Pro Fortnite players react the B.R.U.T.E Mech Patch

Fortnite
August 16, 2019
Jordan Ashley

Fortnite latest season saw the introduction of some overpowered mechs named B.R.U.T.Es. These devices spawned all over the map in varying amounts, then spawned again between each storm phase. With overpowered battle suits dominating the metagame, it is safe to say that competitive players didn’t have the best reaction.

Epic has addressed the concerns of players and the community and pushed out a patch to supposedly address the B.R.U.T.E situation. However, players aren’t exactly happy with what they’re doing.

Epic’s recent patch added in A laser which showed where the B.R.U.T.E is currently aiming. That is it, all of the balancing changes. Although their spawn rates have been severely reduced in the competitive arenas of the game, this isn’t really saying much when they were previously everywhere. Making fewer mechs appear doesn’t fix the major problem with the mechs. Which was that any player who got one could completely dominate the end game. It only really took one.

Read our Top 20 of the Best Fortnite Players

B.R.U.T.E’s make the game more exciting

Epic response to the mech controversy was to release a statement about the B.R.U.T.E and why it was going to remain in the game. They said the inclusion was so that ‘everyone has a shot at that first elimination or Victory Royale moment and the satisfying feeling that comes with it.’ They also said it as there to provide a spectacle and entertainment to those watching high-level play. While the data they provided about the actual effectiveness of the mechs is interesting, it hasn’t fanned the flames.

average brute eliminations fortnite

© Epic Games

The reaction from Competitive Players

TSM Myth’s reaction to the news was probably the most measured out of the major players who weighed in. He acknowledged why epic wanted fresh content and the possibility that competitive players are viewing these decisions from a different perspective to game developers.

Other players responded to the news by advertising their streaming of other games, like Minecraft and DnD. This is almost exactly what happened last time there was an unpopular change when streamers began to stream Uno in protest.

The whole thing is very reminiscent of the scandal over ballers at the launch of the last major Epic competitive event. However, this time it does seem a bit worse. A Ball with a plunger isn’t quite as overpowered as a giant death robot. The same refusal to readdress balance, however, is familiar.

As much as players will complain about pretty much any new change, it doesn’t really have much impact. Largely players either learn how to use or counter the new additions. While something so reliant on RNG isn’t perfect for an Esports game, the metagame evolving to deal with overpowered items definitely is.

When Epic forces something like the B.R.U.T.E into the game and refuses to change anything to fix it, players are forced to adapt quickly. This usually leads to an exciting period of play as new strategies develop. While players and streamers might not be too happy with the mechs, fans should embrace the kind of quick-thinking these measures encourage.