The wait is over, and the rumours were true, mostly. Fortnite Chapter 7: Pacific Break (v39.00) is officially live, and it has completely overhauled the Battle Royale experience. The iconic Battle Bus is out of commission, forcing players to adapt to a radical new way of starting matches on a brand-new island.
The biggest gameplay shake-up is the new drop mechanic. With the Battle Bus disabled, players now use “Storm Surf”, riding a massive tsunami wave onto the island. This wave mechanic replaces the traditional skydive, depositing players onto the new Golden Coast map.
This sun-soaked paradise features diverse new locations, including:
Movement has also evolved. Wingsuits are the season’s featured mobility item, allowing for effortless gliding. Even when downed, players aren’t out of the fight; new DBNO (Down But Not Out) mechanics let you roll, sprint, use ziplines, and even hop into vehicle passenger seats while knocked.
The Battle Pass brings heavy pop-culture firepower. The Bride (Kill Bill) and Marty McFly (Back to the Future) are the headline stars, alongside original characters like Miles Cross and Cat Holloway.
Epic has also introduced a “choose your path” unlock system. While The Bride is the instant Level 1 reward and a new Dark Voyager awaits at the end, players can unlock the remaining skins in any order.
The loot pool has been refreshed with responsive new weapons featuring layered recoil. Highlights include:
Support play gets a massive buff with Drivable Reboot Vans, allowing squads to drive their revival station out of danger. A new Self-Revive Device also lets players pick themselves back up.
For the bold, defeating bosses like Human Bill, Hush, or Beach Brutus now allows you to transform into them, gaining full health, shields, and unique abilities at the cost of being permanently visible on the map.
Chapter 7 Season 1 is available now. However, competitive modes and legacy features are staggering their return: