In game inventory setup // In game capture by Nicholas Rivera
No matter what game you play, there is always a “META” that is popular. “META” stands for Most Effective Tactic Available, which translates to the inventory that is most effective. While lots of people prefer the classic AR, shotgun, sub and special weapon, there are plenty of variations out there depending on the kind of player. Fortnite has never had so many options as today. The number of guns and explosives players can carry has gone up, causing players to find their perfect “META”. Different for everyone, finding the perfect loadout can mean anything from just holding your favorite guns and having fun, to strategizing with your team. Some squads like to have explosive specialists and healers, while others carry enough firepower to melt a whole team down.
Lynx grappling into opponent’s base // In game capture by Nicholas Rivera
In solos, the “META” a player holds usually dictates the kind of playstyle they have. The average player typically carries an assault rifle, a shotgun and something to follow it up with, such as an SMG. Normally, a special weapon and heals are carried, but some players alter this loadout quite a bit. Pros like Dakotaz are comfortable without weapons like an AR. Dakotaz has been known to run a sniper over an AR, with a shotgun, SMG, grappler and heals. This type of playstyle is great for someone who can hit their shots both close and far. Holding a grappler over a sniper or RPG is also great for players who like mobility or look to take high ground quickly. Grenades are usually held if a player likes to cause some mayhem from afar, or if they’re not comfortable in closer engagements.
Lynx destroying a wall to shotgun enemy inside // In game capture by Nicholas Rivera
In scrims, players often have a different loadout then they would if they were playing regular matches. In these matches, late game is stressful, and firepower can be a huge advantage. High-level players like Poach and Tfue are seen busting through walls with weapons like the Hand Cannon or Heavy Sniper. The advantage to this is that an enemy wall is taken down almost instantly, with just one shot. This makes it very easy for players to replace enemy walls with their own and edit on the person inside. Having this advantage is huge for players because it allows you to keep pace and continue moving. Even when scrims players are in those boxes, movement is crucial when the storm starts heading in. If an enemy wall is in the way, a Hand Cannon is definitely a better alternative then a pickaxe.
In competitions such as the Pop-Up Cups, the “META” varies even more. Pop-Up Competitions are Epic Games’s way of trying different setups for tournaments. The most recent Cups have introduced the popular change of gaining 50 health/shield per kill. This change makes it so meds and shields are not really an issue if players do not have them. It also makes for a huge advantage in the first minute of the game. Landing and killing an opponent will grant the player with the shield most players do not have yet, giving that player an edge over everyone else in that area. The 50 health/shield addition not only gives players advantages but also incentivizes kills. In order to get kills, players would have to alter their “META” so that when health is low they can get some kills from afar. This ensures no damage is taken during the process, making sure all 50 of that health is taken in.
Finding the perfect “META” is essential for players who want to succeed. There are many combinations out there, but that ultimately depends on the player. Every player knows what engagements they like, so grabbing what’s most effective for those situations will help you win the fight. Scrims and Pop-Up Cups may force altered or uncomfortable loadouts, but in time they will only make players better. Being able to adapt your “META” to the game type being played encourages growth and may even help to find a better combo than you had before.
Feature Image Courtesy of @_NicholasRivera
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