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How Will You Use Fortnite’s Leaked Ability to Shoot While Swinging to Win?
Fortnite is always changing. The way you move around the island today is very different from how you did in the past. We have seen running, sliding, and jumping over walls become normal ways to play. Now, it looks like another big change is coming. Leaks suggest a new swinging ability will be added to the game in Chapter 7.
This is not like the Spider-Man gloves or the Grapple Glove you might have used before. Those were items you had to find and carry. This new swinging mechanic is expected to be a core part of your movement, available to everyone without needing to pick up a special item. The most important part is that you may be able to shoot your weapon while you swing. This could completely change how players attack and move in a fight.
Understanding the New Swinging Mechanic
Leaks from dataminers, who looked into the game’s files after the 37.10 update, revealed the new swinging feature. Unlike past mobility items that took up an inventory slot, this mechanic is built directly into the game. Players will likely use fixed points on the map, such as ropes and chandeliers, to swing from.
The key features of this new system, according to the leaks, are:
- No Item Needed. You will not need to find and equip an item. The ability to swing will be a permanent part of the game’s movement system.
- Use Weapons While Swinging. This is the biggest change. Previously, when you used items like the Grapple Glove, you couldn’t use your weapon at the same time. The new system is expected to let you aim and fire while in mid-air, similar to how you can shoot while on a zipline but with much more freedom.
- Map-Based Movement. The swinging will rely on specific anchor points placed around the map. This means knowing the map and the locations of these ropes or chandeliers will become a very important skill.
- Building Momentum. The system will likely allow you to build up speed as you swing, which can be used for faster map rotations or for launching aggressive attacks.
How Swinging Could Reshape Fortnite’s Combat
This new mechanic has the potential to create a new “meta,” or a new most effective way to play the game. The ability to combine fast, unpredictable movement with shooting creates many new tactical possibilities. For competitive players, this could be a major shift in strategy.
New Ways to Attack
Aggressive players will find new ways to push enemies. Imagine swinging around an opponent’s tall build, firing at them from unexpected angles as you move vertically along their walls. This makes traditional defensive building less safe. Players who can master this skill will be able to pressure opponents in ways that are currently impossible.
Creative Escapes and Rotations
Swinging won’t just be for attacking. It could also provide a new way to escape a losing fight. A quick swing could get you out of a bad situation while allowing you to shoot back at your attackers. It will also likely make moving across the map, or “rotating,” much faster than simply running or sliding.
A Shift in Gameplay Strategy
The introduction of swinging could change the entire flow of a match.
- Building: Tall, simple towers might become easier to attack. Builders may need to create more complex structures with roofs and edits to defend against players swinging from above.
- Positioning: The value of high ground could change. While being high up is still an advantage, players on the low ground may be able to swing up to challenge that position much more easily.
- Loadouts: Weapons that are effective while moving, such as SMGs and assault rifles, may become more valuable. Players will need to think about which guns work best for a mobile fighting style.
A History of Evolving Movement
Fortnite has a long history of adding new movement mechanics to keep the game fresh. What started with simple running and building has evolved to include:
- Sprinting
- Sliding
- Mantling (vaulting over walls)
Each new mechanic has raised the skill ceiling and rewarded players who adapt. Epic Games also has a history of adjusting powerful new features. For example, a “double pump” meta with the Wrecker Revolver was recently nerfed to keep the game balanced. It is possible that the swinging mechanic will also be adjusted after its release to make sure it is not too powerful.
While the leaks are substantial and have been rumored for nearly a year, it is important to remember that Epic Games has not officially confirmed the feature. Game developers often test ideas that are later changed, delayed, or even canceled. However, the evidence from the game files is strong, and with Chapter 7 expected to launch around early December, players may not have to wait long to see how swinging changes the game.