Epic Games has axed Trios mode in Fortnite, removing it from both Battle Royale and Zero Build modes alongside the launch of Fortnite Update 24.40.
While Fortnite's latest update – the delayed Fortnite Update 24.40 – is bringing players the exciting new Fortnite Ranked mode, Epic Games has also quietly announced that Trios will no longer be available in Fortnite's Battle Royale and Zero Build modes. Trios was originally introduced as a Fortnite LTM (limited time mode) and was later made a permanent fixture in the game during Fortnite Chapter 2 Season 5 back in December 2020.
After around two-and-a-half years of being a permanent feature in the game, Trios is no more as of today, meaning that players will either have to find a fourth person for Squads or go in as a trio at a major disadvantage (or go and play Duos, but that wouldn't be nice). Epic Games nonchalantly announced the move on the @FortniteStatus Twitter account bringing in a ton of upset players commenting on the move.
Epic Games hasn't commented on if this is a limited-time removal or if Trios was gone for good – presumably it's too early to tell.
Three is (no longer) the magic number
If I had to speculate, the removal of Trios is likely down to the introduction of Fortnite Ranked. Considering that the new Ranked mode opens up four brand new modes for players to dive into – Battle Royale Solos, Duos, Squads and Zero Build Duos (with Solos and Squads likely to get added for Zero Build upon the launch of Fortnite Chapter 4 Season 3) – Epic Games probably made the call to cut Trios to reduce further splintering of the player base.
I can only assume that this removal wont be permanent, and at the very least Trios will return as a Fortnite LTM in the future once again – if not a permanent fixture. Truth be told, the writing was on the wall that if any mode were to get axed that Trios would be first to the chopping block, for example, when you would look at your stats in-game the game still only lists Solos Duos and Squads stats – Epic Games clearly saw Trios as less of a priority.
Hopefully the launch of Fortnite Ranked is successful enough that we get Trios back sooner rather than later, as its one of my personal favourite ways to play the game and now I'm stuck having to find another person to form a Squad with. This feels like a rare misstep for Epic Games which has been firing on all cylinders with Fortnite Chapter 4 Season 2 – one of the best seasons yet.
