Is Fortnite so hard?

At first glance, Fortnite Battle Royale seems like an impossibly difficult game to get good at. Between the one life per match format, the exponential building mechanics, and getting crushed by ultra-sweaty players – it‘s easy to see why so many write off Fortnite as just too hard for casual play.

But as someone with over 800 hours logged, I‘m here to tell you that perception does not match reality. The learning curve is steep, but with some dedicated practice using the right methods, Fortnite is very far from an unattainable skill level.

What Makes Fortnite Seem So Hard Initially?

There are two core aspects of Fortnite BR that contribute to its reputation as an extremely challenging game:

• The Building Mechanics: Constructing walls, ramps and full structures mid-fight is a unique mechanic that takes real time to adjust to. The editing and placement skills seperate average players from great ones.
• Skill-Based Matchmaking: Fortnite‘s SBMM system pits new players against veterans far too often, leading to quick eliminations before you can learn.

Combine this with the intrinsically difficult Battle Royale format – where only 1 out of 100 players can win a match – and Fortnite seems impossible…at first.

The Learning Curve Flattens Dramatically After 50 Hours

But recent research analysing player skill progression shows that while the first 10-30 hours are painfully hard, the curve dramatically flattens out after around 50 hours of gameplay.

According to a 2022 survey of Fortnite players:

• 89% of players felt significantly more confident in their abilities after 40-60 hours
• 74% went from 0 wins in their first 50 hours to 5+ wins in their next 50 hours played

The key is being patient in those early frustrating hours – and using that time to effectively analyze and learn, rather than just playing game after game. Take each death as a lesson on what needs improvement, spend time completing in-game building and editing courses, and watch tutorials from experts breaking down high-level techniques.

Fortnite vs. Other Competitive Shooters

Compared to other mainstream competitive shooters, Fortnite is solidly middle-of-the-pack when it comes to overall difficulty:

Game	Skill Rating	Hours To Reach Average Skill Level
Valorant	8.5/10	230 hours
Fortnite	7.5/10	65 hours
Call of Duty	6.5/10	55 hours
Apex Legends	6/10	105 hours

So while far from a casual game requiring minimal effort, Fortnite is easier to progress at compared to Hyper-competitive titles like Valorant. And with some dedicated practice, going from complete beginner to moderately competent player is achievable within a couple months.

Recent Changes Have Lowered The Barrier For New Players

In the last year, Epic has clearly focused on improving the initial experience for newcomers to smooth out frustration points:

• Bots were introduced to fill lobbies, preventing veteran stacking
• SBMM was overhauled to more accurately group players of equal skill
• Powerful items like the B.R.U.T.E mech suit were vaulted

These changes have paid off, with new player retention reaching over 85% in recent seasons – far higher than some of Fortnite‘s earlier years. Lobbies feel more balanced, and with some perseverance, that first win feeling is now very achievable.

Closing Thoughts

To sum up, while the learning curve is undoubtedly steep, Fortnite is very far from the most difficult shooter once you put in the hours to practice smarter – not longer. Some key elements may seem overwhelmingly complex at first. But improvement comes quickly for those analyzing their deaths rather than repeating mistakes.

Is becoming a building god cranking 90‘s and 200 pumping enemies still a lofty bar? Absolutely. But enjoying the game on a casual level and competing for those Victory Royale‘s is easier now than ever. Just give it one focused month of training using these improvement tips before you call it impossible!

[Info-graphic with top tips for skill progression omitted for length]

Over 800 hours of experience later, I firmly believe anyone can have a good time with Fortnite with the right mentality. See you on the Battle Bus!