Fortnite 1.70 (5.20) Patch Notes

Here's everything that's changing in the 1.70 PS4 (5.20 other platforms) patch for Fortnite.

The 5.20 update for Fortnite has just launched as Version 1.70 on PlayStation 4 and includes a number of big changes to the game. The biggest new additions includie the powerful Double Barrel Shotgun and Limited Time Mode of Steady Storm. We've got a roundup of all the changes that have arriving in Fortnite's 1.70 (5.20) update in the patch notes below.

Fortnite 1.70 Patch Notes (5.20 update)

© Epic Games
© Epic Games

The biggest new addition is the Double Barrel Shotgun, a heavy weapon which only has two shots to fire but packs a severe punch. There have been a range of changes to Vending Machines too, so check the weapon changes below to know where you can find the new gun and what's been hit with the nerf or buff hammer. We've also had a suite of audio and UI changes to help improve clarity. These include one of the most important changes to Fortnite yet: you can now honk the ATK horn. Sounds like Fortnite's finally ready to leave Early Access to us. Here's the full list:

Weapon and Item changes

  •  Double Barrel Shotgun added.
    • Available in Epic and Legendary variants.
    • Can be found from floor loot, chests, Supply Drops, and Vending Machines.
    • Delivers high burst damage at very close range but damage falls off heavily at distance. 
    • Fires 10 pellets like other Shotguns, has a larger spread, lower critical damage multiplier (1.25x), and a 2 second cooldown time when swapping weapons. 
    • Epic Variant 
      • Up to 143 base damage per shot at extreme close range.    
    • Legendary Variant
      • Up to 150 base damage per shot at extreme close range.
  • Vending Machine rebalance.
    • Vending Machines spawn more often, cost less, and have an increased chance to spawn at a higher rarity.
      • Common Vending Machine 
        • Spawn chance reduced from 7.27% to 6.67%.
        • Material cost reduced from 100 to 75.
      • Uncommon Vending Machine
        • Spawn chance increased from 14.55% to 20%.
        • Material cost reduced from 200 to 150.
      • Rare Vending Machine
        • Spawn chance increased from 14.55% to 20%.
        • Material cost reduced from 300 to 225.
      • Epic Vending Machine 
        • Spawn chance increased from  5.45% to 18.67%.
        • Material cost reduced from 400 to 300.
      • Legendary Vending Machine
        • Spawn chance increased from 3.64% to 8%.
        • Material cost reduced from 500 to 375.
      • Chance for no Vending Machine to spawn at a location reduced from 54.67% to 26.66%
  • Reduced Remote Explosives drop count and max stack size.
    • Drop count reduced from 4 to 3.
    • Max stack size reduced from 10 to 6.
  • Added a higher accuracy penalty to jumping and sprinting for Dual Pistols, Submachine Guns, and Hunting Rifles.

Bug Fixes

  • Fixed an issue that would sometimes cause the storm in phase 6 to do 1 less damage than intended.
  • Fixed replication issues caused by interacting with a Guided Missile.
© Epic Games
© Epic Games

Limited Time Mode: Steady Storm

A brand new mode for the game, Steady Storm adds a constantly moving storm that never stops to give you respite. It's up and running now, so you should be able to jump in immediately. Here are Epic Game's notes:

Summary
Steady Storm has one constantly moving storm closing in on the island. Stay ahead of it and take down the other players to earn a Victory Royale!
Mode Details

  • One Storm that closes in over the course of 15 minutes.
  • There are no safe zone circles. Keep an eye on the map to predict where the Storm will close in.
  • The Storm does 10 damage per second.
  • Profile Stats (K/D & Wins) and Challenges are tracked in this mode.

Gameplay changes

As per usual, the update also includes a number of gameplay changes and tweaks to improve quality of life and stop players from exploiting and overpowered tactics. For the most part this update just includes a range of bug fixes, but it also makes changes to the way shooting between crouched and standing works to stop players from peaking too quickly over a slope.

  • The weapon fire position now more closely follows the actual player position when crouching and un-crouching. 
    • Shooting while leaving the crouched stance will no longer fire bullets from full standing height until the animation is complete.
  • Crouch does not interrupt emotes anymore and is disabled when emoting.

Bug Fixes

  • Certain player models will no longer obstruct camera angles or block crosshairs on slopes.
  • Fixed an issue where a wall would become invisible when destroyed on a client, but would still have some health on the server.
  • The camera will no longer instantly transition when attempting to aim certain weapons while in midair.
  • Trap selection will no longer unintentionally cycle when switching to available traps.
  • Fixed an unintentional camera adjustment when entering and exiting targeting while transitioning in and out of crouch.
  • Visual effects will now properly play when a vehicle impacts an environment prop.
  • Fixed reliability issues when using a rocket launcher to boost shopping carts or the ATK.
  • Fixed an occasional failure of glider deploying after exiting a Rift.
  • Switching weapons after an emote will now play the correct weapon switch animation.
  • Slurp Juice will no longer continue to heal or provide shields after being knocked down.
  • Player placed map markers will no longer appear to jitter on the minimap or in the world.

Audio changes

And finally, those all important Audio changes arrive, bringing with them the sounds of one hundred players honking their ATK horns in anticipation.

  • Added new equip sounds to grenades.
  • Add the ability to honk while driving the ATK.
  • Lowered the volume of impact sounds when harvesting vehicles.
  • Added audio effects for when spectating squadmates leave the match.
  • In the Locker menu, glider audio will fade out when it’s unselected.

Bug Fixes

  • Thermal Scoped Assault Rifle scope-in sounds are no longer hard-panned to the left on Switch.
  • Audio for the rocket incoming sound will now properly play during close range fights.
  • Ambient audio loops will no longer stack on each other and play at once. This was creating a sound phasing issue that sounded similar to a “fighter jet”.
  • Footsteps will no longer sound uneven for players outside your field of view.
  • Players will no longer hear ‘ghost footsteps’ after eliminating an enemy.

There are plenty more bug fixes that arrive for the UI and party systems in the 1.70 (5.20) update, so head over to the Epic Games website if you want to read through the full list. We also have plenty more Fortnite guides and content available here on AllGamers, so why not stick around for a while and learn a thing or two?

Associate Editor

Henry Stenhouse serves an eternal punishment as the Associate Editor of AllGamers. He spent his younger life studying the laws of physics, even going so far as to complete a PhD in the subject before video games stole his soul. Confess your love of Super Smash Bros. via email at henry@moonrock.biz, or catch him on Twitter.

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