Specifically, Sean Hamilton, Epic Games’ community coordinator, has taken to Twitter to announce that Fortnite players that are piloting the plane will take increased damage when it is demolished. Destroying a plane, or crashing one, currently deals 25 damage to the pilot, and this is being doubled to 50.
This tweak is to be implemented with Fortnite’s v7.10 update, and while this new patch was scheduled for release on December 18, Epic has recently indicated that it is delayed until further notice, “due to last minute issues discovered within the build.”
For better or worse, this means that players will have a little more time with the current X-4 Stormwing.
Beyond this nerf, not much is currently known about v7.10. However, Epic has confirmed one thing that will not be included: another new vehicle called the Driftboard. This snowboard-inspired conveyance was revealed today through Fortnite’s in-game news feed, and it is a single-player vehicle with apparent “boost” mechanics.
It is safe to say that players will have access to the Driftboard before the end of Season 7, considering its connection with the game’s new wintery biome and its apparent depiction in some of the season’s promotional material. That said, fans will need to wait a bit longer than they may have hoped for the release of this new vehicle.
With Season 7, Epic has certainly been testing the boundaries of what power level is appropriate for battle royale. Just last week, a vocal portion of the player base called for a newly introduced Mythic sword, the Infinity Blade, to be vaulted, and Epic complied.
It does not seem that the same fate awaits the X-4 Stormwing, though it remains to be seen if this specific nerf will be sufficient in bringing it in line. Some players may find these phases of competing against overpowered gear frustrating, but it is refreshing to see that Epic is willing to continue innovating, and that it is committed to acting promptly on player feedback.
Sean Hamilton’s confirmation of the nerf of the X-4 Stormwing Plane can be found on Twitter.
