Fortnite revealed that it is making several adjustments to the B.R.U.T.E. This change is likely in response to the #RemoveTheMEch campaign started on social media. The changes are now live in all of Fortnite's game modes and there is no need to download or patch the client.
Before introducing these changes, Fortnite explained the reasoning behind the B.R.U.T.E. In particular, the Team at Fortnite said that this was part of bringing the philosophy of the game to life. That is, it was important to provide spectacle and entertainment when playing the game. You can read more here.
However that did not stop players from continuing to complain about the presence of the B.R.U.T.E. mech. Epic Games eventually agreed to make changes. These include:
- Decreased the maximum amount of rockets fired by the B.R.U.T.E. in a single charge from 10 to 6.
- Decreased the rate at which the rockets are fired from the B.R.U.T.E. by 56%.
- The goal with these changes was to increase the back and forth between the users of the B.R.U.T.E. and the players they face. These changes allow the players on the receiving end of the missile volley to have more time to react and protect themselves.
- Decreased the radius of the B.R.U.T.E.’s rocket explosion by 42%.
- With this change, the Team hopes to improve consistency and understanding around focused barrages of missiles. B.R.U.T.E.s continue to be a strong option against structures, but less lethal against players.
- Increased the dash cooldown from 3 seconds to 5 seconds.
- The previous dash cooldown not only increased the B.R.U.T.E.’s mobility, but also made the B.R.U.T.E.s a harder target to hit from distance. This adjustment reduces the ability to close gaps quickly while in the B.R.U.T.E. while also increasing the ability to land shots on target for players facing the B.R.U.T.E.
- Decreased the velocity gained from boosting while in air by 33%.
- The Team wanted to lower a B.R.U.T.E.’s ability to engage and disengage at long distances to encourage a more strategic approach to an encounter. In general the hope is to shift B.R.U.T.E.s away from being highly mobile and put more emphasis on their already defensive nature.
In addition, the B.R.U.T.E. no longer grants materials to the driver and passenger when stomping or dashing through the environment. The goal with this change is to bring more tension between being in and out of a B.R.U.T.E. as well as reduce instances where players can farm faster than intended without exposing themselves to danger.
You can read more about the changes made to the B.R.U.T.E. here.
