Getting started
Fortnite for beginners: what to know in your first week
Fortnite is free on PlayStation, Xbox, Switch, PC and mobile. The main mode is a battle royale: up to 100 players land on an island and the last player or team standing wins. Here's how to stop dying first.
The modes, quickly
| Mode | What it is |
|---|---|
| Battle Royale | The classic: land, loot, survive. You can build walls and ramps |
| Zero Build | The same, but with no building. Easier to learn |
| Reload | Smaller maps and respawns while your team is alive |
| Creative islands | Player-made games of every kind, opened with a code |
| LEGO Fortnite and Festival | Survival-crafting and music games in the same app |
Your first match
- Start in Zero Build. You can learn fights without also learning to build.
- When you jump, glide to the edge of a named spot rather than its middle.
- Pick up a shotgun and a rifle, plus anything that heals.
- Watch the storm timer. When the circle shrinks, move early, not at the last second.
- Stay near cover. A tree or rock beats open ground every time.
Loot and healing
Weapons come in rarities: grey, green, blue, purple and gold, from weakest to strongest. A blue shotgun you can aim beats a gold rifle you can't. Keep at least one healing item at all times. Shields go on top of your health, so drink shield items when you're safe, not mid-fight.
Don't panic in fights
New players lose most fights by running into the open. Stop, find cover, then shoot. If you're losing, back off and heal; you don't have to finish every fight. Sound is your friend: footsteps and chests make noise, and turning on Visualise Sound Effects in settings shows them on screen.
Settings to change first
- Turn on Visualise Sound Effects.
- Lower your look sensitivity if your aim feels jumpy.
- On console, choose a performance mode for smoother play if your console offers one.
- See our settings guide for the rest.
Stay safe
Fortnite is free, and V-Bucks only come from Epic. Anyone offering free V-Bucks is running a scam. Turn on two-factor sign-in on day one, and if you're a parent, set up parental controls before handing over the controller.