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Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minuteEpic said it added Fortnite’s B.R.U.T.E. mech to help players of different skill levels have fun and earn eliminations, while also creating the spectacle of an unpredictable match. That goal collided with concerns about competitive fairness: critics argued that a powerful vehicle could overwhelm skill-based play. Epic later adjusted the mech, but the available evidence does not show whether Fortnite players overall were satisfied.
Why did Epic add mechs to Fortnite?
Epic’s stated reason was accessibility. In its August 15, 2019 explanation, the Fortnite Team wrote: “The mission of Fortnite is to bring players of all skill levels together to have a fun experience where anyone can win.” It said the B.R.U.T.E. was added at the start of Season X with that mission in mind.
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Epic said its data showed that less experienced players were earning more eliminations after the mech arrived, while experienced players’ elimination totals remained steady. The company also described spectacle and surprise as part of Fortnite’s design: new content, it said, should make the game feel different from week to week. Epic’s intended limit was that mech encounters should feel unique rather than dominate a match.
Why did the B.R.U.T.E. cause controversy?
The mech put two design priorities in conflict. Epic emphasized accessibility and unexpected, entertaining moments; critics worried that a powerful vehicle could decide fights in ways that weakened competitive fairness. Contemporary coverage documented the #RemoveTheMech backlash and complaints from players concerned about competitive balance. It also described different priorities among players, including those focused on competition and those more interested in casual or creative play.
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Those concerns are not disproved by Epic’s elimination totals. Aggregate figures can describe what happened across matches, but they do not establish how fair a particular fight felt to the player eliminated by a mech. Nor do the reports show that every player objected: the disagreement was about what Fortnite should prioritize, not a measured consensus among its entire player base.
What did Epic change in August 2019?
On August 22, Epic published a set of historical balance adjustments intended to give opponents more time to react and protect themselves. The figures below describe that 2019 update, not the mech’s current status or behavior.
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| Mechanic | August 2019 change | Epic’s stated context |
|---|---|---|
| Rockets per charge | Maximum reduced from 10 to 6 | Reduced the mech’s rocket salvo. |
| Rocket firing rate | Slowed by 56% | Gave opponents more time to react. |
| Rocket explosion radius | Reduced by 42% | Reduced the area affected by explosions. |
| Dash cooldown | Increased from 3 to 5 seconds | Reduced how frequently the mech could dash. |
| Airborne boost velocity | Reduced by 33% | Reduced the boost’s speed. |
| Stomping and dashing | Stopped generating materials | Removed material farming from these actions. |
| Gunner overshield cost | Reduced from 200 to 75 materials | Lowered the material cost to activate the overshield. |
| Mech health | Increased from 1,000 to 1,250 | Epic said the added health would give mech users more time to play strategically after the other changes. |
Epic also varied B.R.U.T.E. spawn rates in core modes. In its August 15 post, it had already said it adjusted Arena spawn rates to reduce late-game encounters. These were changes to specific aspects of the mech’s weapons, movement, durability, and availability—not a claim that the original disagreement had disappeared.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Did the changes satisfy Fortnite players?
The available evidence cannot answer that question for players overall. Epic’s post explains the developer’s rationale and presents elimination data; contemporary reports describe objections and summarize the company’s charts. None of these sources is representative player polling or a population-level measure of satisfaction.
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The sources establish that reactions were divided: Epic saw the mech as a way to broaden participation and add spectacle, while critics saw a threat to fairness and competitive integrity. They also document Epic’s August 2019 response. They do not establish the B.R.U.T.E.’s current availability or state in Fortnite.
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- An Epic Games account is required to redeem an Epic Games Store Card code
- If playing on a console platform (PlayStation Network, Xbox Live, Nintendo Switch or Mobile) you need to link your Epic Games account to that gaming platform (one time) to redeem your gift card code
- The 16 digit code on the back of the card WILL NOT work if redeemed directly through your gaming platform (PlayStation Network, Xbox Live, Nintendo Switch, Mobile, etc.)
- Note: Nintendo devices do not support Fortnite Shared Wallet, so V-Bucks purchased using your account balance will not show up on your Nintendo device. However, if you purchase items in the web Item Shop — or another platform where you play Fortnite — those items will be available in your Locker across all platforms.
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Sources
- Epic Games, “Fortnite and the B.R.U.T.E.” (August 15, 2019)
- Epic Games, “B.R.U.T.E. Balance Adjustments” (August 22, 2019)
- GameSpot, “Fortnite Added Controversial B.R.U.T.E. Mechs To Help Players Who Were Struggling To Win” (August 16, 2019)
- Ars Technica, “Despite complaints, Epic stands behind Fortnite’s ‘anyone can win’ mechs” (August 16, 2019)
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