Fortnite's lock-on assault rifle is a stinker and should be vaulted

Fortnite is hard when your crosshair sways like a drunk sailor on rough seas. Victory royales are rare, and even after playing since launch the final zone still makes my heart pound; a win is a real high knowing you outplayed dozens of opponents. The Lock On assault rifle isn't overpowered.

It deals just 10 damage per bullet at its base rarity, so a full lock deals 120 damage, but by then your enemy can evade, build, or hide before you can charge it again. It feels tailor-made for beginners, yet its low damage means it loses to basically every other rifle—land a few bursts and an opponent can simply turn and finish you.

Its apparent purpose is as a finishing weapon against players using shockwave mobility. Epic has said Fortnite has a "combat fleeing issue" and that shockwaves make it too easy to escape engagements, so the Lock On directly counters defensive shockwaves by allowing you to drop weakened enemies out of the sky.

fortnite, lock on, assault rifle, crosshair sway, victory royale, final zone, 10 damage, shockwave mobility, combat fleeing, epic