Fortnite Chapter 7: Pacific Break mixes an arsenal of new weapons with some old favorites. Plenty of nerfs and buffs have made it one of the most balanced loot pools I can remember, with lots of possible playstyles and weapon combos. But there are certain items and weapons that you should favor—the Deadeye assault rifle, for example, is an absolute must-have.
Below I'll rank all of the weapons, new and old, in a tier list so you know exactly what to equip. Then, I'll go over the uber-powerful mythic weapons and how to get them, before discussing the best mobility, healing, and utility items to complete your loadout.
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Disregarding mythic weapons, here's what I'd pick for my loadout in builds mode:
- The Deadeye assault rifle for mid and long-range fights
- The Iron pump shotgun for close range (although the Twin Hammers work too)
- Wingsuit for getting around the map quickly
- Shockwaves for combat mobility
- A healing item, ideally the Flowberry Fizz, which repairs your shield and grants a zero-gravity effect that pairs marvellously with shockwaves
In Zero Build mode, swap the Wingsuit for Port-a-bunkers, because you're going to want to hunker down as you approach the final zone.
And if you want a three-weapon loadout instead, swap one mobility item for an extra spray weapon, such as the Flex SMG or the Holo Rush SMG.
Fortnite Chapter 7 Pacific Break best weapons tier list
Tier |
Weapon |
|---|---|
S-tier |
Deadeye assault rifle Iron pump shotgun Twin hammer shotguns |
A-tier |
MK-Seven Assault Rifle Flex SMG Holo Rush SMG |
B-tier |
Tactical assault rifle Tactical pistol Vengeful sniper rifle Enforcer assault rifle Arc-lightning gun |
C-tier |
Sovereign shotgun Lock on assault rifle |
In Fortnite Chapter 7 Season 1 the Deadeye assault rifle stands out for its versatility, accuracy and—crucially—its red-dot 1.5x zoom scope, which helps you land shots at mid-range. It's simply the best gun in the game right now.
This season has two strong shotguns: the Iron pump shotgun and the Twin Hammer shotguns. Both pair well with the Deadeye. The Iron pump deals more damage per shot so it's stronger in build box fights when you only have a split second to pull the trigger. The Twin Hammer shotguns, however, fire much faster, are more forgiving, and deal more sustained damage over time, so I prefer them in Zero Build.
You'll also notice there's no D tier this season, reflecting the fact that none of the weapons are duds, and most are solid.
Remember that rarity matters, with rarer versions of weapons dealing more damage, and it can be worth swapping for a "worse" gun of a higher rarity.
S-tier
Deadeye assault rifle
It's still dominating this season despite multiple nerfs. It has both a large magazine and a clean sight to guide your shots, plus a higher-than-average 1.75x headshot multiplier. It's good at most ranges and its recoil is easy to manage. It can even double as a hipfire spray weapon up close if your shotgun runs out.
It doesn't really have a weakness—whereas all the other mid-range automatic weapons do (as I'll explain in a second). Make it your primary weapon.
Iron pump shotgun
A one-hit wonder. Compared to the Twin Hammer, the Iron pump does far more damage per shot—more than 200 at higher rarities—but fires slower. Its high single-shot damage makes it an ideal weapon for box fights, where you might only have a split second to fire before your opponent blocks your line of sight.
Its slow fire rate demands an accompanying spray weapon: in most cases, the Deadeye assault rifle will fill that role, although you could consider carrying a third weapon to help, such as the Flex SMG. If my aim is feeling good, I'll carry the Iron pump as my main shotgun—but if I want something more forgiving and versatile, I'll take the Twin Hammers.
Twin hammer shotguns
These dual-wielders are basically all you need in a close-range fight, and because of their high fire rate they deal far more damage per second than the Iron pump. If you hold down the trigger they'll fire at their optimum rate, so you needn't worry about timing your shots.
They're a perfect pairing for the Deadeye assault rifle. Use the Deadeye to chip at enemies from mid-range, then move in with the Hammers when your opponent is low. Just remember, they deal less damage per shot than the Iron pump (and less than the Sovereign shotgun, too), so you'll be bested in quick-peek build fights. They're my go-to Zero Build shotgun.
A-tier
MK-Seven assault rifle
Red-dot assault rifles are almost automatically good—this one deals more damage per second than the Deadeye but is far less versatile because of its heavier recoil, lower damage-per-shot, and erratic hipfire. At close range in a straight fight, you'll overpower the Deadeye if you control the spread but at mid ranges and beyond, you'll get stomped.
Given the choice I'd rather carry the Deadeye, but the MK-Seven is still an excellent primary weapon, particularly in the end-game where the circle shrinks and squashes players together.
Flex SMG
An SMG with two modes of fire: from the hip it shoots rapidly but deals less damage per bullet; when you aim in, the damage per shot jumps but the fire rate drops. In both modes it deals more damage per second than any other gun in the game, and for that reason it's worth paying attention to.
While it's dreadful at range it absolutely melts players up close, and its fast fire rate chews through builds quickly, applying tons of pressure in box fights. The main issue is that it can't really replace your Deadeye assault rifle or shotgun of choice, meaning you'll have to sacrifice a mobility item to carry it as a third weapon.
Holo SMG
With the Flex and the Holo, Epic Games is finally doing right by SMGs. Recent buffs have boosted the damage and magazine size of the Holo SMG, putting its DPS on par with the Flex SMG but with the added bonus of a Holo optic sight. If you live in the short-to-mid range, this might even be a better choice than the Deadeye.
It struggles at longer ranges, so you'll either need to carry this as a third weapon or, if you equip it over the Deadeye, adapt your playstyle to minimise long-range encounters.
B-tier
Tactical pistol
If you can land your shots it'll out-class basically every other weapon. Its high fire rate, solid base damage of around 25 per shot and its whopping 2x headshot multiplier means you drop an enemy before they know what hit them (four headshots will down an enemy in build mode).
But landing your shots is easier said than done: not only does this gun kick like an angry mule, but its small magazine is unforgiving, and by the time you've trained your spray on your foe, it's time to reload. I'd rather carry the Deadeye or one of the SMGs.
Vengeful sniper rifle
It's the quintessential sniper rifle: slow-firing and powerful, with a 2x headshot multiplier. It can't one-shot opponents (its maximum possible damage is 196), which limits its potential, but if you can land your first shot and follow it up with an assault rifle then your opponent is toast. If you're playing in a squad, it can be handy to have one between you.
SMGs being strong again makes this more viable, too: sniper for long-range, SMGs for short-to-mid range, and a shotgun for close range.
Arc-lightning gun
Never my first choice because its range is short, it has a charge up time and you can't fire it from behind cover, but this is some people's favorite weapon. If your aim is slightly off it'll still deal some damage, and when you're frying your enemy their screen is filled with blue, which makes people panic.
In build modes, it can cause havoc because its beam chains between players, structures, and back again. It also destroys bushes—fantastic for campers. If aiming isn't your strong point, give this a go.
Tactical assault rifle
An assault rifle that shines up close. It'll technically out-DPS the Deadeye if you land every one of your shots, which makes it tempting, but its per-bullet damage is meagre at around 20, so it struggles when tap-firing at range.
The MK-Seven assault rifle threatens to make it obsolete (it deals more damage, and has a scope), but the saving grace of this weapon is that it uses mini ammo rather than medium bullets. You're less likely to run out and if you're playing as a team, it means you can distribute ammo more evenly between your squad.
Enforcer assault rifle
In any other season this slow-firing, accurate, high-damage rifle would shine. It deals up to 40 damage per body shot at higher rarities, so you can really harass enemies from long range.
But it's got two big drawbacks. First, its small magazine. Its stats stack up to the Spire rifle from Chapter 6, but where the Spire held 50 bullets, the Enforcer only holds 20. And second, the presence of the Deadeye and its red-dot sight means there's very little reason to carry it. Still, if you find it off spawn, or if you prefer a long-range playstyle, you won't be disappointed.
C-tier
Lock on assault rifle
An annoying weapon that will lock on to enemies in front of you and fire three-round bursts when you click. Essentially, you don't need to aim: just point vaguely in another player's direction, pause, and pull the trigger. Sounds overpowered, right? Thankfully its damage is comparatively low and it emits a red glare that alerts enemies to your position. Plus, it won't shoot past 100 metres, so you can't ping enemies across the map.
But it's still very powerful if you can get the drop on enemies, and the lock-on makes it easy to finish enemies who are fleeing in a wingsuit. It also pairs brilliantly with shockwaves because you can lock on when you're zooming through the air. A fly-by killing. It probably should go higher on this list but I just resent what it stands for and how unfair it feels when you're killed by it. Consider this a spiteful placement.
Sovereign shotgun
A solid do-it-all shotgun. From the hip it fires fast with a large spread, so you can spam it at close range. If you aim in it fires slower but the spread tightens, increasing its range and one-shot damage potential.
I love its versatility, but it feels a little lost in a middle ground between the superior Iron pump and Twin Hammers. It'll usually lose to the Twin Hammer shotguns up close, and it deals less damage per shot than the Iron pump, so I'd rather pick one of them and tailor my playstyle.
Mythic weapons
Fortnite Chapter 7 Pacific Break mythic weapons
There are seven mythic guns in the new Fortnite chapter. Four of them drop from bosses, two from challenges in specific locations of the map, and one has a tiny chance to spawn when you fish.
Boss spawns are random in Chapter 7, which I love. They can appear virtually anywhere on the map. Look out for the boss icon on your minimap: it's a skull wearing a crown. Defeat the boss to get the mythic.
All the mythic weapons are listed below, with instructions on where to find them. They are all, as you'd hope, strong, and the mythic lightning gun is the only one I wouldn't go out of my way to get.
- Hush's Deadeye assault rifle: A mythic version of the Deadeye, dropped by the Hush boss.
- Brutus' Twin Hammer shotguns: Defeat the Brutus boss to get the mythic version of the Twin Hammer shotguns.
- Human Bill's Arc-Lightning gun: The Human Bill boss drops this gun when killed.
- Bigfoot's Flex SMG: Bigfoot drops this SMG. The damage is absurd.
- Pinpoint Iron pump shotgun: A mythic version of the Iron pump. To get it, you'll need to lift the giant weight at Ripped Tides, in the west of the map. Before you try your rep, eat the steaks dotted around the POI because they'll help you lift it much faster.
- Enhanced Enforcer assault rifle: You need to drive a car over the big stunt ramp on the east side of the map, north of Classified Canyon. Then, this mythic has a chance to drop.
- Overdrive Tactical Pistol: A very low chance to appear when you're fishing at a fishing hole. A powerful pistol with improved fire rate when aiming down sights.
Should you carry boss transformation kits in Fortnite Chapter 7?
Alongside mythic weapons, bosses each drop a "transformation kit". These kits transform you into the boss, granting you extra health and shield plus a unique ability: low-gravity for Human Bill, shield regeneration for Brutus, blink-style teleports called Zero Point dashes for Hush, and footstep tracking for Bigfoot.
But they have two big downsides: first, they take up an inventory slot, and second, they show your exact location on the map at all times. I don't think the advantages are worth it.
Best Fortnite items
Best items in Fortnite Chapter 7: What heals and mobility to carry alongside your weapons
What should you carry alongside your favorite weapons? The answer has changed constantly throughout the season: shockwaves have moved in and out of the loot pool and new healing items have shaken the meta.
You'll need at least one mobility item and some healing. You can also carry utility items such as portable cover in Zero Build. Don't worry, I'll explain everything below.
Healing
As always, the best healing item is the one you have on you: shield potions, med kits, fish, and bandages will do in a pinch. But there are a few standout heals.
The first is Chug Jug, which heals 200 health and shield combined and can be used as many times as you need until it runs out. It's the best pure healing item in the game.
My favorite healing item is the newly added Flowberry Fizz. It sprays everyone in the area, including your teammates, with a shield spray that heals up to 100 total. More importantly, it grants a zero-gravity effect that improves mobility: if you pop a fizz then shockwave you'll go a mile.
The Flowberry Mist Grenade is similar to the Fizz, but creates a concealing cloud when you throw it that patches shields and grants the same zero-gravity effect. I prefer the Flowberry Fizz because you can pop it and cork it at will as long as it has some charge left, whereas when you use a grenade it's gone (and it only sits in stacks of three).
In team-based modes, the Shield Keg, bought from a vending machine, is solid too. If you chuck it on the ground then it spurts out shield juice that heals everyone in the vicinity: enough to get you and all your allies to full shield. Dead handy.
If I had to pick one, it'd be the Flowberry Fizz for how well it pairs with my favorite mobility item, the Shockwave Grenade. But the Fizz is quite rare, so the mist grenade is a good back-up.
And while not technically a healing item, you'll want to keep an eye out for a self-revive device. When you're downed, it'll bring you back to life with an eight-second animation. You can find it in vending machines for 2,000 gold, or rarely in chests,
Mobility
Shockwaves were, somewhat controversially, vaulted earlier in the season but Epic has added them back now and they should be your go-to combat mobility. You can carry them in stacks of six and they're good for both fleeing enemies or for closing the gap when you've dealt some damage. Sometimes a fight is decided by which player is carrying more shockwaves.
Your trajectory varies depending on where you stand relative to the grenade, so load into a practice map and get used to them. And remember to regularly pop Flowberry Fizz (a quick mouse click will give you zero-G and only consumes five ticks of shield) so that you fly farther.
The other mobility item, the wingsuit, looks epic but can easily get you killed because it leaves a colorful trail. Activate it to soar skywards and then fly around, losing altitude as you go. If you swoop down you'll gain speed, and you can then look upwards again to fly further. Stay mobile in the air to avoid enemy shots. It is best-used to travel long distances around the map.
I like carrying both of these items, but if I only have one slot spare it's shockwaves all the way.
Utilities and throwables
The final few items competing for a loadout slot in Fortnite Chapter 7 are utility items and throwable explosives.
Utility items are mainly relevant for Zero Build modes, because these can act as portable cover.
Specifically, keep an eye out for the Port-a-Bunker, which builds a small, ramped fort around you, the Shield Bubble Jr, which spawns a small impenetrable dome, and the throwable Bush, which conceals you and negates the first damage you take.
They're all useful, but the Port-a-Bunker is the best of the bunch for Zero Build and can give you an edge in the late game. If you want them I'd recommend carrying them alongside two weapons, one mobility item, and one healing item.
As for explosives, you have grenades, dynamite, and clingers. They can be useful for team-based build modes, but otherwise I'd largely ignore them.
And then there's the Stealth Splash: a throwable that turns you invisible. Except not really, because your outline is still very much visible, so for that reason it's not worth using.
How to get OG weapons from the DeLorean in Fortnite Chapter 7
It's official: Fortnite has time travel now.
If you see a car icon on your map, that means a DeLorean—the car from the Back to the Future films—is nearby. If you go fast enough while driving it (88mph) a snazzy mini cut-scene greets you as you travel through a time vortex, returning with a shiny crate on top of your car.
If you open that crate, you'll find high-rarity weapons from Fortnite's past. The possible weapons are:
- Pump shotgun
- Assault rifle
- Hunting rifle
- Lever-action shotgun
- Drum gun
- Minigun
- Six Shooter
- Infantry rifle
Fortnite loadout tips
Experiment to find your perfect loadout
Now you have a feel for all the weapons and items, here are some simple tips for picking your ideal combo:
- Play to your strengths: Everyone’s playstyle is different. If you’re good at closing distances with shifty movement, you could ditch an assault rifle and combine the Holo SMG with a shotgun, and double up on mobility. Test different combos until you find some you enjoy.
- Pick weapons that synergise: Ideally, that means something short-range and something for mid-range fights. Also think about your weapons’ strengths and weaknesses, and how they fit together. The MK-Seven rifle is erratic from the hip, so doesn't really work up close. Therefore if you're only carrying one other weapon you'll need something that can deal sustained damage: the Twin Hammer shotguns will be a better pick than the more powerful but slower-firing Iron Pump shotgun.
- Consider swapping to a "worse" weapon of higher rarity: A purple Holo SMG will beat a white Deadeye assault rifle. Adapt to what you find.
- Remember, there are no rules: Find a loadout you enjoy and stick with it, or vary it up every match depending on your mood.
