Fortnite OG Weapons In Season 5

TL;DR

  • Season 5 introduces 7 game-changing weapons and items that redefine Fortnite’s combat meta
  • Double Barrel Shotgun delivers instant elimination potential within 2-tile range but requires perfect positioning
  • Heavy Sniper remains the only one-shot elimination tool for fully shielded opponents
  • Movement items create unprecedented rotation and escape opportunities when used strategically
  • Proper loadout combinations and timing separate average players from competitive champions


GameSpot may receive revenue from affiliate and advertising partnerships for sharing this content and from purchases through links.

Fortnite OG Season 5 represents a pivotal moment in the game’s evolution, marking the introduction of foundational mechanics that would shape competitive play for years. Beyond the memorable battle pass characters like Strider and Drift, or the narrative significance of Kevin the Cube’s arrival, this season’s true legacy lies in its revolutionary loot pool additions. The debut of shockwave grenades and grapplers established movement as a core combat pillar, while weapons like the Heavy Sniper introduced unprecedented one-shot elimination potential.

While Season 4’s arsenal remains accessible, the OG Season 5 expansion brings seven strategically distinct tools that demand mastery. Understanding their optimal use cases and limitations provides a significant competitive edge in the current meta.

Double Barrel Shotgun

The Double Barrel Shotgun serves as the spiritual predecessor to Chapter 5’s Outlaw Shotgun, but with dramatically different engagement requirements. This close-quarters specialist fires two rapid shots before requiring reload, with effective range limited to approximately 2-3 tiles. The weapon’s defining characteristic is its elimination potential: landing both shots simultaneously against a fully shielded opponent guarantees a knockout. However, achieving this requires near-melee distance and precise aim placement.

Pro Tip: Combine with shockwave grenades for aggressive pushes – blast yourself into close range, unleash both barrels, then reset position.

Compact SMG

As a premium variant of the standard SMG, the Compact SMG features an expanded 40-round magazine that enables sustained pressure. Its balanced performance makes it versatile across multiple engagement distances, though it truly excels within 15-25 meter confrontations. The weapon’s high fire rate and manageable recoil pattern allow for effective build-breaking and finish combinations after shotgun engagements.

Common Mistake: Players often overestimate its long-range effectiveness. Beyond 30 meters, damage falloff significantly reduces its threat level.

Heavy Sniper Rifle

Despite its deliberate handling characteristics and extended reload duration, the Heavy Sniper maintains its status as Fortnite’s premier one-shot elimination tool. Headshots against opponents at maximum health and shields still result in instant elimination, making it the only weapon capable of this feat in the current meta. Additionally, its enhanced structural damage makes it exceptionally effective against vehicles, particularly golf carts which require only two well-placed shots to destroy.

Advanced Technique: Pre-aim at common head-level positions during build fights. The weapon’s bullet travel time is nearly instantaneous, rewarding predictive positioning over reactionary shooting.

Suppressed Assault Rifle (coming later in the season)

The Suppressed Assault Rifle represents a tactical trade-off between stealth and raw power. While visually similar to the standard AR with an integrated suppressor, this variant sacrifices approximately 15% damage per shot for significantly reduced audio signature. The weapon excels in third-party scenarios and ambush tactics where maintaining positional secrecy provides strategic advantage.

Optimization Tip: Use in combination with the Grappler for silent repositioning followed by unexpected angles of attack.

Rift-To-Go

This portable teleportation device enables instantaneous repositioning from any location, creating emergency escape routes or aggressive flanking opportunities. Activation summons a rift at your current position that launches you into the air with glider redeployment. Critical awareness: opponents within 3 tiles can pursue through the same rift, making timing and positioning crucial for successful utilization.

Strategic Insight: Deploy during heal animations to avoid being tracked, or use to access otherwise unreachable high ground positions.

Shockwave Grenades

It’s difficult to imagine Fortnite’s movement meta without shockwave grenades, yet they debuted in this very season. These versatile tools enable rapid vertical and horizontal movement, capable of launching players over mountains, through enemy structures, or creating distance from imminent threats. Their non-damaging blast makes them purely utilitarian but incredibly powerful in skilled hands.

Grappler (coming later in the season)

The original Grappler provides targeted mobility by firing a hook that pulls you toward any surface it contacts. While Chapter 6 Season 3 introduced Robin’s mythic variant with glider activation, this foundational version remains effective for rapid positioning and build avoidance. Its limited charges (typically 10) demand conservative usage during early and mid-game scenarios.

Rotation Strategy: Conserve grappler uses for final circle positioning where unexpected angles provide elimination opportunities.

Mastering Season 5’s arsenal requires understanding optimal weapon combinations and engagement sequencing. The Double Barrel Shotgun pairs exceptionally with the Compact SMG for close-range dominance – use the shotgun for initial burst damage followed by SMG cleanup through structures. This combination excels in box fights and final circle scenarios where rapid elimination is paramount.

Loadout Recommendation: Heavy Sniper (long-range), Suppressed AR (mid-range), Double Barrel (close-range), Shockwaves (mobility), and healing items.

Common Strategic Errors:

  • Using Double Barrel outside its effective 2-tile range
  • Wasting Grappler charges on minor positional adjustments
  • Attempting suppressed AR sprays beyond 50 meters
  • Misjudging enemy pursuit range after Rift-To-Go activation
  • Overestimating Heavy Sniper’s quick-scope potential

Advanced Rotation Tactics: Combine shockwave grenades with grappler uses for multi-stage repositioning. Launch yourself to unexpected angles, then use the grappler for micro-adjustments during descent. This advanced technique requires approximately 15-20 hours of practice but provides unparalleled positional advantage.

For players seeking comprehensive loadout strategies across different game modes, our Class Guide provides detailed breakdowns of optimal equipment combinations.

Golf Carts

The Heavy Sniper’s structural damage capabilities make it exceptionally effective against vehicles, particularly golf carts which can be eliminated with two well-placed shots. This provides strategic value beyond player elimination, enabling teams to neutralize opponent mobility options during late-game scenarios.

Port-A-Fortress (coming later in the season)

Later in the season, the Port-A-Fortress introduces instant high-ground acquisition through deployable structures. This item revolutionizes positioning strategies, allowing immediate fortress establishment in open areas.

Season 4 loot that's still around

Season 4’s arsenal remains fully integrated, creating expanded combination possibilities. Understanding how older items interact with new additions separates competent players from true masters of the game’s mechanics.

For comprehensive weapon analysis and unlock strategies across different titles, our Weapons Unlock guide offers detailed progression pathways.

Action Checklist

  • Practice Double Barrel engagement range in Creative mode (2-3 tile distance)
  • Master Heavy Sniper pre-aim positions at common head-level heights
  • Develop Grappler conservation discipline – save 3+ charges for final circles
  • Integrate shockwave+grappler rotation combinations
  • Test all weapon combinations in Team Rumble before competitive play

No reproduction without permission:SeeYouSoon Game Club » Fortnite OG Weapons In Season 5 Master Fortnite OG Season 5's new arsenal with expert strategies and tactical insights for competitive advantage