“Before there was firepower, there was finesse.”
— From the private armory notes of The Fortnite Society
While the thunder of rifles and the hum of railguns dominate much of Fortnite’s battlefield, those who study the game’s deeper rhythm know that the true spice of combat lies elsewhere—in the swift, deliberate strike of a blade, the weight of a warhammer, or the rhythmic brutality of close-quarters fists.
Melee weapons in Fortnite have evolved from simple tools into mythical instruments of chaos, crossover prestige, and strategic expression. What began as a humble harvesting implement has, over time, transformed into a diverse arsenal of close-range destruction—each piece bringing with it new mechanics, mythologies, and memories.
Let us begin our journey through time, from Chapter 1 to the present, chronicling the evolution of Fortnite’s most intimate weapons.
⚒️ Chapter 1: The Humble Beginning
The Pickaxe
Every Fortnite player’s first weapon—and often their last resort.
Originally designed purely for harvesting materials and dealing minimal damage (20 per swing), the pickaxe has never left the game. While functionally static, its cosmetic diversity exploded, becoming an expression of identity, humor, and occasionally, intimidation.
Even today, seasoned warriors recognize the psychological warfare of a no-nonsense original pickaxe—wielded by someone who probably doesn’t miss their shots.
“To fight with a pickaxe is to declare: I didn’t need bullets to beat you.”
🗡️ Chapter 2: Mythics and Mayhem
Infinity Blade (Season 7)
The sword that broke the battlefield. Introduced as a Mythic melee weapon, the Infinity Blade was beautiful, powerful—and quickly infamous.
- Dealt massive damage
- Granted health on elimination
- Allowed high-mobility lunges
Its overwhelming strength led to massive backlash. It was removed shortly after its debut, becoming one of Fortnite’s most controversial balance experiments.
Power without limits invites only chaos.
Lightsabers (Chapter 2, Season 1)
A crossover with Star Wars brought elegance to melee combat. Lightsabers introduced:
- Bullet reflection
- Chainable melee combos
- High durability
Initially a limited-time item, they returned seasonally and with new mechanics over time. Their role in Zero Build is uniquely defensive, offering a rare form of bullet control.
🔮 Chapter 3: Monsters, Marvels, and Momentum
Sideways Scythe (Season 8)
Emerging from the eerie alternate dimension known as the Sideways, this weapon offered:
- Fast slashing
- Spin attacks
- Health-on-kill
The Sideways Scythe catered to aggressive, mobility-based combat—especially effective in early Zero Build skirmishes where control and momentum were paramount.
Carnage & Venom Symbiotes
Part of the Marvel collaboration, these organic tendrils functioned like pseudo-melee weapons:
- Long-range grab and slam
- High damage arc attacks
- Movement-enhancing leaps
These weren’t purely melee, but they encouraged close-range aggression in a new, comic-book flavored fashion.
🗡️ Chapter 4: Blades and Grapples Take the Stage
Kinetic Blade
A true return to form for melee weapons. The Kinetic Blade combined mobility and burst melee damage into a fluid, stylish tool.
- Dash attacks (with charges)
- Standard slashes with delay
- Great synergy with Zero Build rotations
Players could dash through cover, close gaps, or disengage instantly. It rewarded precision and punished overcommitting.
ODM Gear
Inspired by Attack on Titan, this dual-grappling melee tool offered:
- Grapple mobility
- Mid-air slashing
- Combo opportunities
Unlike other melee tools, ODM Gear blurred the line between mobility and offense, especially useful in vertical fights and unpredictable environments.
🧤 Chapter 5: Fists, Turtles, and Functionality
Nitro Fists
Chapter 5 introduced Nitro Fists, which combined:
- Multi-hit combos
- Charged slams
- Mid-air impact knockbacks
This was a melee weapon that didn’t feel like one—it felt like a fighting game character’s loadout, complete with skill expression, timing windows, and animation reads.
Perfect for disrupting enemies behind cover or in tight indoor zones.
TMNT Melee Arsenal
A crossover with the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles brought not just one weapon, but four iconic ones:
- Leonardo’s Katanas
- Raphael’s Sai
- Donatello’s Bo Staff
- Michelangelo’s Nunchaku
Each offered custom animations and slightly varied combat cadence. While their stats were largely similar, the real appeal was style over stats—and a strong boost of nostalgia.
⚔️ Chapter 6 and Beyond: Force and Flow
Force-Lightsaber Hybrids
Fortnite’s return to Star Wars reached new heights with Jedi and Sith training NPCs.
After training, players wielded:
- Lightsabers with unique styles (depending on trainer)
- Force Push, Pull, Throw, or Dash abilities
- Passive enhancements like double jump
This iteration blurred melee, mobility, and power fantasy into one graceful combat system—excellent for Zero Build, where repositioning and misdirection are key.
🔮 What Makes a Good Melee Weapon in Fortnite?
Across all chapters, the most successful melee weapons shared several traits:
| Trait | Description |
|---|---|
| Mobility | Melee weapons must help close gaps—or escape danger. |
| Momentum | The ability to chain movement or slashes into combos. |
| Style | Whether samurai or superhero, visual identity matters. |
| Balance | Strong enough to be viable—but not enough to ruin fights. |
| Versatility | Used for more than damage—sometimes defense or traversal. |
📜 Final Thoughts from the Society
The melee weapon is not just a tool for damage.
It is a statement.
It says:
“I could have used a gun… but I didn’t.”
From the pickaxe of Chapter 1 to the Force-wielding elegance of Chapter 6, melee weapons continue to evolve. Sometimes subtle, sometimes scandalous—but always memorable.
In Zero Build, where mobility and misdirection reign, melee tools have often served as gap-closers, flank-makers, and second chances. Expect future chapters to double down on hybrid weapons—those that move, strike, and reset all at once.
So whether you’re wielding a blade of plasma, a bow staff, or your trusty harvesting tool, remember this:
It’s not the size of the weapon, nor the mythic rarity.
It’s the style with which you swing it.
—
– The Curators of The Fortnite Society
“Where close-range is the realm of connoisseurs, not cowards.”
