Fortnite Building Like a Pro: How to Improve Your Construction Skills
Jul-25-2024
If you've ever found yourself watching top-tier Fortnite players build towers and fortresses in mere seconds, you might feel like you're watching a magician at work. The way they crank out 90s, edit windows, and protect themselves while staying on the offensive seems almost supernatural. But here's the kicker: you can get there too. With practice, some smart strategies, and a few pro tips under your belt, you'll be building like a seasoned pro before you know it.
Why Building is the Bread and Butter of Fortnite
Fortnite isn't just about shooting or sneaking around—it’s a game where your construction skills can make or break you. Think of building as your shield, your weapon, and your mode of transport all rolled into one. A well-placed wall can block an incoming shot, a ramp can give you a height advantage, and a quick tower can let you escape from a sticky situation. If you master building, you essentially hold the keys to the kingdom in Fortnite.
Practice Makes Perfect: Muscle Memory is Key
First things first: building fast isn't just about knowing what buttons to press—it's about building muscle memory. It's like riding a bike or typing on a keyboard. At first, you might need to think about every single movement, but with enough repetition, it becomes second nature.
Set aside some time each day just to practice building. Head into Creative Mode and start with the basics: build walls, ramps, and floors. Practice building simple 1x1 towers, then move on to more complex structures. Repetition is your best friend here. It’s all about drilling those key movements into your brain until you can execute them without thinking.
The Importance of Keybinds: Efficiency is Everything
Your keybinds are like the foundation of a sturdy building. If they’re not set up right, you’ll struggle to build quickly and efficiently. Take a hard look at your current keybinds—are they easy to reach? Do they allow you to build without moving your fingers too far? If not, it might be time for a change.
Many pros use custom keybinds tailored to their playstyle. The key here is to find what feels natural to you. Consider mapping your building pieces to keys that are close to your movement keys, so you can build without needing to stretch your fingers or take them off critical movement controls.
Ramp Rushes and 90s: Your Go-To Building Techniques
Let’s talk strategy. There are two building techniques every Fortnite player needs to master: the ramp rush and the 90s. Both of these techniques are essential for gaining high ground, which is often the difference between winning and losing a fight.
Ramp Rush: This is your bread and butter for pushing opponents. The basic ramp rush involves placing a ramp with walls in front to protect yourself from shots as you move forward. As you get more comfortable, you can add floors underneath for additional support, making it harder for enemies to shoot you down.
90s: If you’re looking to gain height fast, 90s are your best friend. The technique involves rapidly placing walls, a floor, and a ramp in a tight spiral to climb upwards quickly. It’s a little tricky to master, but once you get the hang of it, you’ll be out-building your opponents in no time.
Editing: The Secret Sauce to Outplay Your Opponents
Building is only half the battle—editing is where the real magic happens. A quick edit can give you a window to shoot your opponent, create an escape route, or fake out your enemy entirely. The best part? It can turn the tables on an opponent who thinks they’ve got you cornered.
Start with basic edits: learn to open windows, create doorways, and cut corners on walls. As you get more comfortable, move on to more advanced edits like editing ramps or creating openings in floors and ceilings. The goal is to be so fast with your edits that your opponent doesn’t even have time to react.
Resource Management: Don’t Run Out of Steam
Even the best builders can’t do much without materials. Keeping an eye on your resources and knowing when to farm is crucial. Always make sure you have a healthy stockpile of wood, brick, and metal before heading into a fight. When you're farming, don’t just hit the trees and rocks—hit the sweet spots to gather materials faster. And remember, different materials offer different levels of protection, so choose wisely depending on the situation.
Build Under Pressure: Stay Cool When the Heat is On
Building in a calm environment is one thing, but doing it under pressure is a whole different ball game. When you're getting shot at, your first instinct might be to panic—but keeping a cool head is the key to building like a pro. Practice building under simulated pressure. For example, have a friend fire at you while you build or put yourself in situations where you have to build quickly to survive.
Another tip? Always stay on the move. Standing still while building makes you an easy target. Learn to keep building while moving, jumping, and rotating around your structures to avoid being an easy hit.
Advanced Techniques: Taking Your Building to the Next Level
Once you've got the basics down, it’s time to get fancy. Advanced building techniques like “turtling,” “double ramping,” and “box fighting” can give you an edge over opponents who aren’t as skilled. These techniques require more practice, but they’re worth the effort.
Turtling: This is a defensive technique where you build a small box around yourself, usually with a roof, to protect against incoming fire. It’s great for healing or regrouping when you’re under heavy pressure.
Double Ramping: This involves building two ramps side by side, along with walls for protection. It’s a more advanced way to rush opponents while minimizing the risk of getting shot down.
Box Fighting: A box fight occurs when two players are in close quarters, usually inside a 1x1 box. Mastering this technique requires quick edits, smart use of traps, and the ability to predict your opponent’s moves.
Mind Over Matter: The Right Mindset for Building Success
Finally, let’s talk about mindset. Building in Fortnite requires quick thinking, creativity, and a lot of patience. If you mess up, don’t get discouraged. Every mistake is a learning opportunity. Watch replays of your games to see where you could have built better or faster. Pay attention to what other players are doing—there’s always something new to learn.
Remember, Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither is a Fortnite pro. Stay positive, keep practicing, and most importantly, have fun. Building is one of the most unique and enjoyable aspects of Fortnite, so enjoy the process of getting better. With time, you’ll not only improve but also start to enjoy outsmarting your opponents with your slick builds.
Wrapping It Up: Your Journey to Building Like a Pro
Improving your construction skills in Fortnite is like embarking on a hero’s journey. It’s going to be challenging, but it’s also going to be incredibly rewarding. Start with the basics, get those keybinds sorted, and practice, practice, practice. Mix in some advanced techniques, keep a cool head under pressure, and never stop learning.
Before you know it, you’ll be the one making those crazy builds that leave your opponents in awe. So, jump into Creative Mode, fire up a game, and start building. Your future Fortnite self will thank you!