Fortnite content update 3.4 brings Vending Machines, tonnes of weapon balance changes

News by Sherif Saed Contributor

Published on April 4, 2018

Epic is changing Fortnite's patch cadence, but that doesn't mean there won't be anything new to look forward to this week.

Going forward, Fortnite will receive content updates every other week, as opposed to weekly patches. This alternating release schedule means players will only have to download one patch every two weeks, and still get new content every week.

Patch 3.4 was released last week. This week, we have the 3.4 content update, available now on all platforms with no need for a download.

The biggest new addition is the Vending Machines, which were teased earlier this week through the in-game message. What Vending Machines do is simple: they allow you to use the materials you gathered as a form of currency to buy loot.

There are several of them scattered around the map, and they offer three different deals. The items and their rarities are chosen at random.

The High Explosives game mode returns this week with High Explosives v2. This new version works the same way as the original, meaning only explosives will be available as weapons, only this time there's more toys in the form of the Remote Explosive and the Guided Missile.

The Easter Egg Launcher, added last week, has made its way to the Save the World PvE mode. Check out all the patch notes below.

Fortnite Battle Royale content update 3.4

Weapons and items

Vending Machines have been added, found in various locations around the map
Each Vending Machine will randomly select a rarity. All items sold will match that rarity.
Each Vending Machine will sell three items, one for each material type (Wood, Stone, Metal).
Vending Machines will cycle through each of the three items on a short timer. To switch items faster, hit the Vending Machine with your Pickaxe.
There is no purchase limit to the items available.

Item and rarity prices at Vending Machine

Common (white) version will cost 100 materials.
Uncommon (green) version will cost 200 materials.
Rare (blue) version will cost 300 materials.
Epic (purple) version will cost 400 materials.
Legendary (gold) version will cost 500 materials.

Many weapons now have First Shot Accuracy, including

Suppressed Submachine Gun
Tactical Submachine Gun
Pistol
Suppressed Pistol
Revolver
Hand Cannon
Assault Rifle
Burst Assault Rifle

Damage fall-off has been adjusted for weapons with First Shot Accuracy

-Suppressed Submachine Gun and Tactical Submachine Gun

Fall-off begins at 24 meters.
Damage reduced to 80% at 35 meters.
Damage reduced to 65% at 50 meters.

-Pistol and Suppressed Pistol

Fall-off begins at 28 meters.
Damage reduced to 85% at 47.5 meters.
Damage reduced to 75% at 70 meters.
Damage reduced to 65% at 250 meters.

-Revolver and Hand Cannon

Fall-off begins at 35 meters.
Damage reduced to 70% at 60 meters.
Damage reduced to 40% at 85 meters.

-Assault Rifle and Burst Assault Rifle

Fall-off begins at 50 meters.
Damage reduced to 80% at 75 meters.
Damage reduced to 65% at 100 meters.

When aiming, standing still, and the weapon has not fired recently, the first shot will be 100% accurate.
When this is active, the aim reticle will be completely closed in to indicate this state.
Headshot damage multiplier reduced to 2x for weapons with First Shot Accuracy (was 2.5x).

Damage fall-off has been adjusted for weapons with First Shot Accuracy

Gameplay

Limited Time Mode: High Explosives v2

-General

Non-explosive weapons removed.
Friendly Fire off.
1:50 shaved off wait times for first four storms (20s / 30s / 30s / 30s).

-Supply drops

Spawn +50% more consumables.
Spawn +100% more materials.
Have a 50% chance of dropping a Legendary Guided Missile.

-Floor loot adjustments

Materials spawn 60 / 90 / 120 per pickup for wood/stone/metal.
Materials drop rate increased 50%.
Ammo drop rate increased 50%.
Impulse grenade added to floor loot.
Trap drop rate lowered 50%.

-Other loot adjustments

Number of rockets found per drop increased (Floor: 4-6 | Chests: 8 | Supply: 12 | Box: 16 | Llama: 20).
Grenade, Impulse Grenade & Remote Explosive drop rate +100%.
Bandages drop rate -50%, Med Kit & Slurp drop rate +50%.
Spike Trap disabled; Launch Pads & Campfires spawn at 1:1 ratio.
Rocket Launcher drop rate +100%.
Guided Missile drop rate +100%.

-Resource gathering rate adjustments

Increased most Wood resource values by about 10%.
Reduced variance of resources from objects. Was +/- 30%, now +/- 15%.
This meant that an object with a base 100 resource value could have been anywhere between 70 and 130 resources. Now it would give between 85 and 115.
This does not affect Limited Time Modes.