Fortnite: Battle Royale Introduces the Flintlock Pistol
The Flintlock Pistol, a new weapon in Fortnite: Battle Royale, was released today with the v8.11 update. Unlike previous updates, there was no server downtime, allowing players to immediately try out the new weapon.
A Unique and Powerful Weapon
The Flintlock Pistol is the first weapon in Fortnite to have a knockback mechanic that affects both the shooter and the target. While it may seem like a weakness, the ability to control the knockback makes the Flintlock a strong weapon.
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Utilizing the Knockback Mechanic
The knockback feature turns the Flintlock into a mobility tool. Players can use it strategically to reach high ground areas, disengage from gunfights, or engage in close-range combat by jumping onto opponents’ structures.
Calculating the knockback for mobility requires shooting at specific angles. Shooting straight down without jumping will provide a knockback height of one tile, while shooting in mid-air will knock the player up about the height of two tiles.
Any shot that is diagonal to the ground will send the player flying backward, but the height should not exceed two-and-a-half tiles. Chaining shots with other Flintlocks can increase height, but due to the one-shot magazine and three-second reload time, it is impossible to maintain stability while doing so. Attempting to chain shots from great heights will result in falling to one’s death.
Despite its limitations, having one or two Flintlocks can still be beneficial for increasing vertical and diagonal mobility. Although it is not as powerful as the now-vaulted Grappler, it can help players avoid and engage in gunfights as needed.
If the Flintlock Pistol is used for raw power, it is important to note that it has high damage falloff and is less effective at long distances. It is better suited for close-range combat or as a mobility tool.