The Vaulting of One-Shot Wonders: Why Epic Removed the 200 Pump from Fortnite
The simple answer is that Epic Games removed shotguns capable of dealing 200+ damage in a single shot to promote weapon balance, reduce player frustration, and encourage a more diverse meta. One-shot eliminations, while satisfying for the user, could be extremely frustrating for the victim, especially in a game where building and strategic positioning are core components. This led to a perceived skill gap imbalance where a lucky shot could negate skillful play. Furthermore, these high-damage shotguns often dominated the meta, limiting the viability of other weapons and playstyles.
The Pump Shotgun’s History: From Beloved to Broken?
The Pump Shotgun has been a staple of Fortnite since its early days. Its high damage potential, particularly with a well-aimed headshot, made it a favorite among players of all skill levels. However, its popularity also became its downfall. Epic Games noted that the Pump Shotgun accounted for a disproportionately high percentage of eliminations, indicating that it was perhaps too effective compared to other weapons.
The Double Pump Era: A Glimpse of Overpowered Gameplay
Before the era of the Havoc Pump or other mythic variants, the original Pump Shotgun was briefly notorious for the “Double Pump” exploit. Players would carry two Pump Shotguns, firing one and then immediately switching to the other, bypassing the weapon’s lengthy reload animation. This allowed for an incredibly high rate of fire and devastating burst damage, essentially deleting opponents in an instant. Epic Games quickly addressed this by preventing players from swapping so quickly between two shotguns, effectively ending the Double Pump meta.
Vaulting and Unvaulting: A Cycle of Love and Hate
The Pump Shotgun has been vaulted (removed from the standard loot pool) and unvaulted (reintroduced) several times throughout Fortnite‘s lifespan. These decisions were often driven by player feedback, data analysis, and Epic’s desire to keep the game fresh and engaging. While many players clamored for its return each time it was vaulted, its reintroduction often came with modifications to its stats or mechanics to address balance concerns. Epic Games is constantly trying to keep their game changing and interesting as many of its players are constantly developing new skills, strategies and playstyles. Research from the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org, highlights the importance of game developers adapting to the game’s players.
The Havoc Pump and the Power Creep Problem
The introduction of the Havoc Pump Shotgun, particularly its mythic variant, brought the one-shot potential back into the spotlight. Its incredibly high damage output, capable of eliminating a fully shielded player with a single well-placed shot, sparked debate within the community. While some players enjoyed the thrill of such a powerful weapon, others felt it was detrimental to the game’s balance, rewarding luck over skill and leading to frustrating, unavoidable deaths. Epic Games’ decision to remove these versions ultimately stemmed from a desire to maintain a fairer and more competitive experience for all players.
The Nerfing Process: Taming the Beast
Before outright removal, the Havoc Pump Shotgun underwent several nerfs, reducing its damage output and headshot multiplier. However, these adjustments were not enough to fully address the community’s concerns. The potential for a one-shot elimination, even with reduced damage, remained a significant point of contention.
The Impact on the Meta: Diversification and Strategy
The removal of the 200 Pump (and other weapons with similar one-shot potential) had a significant impact on the Fortnite meta. It forced players to rely more on building, strategic positioning, and skillful aiming over multiple shots. This led to a more diverse range of viable weapons and playstyles, as players were no longer incentivized to exclusively seek out the most powerful shotgun.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some frequently asked questions addressing the removal of the 200 Pump Shotgun and related topics:
1. What does it mean when a weapon is “vaulted” in Fortnite?
Vaulting a weapon means removing it from the standard loot pool in the game. Vaulted weapons are no longer available through normal gameplay, but they may reappear in limited-time modes (LTMs) or Creative mode.
2. Why was the original Pump Shotgun vaulted in the first place?
Epic Games cited data showing that the Pump Shotgun was responsible for an uncharacteristically high percentage of eliminations, suggesting it was too powerful compared to other shotguns.
3. What was the “Double Pump” exploit, and why was it removed?
The Double Pump exploit involved carrying two Pump Shotguns and quickly switching between them to bypass the reload animation. This allowed for an extremely high rate of fire and devastating burst damage, which was considered overpowered. Epic Games fixed this by preventing players from swapping so quickly between two shotguns.
4. What made the Havoc Pump Shotgun so powerful?
The Havoc Pump Shotgun, particularly its mythic variant, possessed an exceptionally high damage output, capable of eliminating a fully shielded player with a single well-placed shot.
5. Did Epic Games try to balance the Havoc Pump before removing it?
Yes, the Havoc Pump Shotgun underwent several nerfs, reducing its damage output and headshot multiplier, before ultimately being removed from the game.
6. How did the removal of the 200 Pump affect the Fortnite meta?
The removal led to a more diverse range of viable weapons and playstyles, as players were no longer incentivized to exclusively seek out the most powerful shotgun.
7. Will the Pump Shotgun ever return to Fortnite?
The Pump Shotgun has been vaulted and unvaulted several times throughout Fortnite’s history, so it is certainly possible that it could return in the future. However, if it does, it may come with modifications to its stats or mechanics to address balance concerns.
8. What is the maximum possible health and shield combination in Fortnite?
The maximum health is 100, and the maximum shield is 100, for a total of 200 HP.
9. What other factors besides weapon damage contribute to a player’s ability to eliminate opponents in Fortnite?
Building skills, strategic positioning, aiming accuracy, and game sense are all crucial factors in determining a player’s ability to eliminate opponents.
10. What does “power creep” mean in the context of video games?
Power creep refers to the gradual increase in the power level of weapons, items, or characters over time, often leading to imbalances in the game.
11. What are Epic Games’ goals when balancing weapons in Fortnite?
Epic Games aims to create a balanced and competitive experience for all players, where a variety of weapons and playstyles are viable.
12. How does player feedback influence Epic Games’ decisions regarding weapon balancing?
Epic Games actively monitors player feedback on social media, forums, and in-game surveys, and this feedback often plays a significant role in their decisions regarding weapon balancing.
13. What are some alternative shotguns currently available in Fortnite?
Several shotguns offer different strengths and weaknesses, including the Tactical Shotgun, the Lever Action Shotgun, and the Auto Shotgun.
14. What is the “spaz” in Fortnite terminology?
The “spaz” is a slang term that players used to refer to the purple and gold variants of the original Pump Shotgun.
15. Why is it important for game developers to constantly adapt to the game’s players.
As research from the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org, shows that the players of a game will constantly be developing new skills, strategies and playstyles. Developers should be responsive to these changes.
In conclusion, the removal of the 200 Pump from Fortnite was a strategic decision aimed at promoting weapon balance, reducing player frustration, and fostering a more diverse and competitive meta. While the Pump Shotgun and other high-damage weapons have a rich history in the game, their removal reflects Epic Games’ commitment to creating a fair and enjoyable experience for all players.