Fortnite update today (7th August): What changes in the patch notes?

So, we're going to take you through the patch notes for today's Fortnite update to let you know all about the most important changes as we kick off Season 4.

Fortnite update today (7th August): What changes in the patch notes?

Fortnite Chapter 6 Season 4 is bug-themed, whatever that means. Here's what the official Fortnite websites has to say about it:

"At attention, soldier. The orders are in, so charge headfirst into the hive! The bugs out there? Vicious, relentless, swarming. The vermin are dug in deep, and drawing out the queen won't be easy.

"Neutralise the infestation with the latest and greatest high-tech tools in Fortnite BR Chapter 6 Season 4: Shock 'N Aweseome!"

Paul Verhoeven, eat your heart out.

New POIs

The map is getting a big overhaul this season, with a whole host of new POIs to explore:

• The Hive – Recon shows high insect activity at The Hive. Running into the swarm here is an absolute certainty, and entry is not advised without a proper stock of ammunition.
• OXR HQ – Troops are stationed in the barracks at OXR HQ. Here you'll find the OXR commanders at the battle ops hub in the main building and an OXR Armory, where you can buy weapons and other items with Bars.
• Ranger's Ruin – Ranger's Ruin is a cautionary tale. Formerly a bustling weapons lab for OXR, the base was lost to the infestation. Needless to say, it's rife with quality loot if you're willing to get your hands dirty!

New enemies

At these new POIs, you may run into a collection of new insectoid enemies:

• Swarmer – The most common is the bottom-feeder, the Swarmer. (These are gross little buggers.) They'll bog you down if you don't take them out quickly.
• Bomber – Near the nests, you'll find hefty Bomber bugs on guard. These chonkers like to burrow and pop up behind you before letting loose a goop lob from afar that you really don't want to catch a whiff of.
• Queen – Then we have the alphas: the Queens. Usually burrowed deep, Queens are massive slugs, taller than most buildings. They'll surface after you've rid their nest of bugs, then they'll summon their grimy kin and try to body slam you something fierce. You might be reminded of that breakdance move… "the worm". It's an embarrassing way to go, but most don't stay uneliminated to talk about it anyway.

Unique OXR buffs

Like the Super Rank last season, this season introduces an OXR Rank, which is levelled up by killing players and bugs, and looting chests.

Every time you rank up, an OXR Drop Pod full of loot will be dropped on your location. Hit rank S+ and you'll get a Drop Pod containing a guaranteed Mythic.

Furthermore, once you hit rank A, you'll gain access to OXR Bunkers which are chock full of Exotic weapons.

New weapons

There are a few unique new weapons joining the game on launch, and a few others that will be added to the game over the course of the season. Here they all are:

• Bug Blaster – Let loose explosive plasma projectiles or charge it up to really pack a wallop!
• Roly Poly – Roll and bounce around the map, or charge it up and let it rip for a big burst of speed!

• Military-Grade Flyswatters – If you're serious about stomping roachies, then you'll want to pick up OXR issue equipment
  • Leadspitter 3000 minigun
  • Sweeper Shotgun
  • OXR Rifle
  • Wrecker Revolver
  • Swarmstrike rocket launcher
• Blade Blaster – This sleek, sci-fi energy pistol is a lightweight hip cannon that allows for quick-tap firing or powerful, charged-up bursts

New Boons

Looting OXR Chests and Hive Sacs can reward you with some unique and powerful Boons:

• Agile Aiming Boon – While aiming down sights, your recoil and spread will be reduced and you'll maintain more of your movement speed.
• Extended Magazine Boon – Increases clip size for all your weapons.
• Storm Forecast Boon – The next Storm circle is always revealed to you
• Super Soldier Ranked Boons (B-S+)
  • Rank B – Reduces Energy consumption when sprinting.
  • Rank A – Rank B ability + increases reload speed.
  • Rank S – Rank B and A abilities and reduces weapon recoil and spread.
  • Rank S+ – Rank B, A, and S abilities and increases sprint speed and gives you unlimited energy.

New Medallions

Clearing the swarm at one of three POIs will trigger a boss fight with a Queen bug, defeating which grants you one of these Medallions:

• Surge Medallion (The Hive) – Increases movement speed and gives a burst of speed when sliding.
• Springleg Medallion (Demon's Domain) – Gives you the ability to double jump, with fall damage immunity.
• Carapace Medallion (Ranger's Ruin) – Gives 50 Health when you eliminate an opponent, and passively gives 3 Shield per second up to 50 Shield.

Battle Pass and crossovers

The new Battle Pass includes a few big crossovers with the likes of Halo's UNSC Spartans and Power Rangers, alongside a host of Epic Games original skins.

Later this season, a set of quests will give players the chance to unlock a Dino Megazord Outfit, starting on 16th September.

Before then, however, you can grab the Mighty Morphin Bundle from the Item Shop to get all of the Power Ranger skins right now.

Check out more of our Gaming coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.