Fortnite Beginner's Guide

New to Fortnite or coming back in November 2026? What the game is now, which mode to start with, how the Battle Pass works and tips for your first wins.

Updated 1 November 2026Checked for patch Chapter 7 – Treasure Hunters (v43.00)5 sources
Image: Fortnite / YouTube

Fortnite is Epic Games' free-to-play battle royale, out since 2017. Up to 100 players drop from the Battle Bus onto an island, loot weapons and fight while a storm closes in – the last player or team standing wins. In classic modes you can also build walls, ramps and floors in seconds. Today Fortnite is also a home for other games, from LEGO Fortnite Odyssey to Fortnite Festival and Save the World.

The basics

Free to playFortnite is free on PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch and mobile. Money only buys cosmetics and the Battle Pass, paid in V-Bucks.
Cross-playYour Epic Games account and locker work across platforms, and you can squad up with friends on any device.
Always changingEvery season brings a new theme, weapons and map changes, plus a Battle Pass full of outfits.

What's happening now

Treasure HuntersThe current mini-season (from November 1, 2026) is a One Piece crossover on a new pirate island, Crossbones Isle.
Treasure HoursOn weekends, Treasure Hours add extra loot to the island – a good time to practise.
Chapter 7 ends December 5Epic has teased a Chapter 7 finale event for December 5, 2026, before Chapter 8.

Getting started, step by step

1. Pick a modeZero Build is the easiest start; switch to classic Battle Royale when you want to learn building.
2. Set up controlsCheck sensitivity and turn on the settings you like before your first match. Try Builder Pro or Edit on Release if you play with building.
3. Land somewhere quietDrop away from the Battle Bus path and named hotspots, loot calmly and learn the island.
4. Try ReloadReload's respawns give you far more fights per hour – the fastest way to practise aim.
5. Level the Battle PassXP from almost every Fortnite experience counts. Daily and weekly quests are the fastest way up.
6. Catch up on the storyWatch the season cinematics to see where the island came from.

Tips that help everyone

Shield up firstDrink shields as soon as you find them – fights are often decided by who has more health.
Watch the stormCheck the map often and move early. Rotating late through open ground is how most beginners die.
Build to surviveIn build modes, a quick wall and ramp gives cover instantly. Practise in Creative islands.
Read the patch notesWeapons are vaulted and unvaulted all the time. Our patch notes explain what's in the loot pool.

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Reference page written by AI (Claude) and checked against the sources above. Games change with every patch – the patch this page was last checked for is shown at the top.