ESTNN ranks the top five weapons in Fortnite’s latest season.
Fortnite Chapter 3 Season 2 offers players a revamped loot pool of weapons. The Singer SMG and Striker Pump Shotgun returned from last season, and Epic unvaulted and altered the Striker Burst and Thermal Rifles. New seasons are often challenging to dissect—take that one step further with the current no-build mode.
Today, ESTNN gives you the top five weapons of the season. This list applies specifically to the current landscape, where building structures is not an option. Without any further adieu, let’s jump into the best weapons of Fortnite Chapter 3 Season 2.
5 — Auto Shotgun
Shotguns are a tough sell without building in Fortnite. They aren’t practical from long range, and the current map has many open spaces. Quite frankly, it makes more sense not to use a Shotgun until building returns. However, if you need or want to carry one, the Auto Shotgun should be your go-to choice.
The Auto version fires rapidly and works better in mid-range battles than the Striker Pump and Drum Shotguns. It’s more forgiving up close since it has eight shots per magazine. Overall, the Auto Shotgun is reliable and compliments the SMG options nicely.
4 — Thermal Assault Rifle
The Thermal Assault Rifle re-entered Fortnite’s loot pool in the new season with some slight changes. It now boasts a faster fire rate, reduced damage and more recoil. Despite the differences, there aren’t many long-range weapons available. The Thermal Rifle is second only to the Burst Rifle.
It’s a solid option, but not the best. You would be wiser to carry a Striker Burst since it’s a better weapon overall. If not, the Thermal Rifle is still effective from a distance and is especially helpful in the no-build meta. We can expect that to change when building comes back into play.
3 — Striker Burst Rifle
Epic Games brought the Burst Assault Rifle out of retirement and altered it once again like the Thermal Rifle. The last time it returned, the developers decreased its bullet output. Chapter 3 Season 2 slapped the “Striker” tag on the Burst Rifle and gave it a true scope similar to the MK-7 from Season 1. The consensus is that nothing beats the Striker Burst Rifle, and we are inclined to agree.
It dispenses two bullets per burst and has controllable recoil, making it an unstoppable force compared to the Thermal and Ranger. This opinion could change once building comes back to Fortnite. For now, the Burst Rifle is top-notch.
2 — Stinger SMG
Chapter 3 Season 1 introduced the hotly debated Stinger SMG—the most powerful SMG in Fortnite history. Its fire rate mixed with no damage drop off made it a necessary weapon to carry. Even the lower rarities were usable in any situation. Epic nerfed the Stinger SMG slightly, but it remained last season’s best weapon apart from the MK-7 Assault Rifle.
The Stinger SMG returned in Chapter 3 Season 2, and again claimed its spot atop the tier list. Its fire rate alone makes it a must-have in close quarters. The Stinger holds its own in mid-range fights also, so make sure you carry one of these or the next weapon on this list.
1 — Combat SMG
The Combat SMG originally surfaced in Chapter 2 Season 8, but it never made it into the game. Instead, fans funded the Combat Assault Rifle and left the SMG behind. As we know, Epic likes to revisit different weapons here and there. Chapter 3 Season 2 marked the Combat SMG’s in-game debut, and it’s the one worth carrying.
All rarities pack quite the punch. If you can get past the recoil, the Combat SMG shreds your opponent’s health in the blink of an eye. This weapon is particularly effective in the current no-build mode since close to medium-range battles occur often. You’ll want to prioritize the Combat SMG with its 12 fire rate, 240-288 DPS and 32 rounds per clip.
Barring any adjustments, these weapons should be the core of your loadout. Epic Games plans to bring the building mechanic back in a few days, so these rankings are subject to change.
Stay tuned to ESTNN for more Fortnite news and updates!