced mobility and focused damage. With various Bow types at their disposal, Epic Games has the flexibility to decide how to incorporate them into a season's gameplay. For instance, a Bow like the Grappler Bow could have replaced items such as Impulse Grenades or Wings of Icarus in this season, while the Primal Bow might have taken the place of the Huntress DMR. Despite these possibilities, Epic Games opted against reintroducing Bows this season, hinting at their probable return in the future.
While Epic Games frequently makes adjustments to balance Fortnite's sniper rifles, this weapon category remains a topic of debate. The lowest-tier Reaper Sniper Rifle in this season can eliminate a fully shielded opponent with a single headshot, rewarding precision but also causing frustration among players who feel disadvantaged in gunfights.
Strategies to Combat Fortnite's Sniper Rifles
To counter the dominance of sniper rifles in Fortnite, players can utilize mod bench locations to enhance their own weapons. Other effective countermeasures against sniper rifles this season include using vehicles, mobility items, strategic building (in the original Fortnite format), or minimizing movement to make landing a headshot more challenging for enemy snipers.