The mental side of Fortnite

Mental Side - Part 2

  • Fortnite is a complex game in many ways. From a competitive perspective it’s one of the most complex games out there. Just having mechanics or general skill or general knowledge is not enough to compete at the highest levels. This is a game of micro-decision making.


  • Everything you do can be dissected and done with greater efficiency, and your level of efficiency in your gameplay is a small piece of the big puzzle that determines whether you win or lose. You have to be efficient in your use of ammo, your choice and timing for use of heals, your use of build materials, when and how you take damage and how much, how quickly you move throughout the map and when/how you use your mobility items, how quickly and efficiently you build and manage piece control, how efficiently you share items with your teammate(s), where you drop and the path you take for loot, etc. You have to be one step more efficient than your opponents. Efficiency leads to quickness, and this is a game where the ability to be quicker than your opponent in anything and everything is to your advantage.


  • Fortnite is also a game of risk management. You have to take risks to play competitively with the best, but you need to be wise and make decisions that minimize risk or make the tradeoffs totally worth the risk. You have to decide if the refresh (and points if you’re in a tournament) are worth entering the fight or if you should hold off. If you get hit you have to decide if you attack or run. You have to decide if the special limited item (a weapon, medallion, etc, whatever the season has to offer) is worth pursuing at that moment or not. You have to evaluate the risk associated with your drop POI. The list goes on and on, and only you can determine if the reward is worth the risk…although we might have some thoughts on that ;-)


  • Being truly competitive in Fortnite is a game of fractions. The smallest things can make or break your success, and each small element or decision adds up with the others to determine your outcome. You need a deep understanding of the game, the options available, the scenarios that you can encounter, the ability to apply good and quick decision making, and good strategies…that's right; you need more than one strategy...before you ever ready-up.


  • In summary, you need to be prepared. To be prepared, you need to study, understand, learn from your mistakes, and practice. Like anything else in life, the best things are NOT free; they require a lot of work!


  • Be fully studied on:
  • Settings
  • Motion / mobility / movement
  • Build Mechanics
  • Build Edits / options
  • Loot details and locations
  • Drop map
  • How to read other players in real time
  • Awareness of your surroundings at all times (avoid tunnel vision) - know what’s happening around you and out in the distance as far as you can see. Develop ability to take in foreground, middle ground, and background all at once.
  • Full awareness of the map and everything in it, especially buildings and their entries / exits / windows / what’s on the other side of the wall or ceiling or floor, etc.
  • Early, mid, and end game differences and strategies
  • The ‘meta’: what is changing day to day, week to week, season to season, chapter to chapter
  • Tournament point systems, qualification levels, and rules for earnings
  • Major opponents you are likely to encounter in the bigger tournaments, their play style, their preferences, their strengths and weaknesses, etc
  • Your own strengths and weaknesses
  • Strengths and weaknesses of your teammate(s)
  • Physical and mental preparation (eating well, getting good sleep, being mentally strong and not easily rocked by surprises, challenges, or disappointments)


If you missed our basic section on the mental side of the game, catch up with it here.